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Fifty years of the laser: its role in material processing

Robert Bogue (Okehampton, UK)

Assembly Automation

ISSN: 0144-5154

Article publication date: 28 September 2010

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a review of the use of lasers in industry, with an emphasis on applications in manufacturing and material processing.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction to lasers and their development, this paper considers a selection of key material processing applications.

Findings

This shows that, since their invention in 1960, lasers have emerged to play a vital role in numerous industrial processes. Gas (CO2), solid‐state, excimer, semiconductor and fibre lasers are used in welding, soldering, drilling, cutting, micromachining, marking, engraving, heat treatment, material deposition and adhesive curing.

Originality/value

The paper provides a detailed review of the uses of lasers in industrial material processing and also places these applications in an historical context.

Keywords

Citation

Bogue, R. (2010), "Fifty years of the laser: its role in material processing", Assembly Automation, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 317-322. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445151011075771

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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