IPG Photonics Corporation announced the launch of six high efficiency diode laser solutions providing numerous advantages over thermal ovens in industrial heating and drying applications. Six new Diode Laser Solutions (DLS-ECO) from IPG Photonics were designed to replace less efficient infrared bulbs and environmentally unfriendly gas-fired furnaces for industrial heating and drying applications. Extremely high power conversion efficiency along with exceptionally low impact on the ambient factory environment make the cost of ownership and return on investment of a diode heater compelling.

The Next Generation of High-Power Diode Lasers Has Arrived: These new diode laser sources range in output power from 3.5 to 40 kW with wall plug energy efficiencies of over 52%. They join IPG's well-established YLS-ECO series of lasers which incorporate the most reliable laser diodes from IPG operating at the higher efficiencies. A New ‘Cold Furnace' Paradigm for Drying Applications: A diode heater operates cold, wasting no energy warming insulating walls or the factory floor.

The 100% solid state laser directs energy as laser light onto the media being processed. Between batches the diode heater is off, not idling, so no energy is consumed when it is not needed. Laser light dries below the surface providing a more efficient process than is possible in a thermal convection oven, meaning a DLS-ECO solution is up to 4X smaller and up to 4X faster.

The open and cold environment is inviting to thermal metrology enabling tighter process control benefitting from instantaneous, on-the-fly temperature adjustments. The DLS-ECO is best suited to dry industrial coatings such as battery slurries, paint or powder coatings, and are employed when extremely tight process control is needed, such as semiconductor wafer heating. These new Diode Laser Solutions will be unveiled at Photonics West 2023 in San Francisco in the IPG Booth #327.