In a move aimed at strengthening its position in the low- to mid-power materials processing space, laser maker Coherent Inc. announced it has acquired privately held laser machining centers manufacturer Beam Dynamics of San Carlos, Calif., for an undisclosed amount. Beam Dynamics' laser machine tools are used in a variety of cutting applications, including plastics, fabric, leather, rubber, metal, ceramics and wood, for customers ranging from regional machine shops to Fortune 500 brands. The company has been integrating Coherent's Diamond CO2 lasers from 150 to 500 W, and now 1 kW, into its machine tools. Coherent said the acquisition allows the company to further expand its presence in the materials processing market and more effectively drive development of new sources and tools for laser machining. Coherent recently introduced an extremely compact kilowatt CO2 laser, and the acquisition will allow the company to take a more active position in the development of high precision, kilowatt-level cutting tools in a small footprint, Coherent said. "We see this combination as a catalyst to expanding the use of lasers in a host of applications that cannot justify the capital outlay or the physical infrastructure needed of tools significantly larger," the company said in a statement. Beam Dynamics will operate as a standalone unit within Coherent and will retain its organizational structure, Coherent said. For more information, visit: www.coherent.com