Laser processing centers and their research projects in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, R/D activities on laser materials processing are mainly conducted in universities, public research institutions and technical centers in private enterprises. Among them the Welding Research Institute and the Department of Welding and Production Engineering both at Osaka University have taken the initiative in conducting fundamental studies on laser materials processing as well as bringing up experts and engineers of laser technologies since mid 60’s. In 1990, a new laser center called the Applied Engineering Center (ALEC) was established in Nagaoka City in Niigata Prefecture by the investments of New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Niigata Prefecture, City of Nagaoka and many private companies to develop the industrial applications of laser technologies. The Center has wide variety of laser covering the wavelength from infrared to ultraviolet and many research projects are taken under the sponsorship of the government, self-governing bodies and private companies. Another new laser center, Advanced Materials Processing Institute (AMPI), was recently established in Amagasaki City, a neighboring city of Osaka, under the sponsorship of the City of Amagasaki and many private enterprises, where a 50 kW CO2 laser and a 5 kW YAG laser (fiber combined two-2 kW CW lasers and a 1 kW pulsed laser) will be installed by the end of November, 1994. Major targets of R/D are the developments of laser welding and cutting of thicker materials, laser surface modification and hybrid plasma-laser thermal spraying.In Japan, R/D activities on laser materials processing are mainly conducted in universities, public research institutions and technical centers in private enterprises. Among them the Welding Research Institute and the Department of Welding and Production Engineering both at Osaka University have taken the initiative in conducting fundamental studies on laser materials processing as well as bringing up experts and engineers of laser technologies since mid 60’s. In 1990, a new laser center called the Applied Engineering Center (ALEC) was established in Nagaoka City in Niigata Prefecture by the investments of New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Niigata Prefecture, City of Nagaoka and many private companies to develop the industrial applications of laser technologies. The Center has wide variety of laser covering the wavelength from infrared to ultraviolet and many research projects are taken under the sponsorship of the government, self-governing bodies and private companies...