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Stainless Steel Laser Beam Welding with a Dynamic Tailored Beam Shaping Laser-Head based on Multi-Plane Light Conversion

Photonics West 2023

Publication date: 2023

Authors: Matthieu Meunier1, Avinash Kumar1, Aymeric Lucas1, Stephane Bernard1, Rosa Arias2, Jorge Luis Arias Otero2, Gwenn Pallier1, Guillaume Labroille1 

1- Cailabs, Rennes, FRANCE 

2- AIMEN, Vigo, SPAIN 

Abstract

Laser Beam Welding (LBW) of complex materials, such as ferritic and austenitic steel, is challenging. An appropriate beam shape improves the process by stabilizing the keyhole.
A methodology for tailoring the beam shape has been developed. The appropriate shape for LBW of 1mm thick steel is an inner intense spot and a background top-hat shape.

A dynamic beam shaper based on Multi-Plane Light Conversion has been developed: the ratio between the shapes and the back shape dimensions can be adjusted. The optical performance and the impact on the quality of the process with a 8kW 1.07µm laser are described.