CONTROL & AUTOMATION
CO2 OR FIBER LASER?
TLM LASER
TLM LASER OFFER THE ULTRA FLEXIBLE
LASER PROCESSING SOLUTION
Laser users, especially those who require
a degree of flexibility or offer sub-contract
laser processing services, need to be sure
that the system they purchase will have the
capability to deal with the widest possible
range of materials. Often, the choice is not
just about which manufacturer to choose,
but which type of laser, CO2 or a Fiber laser?
A unique solution to this conundrum is
Universal Laser’s new ULTRA 9 platform,
which offers laser material processing for the
widest possible range of materials within a
single stand-alone system.
Available in the UK and Ireland from laser
technology specialists TLM Laser, this highly
flexible system is ideally suited for precision
material processing across: manufacturing,
research and development, academic
research, and prototyping environments.
Its unique modular architecture means that
customisable solutions can be quickly and
easily configured with a wide array of options
for enhancing performance, capability, and
safety to produce the perfect solution that
will meet both present and future business
needs.
Users can configure this system with
up to three laser sources: comprising of
two interchangeable CO2 lasers and one
fiber laser. This rapid laser reconfiguration
innovation makes it possible for laser
sources to be quickly interchanged in the
laser system without the need for tools or
realignment of the laser. This feature allows
users to easily switch between sources of
different wavelengths and peak power levels
to optimise laser power delivery for different
materials and applications. This increases
the flexibility and functionality of the laser
system by maximising the number of
materials that can be laser processed.
When the platform is configured with all
three lasers, users can also take advantage of
MultiWave HybridTM technology, enabling
up to three wavelengths – 9.3 μm, 10.6
μm, and 1.06 μm – to be simultaneously
combined into a single coaxial beam, further
enhancing the capability of the system.
Each spectral component of the beam
is independently controlled and can be
modulated in real time.
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As the name ULTRA suggests, this system
incorporates a wide range of high
performance features including: a Servo-
based beam delivery system with dual loop
encoder feedback and linear encoders on
all axes. This enables precise, repeatable
beam positioning allowing laser processing
of a wide variety of materials and to address
tight tolerance requirements. The high
precision beam positioning and excellent
repeatability make the ULTRA platform
ideal for high accuracy laser processing
within manufacturing and research and
development environments.
Another valuable asset is the lightweight
autofocus touch sensor integrated into
the motorised carriage assembly. This unit
deploys and retracts to automatically detect
the top surface of any material, including
transparent materials and foams. This feature
improves usability and workflow in a number
of ways by:
• Eliminating the inaccurate, error prone and
sometimes overlooked process of finding
focus with a manual tool, by instructing
the system to automatically perform the
focus operation each time laser processing
commences
• Automatically focusing before laser
processing begins to ensure that the laser
system is always focused on materials,
avoiding the potential for damage to
the material caused by out of focus laser
energy
• Improving accuracy beyond non-contact
ultrasonic and photo sensor methods
by achieving surface detection and
repeatability of +/- .001” (25 μm), including
foams and transparent materials
The user interface for the system is a 21”
touch screen control panel allowing for
standalone operation without the need
for a separate, tethered PC. This intuitive
user interface, which incorporates multiple
features, allows adjustment of all laser-
processing settings in order to optimise
performance and processing results.
Bromsgrove based TLM Laser are the UK
and Ireland distributors for Universal Laser
cutting and marking systems. In addition, the
company also offers a comprehensive range
of Laser processing systems for cutting,
welding, marking, engraving, cleaning, 3D
additive layer manufacturing, plus laser
safety equipment.
Tel: +44 (0)1527 959 099
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.tlm-laser.com