VCSEL lasers are used as a tool for surface heating in many industrial processes. As a high-intensity infrared heat source, precisely directed diode laser heat treatment with selective wavelength radiation is both scalable as well asenergy-efficient. VCSEL laser arrays support drying and sealing. In principle, they are designed to be optimal for all processes in which precise surface and temperature control is crucial. In addition, VCSEL heating systems use IR cameras or pyrometers to support temperature measurement during heat treatment. Laser heat treatment modules are very well-suited for flexible large-area heating applications requiring high precision. Compared to conventional heating methods, users benefit from significantly more flexibility, precision and cost savings.
Laser heat treatment with VCSEL
VCSEL lasers are used for the heat treatment of various surfaces and raw materials. They optimize processes such as drying and sealing.
VCSEL laser heat treatment for drying and sealing
How does heat treatment with VCSEL lasers work?
Thousands of micro-lasers (VCSEL) are installed on a single chip. 56 of these chips are attached to each emitter and multiple emitters are assembled on a module. The rectangular radiation area can contain millions of micro-lasers and emit several kW of infrared laser power. In this way, precise, local heat treatment can be achieved without additional, expensive laser optics or scanner systems.
What is the benefit of local laser heat treatment in industrial production processes?
Advantages of diode lasers (VCSEL) for industrial heat treatment
VCSEL laser technology offers many advantages over conventional technologies such as heating with reflow ovens and hot bars, hot stamping or lasers with zoom optics.
Selectable wavelengths and local emission zones enable precise configuration of the intensity and area, as well as excellent process results.
Align the module size according to your needs: change the number of mounted emitters or customize the housing.
Adjust the heat density and laser radiation to individual production needs by selecting the number of VCSEL emitters or adding lens functions.
TRUMPF offers user support for customers worldwide.
Where are VCSEL lasers used for heat treatment?
Many production and industrial processes benefit from heating by VCSEL laser arrays.
The heat generated by VCSEL heating systems creates a tight connection between different surfaces.
Laser heat treatment of wet coating materials effectively speeds up drying processes.
Sealing
The VCSEL technology enables very precise, high-speed seals. This can significantly improve the efficiency of battery production, for example.
VCSEL systems can triple the speed of sealing pouch cells. They do this by applying heat for welding inside the pouch film, near the welding area. Heat treatment also provides a very precise seal. This extends the service life of the battery cells since it prevents the formation of wrinkles in the film. This process increases the quality and homogeneity of the pouch cells.
Drying
VCSEL heating systems are versatile in applications with variable scale, e.g. the drying of battery foils.
After coating, battery foils are dried to remove any solvents from their active materials. Industrial VCSEL systems are optimally suited for large-scale heat treatment processes such as the drying of foils. In particular, heat treatment with VCSEL laser arrays is very flexible in terms of both scalability and power irradiance. Large surface areas can be heated with highly precise, local control of wavelength-selective infrared heat.
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