Logo

Menu

Laser technologies

Efficient laser technologies


One rapidly advancing industrial application of lasers is their use to create, modify, and engineer the surfaces of machine components and manufactured products to alter their functional properties.


The joint workplace of the Institute of Manufacturing Machines and Equipment (RCMT), the CTU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC) at CTU has, since 2021/2022, new laser-machining equipment in the IPA laboratory (Industrial Production and Automation Department). Specifically, this includes a high-precision laser micromachining system, Master 1 (ELAS, Ltd.), and a laser robotic cell (LASCAM) equipped with several high-power laser technologies. Both unique facilities support know-how development in laser cladding, welding, cutting, micromachining, and surface structuring in close collaboration with our partners.

Laser robotic cell


Established at the turn of 2021/2022, the laser robotic cell is a world-class facility. Within a single workspace it combines laser technologies for wire-based cladding, powder cladding, welding, and cutting. The power source is a 6 kW fiber laser from IPG. Positioning is provided by a six-axis KUKA robot on a linear track together with a rotary-tilting table. In total, the cell offers nine mechanical axes, controlled via a specially adapted postprocessor in Siemens NX so the robotic workstation can be programmed like a conventional machine tool. This approach excels, for example, in wire cladding with coaxial feed of stainless steel or other materials for special applications.


In addition to advanced laser processes, the roadmap includes process monitoring with cameras and sensors, subsequent data collection and evaluation, and machine learning—aimed at automating and streamlining operations. The cell is already prepared for this: it is integrated into site-wide autonomous control systems, including fully automatic inter-operation delivery of semi-finished parts by AGVs.

Laser micromachining and structuring using ultrashort laser pulses


Since 2021 we have been intensively developing high-precision laser micromachining and surface structuring using ultrashort laser pulses. This technology lets us machine almost any material, regardless of hardness, with negligible heat-affected zones and minimal burrs. Its drawbacks are lower productivity and challenges with multi-axis parts—both of which we are tackling with partners, achieving promising results. We also develop surface structuring to tailor functional properties such as wettability, friction, antibacterial behavior, or, conversely, support for cell growth. We have long pursued research on cutting tools and the machining of tool materials.


The first image shows a laser-made hexagonal pattern in stainless steel to modify frictional properties. The second shows laser-created micro- and nanostructures designed to promote cell growth.


Laser stripping


Together with partners—specifically Hofmeister, s.r.o.—we have achieved significant results in laser-based coating removal (“laser stripping”). This highly productive method removes tool coatings, especially when a worn tool needs regrinding. Unlike chemical methods, laser stripping can remove virtually any coating without affecting the substrate. Combined with high-precision microscopy, it also enables finely controlled layer-by-layer removal in steps thinner than 0.5 μm, allowing analysis of the underlying layers in multilayer coatings.

Media coverage: