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

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.