Description

Ultrashort pulsed lasers have been proven to foster micro-manufacturing processes such as drilling, cutting, structuring and even welding, respectively. Using ultrashort pulsed laser, these processes are associated to a significantly reduced heat-affected zone, high precision and the possibility to process various materials via single or multi-photon absorption. However, in typical laser machine setups using galvanometer scanners or conventional processing optics, the processing area is limited to a 2 - 2.5 D micromachining with limited workpiece dimension. To expand the potential of ultrashort pulsed lasers for micromachining to a more flexible and large-area 3D micro processing tool, we report for the first time on the design, realization and application of an ultrashort pulsed laser equipped to a 6-axis robot. In addition, we show and discuss a sophisticated beam guidance and focus positioning concept, that are required for such a combination of laser-robot. For the fundamental characterization of the laser robot system, the dynamic laser beam position is evaluated under movement of the robot by CMOS cameras. As a particular result, for the compensation of occurring position deviations of the laser beam during and after the movement of the robot axes, the development of an innovative and high dynamic beam stabilization concept is necessary. In addition, differently pronounced influences of individual axes must be considered on beam positioning. Moreover, first laser cutting and structuring applications are demonstrated to highlight the enormous potential of the laser robot system for a flexible and large 2D and 3D laser micromachining using ultrashort laser pulses.

Contributing Authors

  • Daniel Franz
    Applied Laser and Photonics Group, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg
  • Yongting Yang
    Applied Laser and Photonics Group, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg
  • Luis Michel
    Applied Laser and Photonics Group, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg
  • Cemal Esen
    Applied Laser Technologies, Ruhr-University Bochum
  • Ralf Hellmann
    Applied Laser and Photonics Group, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg
Daniel Franz
Applied Laser and Photonics Group, University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg
Track: Laser Materials Microprocessing
Session: Advanced Processing, Monitoring and Simulation I
Day of Week: Monday
Date/Time:
Location: Salon 3

Keywords

  • 3D Manufacturing
  • Beam Stabilization
  • Concept
  • Robot
  • Ultrashort Pulsed (Usp) Laser