The project is part of the WIR! alliance GRAVOmer, which is pursuing the research, industrial implementation and application of microstructures for the functionalization of surfaces in Central Germany.

Goals and approach

The project aims to combine the two high-rate technologies of ultrafast deflection using polygon scanners and rapid parallel generation of microstructures significantly smaller than the focal spot size using direct laser interference (DLIP), thereby achieving a leap in productivity suitable for industrial use. By using NIR and UV radiation, the process is to be realized with the highest possible resolution in different spectral ranges. With a new type of special machine, the new coupled solution will be offered in line with market requirements and will enable benchmarking. The optical degrees of freedom of the beam path are also to be significantly improved with a new type of 4f optical setup (relay optics).

Partner
ACSYS Lasertechnik GmbH
GRAVOmer Kompetenznetzwerk
Laserinstitut Hochschule Mittweida
Fusion Bionic GmbH
MOEWE Optical Solutions GmbH

The project is funded by the federal ministry of  education and research with grant number 03WIR2019A.

In the RUBIN joint project “UltraShort Pulse Innovation Platform for Customized Applications” (UKPiño), MOEWE is working on the sub-project “Ultra-fast polygon scanning system for 2 µm wavelength” (Poly2UKPino) in the joint project 2 “Functional Components and Systems”.

Goals and approach

MOEWE Optical Solutions GmbH (MOEWE) will work on the topic of beam deflection and pursue the main goal of adapting polygon scanner technology to the 2 µm wavelength. The adaptation will enable the use of fast beam deflection for 2 µm lasers and thus distribute the high laser power sensibly in the process. Another partner in the joint project is the company Robust AO, which is investigating adaptive optics for fast focus shifts in the 2 µm range. A combination with the polygon scanner can lead to rapid beam deflection in space. Fast 3D processing would, for example, enable the surface processing of curved surfaces without slicing in height and multiple passes. For this combination, however, the feasibility and the boundary conditions of the interaction, the mechanical, electrical and informational interfaces of both systems must be investigated from the ground up. Once both systems have been successfully combined, the possibilities and limits of three-dimensional beam deflection must be evaluated. This combination of laser and scanner will be able to significantly increase throughput in the value chains compared to previous beam deflection systems and at the same time help to open up new areas of application.

Partner:
3Faktur
Asclepion Laser Technologies GmbH
asphericon GmbH
Il Metronic Sensortechnik GmbH
Layertec GmbH
LCP Laser-Cut-Processing GmbH
LLT Applikation GmbH
Präzisionsoptik Gera GmbH
Jenoptik
Robust AO GmbH
Schott Technical Glass Solutions GmbH
Thorey Gera GmbH
Active Fiber Systems GmbH
Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule
Universität Jena, Institut für angewandte Physik
MOEWE Optical Solutions GmbH

The project is funded by the federal ministry of  education and research with grant number 03RU2U032E.

Multi apertur ultrashort pulse laser –and scanning technology for high-rated laser material processing.

Subproject: Highspeed multi apertur polygon mirror scanning system

Motivation

Due to their good quality and low amount of heat input, ultra-short pulsed lasers (USP) have proven their value as a universal tool in laser material processing. USP lasers have been utilized to fabricate precise micro-scaled geometries almost melt free in terms of laser micro drilling, laser cutting or laser surface processing. To establish the USP technology in industrial production, the process and system technology itself needs to be adapted to the requirements of the end user. Also, the economic efficiency needs to be increased compared to established processing methods.

Goals and approach

Active Fiber Systems is iunvestigating a kilowatt-USP-laser source, that can be switched quickly on two different outputs. Both beam paths lead through a new polygon scanner, developed by MOEWE, which overcomes the downtime during the facet change on the polygon mirror. The almost loss free beam distribution is taking place in the same scanning field, with up to 1.000 m/s. The new system will be used for process investigations at University of Applied Sciences Mittweida, where it is oriented closely on the requirements of the associated industrial partner . The substitution of a wet chemical method by a laser process and the drag reduction address economic and environmental goals.

Innovation and perspectives

Overcoming the downtime of the laser allows an almost loss-free laser processing with high-power-USP-lasers (1 kW) using extremely high deflection speeds of up to 1.000 m/s. Resulting in new processing rates in the area of USP processing , the productivity will increase significantly. This new kind of technology enables the scaling of existing laser processes to a higher throughput, as well as the developing of new fields of application for laser technologies, such as energy sector, automotive industry, aerospace, medical and biotechnology, architecture and electronics.

Partner
Active Fiber Systems GmbH
Hochschule Mittweida University of Applied Sciences
Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
MOEWE Optical Solutions GmbH

The project is funded by the federal ministry of  education and research with grant number 13N15882.