February 24, 2006, Oxford, MA and Plymouth, MI--IPG Photonics, manufacturer of fiber lasers, and the Fraunhofer Center for Coatings and Laser Applications, a center of excellence and innovation in laser process development, announced that they have formed an alliance to develop new welding, cutting, and brazing applications for the automotive, aerospace, and oilfield industries using IPG's unique kilowatt fiber lasers and Fraunhofer's applications expertise.
Using a 5-kW fiber laser acquired from IPG, Fraunhofer will demonstrate new laser applications at the 14th Annual Automotive Laser Application Workshop, on March 28, 2006.
"The fiber laser offers unique characteristics that will open up new applications and market areas for the one-micron wavelength" said Eric Stiles, Laser Division Manager of Fraunhofer CCL. "Its high beam quality makes it very interesting for remote processing, deep penetration welding, and laser cutting applications. And its compact size, high electrical efficiency, and power scalability will bring it into areas where YAG lasers are not typically used."
"Given that Detroit has such a high concentration of automotive and machine companies, IPG's partnership with Fraunhofer gives us a presence in Detroit to accelerate welding and cutting application development, and to support and service our customers" stated Bill Shiner, Director of Industrial Market Development at IPG.