There are lots of reasons why you might need a new industrial laser. Maybe your current laser system uses outdated technology or you’re opening up a new facility. Maybe you have a new product that requires laser marking, cutting, drilling or another application.
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Whatever the reason, there are certain questions you should ask yourself during the evaluation process. Industrial lasers are a significant investment, and you need to make sure your laser will solve your manufacturing challenges.
These first few questions will help you determine the right laser for your application.
This question might seem obvious, but it does need to be asked. Technology changes fast, and the range of laser options has increased substantially in the last few years. To figure out your best laser solution, consider the type, range and power. This question is a good starting point and will help you narrow down your choices.
No matter the application—marking, etching, drilling or welding—your industrial laser needs to meet the quality standards set by your company.
You’ll likely have to integrate the laser into a larger system, so it’s important to determine the acceptable speed at which it must perform its function. You may need to consider different options.
After narrowing down your laser choices, you’ll need to verify the laser will be able to complete the required task consistently and within your time constraints.
This question is about quality control. You should review all aspects of the laser’s performance as it relates to the specific product and material to be processed. It’s also important to validate the following areas for quality:
The validation process often requires a well-equipped laser applications lab with vision systems, IR detection and other validation equipment, such as high-powered microscopes and imaging systems.
In addition, it’s helpful to be able to experiment with wavelengths—a process that requires access to different optics and accessories to ensure you’re getting the best results for your application.
An industrial laser rarely works on its own and is part of a larger manufacturing process that often involves automation, material handling, operators and robotics. Considering the greater scope—and how the laser will work best in that system—is essential.
Bear in mind, you may need to do some experimentation to find the right combination of automated elements to meet your business’s needs.
By making such a significant purchase, you’re investing in the future. While growth is not certain, it is the goal. You want to be sure your capital investment will not only handle current production needs, but also support future production goals.
At the end of the day, you need to know your investment is going to fulfill your manufacturing requirements and integrate well into your existing systems. Not all laser manufacturers offer these assurances—leaving you to use your best judgement and analysis.
As a laser integrator, we’ll work with you to develop customized laser solutions that are built and designed according to your application and integration requirements. We call this process Laser-Focused Engineering, which combines best-of-class lasers, application knowledge, cutting-edge machine vision technologies and automated part-handling capabilities.
Find out more about our Laser-Focused Engineering, including how it can help you choose the right laser for your operation. And check out our additional Industrial Laser Buying Guide resource, which examines five key differences when selecting a laser integrator versus a laser manufacturer.
In the following article, we will help you answer the questions about laser welding, which in fact will come down to explaining 3 key areas that should be recognized when implementing laser devices in your company, i.e. issues regarding the laser itself, its selection and possibilities, issues regarding the laser working environment and risk assessment and issues related to the awareness of operators and other workers exposed to possible contact with the laser beam.
The industry uses high-power lasers, i.e. lasers belonging to class 4. Apart from the division into classes, lasers can also be grouped according to a number of other characteristics, such as the type of resonator, type of work or beam amplifying medium.
The most common types of lasers are ruby, atomic gas (He-Ne), molecular (CO2), ion gas (argon), planar (YAG) and fiber lasers. Apart from them, semiconductor lasers are also used..
The starting beam, passing through the various reinforcing media, goes from the laser to the workpiece and is focused in the welding area. The laser beam hitting the surface of the metal melts it, joining the materials to be welded, and depending on the type of metal and the condition of its surface, it can be reflected.
The effectiveness of laser welding depends mainly on the possibility of absorption of the energy of the laser beam by the surface of the welded element. Therefore, an important activity in laser welding is the appropriate preparation of the surface before welding by roughening or blackening it to minimize reflections and maximize energy absorption by the elements.
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When welding thin, less than 3mm thick low-carbon steel sheets, there is no need to protect the weld pool from oxidation, because the process of heating the material and its cooling takes place so quickly that the metal will not oxidize. On the other hand, when welding more reactive materials, it is necessary to use an inert gas shield for the pool and the ridge of the joint.
Laser welding can be done with or without the addition of a binder, which can affect not only the economics of welding, but also the welding efficiency..
Traditional welding methods, due to the welding arc, welding fumes, hot spatter and the risk of electric shock, are harmful factors and are characterized by high risk, which should be minimized using appropriate personal protective equipment and filter ventilation of the workplace, and in the case of third parties, eye protection should be used. Such as curtains or welding screensto protect against accidental exposure to the eyes from the welding arc and minimize the risk of burns from hot spatter.
Modern laser welding changes these hazard characteristics!
Each laser used at the welding station must be properly marked and assigned a class, which requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and group protection.
Due to the use of class 4 lasersin welding, a correctly and safely organized laser station requires a detailed assessment of all the risks associated with its operation!
To ensure adequate protection of the operator's eyesight, it is required to provide safety glasses or goggles with lenses equipped with selective attenuating filters.
According to the standard, anti-laser safety glasses should be used by every person working with a laser class 1M, 3R, 3B and 4 (PN-EN 207: -07) or staying in its vicinity.
Attention: Due to the possibility of exposure to the reflected beam, we recommend that you use full eye and face protection in the form of welding helmets with appropriate filters to prevent eye damage due to the laser beam getting into the eye through an unprotected area.
When selecting filters to protect against laser radiation, consider the following:
Good laser glasses or goggles should have markings to which radiation ranges, what types of lasers and what degree of protection they guarantee.
To choose the right one, it is best to use the filter selection table, taking into account the laser parameters.
Check the maximum laser beam density (laser power / energy) to determine the necessary LB protection class for the filter, then select glasses or goggles with the appropriate protection class for the indicated laser radiation range.
It is important to provide appropriate protective clothing and accessories made of non-flammable and flexible materials allowing the welder to operate freely and comfortably at the laser welder. The welder must be equipped with certified gloves with a special marking.
Welding gloves, in accordance with the EN 388 standard, must protect the user against mechanical factors, but also protect the hands and wrists against splashes of liquid metal, burns and UV radiation in accordance with the EN 407 standard. The standard introduces a division of gloves according to their protective properties and their dexterity.
Gloves for laser welding are best chosen taking into account the laser power and the parts to be welded.
In addition to personal protection, every effort should also be made to adequately protect the environment around the laser welding station and the room in which such welding takes place.
Due to the risk of reflection of the laser beam, the employer must also take into account the safety of third parties. The emission of optical radiation, both ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS) and infrared (IR), creates a risk for employees not only in the laser room but also outside it. Correct identification of hazards should be the starting point for newly created laser welding stations.
While laser welding equipment can have clearly declared risks, written in the OHS manual for the device, each welding station, each room may differ due to the number of glazing, cubature , the condition of the floor, the way of finishing the walls, entrances and exits from the room.
Therefore, each station and room should be subject to a security audit in order to determine the risk and rules of safety.
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