Laser Beam Technology
Laser beam technology
The laser beam is a virtually universal tool which, thanks to its non-contact energy input, high power density and very high processing speeds, is used for a wide variety of joining and welding tasks.
Our focus is on laser beam welding, laser powder cladding and additive manufacturing. Particular importance is attached to the processing of materials suitable for welding, such as nickel-based superalloys, highly reflective materials such as copper, and hybrid construction methods. Fundamental and applied research are closely linked, partly through the use of advanced methods such as in situ/operando high-speed X-ray imaging at synchrotrons.
Laser beam welding
Various wavelengths, intensity distributions (core-ring/2-in-1 fibre) and operating modes are available for laser beam welding, including high-power fibre and disc lasers (cw), pulsed solid-state lasers with metallurgical pulse shaping, and blue diode lasers with a wavelength of 445 nm.
Powder-bed process
Powder-bed processes form another key focus of our work, in particular in the field of steels and for nickel-based and copper-based materials. State-of-the-art equipment, including core-ring beam shaping, green (532 nm) laser radiation and two laser sources, as well as comprehensive instrumentation, provide in-depth insights into the processes and their influence on the resulting property profiles.
Process diagnostics
The interaction zone between the laser beam and the workpiece, and the resulting behaviour of the vapour capillary or the molten pool, are at the heart of the processes under consideration and can be characterised using, amongst other things, high-speed photography. The involvement of major research facilities such as the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility significantly expands the range of available methods.
DED laser
Direct-energy deposition (DED), which involves the application of energy in a directed manner via a laser beam, using core-ring intensity distributions and blue laser radiation, is addressed for powder and wire-form filler materials in the context of additive manufacturing, coating and the repair of components.