Overview
EN ISO 15616-1:2003 - Acceptance tests for CO2-laser beam machines for high quality welding and cutting (Part 1: General principles, acceptance conditions) specifies the general requirements and acceptance-test principles for CO2‑laser beam machines used for high‑quality 2D welding and cutting. Its main purpose is to define how manufacturers, buyers and installers document that a CO2‑laser beam machine can produce welded joints and cuts of consistent quality before or during installation and, where appropriate, during maintenance.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose: Applies to CO2‑laser beam machines operating in two directions (2D). Used to prepare technical specifications and to form acceptance criteria in contracts.
- Installation and setup: Environmental and installation conditions (vibration, temperature, contamination) and electrical supply requirements (voltage fluctuations within ±10 %) must meet manufacturer specifications.
- Systems to verify: cooling, gas supply (laser and working gases), exhaust and safety arrangements, operation instructions and stabilisation periods before measurement.
- Measured properties and tests:
- Laser beam power: maximum/minimum power, medium- and long‑term stability, repeatability. (Example limits in the standard: maximum power deviation +5 %/–2 %; minimum power +10 %/–3 %.)
- Beam characteristics: enclosed beam diameter, focused beam waist diameter and position, beam propagation factor (K or M2), beam positional stability.
- Opto‑mechanical performance: manipulation system precision, positioning accuracy, trajectory exactness (dynamic and static tests - see Part 2).
- Processing performance: welding/cutting speed stability and repeatability.
- Gas systems: flow and pressure testing and calibration (see Part 3).
- Acceptance documentation: Results are recorded in test reports and a final acceptance report that references all measured values and any additional contract-specified tests.
- Precision levels: The standard defines recommended precision classes (A–D) for different quality needs (special high precision to large industrial installations).
Applications and users
Who uses EN ISO 15616-1:2003:
- Manufacturers - to define and prove machine performance at delivery.
- End users / purchasers - to specify acceptance criteria in procurement contracts.
- Installers and commissioning teams - to verify correct setup and performance on site.
- Quality engineers and test labs - to document compliance, perform maintenance checks and validate repairs.
Practical applications include acceptance testing of CO2 laser systems used in automotive, aerospace, sheet‑metal fabrication and other industries where high‑quality laser welding and cutting are required.
Related standards
Normative references and related parts include:
- EN ISO 11145, 11146, 11554, 11670 (laser terminology and beam test methods)
- EN 60204‑1 (electrical safety)
- EN ISO 15616‑2 (static and dynamic accuracy measurement)
- EN ISO 15616‑3 (calibration of gas flow/pressure instruments)
- ISO 230‑2 (NC positioning accuracy)
