IPG Photonics was recognized as a 2024 Innovators Awards honoree by Laser Focus World, which featured the IPG YLR-AM dual-mode fiber laser as an ideal solution for fast 3D printing.  

Laser printing continues to be adopted across a variety of industries such as automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods for production of parts in rapid prototyping. However, the low processing speed of most 3D printing methods has prevented the technology’s broader implementation. This issue stems from the fact that traditional methods use several laser sources: beams with larger spot sizes for bulk body and smaller spot sizes for finer features. This type of optical setup is difficult to integrate, expensive, and slow to switch between different beam modes.  

The YLR-AM dual-mode fiber laser solves the issues and deficiencies associated with these traditional 3D printing methods. By combining single-mode and multi-mode outputs into a single fiber and enabling nearly instantaneous optical switching between two spot sizes, this laser allows users to print high-resolution features with smaller spot sizes, while larger spot sizes enable faster build-up of bulk material, resulting in an overall increase in printing speed.  

The design of the YLR-AM laser, which utilizes a single coaxial emission output rather than multiple lasers combined by an external optical setup, reduces capital costs, minimizes machinery size, and simplifies process automation. Moreover, the YLR-AM laser doesn't require sensitive mechanical or optical precision components that are susceptible to common alignment, vibration, and calibration problems. The laser also provides full flexibility in the amount of power independently provided by the two laser sources. 

IPG's recognition in the 2024 Laser Focus World Innovator Awards is just one example of IPG’s commitment to innovation and leading the laser industry.  Learn more about IPG innovation here or read about the other award honorees here.