Multicore Fibre Laser Combiner for High-Power Beam Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser processing equipment lacks sufficient power at optimal beam qualities for efficient cutting and welding, limiting manufacturing speed and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising multiple lasers, an optical combiner, and a multicore fibre with a tapered fibre bundle geometry that separates first and second feed fibres without an inner capillary, allowing for improved transmission efficiency and power scaling through independent control of beam quality and power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional laser processing equipment is used, then beam quality can be optimized for cutting or welding, but available power is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the optical path into separate channels using a multicore fibre, with each core dedicated to a specific laser source and processing function. This segmentation allows independent optimization of beam quality for cutting and welding while combining their powers, resolving the contradiction between available power and beam quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple laser beams through an optical combiner and multicore fibre system to deliver increased total power to the processing point. By merging the capabilities of multiple lasers while maintaining individual beam quality characteristics, the system achieves both high power and optimal beam quality simultaneously
2Productivity
If higher power is provided to improve cutting speed, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but beam quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The multicore fibre system segments the optical transmission into independent channels, allowing each laser beam to maintain its optimal quality characteristics regardless of the total power level. This enables high cutting speeds through increased power while preserving the beam quality necessary for precision processing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the transmission medium parameter by using multicore fibre with separate optical paths for each laser, allowing power scaling without the quality degradation that would occur in conventional single-core systems where beams interfere with each other
3Ease of operation
If an inner capillary is introduced to separate feed fibres in the bundle, then fibre separation is achieved, but complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the inner capillary component from the fibre bundle structure. By taking out this unnecessary element, the system achieves fibre separation through the inherent geometry of the tapered bundle alone, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining operational effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered fibre bundle geometry enables self-separation of the feed fibres through its own structural properties. The bundle structure naturally provides the necessary fibre separation without requiring additional components like inner capillaries, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminate unnecessary complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables faster cutting speeds and reduced manufacturing costs by optimizing beam qualities for cutting and welding processes, enhancing productivity in laser processing applications.
Implementation Method 1
the optical combiner connects the first feed fibre to a first core of the multicore fibre, and the second feed fibre to a second core of the multicore fibre
Implementation Method 2
the optical combiner comprises a fibre bundle that is tapered along its length
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for laser processing a material (29), which apparatus comprises at least one first laser (15), at least one second laser (16), an optical combiner (3), and a multicore fibre (10), wherein: each first laser (15) is connected to the optical combiner (3) via a first feed fibre (1); each second laser (16) is connected to the optical combiner (3) via a second feed fibre (2); the optical combiner (3) connects the first feed fibre (1) to a first core (11) of the multicore fibre (10), and the second feed fibre (2) to a second core (12) of the multicore fibre (10); the optical combiner (3) provides a first optical path (41) from the first laser (15) to the first core (11) of the multicore fibre (10); the optical combiner (3) provides a second optical path (42) from the second laser (16) to the second core (12) of the multicore fibre (10); and the optical combiner (3) comprises a fibre bundle (4) that is tapered along its length.