ProLasKu – Increased process efficiency and weld seam quality during laser beam welding of copper materials using innovative system technology
Sustainable joining of copper components using green laser radiation
Due to the trend towards renewable energies and electro mobility, there is an increasing demand for the material copper. The joining technology plays an important role in the processing of copper. Especially laser welding qualifies due to its s high flexibility, its high local energy input, and its fast processing speed. Because of the special material properties of copper, laser beam welding with infrared laser radiation presents a particular challenge. An innovative solution to overcome this challenge is provided by the beam source developed by TRUMPF in this project. This beam source emits in the green wavelength range with an output power of up to 1.5 kW. The increased absorption of the green laser radiation from the workpiece results in an efficient welding process with high quality. This project provides the basis for the use of this production technology for welding copper materials in industrial applications.
Development of a high power beam source in the green wavelength range with a power of up to 1.5 kW
In this project, the limits of the technical scalability of a disk laser system will be determined and function patterns of a laser beam source will be developed. Due to a very high electrooptical efficiency and the higher absorption of green laser radiation, the developed laser system can considerably increase the efficiency during laser beam welding of highly reflective copper components. The basis of the new laser system is the technology of a frequency-doubled laser with continuously emitting laser radiation. The use of the beam source and the associated system technology will be tested by applications in the areas of automotive and energy technology. In addition, the established process understanding must be transferred to industrial applications.
Acknowledgment
This research project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).