AVONISYS WATERJET GUIDED LASER
Nearly 3 decades after the first water guided laser was unveiled, Avonisys developed and industrialized a completely new a waterjet laser system from scratch, tailored for 24/7 heavy duty applications that require reliable micro-precise laser machining. We have put a lot of effort in making the waterjet guided laser system particularly robust and easy to maintain in order to adapt it to todays industrial performance requirements.
Laser energy guided inside a thin waterjet
In 1986, the first laser beam guided by internal reflection inside a liquid column was unveiled (Aesculap–Werke AG, Germany). This working principle is an effective way to transport laser energy over a longer distance to a work piece, while maintaining a constant small “tool” diameter (read more). Today, waterjets of as small as 0.03mm in diameter can be used. These are generated using waterjet nozzles similar to those applied in regular waterjet cutting systems. In a nutshell the main benefits of the waterjet guided laser are:
➤ High quality cutting surfaces without burr
➤ Parallel cuts without heat impact (HAZ)
➤ No focus compensation required
➤ No process forces applied to work piece
➤ High aspect ratio micro slot cutting
➤ Deep micro-hole drilling
➤ Broad process window
Avonisys waterjet laser at a glance
Technology Principle
The energy of the laser focus is coupled into a very thin waterjet, where it is guided to the work piece by total internal reflection. The energetic diameter of the laser beam remains constant over a large working distance of up to several centimetres. Typical tool diameters of the waterjet are 0.03 - 0.08 mm.
➤ Self-extending micro laser beam
➤ 0.03 - 0.08 mm tool diameter
High Power Laser Coupling
Our laser head & waterjet coupling system are designed for efficient high energy transmission of the laser beam, yet without impacting the cutting nozzle or the laser window. Our proprietary laser in-coupling method ensures that for each cutting nozzle diameter and each laser setup the perfect coupling point is set.
➤ High power transmission
➤ Long consumable lifetime
Air-Jet Technology
Air-Jet is a high volume flow of air that is mechanically separated from the waterjet. Through the use of Air-Jet, deep work piece cavities can be machined highly effective. Furthermore Air-Jet mitigates the effect of water back-reflections as well as build up of droplets, which can otherwise impact cutting results.
➤ Effective waterjet protection
➤ Enables machining inside cavities
Range Extender
For certain applications, Avonisys offers a stretched version of its Air-Jet module. Using this working distance range extender, the waterjet is mechanically encapsulated and protected over a longer distance. This way, complex parts that require a particularly long standoff distance can be machined highly effective.
➤ Enables long standoff distances
➤ Increased protection of liquid-jet
Simple Maintenance
Our laser systems are designed in such way that quick access to all critical components is guaranteed. We have incorporated quick releases to core parts such as the laser coupling unit, the cutting nozzle and laser transmission window. Parts are rapidly exchanged and the system is back online in just minutes.
➤ Quick maintenance
➤ System back online in minutes
Strong Know-How & IP
Through own fundamental research as well as IP acquisitions, Avonisys meanwhile hold a comprehensive patent portfolio of 20+ patents and patents pending in key regions, such as the USA, Europe, Korea and China. Therefore Avonisys can offer very comprehensive, independent and high-end technological solutions.
➤ Comprehensive IP portfolio
➤ Independent Avonisys solution
How waterjet laser technology is applied
Features & benefits of the waterjet laser
✔︎ Laser focus position uncritical
✔︎ Very long working distance
✔︎ High aspect micro slots / holes
✔︎ Parallel cutting side walls
✔︎ Enabling steep angular cuts
✔︎ Enabling inclined holes and slots
✔︎ Works inside small cavities
✔︎ Works inside recesses
✔︎ Freeform cutting
✔︎ Variable cutting pocket width
✔︎ No conventional tooling cost
✔︎ No post-processing required
Technology benchmark
EDM / Wire-EDM
Waterjet cutting
Dry laser cutting
Avonisys waterjet laser
Avonisys develops, builds and sells laser systems based on its proprietary waterjet laser technology. Avonisys laser systems are designed to deliver robust performance for demanding applications, while keeping operation simple and maintenance procedures fast and cost effective. Around its core technology Avonisys holds over 20 patents and patents* pending, which include unique features such as a high-power laser coupling method, an Air-Jet protection system and an easy-maintenance laser coupling unit design.
* Patents in Avonisys AG / shareholder portfolio:
US8859988B1, US9085114B2, US10022820B2, US10092980B1, US10272522B2, US10279429B2, US10307864B2, EP1940579B1, EP3092119B1, CN206925459U, CN206926280U, CN107530828B and patents pending.
Avonisys AG
General-Guisan-Str. 6
6300 Zug, Switzerland
Avonisys develops, builds and sells laser systems based on its proprietary waterjet laser technology. Avonisys laser systems are designed to deliver robust performance for demanding applications, while keeping operation simple and maintenance procedures fast and cost effective. Around its core technology Avonisys holds over 30 validated patents and patents pending*, which include unique features such as a high-power laser coupling method, an Air-Jet protection system and an easy-maintenance laser coupling unit design.
* Patents in Avonisys AG / shareholder portfolio:
US8859988B1, US9085114B2, US10022820B2, US10092980B1, US10272522B2, US10279429B2, US10307864B2, EP1940579B1, EP3092119B1, EP3105003B1, EP3105043B1, EP3482921B1, CN206925459U, CN206926280U, CN107530828B and patents pending.
Avonisys AG
General-Guisan-Str. 6
6300 Zug, Switzerland