IPG Offers Retrofit Services

Fiber laser maker IPG Photonics Corp. of Oxford, Mass., has introduced laser retrofit services at its operations in the US, Germany, China and Japan. At each location, IPG’s team of engineers familiar with systems integration will replace older, “clunker” CO₂ and YAG lasers used for cutting, welding or cladding with IPG’s fiber, to make the devices up to 30 times more electrically efficient (The potential energy savings can be determined via the calculator at www.ipgphotonics.com). “We have had many companies approach us about replacing their CO₂ and YAG laser sources on existing production lines so they can enjoy the tremendous benefits that fiber lasers provide,” said Bill Shiner, vice president, industrial markets. In addition to lower maintenance costs, less downtime and no diodes to replace, switching from old laser technology to fiber can also mean rebate money from utilities or state governments, IPG said. Retrofit customers may also take advantage of accelerated tax depreciations provided in 2009 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.