Presented is a new approach to CO2 laser processing, and in particular to 3D laser cutting. Sophisticated 5 axis machines with high accuracy are compared to much simpler robot solutions using a 2 kW laser mounted directly to the arm of the robot with an integrated, fixed length, beam delivery system.

Although robots with integrated lasers have been around for many years the power levels were restricted so far to 600 W and therefore applications were limited to non-metal or very thin metal cutting applications.

This set-up enables customers to use a simple, off the shelf solution without complicated beam delivery systems for applications that require laser power levels of 2 kW.

Topics
Robotics, Laser materials processing, Laser cutting
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Gavin
Markillie
,
Jochen
Deile
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2003
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© 2006 Laser Institute of America.
2006
Laser Institute of America
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