A Tool of Light |
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Lasers weld, cut, drill and mark - for processing at every scale |
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Learn more about the laser as a tool and how it can help you with your processing task |
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Joining
As early as the 1970s, lasers were being employed in applications such as mounting springs in mechanical timepieces
by means of small spot welds. Since then, the uses and areas of application have expanded rapidly. Today, lasers are capable of welding not only metals, but also fusible plastic
materials. In some automobiles, the length of all laser welds
added together may reach an impressive 60 meters. On cellular phones, display covers are welded in place by lasers. In medical technology, lasers are used to weld endoscopes and
other equipment.
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Cutting
The lasers employed at the time were CO2 lasers with a power of 200 to 500 watts. In the decades that followed, the process became established in industrial manufacturing. Today, lasers are capable of carrying out extremely varied
cutting tasks. They range from micrometer cuts in wafer-thin
semiconductor chips all the way to quality cuts in 30-millimeter
thick steel plate.
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Surface Treatment
To increase the component’s resistance to stresses, its
surface is treated. Alongside the many conventional methods
for surface treatment, laser processes also exist. They
include laser hardening, remelting, and coating. Laser marking as well as structuring and ablating with micro processing lasers can also be used to change the surface of a workpiece.
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Micro Processing
Lasers are being used increasingly
often in micro production technology. Short pulse lasers find applications wherever controlled, highly precise and repeatable ablating
of material is required. They are used for structuring cylinder bearing surfaces, for edge insulation on solar cells or for drilling holes with few micrometers in diameter.
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Marking
Markings are required on workpieces in all
branches of industry. The attachment of
numbers, texts or identity codes has become
a part of the added value process.
The laser has established itself as a progressive
marking tool for all these tasks because it fulfills the requirements to a
special degree. The laser beam allows non-contact marking
and is free of wear and tear, making
it ideal for marking any product shapes,
even at hard-to-reach locations.
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