Ypsilanti, MI--Laser materials processing systems providerTrotec is introducing a new line of carbon-dioxide (CO2 or CO2) laser sources from Iradion Laser (North Smithfield, RI) that have a 100% ceramic resonator body for improved reliability, high engraving quality, increased longevity, and reduced energy consumption.
Typically, CO2 lasers (http://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-41/issue-5/features/sealed-cosub2-sub-lasers-take-the-modular-approach.html) use all-metal or glass-based laser sources for laser processing. CeramiCore technology improves the design as it has no aluminum welds or glass seals the can leak over time. Instead, two ceramic half shells are fused together to form the resonator during manufacturing and fired at over 800 degrees Celsius. The burning process immaculately cleans the interior surface, removing any impurities.
Furthermore, all of the optical elements and the electrodes are mounted on the outside of the resonator and the gas is excited through the ceramic body. This means that there are no interior metal surfaces that could damage the gas mixture's equilibrium. The result is a pure gas composition over the lifetime of the laser source, enabling a longer lifetime of the ceramic laser source compared to traditional sources.
Ceramic lasers can also be operated at much greater pressures resulting in faster pulse speeds, which are critical for high speed engraving and marking applications. Laser users can benefit from highest engraving quality at speeds up to 140 inches/second. And finally, the architecture features lower energy consumption. Benchmark tests show an energy reduction rate of up to 30%.
"We've tested Iradion laser sources stringently and extensively for a number of years. We wanted to assure ourselves that CeramiCore [trademark] technology is a perfect match with Trotec laser systems. Above all, the power stability of the laser sources throughout their lifetime impressed us," said Stephan Fazeny, head of R&D at Trotec.
Iradion is a US-based manufacturer of OEM laser sources with 15 years of experience in developing and manufacturing laser source technology for sophisticated applications like ceramic scribing. Iradion’s research efforts are fully focused on their ceramic technology, which was initially developed for one of the world’s biggest defense and security corporations for precision, stability, and longevity in the harshest environments possible.
SOURCE: Trotec; http://www.troteclaser.com/en-US-US/About-Trotec/News/Pages/2013-01-CeramiCore.aspx