TY - GEN

T1 - Mobile laser cutting system for complex rescue operations

AU - Hennigs, Christian

AU - Brodesser, Alexander

AU - Grafe, Robert

AU - Hustedt, Michael

AU - Kaierle, Stefan

N1 - Funding Information: The research work described here is carried out in the course of the joint project “LaserRettung – Innovatives Lasersystem zur Rettung bei komplexen Unfallszenarien” (LaserRescue – Innovative Laser System for Rescue in Complex Accident Scenarios). This project (No. 13N14140) is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the framework of the funding line entitled “Civil Security – Innovative Rescue and Security Systems” as part of the programme “Research for Civil Security” of the German federal government, which is gratefully acknowledged. The joint project is coordinated by the LZH, namely by Dr.-Ing. Stefan Kaierle.

PY - 2018/2/15

Y1 - 2018/2/15

N2 - When a serious motor vehicle accident happens, persons with severe injuries may be trapped inside damaged vehicles. In these cases, it is necessary to rescue the injured persons as fast as possible to increase their chance to survive. Nevertheless, secondary injuries due to the rescue procedures must be avoided. In this scenario, structural parts typically have to be cut to create rescue openings. Therefore, several high-tech rescue systems are available, most common hydraulic apparatus. Alternatively, reciprocating saws, angle grinders or plasma cutters are used, depending on the specific on-scene conditions. Lately, there has been tremendous progress regarding the developments on vehicle safety. One example is the integration of super high-strength steels and carbon fiber reinforced plastics, concurrently meeting the requirements of weight reduction. As a result, mechanical rescue systems like hydraulic shears reach their performance limits. The main goal of this work is the development of a mobile laser cutting device for rescue operations. The focus is put on high flexibility concerning the processing of high-strength materials and multilayer structures. Moreover, robustness, easy handling and system weight shall be optimized, as rescuers often work under harsh conditions concerning temperature, humidity, dirt and stress. Crucial aspect of laser rescuing is safety which must be guaranteed for all persons involved at any time. Here, results of laser cutting experiments, using materials and structures relevant for rescue situations, are presented.

AB - When a serious motor vehicle accident happens, persons with severe injuries may be trapped inside damaged vehicles. In these cases, it is necessary to rescue the injured persons as fast as possible to increase their chance to survive. Nevertheless, secondary injuries due to the rescue procedures must be avoided. In this scenario, structural parts typically have to be cut to create rescue openings. Therefore, several high-tech rescue systems are available, most common hydraulic apparatus. Alternatively, reciprocating saws, angle grinders or plasma cutters are used, depending on the specific on-scene conditions. Lately, there has been tremendous progress regarding the developments on vehicle safety. One example is the integration of super high-strength steels and carbon fiber reinforced plastics, concurrently meeting the requirements of weight reduction. As a result, mechanical rescue systems like hydraulic shears reach their performance limits. The main goal of this work is the development of a mobile laser cutting device for rescue operations. The focus is put on high flexibility concerning the processing of high-strength materials and multilayer structures. Moreover, robustness, easy handling and system weight shall be optimized, as rescuers often work under harsh conditions concerning temperature, humidity, dirt and stress. Crucial aspect of laser rescuing is safety which must be guaranteed for all persons involved at any time. Here, results of laser cutting experiments, using materials and structures relevant for rescue situations, are presented.

KW - laser cutting

KW - laser safety

KW - mobile laser device

KW - outdoor conditions

KW - rescue system

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047852817&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1117/12.2286865

DO - 10.1117/12.2286865

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85047852817

T3 - Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

BT - High-Power Laser Materials Processing

A2 - Kaierle, Stefan

A2 - Heinemann, Stefan W.

PB - SPIE

T2 - High-Power Laser Materials Processing: Applications, Diagnostics, and Systems VII 2018

Y2 - 31 January 2018 through 1 February 2018

ER -