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CO2
Experimental Laser |
Topics:
Sealed off CO2
Laser
RF Excited Laser
Pulsed and CW Mode
CNC Material Processing
Laser Welding
Laser Cutting
Laser Soldering
Laser Scribing |
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Principle of operation
The CO2 Laser, is undoubtedly considered to be the most
important technical development since the discovery of the laser
in 1961. Today, after more than 34 years of stormy laser
development, the CO2 Laser forms an indispensable tool for
industrial production. When compared with other lasers, the CO2
Laser is distinguished first by its much higher efficiency and
extremely high power output and secondly by the sole dependence
of the power limit on the limits of destructibility of the
optical resonator‘s components. The present technology enables
the laser to achieve output powers of up to 20 kW. With 10 kW
power, one can cut through a centimetre thick steel sheet. CO2
Lasers of under 100 Watt power output have however, achieved the
most frequent application usage. The CO2 Lasers wavelength is
10.6 µm and falls in the range of infrared radiation, which is
also referred to as thermal radiation. The interaction of this
radiation with matter is thus thermal. The coherence of the
laser beam permits it to be focused on a diameter of > 10 µm.
Consequently, the CO2 Laser makes it possible to concentrate
extremely high heat radiation onto exact points of particular
components. Depending on the output power, different effects are
achieved e.g. simple heating for soldering purposes or thermal
colouring for inscriptions on plastics. At higher power levels,
the material locally melts and with the help of a gas jet (e.g.
oxygen) blown coaxial to the laser beam the steel is cut.
Within this system a sealed off, RF excited 100 Watt CO2 Laser
is used. This power level allows the performance of a large
variety of material processing like welding, cutting, soldering,
etc. The laser as well as the workstation is controlled by a
computer. By means of an external CAD program, the structure or
shape to be processed is generated as an HPGL file and passed to
the system where a parser converts it to movement commands for
the motorised X-Y stage. The working area is 100 x 100 mm and
for safety reasons completely covered in such a way that the
entire laser system is classified as a Class I Laser. |
Required Equipment
| Cat. No. |
Qty. |
Description |
Illustration |
07.0306 |
1 |
SMC800
Stepper motor control for laser workstations
This control unit contains the stepper motor controller
and computer interface to be used in connection with the
laser workstations. Beside an emergency stop, the front
panel is also provided with a master key controlled
input to manually operate the laser
|
 |
09.0172 |
1 |
CO2 Laser
head 100 W incl. power supply and electronics cabinet
The RF excited laser head brings outstanding beam
quality and amplitude stability in a super compact
package. It features an efficient folded resonator
approach contained within an all-metal housing. Metal
seals insures long operational and shelf lifetime. The
all solid - state RF power supply can be operated either
CW or in a pulse modulated mode, allowing a wide range
of process control. The supply also includes an
integrated, universal line voltage, DC supply. This
feature allows the laser to be operated from AC line
voltages between 200 and 240 VAC. The RF power supply is
connected to the laser head by a triple shielded RF
cable. All control and monitoring signals are accessed
through a 15 pin D-connector located on the front panel
of the RF supply.
The complete electronics cabinet has a length of 800 mm,
a width of 600 mm and a height of 630 mm. The cabinet
contains the main control unit which controls the laser
head, and all safety interlock circuits. Another control
unit contains the stepper motor controller and computer
interface. The operating voltage is 200 - 240 VAC and
the maximum power consumption is 3.5 kW. Cooling water
is required with a flow rate of 5.7 l/min at a
temperature range of 10 - 35 ° C. Water pressure should
be 205 - 520 kPa and the hardness < 250 mg/l.
|
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09.0174 |
1 |
CO2 Laser
workstation 100 W
The entire system is shielded in such a way that no
hazardous radiation can leave it. Therefore the system
is specified as a Class 1 Laser. For loading the
workstation, the front door can be opened. A micro
switch passes the state of the door to the main safety
interlock controller. When the workstation is opened, it
is not possible to start the laser. To observe the laser
in action a black and white CCD camera is located inside
the workstation and a monitor outside.
|
 |
09.0178 |
1 |
Motor and
laser control software EXP17
The software is able to monitor all safety circuits of
the system and to control the output power of the laser
as well as the mode of operation, like pulsed or
continuous mode. Furthermore, the repetition rate for
pulsed mode can be set as well via the software. By
means of an external CAD program the structure or shape
to be processed is generated as HPGL file and passed to
the system where a parser converts it to movement
commands for the motorised X-Y stage.
|
 |
10.0170
|
1 |
EXP 17 manual |
No
illustration |
Required Options
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19.1000 |
1 |
IBM compatible PC, incl. VGA monitor and keyboard
For some experiments a PC is a must whereas others can
operate without one. However, some nice features may be
not accessible. Due to the steadily changing models and
operating systems a picture is not given. Please ask for
current models.
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No
illustration |
Options
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09.0179
|
1 |
Set of spare parts |
No
illustration |
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