Developments in high-power diode lasers
Mülheim-Kärlich, Germany—Just like clockwork, Laserline GmbH introduces new high-power laser diode technology every two years. This year the company increased the power (up to 3 kW) that can be delivered to a workpiece through a 1mm diameter fiber. This now allows for keyhole type welding.
Also presented to the public is a 450W diode with beam delivery through a 400-µm fiber, and a 0.4mm spot size and an 85mm working distance. Laserline sees this unit as a direct competitor to lamp-pumped Nd:YAG lasers.
The company's DioScan (diode laser with scanner) is now rated at 500 W with a 50-percent smaller spot size (1.4 mm) and a working area of 130 × 130 mm. This unit, it says, is ideal for welding plastics and soldering.
Learn more about Laserline diode lasers on its website, www.laserline.de.