CLAMP: a European project to assess copper laser applications in manufacture and production

摘要

Abstract: lasers have been identified as the laser ofchoice for AVLIS. As a result they have been developedto the point where laboratory lasers can deliver over750 W and commercial devices are available with powersin excess of 100 W. The lasers have been developed forindustrial processes and therefore have many of theattributes required for more general industrial use.Work carried out at several sites, particularlyErlangen University Germany, has demonstrated that thecopper laser has the ability to drill and cut manymaterials which are difficult to process by othermethods. The short wavelength, high average power andhigh repetition rate give the copper laser a number ofdistinct advantages over other laser types. Aconsortium of over 20 companies, research institutionsand universities from six countries has set up apan-European project to establish the commercialviability of copper lasers in manufacture andproduction. The consortium is about to embark on a100-man year, 2 year definition study which is expectedto be followed by a 3 year implementation study. Thestudy will be under taken with approximately 50%government funding under the EUREKA-EUROLASER scheme.!3