Experimental and analytical description of the multi-wavelength remote-laser-ablation process at fiber-reinforced polymers

To increase the acceptance of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) in the industry, near net shape preforms with a minimum of material consumption are required. This should be accompanied by appropriate, fast and flexible processes. The remote laser processing expands the area of possible kinds of processing strategies, wherefore the laser can be a tool for the future. But the development of remote laser processing is accompanied with the understanding of the interaction between tool and material. Laser cutting processing of FRP is an ambitious process because of the inhomogeneity of both the reinforcement material and the polymer matrix material. The present paper shows an experimental set up for combining beam radiation with wavelengths of 1.07 mm and 10.6 mm. First results on carbon fiber reinforced polymers prove the increasing efficiency.