Book 09 2008

Abstract

This publication provides an overview of present and future laser technology applications for industrial products manufacturing, e.g. metal and non-metal processing (cutting, marking,welding) and quality control. The target audience is small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to raise their interest in these technologies, which could be complementary and, in certain cases, more profitable alternatives to conventional manufacturing technologies, due to their good flexibility, quality of output and decreasing investment cost. This report is organised in two parts:Laser technologies and Lasers in the future: Perspectives for small and medium enterprises. The first part of the report consists of a description of laser techniques, a review of some real manufacturing cases in SMEs, and a review of some of the research and development (R&D)literature. The applications (cutting, marking, inspection, manual welding) were chosen based on the following criteria: a)highest market share, as an indication of reliability; b) investment of less than €1 million; c) basic level competence required. These are suggestions only; there are many other applications, and technology developments and improvements are continuing in aspects,such as efficiency, cooling and space requirements, speed, flexibility and price. The manufacturing sector was chosen both because of the high added-value of laser technologies in this sector, and its importance in the industrial bases of developing or transition economies. The second part of the report focuses on laser technologies and applications, e.g. a)semiconductor high power lasers, b) continuous wave and pulsed fibre lasers, and c) solid state disc and advanced CO2 lasers. Furthermore, this publication examines some of the novel interaction mechanisms enabled by these new technologies which provide opportunities for SMEs and entrepreneurs to undertake novel processes. Finally the input from the scientific research to the laser application market is reviewed along with descriptions of applications with long term potential. Laser technologies are a remarkable and a progressively more accessible option to obtain new products from a variety of materials (metal, plastic, leather, wood, paper and others) in competitive conditions. However,in calculating the returns from investment in laser technologies it must be remembered that lasers are not a panacea for every industrial process; although they may have advantages over other technologies, learning will be required through experimentation with configurations and materials, co-design between client and supplier to provide product enhancements, and formalisation of know-how to increase efficiency. Finally, SMEs will need to find appropriate financing schemes for their investments. This work is based on interviews with original equipment manufacturers (OEM), laser system integrators and manufacturing SMEs that utilise these technologies, combined with a review of some recent literature. For a more theoretical approach, the ICS Lectures on Industrial Applications of Lasers (2000,ISBN 92-1-106408-2) is recommended.