The Challenge
Low energy absorption of highly reflective metals such as copper or gold in the 1,000 nm wavelength range poses major challenges for standard IR lasers. The required high initial intensities induce processes often characterized by turbulent melt pools and spatter formation, that are critical factors in the processing of electrical components.
The Solution
Laserline’s blue high power diode laser series revolutionizes the processing of copper, gold and its alloys in various ways. With approximately 445 nm, these lasers offer the ideal wavelength for the laser processing of highly reflective metals. Multiple times higher absorption allows significantly lower intensities and larger laser spots.
Efficiency thanks to blue laser light
The blue diode laser revolutionizes the processing of copper, gold, and other highly reflective metals in several ways respects. The direct generation of up to 4 kW (cw) laser power in the 445 nm wavelength range is unique for industrial lasers and also avoids the detour via complex and inefficient wavelength conversions. At the same time, absorption and thus process efficiency are increased significantly compared to IR lasers. The precisely controllable energy deposition of the diode laser enables copper to be melted without evaporation, resulting in previously unattainable stability of the melt pool. This creates new application possibilities, such as heat conduction welding of thin copper foils or spatter-free welding processes of electrical connectors.
- Blue wavelength propagates perfectly in water
- Underwater irradiation with laser enables a number of heat and bio-chemical processes
- One example is the removal of stubborn fouling on maritime surfaces
- Cleaning process is more gentle, environmentally friendly and also more efficient than conventional cleanings
- The blue laser light of a Laserline LDMblue has a cell-damaging effect
- The aim is to damage settled marine organisms to an extent that the fouling is washed away by the current
The Hybrid Laser Process: Blue + NIR
Combining the blue laser radiation from LDMblue with a laser in the infrared wavelength range leads to highly stable, almost spatter-free keyhole welding processes. The blue laser stabilizes the process, even when welding in deep penetration mode, while the NIR laser provides the additional energy. Laserline has developed special hybrid optics that combine the blue and NIR laser beams.
![[Translate to English:] Blue_hybrid_graph](/fileadmin/user_upload/Blue_hybrid_graph.jpg)
Find out more in our journal articel on welding copper components.