ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | SEPTEMBER 2023 25 Continous advancements in laser processing capabilities and technology have enabled manufacturers in diverse industrial sectors to effectively tackle challenges and achieve cost-effective, reliable, and consistent manufacturing solutions. This article highlights ways to take advantage of those new capabilities for optimum materials processing. However, it is essential to possess a comprehensive understanding of different laser types and their interaction with materials. The requirements for cutting or welding, for example, differ significantly from those needed for micromachining. Each process has unique requirements and matching the laser source to the project is essential for developing a robust solution. FROM LAST RESORT TO FIRST CHOICE Early bulk solid state and gas laser technologies were unreliable, inefficient, slow, and hard to use and maintain. Due to high initial and ownership cost, lasers were only used as a last resort when non-laser methods did not provide required process quality. In the past 20 years, industrial fiber lasers with rugged industrial design insensitive to dirt, humidity, and vibration have become widely adopted in fabrication. Compact, reliable, and efficient fiber lasers have replaced both legacy laser technologies and non-laser solutions, becoming the first choice of manufacturers in many applications. Advantages of fiber laser technology include: • Ultra compact size and low weight • Superior reliability, minimizing downtime • Virtual lack of maintenance and ease of use • Energy efficiency up to 10 times better than legacy lasers or non- laser solutions • Flexible beam delivery for easy process integration • High flexibility in choosing operating parameters in the widest breadth of output powers, wavelengths, and modes of operation FIBER LASER APPLICATIONS Cutting and Drilling. Legacy CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers have been phased out by virtually maintenance free, compact, reliable, and efficient continuous wave (CW) fiber lasers. The increasing availability of higher fiber laser powers at lower cost per watt enables faster cutting speeds and improved quality. The major trend in laser cutting has been the emphasis on auto- mation to maximize benefits of higher throughput. Precise control of laser power and superior beam quality enable fine cutting of foils and stents, while at higher power levels, lasers compete with plasma cutting of thicker materials. The high brightness also enables cutting highly reflective materials with ease. IPG High Peak Power (HPP) technology provides advanced piercing capabilities increasing process quality and repeatability. This technology is TECHNICAL SPOTLIGHT ADVANCES IN LASER PROCESSING This guide outlines recent advances in the various methods of laser technology and appropriate manufacturing applications. *Member of ASM International Many industries can benefit from numerous new methods of laser processing.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTYyMzk3NQ==