Product Code: ICAL07_1907

Process Control in Laser Manufacturing– Dream or Reality?
Authors:
Michael Schmidt, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Florian Albert, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Thomas Frick, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Alexander Grimm, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Christian Kägeler, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Matthias Rank, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Katja Tangermann-Gerk, Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH; Erlangen Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2007

Looking at the status of control techniques in laser manufacturing processes one has to focus on the sensor technique, the computing hardware and the algorithms available. Sensor technology has evolved in the last years. Now fast two-dimensional sensors like CMOS cameras can be applied whereas five year ago mostly one dimensonal sensors like photodiodes were common. Even three dimensional sensors are being developed and might have a good potential in future applications. The use of such sensors has shown varying success in different processes. Thus this article deals in detail with materials processing like welding and brazing of metals and plastics welding as well as with medical applications like cutting human tisue. An overview on the evolution of sensor technology and process control in the last five years and an outlook onto future applications of sensor techinque in process control shall be given.