Laser materials processing in Japanese industry

Abstract

Laser materials processing in Japanese industry is discussed on the basis of a recent questionnaire conducted by non-profit organization, JLPS (Japan Laser Processing Society), where approximately 900 of CO2 and YAG lasers appeared, and recent topics of laser materials processing. More than thousand of CO2 and YAG lasers for materials processing were sold last year, and cumulative number of lasers in production use are estimated to be approximately 6000, showing that laser materials processing is becoming widely accepted in Japanese industry. 75% of CO2 lasers are used for cutting and drilling, and 70% of YAG lasers for welding, scribing and resistance trimming. Although CO2 lasers are most widely accepted in metal working industry of small scale companies including job shops, they are increasing most rapidly in automobile industry. Largest users of YAG lasers are electric industry of large scale companies.Laser materials processing in Japanese industry is discussed on the basis of a recent questionnaire conducted by non-profit organization, JLPS (Japan Laser Processing Society), where approximately 900 of CO2 and YAG lasers appeared, and recent topics of laser materials processing. More than thousand of CO2 and YAG lasers for materials processing were sold last year, and cumulative number of lasers in production use are estimated to be approximately 6000, showing that laser materials processing is becoming widely accepted in Japanese industry. 75% of CO2 lasers are used for cutting and drilling, and 70% of YAG lasers for welding, scribing and resistance trimming. Although CO2 lasers are most widely accepted in metal working industry of small scale companies including job shops, they are increasing most rapidly in automobile industry. Largest users of YAG lasers are electric industry of large scale companies.