TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 139/1981
By R C Crafer, J D Russell and J T Pauley
Background
Alternative approaches to the design of a 6kW CO2 industrial laser have been evaluated, partly with the help of a computer model, and a fast axial flow oscillator-amplifier design chosen as being most suitable. The construction of a prototype system is described in terms of mechanical assembly, electrical systems and preliminary beam measurements.
The welding performance of this laser operating at powers up to 6kW has been assessed for a range of materials. For steels it was found possible to weld up to 13mm in a single pass.
A comparison with published data for a similar 5kW laser with multimode beam output has been made and the superiority of the fast axial system demonstrated.