Canada’s first 10-kW fiber laser

Laura S. Marshall, laura.marshall@laurin.com

Canada just got its first 10-kW fiber laser.

IPG Photonics Corp. recently delivered the laser to the Centre spécialisé de technologie physique du Québec inc. in La Pocatière, Québec.

The most powerful of its kind in Canada, the new laser will be dedicated to applied research, development and technology transfer aimed at manufacturing companies.

Fiber lasers enable end users to increase productivity and decrease operating costs by delivering better performance, reliability and usability at a lower total cost of ownership compared with conventional lasers, said Bill Shiner, vice president of industrial markets at IPG.

“[Our] industrial fiber lasers have a reputation for providing high power, reliability, efficiency and ruggedness in a compact package at a low cost,” said Randy Paura, the company’s Canadian regional manager and processing consultant. “While scaled up in power … to 50 kW, the industrial laser power sources provide the same simplicity of operation, providing high reliability of performance with their high-life-span diode pumps.

“What starts in the fiber, stays in the fiber until delivered to the focus optics for materials processing.”

Founded in 1990, the company pioneered the development and commercialization of optical fiber-based lasers for a wide range of uses, including materials processing, advanced applications, telecommunications and medical applications.