Introduction:
In a significant step toward enhancing laser cutting technology, Laser Research Optics has introduced its latest innovation—CO2 focusing lenses made from high-quality zinc selenide (ZnSe), designed to meet the rigorous demands of heavy steel cutting applications. Unveiled on February 25, 2025, this new line of laser optics is poised to optimize the performance of CO2 lasers used in industries that require high-precision and high-power laser systems, such as steel fabrication, construction, and heavy manufacturing.
These optics are particularly suited for cutting heavy-duty steel parts, including I-beams, with lasers in the 200W to 4kW range. By providing optimized focusing, advanced coatings, and a range of focal lengths, these lenses promise to deliver superior cutting quality, increased operational efficiency, and extended equipment lifespan.
Product Specifications and Features:
Laser Research Optics’ new CO2 focusing lenses offer several key features that make them ideal for heavy steel cutting with CO2 lasers:
1. Material and Construction:
The lenses are constructed from zinc selenide (ZnSe), which is known for its high transmission properties at the 10.6-micron wavelength of CO2 lasers. ZnSe is also highly durable and resistant to heat, making it perfect for high-power applications where thermal load is a concern.
2. Design Configurations:
The lenses come in two main designs:
o Plano-convex lenses: Designed to focus laser energy into a fine point, optimizing cutting precision.
o Meniscus lenses: Curved in a way that helps in improving beam focus and stability while minimizing aberrations. These configurations allow for a tailored laser focus, ensuring high-quality cuts in heavy steel.
3. Sizes and Thicknesses:
The lenses are available in outer diameter (O.D.) sizes ranging from 1” to 2”, and their thickness ranges from 0.250” to 0.380”. These sizes ensure compatibility with a wide variety of CO2 laser systems, providing flexibility for different industrial needs.
4. Focal Lengths:
The lenses feature focal lengths ranging from 5” to 10”, with 0.5” increments between each focal length option. The right focal length is crucial for cutting through materials like I-beams and other heavy steel parts, and the availability of multiple focal lengths allows users to select the optimal option for specific cutting tasks.
5. Coatings for Enhanced Performance:
To improve the efficiency and longevity of the lenses, Laser Research Optics has equipped them with advanced anti-reflective (A/R) coatings, which reduce laser energy absorption to less than 0.2%. This ensures that more of the laser energy is focused on the material, reducing waste and improving cutting efficiency.
Additionally, the lenses are coated with the proprietary Cool-Cut™ coating, which absorbs less than 0.15% of laser energy, providing additional protection against heat damage. This coating enhances the durability of the lenses, even when exposed to the high thermal loads generated by cutting thick steel, extending their operational life and reducing maintenance costs.
6. High Power Laser Compatibility:
These lenses are designed to handle CO2 lasers with power ratings ranging from 200W to 4kW, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. With high-power lasers in demand for cutting thicker steel parts, the ZnSe lenses provide the necessary focal precision for effective cutting, allowing for smoother cuts and reduced heat distortion.
7. Field Replacement and Stock Availability:
The lenses are readily available for field replacement by end-users, ensuring that industrial operations can maintain continuous laser cutting without extended downtime. Laser Research Optics keeps these lenses in stock, with 24-hour delivery available for quick replacements. This fast delivery service ensures that businesses do not experience delays in production.
8. Pricing and Ordering:
Pricing for the lenses varies based on the configuration and quantity ordered. Laser Research Optics provides custom price quotations upon request, ensuring that customers only pay for the exact lenses they need. This flexible pricing structure is designed to meet the needs of both OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and end-users, making these lenses accessible to a wide range of industries.
Application in Heavy Steel Cutting:
Laser cutting technology has become an essential process for industries that work with heavy materials like steel. The precision and speed of CO2 lasers make them ideal for cutting thick steel, including materials like I-beams, used in the construction of large-scale projects such as bridges, buildings, and infrastructure. The new ZnSe CO2 lenses from Laser Research Optics are specifically designed to improve the performance of CO2 lasers in these applications by optimizing the laser’s focus, enhancing cut quality, and ensuring efficient material usage.
By choosing the correct lens configuration and focal length, manufacturers can achieve clean, smooth cuts with minimal waste, improving both productivity and cost-effectiveness. The high-quality coatings on the lenses also reduce the chances of lens degradation, ensuring the laser systems remain reliable and efficient over time.
Advanced Technology for Laser Cutting Efficiency:
The new lenses incorporate advanced optical technology, ensuring that users achieve the most efficient laser beam focus possible. The specialized coatings protect against thermal damage, and the lenses’ precision ensures the laser maintains a high level of accuracy, which is critical when cutting thick or heavy materials. This innovation not only increases the precision of laser cutting systems but also maximizes the lifetime of the equipment, making the lenses a wise investment for any industrial laser cutting operation.
By improving the focusing ability of CO2 lasers, the lenses allow operators to achieve better beam quality while reducing the risk of overheating, which often leads to inconsistent cuts or damage to the material. This makes them a highly reliable tool for industries like automotive, construction, and metalworking where cutting precision is paramount.
Key Takeaways:
• Laser Research Optics has introduced a new range of ZnSe CO2 Focusing Lenses for high-power laser cutting of heavy steel up to 4kW.
• Available in sizes ranging from 1” to 2” O.D. and thicknesses between 0.250” and 0.380”.
• Plano-convex and meniscus configurations are available to provide precise beam focus.
• Focal lengths from 5” to 10” available in 0.5” increments, suitable for a variety of industrial laser applications.
• Coatings such as A/R coatings and the Cool-Cut™ coating protect the lenses and reduce laser energy absorption to below 0.2% and 0.15%, respectively.
• Fast delivery from stock within 24 hours ensures minimal downtime for manufacturers.
• Ideal for industries needing high-precision cuts in steel like I-beams for construction and heavy manufacturing.
• Custom pricing and quotations are available based on configuration and quantity.
• Designed for use with 200W to 4kW CO2 lasers, enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and extending the lifespan of the laser cutting system.
