Soni-Shape-Laser project partners went to see PowerPhotonic Ltd in Dalgety Bay, Scotland in August. My thanks to Emma Modrate who hosted our visit during the aftermath of hurricane Floris. Key staff at PowerPhotonic were also available to meet the soni shape team including  representatives from finance and management alike.

A tour of the facilities showed a modern working environment, where the beam shaper optics are cut by laser and then polished by the IP protected technique special only to PowerPhotonic. An antireflective (AR) coating is then applied by a specialised wavelength specific coating supplier and this reduces the reflection, protect against laser damage and extend the life of the optic. These optics are then inserted straight into the laser head section of the welding system, exact position dependant on need and design. This optic then gives the desired beam which is hopefully in line with the previously predicted simulation.

We await the results of the latest test and trials.

Welding trials with the new beam shaper optics

Watch the 17 minute SoniShapeLaser presentation given by Phil Carr at ILAS.