Improving laser system productivity through production line integration

David A. Belforte

doi:10.1117/12.184705

7 September 1994 Improving laser system productivity through production line integration

David A. Belforte

Proceedings Volume 2207, Laser Materials Processing: Industrial and Microelectronics Applications; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184705
Event: Europto High Power Lasers and Laser Applications V, 1994, Vienna, Austria

Abstract

Thousands of laser systems are employed profitably in a variety of industrial applications. These installations have proved successful for economic and technical reasons. And, in certain applications: ceramic scribing, resistor trimming, sheet metal cutting, and air foil drilling, for example, have become the industry standard. Most of these installations are free standing or, at best, part of an off-line manufacturing cell. Examples of laser systems fully integrated into a production line, where the laser process is synchronized with up and down stream manufacturing operation, are rare. The laser has been under utilized in its potential contribution to production line productivity. Current development in laser beam delivery: multiplexing, beam splitting and other distributed energy concepts make the laser an attractive option for just-in-time manufacturing operations. The reasons for this apparent neglect of the laser's full potential are reviewed in this paper, and suggestions for improvement of this situation are offered. Examples of fully integrated laser systems and their successful implementation are described and a forecast of changes in the way lasers contribute to improved productivity and profitability will be made.

Citation Download Citation

David A. Belforte "Improving laser system productivity through production line integration", Proc. SPIE 2207, Laser Materials Processing: Industrial and Microelectronics Applications, (7 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.184705

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