Cutting method using a laser having at least one ytterbium-based fiber, in which at least the power of the laser source, the diameter of the focused beam and the beam quality factor are controlled

US8278591B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude · FR

Inventors

• Karim Chouf · Montmorency, FR
• Hakim Maazaoui · Pierrelaye, FR
• Eric Verna · Osny, FR
• Francis Briand · Paris, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 22, 2007
• Grant date: Oct 2, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 28, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B23K26/14
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to method for cutting a part using a laser beam, involving the use of laser beam generation means comprising at least one ytterbium-based fibre having a wavelength of between 1 and 4 μm in order to generate the laser beam. The laser beam is selected to have a power of less than 100 kW, a power density of at least 1 MW/cm2, a focused beam diameter of at least 0.1 mm and a quality factor (BPP) of less than 10 mm·mrad.