Coherent has launched the Diamond E-1000, a sealed 1kW CO2 laser that measures less than 1,497 x 471 x 384mm, including its integrated power supply.
The laser is said to be suited for use in small machines or space-sensitive applications involving cutting, perforating and drilling of paper, plastic films, plastics, glass, carbon composites and thin metals.
The sealed Diamond E-1000 requires no external gas supply and the only connections to the laser are a power cord and a water hose, making the laser easy to mount on a moving robot arm.
The laser's sealed design eliminates costly external laser gas, and service of the gas blower required to support the external gas supply.
Coherent said the 'Designed In Reliability' of the Diamond E-1000, together with built-in advanced diagnostics, minimise unscheduled laser downtime and maintenance.
The ability to bring the compact laser head into close proximity to the workpiece also eliminates the costs and complexity associated with long beam delivery systems.
The beam characteristics of the Diamond E-1000 enable it to reach cutting speeds equivalent to traditional 2kW CO2 lasers.
These characteristics, known as Brilliance, include good spatial mode quality (M<1.2), and a square wave pulse shape that delivers up to 2.5 kW of peak power.
Brilliance enables faster cutting of non-metals, cutting of mild steel sheets up to 6mm in thickness, and cutting of stainless steel sheets up to 3mm in thickness.