What is Direct Diode Laser Technology?

GT Lasers's High-power direct diode lasers (DDLs) is coming now, have advantages for heat processing, for welding, wladding, hardening, quenching, brazing and annealing etc.

What is Direct Diode Laser Technology?

Direct diode laser technology has shaken the industrial laser cutting industry, but not everyone understands what it is, how it works or why it has gained such traction.

The name explains the process. DDL technology utilizes diodes directly. This is managed through eliminating the doped fiber system used in fiber laser technology. Which inturn, makes the DDL course more efficient since the middle process is now eliminated. Direct diode lasers are also the smallest and most reliable laser source, all while having an exceptionally high quality beam.

Why is Direct Diode Laser being introduced as a laser source?

Until recently, Direct Diode Laser has only been available in lower power levels less than 2,000 watts, which has limited its use in a wider range of industrial cutting applications. Today the platform has been developed and expanded to accommodate 8,000+ watts of power. These higher power levels combined with its very unique characteristics including reliability, efficiency and quality have now allowed Direct Diode Laser to be utilized in thicker material applications.While many laser users have embraced solid state laser technology and the benefits from higher cut speeds and lower costs of operation, these users have desired high edge quality that has not yet been possible with fiber and disc technology.

What are the benefits?

There are three key areas which Direct Diode Laser has made advancements over CO2 laser , fiber laser and disc laser technology.

First is the overall efficiency of the laser.

Direct Diode Laser improved wall plug efficiency compared to any of the other laser sources. This is because the diodes can be used directly instead of having to go through the doped fiber system.

The second key benefit of DDL technology is the cut speeds.

DDL has cut speed advantages typically about 15% faster in all material types and thickness, but it is most notable in aluminum. We are seeing, in come cases, 30% faster cut speeds in aluminum over fiber or disc.

Due to the DDL wavelength and beam shape characteristics are different than the other laser sources. The DDL characteristics are such that we can provide a more superior edge quality not yet seen on fiber or disc laser all while running at speeds, which in many cases, are faster. DDL have the ability to cut a wide range of material types and thickness, which certainly include a variety of steel compositions, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. In addition, DDL is very capable of cutting Titanium, Hastelloy, Inconel and other exotics quite well.