Coherent has announced a new range of diode laser systems, the HighLight D-Series, featuring a range of output beam shapes. The HighLight 8000D, with output power of 8kW, has 'free space beam delivery', which preserves the inherent brightness of the diode laser source. It enables the use of an optical system with a large (275mm) working distance.
The D-Series has output powers of 2.8kW, 4kW, 6kW and 8kW, all at 975nm. For example, the 6kW and 8kW models are each offered with line beam dimensions of 1mm width and either 6mm, 12mm or 24mm length. Lower power systems have additional beam lengths of 3mm, 4mm, or 5mm. An optional beam shaping accessory can expand the 1mm beam width dimension to 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm or 12mm.
The D-Series comes with an air knife, which protects the laser from back-splattered material, heat and returned laser light. There is also available a pyrometer for monitoring work surface temperatures for closed-loop control of laser power during heat treatment and cladding. The laser system control unit has a graphical interface and remote diagnostics that allow the product’s performance to be analysed by Coherent service personnel over the internet.