SmartStop

Prima Power Laserdyne's latest S94P control feature SmartStop helps prevent "back wall" damage when trepan and percussion drilling turbine engine combustor components. Back-wall damage occurs when impingement of the laser beam on the part surface behind the one being drilled (referred to as the "back-wall") causes unacceptable melting of the surface of the back-wall. The feature also helps to minimize the buildup of debris on the back-wall.

Now, based on advanced laser parameter control capability of the LASERDYNE S94P, it is possible to minimize and, in some applications, eliminate back-wall damage even in parts with small (1mm) gaps between the back-wall and drilled surface.

Back-wall protection is possible with the LASERDYNE S94P control used on LASERDYNE 795 and 430BD fiber laser systems where laser parameters are changed rapidly and consistently. Results using this recently developed macro provides reduced damage while maintaining throughput of 1.0 to 1.5 seconds per hole. Also, mapping of the actual workpiece surface using Prima Power Lasedyne's patented Optical Focus Control feature, for which there is no side sensing (as can be the case with capacitance-based focus control) ensures precise location of the holes whether they are perpendicular or at shallow angles to the surface. This is critical if there is another surface near that being laser drilled.

It is a common practice to use materials such as Teflon or copper sheet to form a protective barrier to the laser energy that passes through the primary surface toward the back-wall. This has been marginally effective, sometimes allowing for back-wall damage as the laser beam penetrates the protection material. This is especially true when the back-wall is relatively close to the drilled surface. In other cases, the useful life of the barrier material may be short or the process results inconsistent. Note, while protection material continues to be needed, the new LASERDYNE S94P feature control consistently prevents penetration of the protection material by the laser beam and extends the useful life of the material.

The LASERDYNE S94P control, which controls operation of the LASERDYNE 795 and LASERDYNE 430BD multi-axis fiber laser systems, is continually upgraded with new process features such as the one that controls back-wall damage. SmartStop will be a standard feature in upcoming versions of LASERDYNE S94P software and available as a standard feature on new systems. The software when released will also be available without charge to existing customers.

"Our goal at Prima Power Laserdyne is to continue to produce advancements that help expand the use of laser processing and make our customers to be more successful," stated Terry L. VanderWert, president of Prima Power Laserdyne. "LASERDYNE products are enabling precision laser cutting, welding, and drilling by system users around the world."