Technology Factsheet

Laser Cutting Research

Category: Dismantlement > Non-Mechanical Cutting Equipment > Laser Cutting
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Directorate Technical department has engaged TWI to undertake experimental evaluation study trials to assess the secondary effects of using high power fiber laser beams as cutting tools. The experiments were designed to understand and quantify the obvious hazards associated with deploying lasers in an enclosed highly active environment. The experiments conducted include: 1) Assessing the effects of stray laser beams on objects (steel, brick and concrete) at powers and ranges other than that intended for cutting operations; 2) Heat and temperature generation in the work pieces and adjacent material exposed to the sparks produced during cutting operations; 3) The ability of the laser to cut different geometry work pieces (representative of steel sections common in the HANI cell) from a single side; 4) Effects of the release of fluid contents (water and sand) from within sealed sections of pipe when pierced by the laser; and 5) Analysis of fume generation associated with laser cutting. The work also included TWI providing reports covering: 1) Current laser safety regulations and recommendations of their implementation in the context of use within the highly active cell. Includes a description of safety features built in to fiber laser systems. 2) Paper to highlight possible circumstances that might result in unintended cutting, and suggested systems/ procedures to prevent unintended cutting occurring.