In the context of various applications requiring lasers of very high average power, ALPhANOV has set up, for security reasons, high performance protection booths.

In order to bring together all of its activities dedicated to high-power laser applications in a single experimental room, ALPhANOV has set up laser protection booths for the machining stations, which help protect operators from the dangers of laser radiation by blocking any direct or indirect laser radiation. Specially designed panels and an active safety glass guarantee a maximum level of protection for extremely energetic (1-120 J) or powerful laser sources (up to 1200 W). Thus, each of these stations can operate simultaneously in fully automated mode.

These booths will be used at ALPhANOV for different projects. Firstly, the European project LASHARE - SCALP which aims to validate a 3D scanner to automatize laser cutting of steel sheets in the context of the production of vehicles adapted to disabled drivers. In order to carry out this project, ALPhANOV uses a 6-axis robot (accuracy of about 35 μm) on which is installed a FARO scanner, allowing high-speed 3D topographic acquisition of the interior of the vehicle supplied by ACA. A 3D model of the interior of the vehicle is then generated automatically via a script developed by ALPhANOV. From this 3D model, the laser cutting paths via the robot are determined, significantly reducing the current preparation time. In addition, this 3D model also greatly facilitates the integration work of electromechanical equipment necessary for the adaptation, for each type of disability, of vehicles transformed by the company ACA.

The second project will be the HELIAM II project (High Energy Lasers for Improved Aeronautic Materials). The HELIAM project, certified by the ALPHA-Route des Lasers & Hyperfrequencies division in 2013, aims to develop and commercialize an innovative process for the metallurgical treatment of critical parts by laser shock peening technique.

And finally, the ADDIMAFIL project will occupy the last booth. This project develops an additive manufacturing wire-based process on metal alloys by laser.