High-power solid-state lasers are becoming established in European shipbuilding

The advantages of solid-state lasers for shipbuilding (for example) had been investigated for a lengthy period already. Essential fundamentals for the utilisation of such beam sources in shipyards were then elaborated in Rostock. After it had been possible to transfer a hybrid laser welding system with a fibre laser to the fabrication in the Aker shipyard in Turku, Finland, in 2006 with the cooperation of SLV Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the installation of a 10 kW fibre laser for hybrid laser/GMA welding in the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, was begun in 2007. In the subcontracting order of an installation manufacturer from Rostock, SLV M‑V was involved in the laser safety concept and in the development and qualification of the process.

The extended application of solid-state lasers is optimising European shipbuilding with regard to the costs and the quality. The experience from research projects and the ongoing operation in the shipyards will lead to an extension of the utilisation cases on stationary installations for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications.