Short Pulse Laser

Concepts

• lasers
• sheffield
• industrial lasers
• laser
• traditional gantry-mounted fusion laser cutting
• a traditional gantry laser system
• a traditional laser system
• the remote laser cutting
• pulse
• industrial machinery

Location

Description

As part of this requirement two applications are targeted: cutting trials with thin sheets of electrical steel for the production of electrical machine laminations and high rate cutting of CFRP panels. The remote laser cutting is being investigated as an alternative to traditional gantry-mounted fusion laser cutting. The benefits of this method of cutting are that the cut rate is increased and the thermal damage is reduced. Materials being investigated are high-silicon steel and cobalt iron. Sheet thicknesses could range from 0.35 mm down to 0.1 mm. A continuous-wave laser has been used in this investigation. But has been shown to produce an increased cut rate but creates more thermal damage to the material in the region of the cut. This is a result of firstly there being significant melting of the material, as well as vaporisation, and the fact that the molten material is not ejected from the component surface. A new short pulse laser is sought to overcome these issues. This new laser shall be capable of removing material in a way that produces reduced thermal damage compared to a traditional laser system. The new laser should be capable of cutting the steel sheets at a rate such that the resultant cut rate of the system is greater than that for a traditional gantry laser system. The second application addresses a requirement to put arrays of holes into aerospace-grade carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite panels typically associated with primary structure components, up to 3 mm thick. These holes are required to be produced at high rate (> 10 holes per second) without affecting any visible heat affected zone within the fibre or matrix surrounding the through-hole entry/exit/bore surfaces in the part being laser processed. Thermal damage is typically seen through either a charring/blackening or other discoloration on a surface and/or removal of additional material in the zone surrounding the intended hole's removal zone. These high-rate through holes are expected to be percussion drilled to maximise productivity and can be produced in parallel to manage thermal dissipation. The through holes required would range in size from 0.1 mm to 2 mm in diameter with a diameter tolerance of ±10%. The AMRC's existing optics can focus the spot across this range, however, alternative solutions to enable entry diameters, with minimal taper at high rate within this range are welcomed. The laser shall be capable of meeting this baseline. An ability to produce holes up to 25.4 mm in diameter using the trepanning method is also considered desirable. Tender Process and Documentation: This procurement is an open procedure.

CPV Codes

• 38636100 - Lasers
• 38636110 - Industrial lasers
• 42000000 - Industrial machinery

Indicators

• Contract is suitable for SMEs.
• Contract is suitable for VCOs.

Other Information

The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University`s e-tendering system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the same e-tendering system, this can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield. If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System, this can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system. Closing date for receipt of tenders: 3rd of July 2024 at 12 noon (UK time) .