Commissioning of a laser platform underway
For industrial research assessing laser-beam technologies, a laser system for in operando experiments at the Swedish Materials Science beamline has been procured and is now being commissioned.
Electron- and laser- beam manufacturing/welding operations are becoming commonly used in industry. Industry sees opportunities to expand electron- and laser-beam operations to an ever-widening range of manufacturing activities and new product designs. This requires research and innovation.
To support such research and innovation activities at the Swedish Materials Science beamline is the aim of a VR-funded project: Laser and Electron Beam Platform has been used to procure a laser system. That system comprises a high energy laser as well as various fibre optics and lenses to condition and position the beam.
That laser system is now being commissioned at the beamline. The laser is up and running (see photo above) and now also has its own IP address so that it can be controlled from the Swedish beamline's control room.
During June, a traversing arm will also arrive. The idea is that the optics will be mounted on the traversing arm and so that during experiments the focal point of the laser beam can be moved, remotely, from the control room. Commissioning the arm and making a full system use test will take place during June. This work will be the basis of a future technical report to support users.