Product Code: ICAL08_208

A Novel Active Laser Safety Shield
Authors:
Stefan Kuehn, Fraunhofer IWS Dresden; Dresden Germany
Jan Hannweber, Fraunhofer IWS Dresden; Dresden Germany
Berndt Brenner, Fraunhofer IWS Dresden; Dresden Germany
Eckhard Beyer, Fraunhofer IWS Dresden; Dresden Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2008

New high power lasers with excellent beam parameter products like Fibre- and Disk lasers offer not only new possibilities with material processing. They make also high demands on laser safety. Conventional laser protection systems are passive systems made of massive shields or housings which resist the direct or indirect laser radiation for a specified time. The operator has to inspect the systems to ensure the functionality and safety. The risk that dangerous laser light penetrates or destroys the shield increases with smaller beam parameter products and higher laser power enormous. Thats why it becomes more and more complicated and expensive to protect users and equipment against laser emission and to follow laser safety laws, standards and regulations. The novel laser safety shield offers an active protection against direct and indirect laser radiation. Compared with other active laser safety systems no destruction of the wall elements are required to identify dangerous laser radiation. Furthermore the system is easy and flexible to install and useable for all kinds of lasers.