World’s first 4 kW fibre laser

Amada will preview its 4 kW fibre optic laser cutter at the EuroBLECH 2010 sheet metalworking technology exhibition taking place in Hanover on 26-30 October 2010.

This next-generation machine, named FOL-F, claims to be the first fibre laser oscillator with output as high as 4 kW with linear drives and high speed cutting head to provide the world's fastest processing speeds. The first models are expected to be available for delivery in June 2011.

The FOL-F fibre laser is able to process materials that are seen as difficult to work using conventional CO2 laser technology, such as copper, brass, titanium and non-metals.

Speed is the key attribute of Amada's FOL-F laser. A high grade laser beam with long focal depth at a wavelength of 1 µm allows ultra high processing speeds, up to three times faster on stainless steel and aluminium sheet in comparison with CO2. Stainless steel sheet of 1 mm thickness can be cut at an impressive 60 m/min, for example.

The 4 kW milestone has been achieved using an innovative method of amplifying light in a fibre. Light generated by laser diodes is conducted into a fibre with an outer diameter of just 200 µm. A total of 90, 10 W laser diodes are grouped together into a module, with seven modules stacked together to generate 4 kW of power. This gives the FOL-F the ability to process thicker materials than other non CO2 Lasers. The machine has been developed with the use of telecommunications-grade diode and fibre laser technology supplied by JDSU, a US-based specialist in optical networking products for high-tech applications.

Running costs are 70 per cent less compared to CO2 lasers due to the elimination of machine warm-up operations, no requirement for laser gas and no requirement for consumables such as reflecting mirrors.

Author
Michael Richards

This material is protected by Findlay Media copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.

Supporting Information

Related Companies

Amada United Kingdom Ltd

Do you have any comments about this article?

Name

Comments

Your comments/feedback may be edited prior to publishing. Not all entries will be published.
Please view our Terms and Conditions before leaving a comment.