Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Waterloo
$149,255.00
Fiber laser for laser materials processing
FY 2006-07
Summary
In this Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) application, the purchase of a 1kW Ytterbium fiber laser and its peripherals is proposed. The requested fiber laser system will be a vital piece of equipment for the completion of a 5-axis automated laser fabrication workstation and continuation of our extensive research programs in laser materials processing. High power fiber lasers were introduced to the market in early 2000's. They use the latest technology in lasers with more than 10 times better efficiency and much lower operational costs. The requested system will provide a wide range of laser beam powers up to 1000 W with the reliability of solid state lasers. Its excellent beam quality and tunable power make it an ideal light source for conducting research into many different laser materials processing applications. The completion of the 5-axis automated laser fabrication workstation will be essential to various short and long term research programs of the applicants. The research programs that will extensively benefit from this purchase are: (i) characterizations of WC-Cobalt laser cladding for tool repair and hardfacing, (ii) development of new tool materials by laser cladding of diamond matrix composites on substrates such as tool steels, (iii) laser solid freeform fabrication of heterogeneous structures for rapid prototyping applications, (iv) laser solid freeform fabrication of metallic structures with embedded sensors for fabrication of advanced smart tools, (v) inclined laser cutting for development of laminated molds/dies, and (vi) laser welding of automotive sheets. These innovative projects will have significant impacts on a variety of materials applications and manufacturing industries in Canada including, automotive, aerospace, mining, dies/tools, and biotechnology. The requested equipment will be used by over 8 professors and more than 12 post-doctoral fellows and graduate students involved in a wide range of laser materials processing research projects.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
345828-2007
Name nom
Khajepour, Amir
Department département
Mechanical Engineering & Mechatronics
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2006
Competition year année de concours
2007
Award amount
149255
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1053
Committee name en
Mechanical Engineering - A
Committee name fr
Génie mécanique - A
Area of application code
500
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Research subject code
2002
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials processing
Research subject fr
Transformation des matériaux
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Fiber laser for laser materials processing
Keyword
NA
Application summary
In this Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) application, the purchase of a 1kW Ytterbium fiber laser and its peripherals is proposed. The requested fiber laser system will be a vital piece of equipment for the completion of a 5-axis automated laser fabrication workstation and continuation of our extensive research programs in laser materials processing. High power fiber lasers were introduced to the market in early 2000's. They use the latest technology in lasers with more than 10 times better efficiency and much lower operational costs. The requested system will provide a wide range of laser beam powers up to 1000 W with the reliability of solid state lasers. Its excellent beam quality and tunable power make it an ideal light source for conducting research into many different laser materials processing applications. The completion of the 5-axis automated laser fabrication workstation will be essential to various short and long term research programs of the applicants. The research programs that will extensively benefit from this purchase are: (i) characterizations of WC-Cobalt laser cladding for tool repair and hardfacing, (ii) development of new tool materials by laser cladding of diamond matrix composites on substrates such as tool steels, (iii) laser solid freeform fabrication of heterogeneous structures for rapid prototyping applications, (iv) laser solid freeform fabrication of metallic structures with embedded sensors for fabrication of advanced smart tools, (v) inclined laser cutting for development of laminated molds/dies, and (vi) laser welding of automotive sheets. These innovative projects will have significant impacts on a variety of materials applications and manufacturing industries in Canada including, automotive, aerospace, mining, dies/tools, and biotechnology. The requested equipment will be used by over 8 professors and more than 12 post-doctoral fellows and graduate students involved in a wide range of laser materials processing research projects.
