As lasers power up, new applications such as complex surface treatments become more cost-effective and feasible.
HANK HOGAN, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
For laser materials processing systems, power levels are up, costs are down, and there are innovations in beam delivery and control. These developments are expanding the use of lasers in welding, cutting, surface treatment, and other applications. But there are still challenges to overcome, such as devising the best integrated solution or dealing with difficult materials.
Several recent examples illustrate these trends and offer solutions to problems. Some of the benefits of these laser system advancements are having the capabilities to handle new tasks, achieve faster processing, and work with new materials. What’s more, for further progress, fundamental research promises information needed about laser-matter interactions.
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