What is PWM in laser processing?

In the process of laser processing process debugging, we often see the “PWM” parameter, so what does it mean, let’s take a look at it today.

PWM is an abbreviation of “Pulse Width Modulation”, referred to as “pulse width modulation” or “modulation”, is a very effective technique for using the digital output of a microprocessor to control analog circuits.

The output mode of the laser mainly includes two types: continuous mode and pulse mode. Continuous mode is the continuous firing of lasers; Pulse mode is to emit a laser at the same time every other period of time. A simple example, like a flashlight emitting light: turning on the switch is not turned off is continuous mode; Turning on the switch immediately and then turning it off emits a pulse, and the process of repeatedly turning on and off is the pulse mode. Similarly, when the flashlight is replaced by a laser, the pulse mode is to repeat the process of turning on and off the light continuously.

The most direct way to generate a pulsed laser is to add a modulator to the CW laser to modulate the CW laser to obtain a pulse output. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) is to adjust the pulse width by adjusting the duty cycle.

When adjusting the process parameters of laser cutting, pulses, and duty cycles are often used, and many operators who are not familiar with the laser cutting process may not understand the role of these two parameters, and then give you a detailed introduction.

1?Periodicity

The signal goes from high to low and back to high for a period of one week

2?Pulse frequency rate

How many cycles?of?PWM?there are in 1?second

3?Pulse duty cycle

An example?of the ratio of high-level time to the entire cycle time in a cycle

4?Pulse time and time

The time period?of time taken for a cycle

5?Pulse width

The time period?used for a period of time for a high level.

6?Peak power rate

The instantaneous energy output?of a laser within one pulse width

7?Average work rate

The amount?of energy the laser outputs in a repetition cycle

Usually, when we modulate the laser in laser process debugging, the peak power, pulse frequency and duty cycle are set. Next, let’s use an example to illustrate how to calculate the parameters of PWM.

At the peak power of the laser, the duty cycle of the pulse increases, and the energy at each pulse irradiation will increase accordingly, which will increase the processing capacity in the direction of the thickness of the plate. If the duty cycle of the pulse is reduced, the energy at each pulse is illuminated, which helps to reduce overburn and fusing loss.

In the metalworking process, the energy of the laser is used, and in the case of constant laser power, the higher the frequency, the smaller the energy output of each laser, so we need to determine the appropriate frequency according to the speed of processing when the energy of the laser is sufficient to melt the metal.

GW?laser based on 976nm pump technology of CW fiber laser products, with high electro-optical conversion efficiency, good output beam quality, maximum modulation frequency up to 50kHz, widely used in laser cutting, laser welding, laser cleaning, laser cladding, and additive manufacturing.?

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