This report discusses the optimisation of laser materials processing of polymers and compound materials by employment of smart sensors which measure laser parameters as well as processing progress online and deliver signals which are used for instantaneous laser and motion control. The mutual interdependence between suitable laser parameters and given mechanical, thermal and optical material properties is considered. Some examples of laser cutting, laser milling of channels and holes with precisely defined depth as well as laser of welding are treated. Process simulation plays an important part in finding the right adjustment of laser parameters as function of sample properties and processing aim. Often laser parameters and sample changes have to be measured and controlled very fast between adjacent irradiations of the sample by pulse sequences (up to about 100 KHz) or between repetition cycles of scanned cw lasers. The same sensors measure and store the processing results and decide whether the sample finally fulfils all quality criteria. The value of such laser processing units strongly depends on the smartness of the applied sensors and their interplay with the laser as a tool.

Date Published: 18 February 2009
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 7276, Photonics and Optoelectronics Meetings (POEM) 2008: Laser Technology and Applications, 72761K (18 February 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.821594

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7276:
Photonics and Optoelectronics Meetings (POEM) 2008: Laser Technology and Applications
Peixiang Lu; Katsumi Midorikawa; Bernd Wilhelmi, Editor(s)