Licences

IREPA LASER in association with research laboratories of Strasbourg also leads research programmes on treatments of materials by laser (cutting, welding, surface treatments, .).This activity develops around 4 major axes : modelization, laser/material interaction, understanding of induced phenomena, process control.

The activity of R&D brings IREPA LASER to the development of connected technological systems that have been patented in France, in Europe and in the USA :

Coaxial cladding nozzle

European Patent N°0574580

US Patent N°5 418 350 - Date: 23/05/95

This patent presents a cladding nozzle for laser beam with coaxial injection of powder and use of a shielding gas. Laser cladding consists in melting with a laser beam a feeding material as a powder or a wire and due to the simultaneous melting of the material to be treated, it forms a seam weld with perfect metallurgical bond and a perfectly dense clad. The low dilution of the substrate enables to maintain the chemical characteristics of the feeding material. The precise control of the dilution helps the clad to keep all its properties of wear or corrosion resistance.

To date this patent concerns cladding with CO2, Nd-YAG and diode laser. The implementation of these nozzles in different companies around the world (USA, Australia, England, Canada, France .) confirms their industrial interest.

A micro nozzle, specially adapted for the prototyping of thin wall pieces (from 400/500 µm to a few mm) is under validation.

This nozzle is sold by IREPA LASER.

PROTAL process developed by LERMPS and IREPA LASER

US Patent N°5 688 564 - Date: 18/11/97

This patent presents an original solution of surface preparation aiming to improve the adherence of deposits. The association of an impulse mode Nd-YAG laser (Q-switched, 10 ns, 120 Hz) with a thermal projection torch (plasma, supersonic flame, flame, electric arc) eliminates the superficial contaminating film on the surface of the substrate (grease, oxides, etc.) and generates a good surface state for the adherence of the deposit.

Laser beam analysis

Apparatus for the analysis in continuous mode and in impulse mode of the distribution of energy within a power laser beam and the alignment of this latter.

Inventor: Didier BOISSELIER

French Patent N°87 11448 du 10/08/87 and extension N°90 08423

US Patent N°5 172 392 -Date: 15/12/92

This patent describes the apparatus for the analysis of the distribution of energy of a power laser beam and its positioning, with the help of thermocouples placed under the reflecting surface of a rear mirror.

Process and assembling apparatus for welding of 2 pieces

Inventor: Didier BOISSELIER

This patent presents an original solution to solve the difficult problem of assembling by laser 2 zinc coated sheets in lap welding configuration. With the technique of double track or tandem that consists in creating a melting pool on the upper sheet which affects the zinc present at the interface, it becomes possible to make gap-free lap welding by moving the laser beam on the previous track. This treatment before welding can be made with an electric energy source or by laser, either as a distinct operation, or during the welding process by making the treatment at a short distance from the welding laser beam.