4000W Fiber Delivered Direct Diode Lasers

High-powered fiber-delivered direct diode lasers find significant applications in hardening and cladding processes. In hardening applications, these lasers serve as an excellent heat source for treating metal parts to prevent surface wear while preserving the metallurgical properties of the base material. This process allows for partial hardening while maintaining the desired flexibility of the ferritic structure in other areas. Unlike induction hardening, which does not permit such selective processing, laser hardening can achieve these results with minimal material warping, often eliminating the need for additional corrective methods to address workpiece deformations.
Laser cladding, on the other hand, is an additive manufacturing process used in heavy construction industries to either create new surfaces for improved functionality or repair damaged surfaces worn down by repeated use. In the laser cladding process, a laser beam generates a molten pool on the workpiece surface, and coating material, also melted by the laser, is simultaneously added to this pool. This results in a metallurgically bonded layer that is tougher than coatings produced through thermal spraying. Additionally, laser cladding is considered a safer alternative to processes like hard chromium plating in terms of health and environmental concerns.