Abstract

High-power (kW class) fibre lasers have revolutionized cutting, welding, and other industrial applications because of their unique combination of high power, brightness, and efficiency; unrivalled reliability and ruggedness; and numerous practical advantages (fibre beam delivery to the work piece, high-speed modulation, rapid on/off cycling, and compact size). Continued innovation will enable high-power fibre lasers to capture an increasing share of the ~$1.5B kW materials processing market and, more importantly, will drive market growth by enabling new applications that are not possible with current technologies.

© 2015 IEEE