IPG YLS Series
The IPG YLS Series consists of high-performance cabinet-based fiber lasers for industrial laser processing. The series is designed for applications where high output power, stable beam quality, high efficiency and robust industrial operation are essential.
The YLS Series covers a very wide power range and is used for applications including laser cutting, laser welding, additive manufacturing and other advanced material processing. LMI AB can help select the correct power level, fiber diameter and configuration based on the specific process and system requirements.
High-Power Fiber Lasers in Cabinet Design
The YLS Series differs from IPG’s rack-mounted YLR Series through its cabinet design and significantly wider power range. It is particularly well suited for systems requiring high continuous power, robust cooling and flexible integration with processing heads, process fibers and automation.
IPG currently specifies the YLS Series with multi-mode output powers from approximately 1 kW up to 125+ kW and single-mode output powers up to 10 kW. The series typically operates at a wavelength of approximately 1070 nm.
Wide Power Range for Different Processes
One of the major strengths of the YLS Series is its broad power range. The same fundamental fiber laser technology can be used from established industrial power levels to extremely demanding high-power applications.
In practice, YLS lasers are available in many different power levels and configurations. For LMI AB, power levels around 2–8 kW are common in many established systems, while 15, 20 and 40 kW represent clear steps into today’s high-power segment.
| Power Range | Typical Role |
|---|---|
| 2–4 kW | Established industrial systems for cutting, welding and general material processing |
| 6–8 kW | Higher productivity and broad use in industrial cutting and welding |
| 15–20 kW | High-power applications requiring high processing speeds and deep penetration |
| 40 kW and above | Advanced high-power processing, thicker materials and processes with very high power requirements |
Exact model designations, power levels and configurations vary between different product generations and applications.
Technical Characteristics
| Specification | IPG YLS Series |
|---|---|
| Laser type | CW fiber laser |
| Design | Cabinet |
| Typical wavelength | 1070 nm |
| Single-mode power | Up to 10 kW |
| Multi-mode power | 1 to 125+ kW |
| Power adjustment | 10–100% |
| Modulation frequency | Up to 10 kHz |
| Multi-mode fiber diameter | 50, 100, 150 or 200 µm feeding fiber; process fibers up to 1000 µm |
| Cooling | Water or air cooling depending on configuration |
IPG also specifies typical electrical efficiency above 40% for its industrial YLS fiber lasers.
YLS for Laser Cutting
The YLS Series is widely used for industrial laser cutting where high power, high availability and stable beam performance are essential requirements.
Increasing laser power can enable higher cutting speeds and efficient processing of thicker materials, provided that the complete system is designed accordingly. The laser head, optics, process gas, fiber diameter, beam quality and machine dynamics must therefore be considered as parts of the same system.
Modern high-power cutting machines use YLS lasers at power levels far beyond those that were traditionally common in fiber laser cutting.
YLS for Laser Welding
The YLS Series is also used for automated laser welding and other processes requiring high continuous power and good process stability.
The choice of power, fiber diameter and beam characteristics influences factors such as focal spot size, power density, penetration and process window. In deep-penetration welding and other high-power processes, the interaction between the laser source, optics, joint geometry, fixturing and motion system becomes particularly important.
Beam Quality and Fiber Diameter
The YLS Series is available in different optical configurations. Multi-mode versions can, for example, be combined with different fiber diameters to adapt the beam characteristics to the specific process.
The correct combination of power, fiber diameter, collimation and focusing largely determines the focal spot and power density that can be achieved.
This means that two YLS lasers with the same output power may be intended for different processes depending on how the beam and fiber system are configured.
Robust Fiber Laser Technology
IPG YLS lasers are based on a solid-state, fiber-based architecture without the conventional free-space beam path and alignment-sensitive mirrors found in some traditional laser technologies. This contributes to high mechanical stability and makes the technology well suited for demanding industrial environments.
YLS systems can be integrated with process fibers, beam switches, couplers, cooling systems and different types of laser processing heads depending on the application.
YLS at Very High Power
As laser power increases, the requirements placed on the complete optical and mechanical system also become significantly higher.
At 15, 20, 40 kW and even higher power levels, factors such as the following become particularly important:
- correctly dimensioned process fiber
- laser processing head designed for the required power
- optics with very low absorption
- effective cooling
- clean protective windows
- correct focal position
- stable process gas delivery
- regular inspection and preventive maintenance
A small optical loss or contamination that may have limited impact at lower power can become considerably more critical as laser power increases.
Multiple YLS Versions and Special Configurations
YLS is a broad product family and includes more than a single standard configuration. IPG also offers specialised YLS variants for applications requiring different beam characteristics, power levels and operating modes, including AMB and other specialised technologies.
Not all of these need to be presented as separate products on the LMI AB website. The appropriate version depends on the process, power level, beam quality and integration requirements.
Service and Support for IPG YLS
LMI AB has extensive experience with IPG YLS lasers in industrial laser systems and provides service, troubleshooting, maintenance and components for both older and newer installations.
We have experience with several YLS power levels and system generations and can also assist with associated equipment such as process fibers, laser heads, optics, protective windows and other components that affect system performance and reliability.
Which IPG YLS Is Right for Your Application?
Selecting a YLS laser source is not simply a matter of choosing the highest possible power. Material, material thickness, process, required productivity, beam quality, fiber diameter, optics, cooling and integration requirements all need to be considered.
LMI AB can help specify the correct YLS configuration and assess how the laser source should be integrated with the other components in the laser system.
Contact LMI AB and we will help you find the right IPG YLS laser source for your application.
