It has now demonstrated a 5 kW fiber laser projector, configured rather like a rifle, that can be wielded by a single person.
To address the challenges encountered in decommissioning a nuclear facility, the UK-based firm TWI has since 2009 been developing laser tube-cutting methods for the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. It has now demonstrated a 5 kW fiber laser projector, configured rather like a rifle, that can be wielded by a single person.
Metal pipework forms a surprisingly large proportion of the total volume of contaminated material that must be removed and treated when a nuclear facility is decommissioned. Laser cutting offers benefits for cutting of contaminated tubing, in that the cutting rate can be quite fast, no reaction forces result from the cutting process, and very little spread of contaminated material occurs. However, past laser cutting systems have generally been unwieldy, cumbersome, and used cutting geometries not well suited to the nuclear jungle of densely interwoven stainless steel tubing.
The TWI handheld laser cutting torch uses laser light generated by an IPG Photonics YLS-5000 5 kW ytterbium fiber laser (Larger fiber lasers are available, and could be used to enable more powerful laser torches). Ytterbium is the same laser element as is found in YAG lasers, which share the 1.06 micron laser wavelength. While this unit is rather large (1.4 m/55 in tall, 0.85 m/33 in on a side, and weighing in excess of half a ton), it can be connected to the torch through hundreds of meters of fiber, if required.
Laser cutting is a well established manufacturing process, but the cutting geometries encountered in demolition work are very different than the usual cutting on a flat table. In particular, very little study has been made of cutting tubing from a single side, rather than cutting by rotating the tube with a fixed laser directed at the desired kerf.
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Laser torch
- Deirdre's Diary: Reflecting on the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay in Sacramento
The announcement of the 2002 torchbearer names was supposed to happen by Salt Lake Olympic Committee head Mitt Romney in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
- Laser and Fiber Optic Gas Absorption Spectroscopy
Bahr, Marc-Simon and Wolff, Marcus 2021. Interferometric Technique for the Spectral Characterization of High Frequency Current-Modulated Mid-Infrared Semiconductor Lasers. Photonics, Vol. 8, Issue. 10 ...
- How laser and TIG welding coexist in the modern job shop
Using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW, or TIG), Hartrick and his co-workers found that the process delivered too much heat, causing oil canning to occur in certain areas of the cabinet. To fight the ...
- Daniel Ek’s Next Act: Full-Body Scans for the People
The Spotify chief has co-founded a new start-up, Neko Health, that aims to make head-to-toe health scans part of the annual health checkup routine.
- Ohio company hawks fire-breathing robot dog that can torch anything in its path
Ohio-based company Throwflame has created a robotic dog named the Thermonator that is capable of emitting 30-foot jets of fire.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Laser torch
[google_news title=”” keyword=”laser torch” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Laser projector
- Hisense unveils PX3-PRO laser projector
The PX3-PRO ultra short throw projector is designed for home theatre enthusiasts and has an adjustable 80 to 150-in screen size with Hisense’s LPU and TriChroma triple-laser projection technology.
- LG CineBeam Q compact projector unveiled - Check price, availability and other details
LG Electronics India on Tuesday announced the launch of the LG CineBeam Q (HU710PB) projector. The LG CineBeam Q is a smart portable laser projector that has been designed to fit seamlessly into any ...
- Epson's Breakthrough 4K Laser Projectors for Large Venues - Now Available
Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide,1 today announced its new large venue 4K laser projectors are now available – the EB-PQ Series. More people are seeking out immersive ...
- LG CineBeam Q 4K Laser Projector Launched in India: Check Price, Features, Availability
The LG CineBeam Q 4K Laser Projector has officially been unveiled in India with a price tag of Rs 1,65,000. It will go on sale in the country next month.
- Hisense announces its new PX3-PRO Laser Cinema
Designed for home theater enthusiasts, the PX3-PRO sports an adjustable 80 to 150-inch screen size and top-notch picture quality thanks to Hisense’s LPU and TriChroma triple-laser projection ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Laser projector
[google_news title=”” keyword=”laser projector” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
