Dynamic beam shaping for thick sheet metal cutting

From industrial view, nothing has a higher priority than a reliable and sustainable machine. This applies not only for specialized tasks rather for a spectrum of applications. Thin sheet cutting is well controlled but limitations of the cutting mechanism are challenging in case of thick metal plates above 6 mm. The solution approach of Fraunhofer IWS pursues dynamic beam shaping (DBS), which is influencing energy distribution and thus essential heat conduction for the laser cutting process. As a consequence, DBS provides the possibility to improve the performance for laser fusion cutting of thick metal plates. The authors will give an insight into changed mechanism during laser fusion cutting process due to DBS and explain how that enables an all-in-one cutting machine of industrial demands.