The factory of the future will likely contain significant automation and laser processing technologies, including cutting, joining, cladding, and direct energy deposition additive manufacturing.

In preparation for this, we have a high-power laser processing workstation based on a 2kW YLS-2000-S2 multimode Ytterbium fibre laser. This laser system features a 2-way beam switch. One beam is conveyed via a Ø100μm optical fibre to a processing head positioned on an ABB IRB140 6-axis robot, while the other beam is conveyed via a Ø600μm optical fibre to a processing head positioned on a KUKA KR16 robot. The station is self-built for flexibility and ease of reconfiguration for both research and teaching applications. It is currently optimised for welding, cladding, and direct metal deposition applications, but is also capable of cutting both metallic and non-metallic materials.