Coherent, Partners Open Laser Cladding Apps Facility

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 13, 2011 — Laser-based solutions provider Coherent Inc. has opened a laser applications center in Shanghai, China, with Höganäs (China) Co. Ltd. and ABB.

The new facility offers access to a Coherent HighLight 4000L, 4-kW, direct-diode laser system mounted on an ABB IRB 2600 robot, enabling the use of lasers as part of the metal cladding process.

Application center personnel will supply the knowledge and experience to optimize cladding process parameters and help those developing new cladding techniques to understand the suitability of laser technology.

“Direct-diode laser cladding offers several practical advantages over traditional arc welding and thermal spraying methods, said Frank Gaebler, director of marketing at Coherent. “For example, the laser technique avoids heat distortion of the part, thus eliminating the need for postprocessing. It also delivers a clad having extremely low dilution, reduced porosity and good surface uniformity.”

Höganäs AB produces iron and metal powders.

ABB is a supplier of industrial robots with an installed base of more than 190,000 robots.

For more information, visit: www.coherent.com

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Published: July 2011

Glossary

cladding: The low-refractive-index material that surrounds the core of an optical fiber to contain core light while protecting against surface contaminant scattering. In all-glass fibers, the cladding is glass. In plastic-clad silica fibers, the plastic cladding also may serve as the coating.

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