Product Code: ICAL06_401

An Evaluation of the Cutting Potential of Different Types of High Power Lasers
Authors:
Flemming Olsen, Technical Univ. of Denmark; Kongens Lyngby Denmark
Flemming Olsen, Technical Univ. of Denmark; Lyngby Denmark
Presented at ICALEO 2006

Laser cutting is a widespread industrial process. The boundaries for the performance of the lasers in terms of cutting capabilities is steadily moving towards higher cutting rates and thicker section cutting. In this paper the potential of different high power laser sources in cutting is evaluated based upon the historical development, the available cutting mechanisms understanding and the critical parameters involved in high power laser cutting. From the theoretical point of view, the new laser sources, the Disc-laser and the Fibre laser possess a potential of changing dramatically the limits for cutting performance. These theoretical considerations are evaluated against available cutting data.