DirectPhotonics wins first order for 2kW direct diode laser

27 Mar 2013

OEM sales approach combined with laser’s technical specification seals the deal.

Berlin, Germany-based DirectPhotonics, a developer of ultra- high brightness direct-diode laser solutions for materials processing, has received a “significant” order for its 2 kW DirectProcess laser, which is engineered for industrial metal cutting and welding of steel and non-ferrous alloys, from an unnamed “leading German research firm”.

CEO Wolfgang Gries told optics.org, “We are going to provide this customer with an OEM solution, so our direct diode lasers will be integrated into the company’s product for resale to manufacturing industry.

“Providing a beam shaping and tailored output combined with DirectPhotonics’ non-competitive OEM approach is more attractive to this customer than other high power laser solutions from the likes of IPG Photonics, Trumpf or Rofin. Ultimately our customer wants this flexibility and will provide the service and support to its markets.”

Fiber-coupled diode laser

Direct Photonics’ so-called DirectProcess fiber-coupled laser system generates an optical power of 2 kW ex fiber in the 930 nm region with a beam parameter product of only 7.5 mm-mrad, which is suited for industrial metal cutting. The optical output power can be modulated up to 50 kHz with a rise and fall time of less than 10 μs. The DirectProcess laser comes in a 19-inch rack mount and is cooled with standard industrial water.

Prior to the first 2 kW order, DirectPhotonics had already received several orders from key customers in Europe and North America to supply them with its 500W and 1 kW versions of the DirectProcess product line. The company plans to ship the ordered lasers starting in the second quarter of 2013.

Stefan Heinemann, CTO of DirectPhotonics, added, “The unique combination of excellent brightness, superior efficiency and compact size of the DirectProcess laser enables our customers to run innovative material processing solutions which reduce space, cost and service requirements of industrial laser processing.

“We are excited to receive our first 2 kW laser order only 20 months after the launch of our company.”

The DirectProcess product series is based on several patents on power scaling of single-emitter laser diode systems with ultra-high brightness as needed in macro material processing. The company founded in 2011 is focused on the development and production of ultra-high brightness direct diode laser solutions for use in micro and macro-material processing applications.