Gaining a basic understanding of the process of laser cutting of CFRP is the goal of the DFG project “CFRP Macro-cutting“

Principle of in-situ edge sealing for laser cutting of CFRP

Investigation on laser cutting of CFRP

Laser transmission welding of plastic on CFRP

Repairs on CFRP components are possible by removing material in a step-shaped form

Work of the group focusses on:

• Cutting of technical plastics and composite materials, especially carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), using cw high power laser sources and pulsed laser systems
• Edge-trimming of carbon fiber fabrics and pre-pregs and processing of preforms
• Surface conditioning and removal processes as a preparatory step for subsequent gluing, painting or repair processes
• Laser transmission welding of reinforced and non-reinforced thermoplastic materials. One focal point of the work lies on joining glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP) to CFRP components

Current scientific work and projects:

• PLASER „Development of a portable, laser-based repair tool for infield repair of CFRP components” (EU /BMBF)
• Basic investigations on thermal damage of carbon fiber reinforced plastics during laser cutting using high power lasers (DFG)
• LaWocs „Laser transmission welding of thermoplastic composite structures“ (EU/BMBF)
• CFK-Las „Laser processing of CFRP materials“ (MWK/NBank)
• Laser welding of plastics using component-adapted quasi-stationary temperature fields (DFG)
• Organofolien II „Reinforced thin sheets with recycled, laser cut and unidirectional carbon fibers for the production of large series products made of carbon fiber reinforced plastics “ (AiF)
• ADVOCAT „Advanced Composite Repair Tooling for Wind Turbine Blade Maintenance“ (BMU)
• AEROPLAN „Composites repairs and monitoring and validation- Dissemination of innovations and latest achievements to key players of the aeronautical industry“ (EU)