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, Ernst-Ruska-Ring 17, 07745 Jena
Hochschule Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, Technikumplatz 17, 09648 Mittweida
Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
MOEWE Optical Solutions GmbH, Schillerstraße 10, 09648 Mittweida

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

Highly dynamic laser technology for ultrarapid, precise micro structuring of threedimensional surfaces

Subproject: Plant technology

Ultrashort pulse laser (USP Laser) are particularly suitable for high-precision microprocessing of surfaces, which are exposed to only a small amount of thermal pressure, due to short laser pulses. Therefore the material can be stripped superfine and precise. One problem of USP laser processing is, that currently only a small amount of machining speed can be achieved and implemented into performance. Hence, economical microstructuring of large surfaces is in actuality inconvertible.

To break these technological boundaries, the scheduled research and development project will pursue an innovative laser processing system as a goal. This system will enable highly precise, threedimensionally  shaped surfaces (e.g. pre-structured embossing rollers, injection moulding or forming tools), by using new high performance USP Laser and  polygonscanner. This new technology will enable the economic functionalization of components that are used for optimization and specific modulation of design, internal friction, optic and haptics, dirt adhesion or cell growth, by using threedimensional micro and nano structures.

Partner:
ACSYS Lasertechnik GmbH, Leibnitzstraße 9, 70806 Kornwestheim
Laserinstitut Hochschule Mittweida, Schillerstraße 10, 09648 Mittweida
MOEWE Optical Solutions GmbH, Schillerstraße 10, 09648 Mittweida

The project is funded by the federal ministry of  education and research with grant number 03EE1008C.