IPG Raises The Standard For kW-class Direct Diode Systems
The DLR Series is based upon state-of-the-art fiber combining of emission of new and super-bright diode modules that IPG started mass production of 18 months ago. At present, each of the diode modules provides up to 20W power in the 100µm fiber core, with a numerical aperture less than 0.13.
"We believe that their relative brightness is over five times higher than what is available from other sources" said Dr. Valentin Gapontsev, CEO and Chairman of IPG Photonics. "Taking into account the unique reliability of these diodes, which exceeds 200,000 hours with passive cooling, IPG's proprietary technology now allows us to build fiber-delivered multi-kilowatt direct diode systems with record wall-plug efficiency up to 40-45% from the AC line. Last quarter, we produced over 250kW of diode power and we expect to triple the production by the end of the year. IPG now has enough diode reserves to allocate our pump diodes to direct diode systems in addition to our high priority multi-kW fiber lasers."
"We are working hard to increase the power of a single module up to 50W shortly" added Dr. Alex Ovtchinnikov, Director of the Laser Diode Unit at IPG. "It will allow us to extend available optical power in the flexible 600- 800µm fibers up to 3-4kW. Higher optical powers are available now using a fiber bundle delivery."
The DLR Series can be used in industrial and medical applications and is a replacement to diode laser systems that incorporate bars. With the high reliability of the proprietary single emitter diodes that IPG uses, customers will not need to replace diodes in the DLR Series or provide other maintenance.
SOURCE: IPG Photonics