Present and future trends of laser materials processing in Japan

Akira Matsunawa

doi:10.1117/12.46885

1 October 1991 Present and future trends of laser materials processing in Japan

Akira Matsunawa

Proceedings Volume 1502, Industrial and Scientific Uses of High-Power Lasers; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.46885
Event: ECO4 (The Hague '91), 1991, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract

Lasers quickly penetrated into Japanese industries in the mid-80s. The paper reviews the present situation of industrial lasers and their applications in Japanese industries for materials removal, joining, and some surface modification technologies as well as their economical evaluation compared with competitive technologies. Laser cutting of metallic and nonmetallic thin sheets is widely prevalent even in small scale industries as a flexible manufacturing tool. As for the laser welding is concerned, industrial applications are rather limited in mass production lines. This mainly comes from the fact that the present laser technologies have not employed the adaptive control because of the lack of sensors, monitoring, and control systems which can tolerate the high-precision and high-speed processing. In spite of this situation, laser welding is rapidly increasing in recent years in industries such as automotive, machinery, electric/electronic, steel, heavy industries, etc. Laser surface modification technologies have attracted significant interest from industrial people, but actual application is very limited today. However, the number of R&D papers is increasing year by year. The paper also reviews these new technology trends in Japan.

Citation Download Citation

Akira Matsunawa "Present and future trends of laser materials processing in Japan", Proc. SPIE 1502, Industrial and Scientific Uses of High-Power Lasers, (1 October 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.46885

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