Industrial high-power/high-brightness blue diode lasers are quickly becoming a preferred laser source for processing highly reflective materials such as copper, stainless steel, and Aluminum.This paper focuses on the recent advances applying Wavelength Beam Combining (WBC) technology to diode bars emitting in the 445nm region. We will present results from latest developments in power scaling introducing an 800W Blue laser coupled with fiber diameters ≤50um while providing a beam parameter product of < 2.2 mm*mrad. Next, we will share applications results using these blue lasers at various power levels in a variety of processes including micro welding and engraving, conduction mode welding, keyhole welding and cutting of thin metal sheets.Finally, we will discuss the future of this technology regarding power scaling beyond 800W and combining our blue laser sources with multi-kilowatt high brightness diode lasers operating in the 975nm region to achieve improved applications results.
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