Summary review of laser materials processing in Europe

Abstract

Investment in the industrial application of lasers in Europe has been characterised by a steady 10-20% growth/yr mainly in cutting for CO2 lasers and scribing or marking for YAG lasers. On the laser manufacturing side the main feature has been the growing strength of Ferranti, Trumpf and Siemens, all with new models. Company takeovers have also featured strongly resulting in larger corporate bases for the laser manufacturer. On the research side the scene has been dominated by large EEC programmes and the development of powerful laser centres in Germany at Aachen, Stuttgart, Erlangen, Hanover, Bremen and Braunschweig all funded by their respective State Governments. In total the activity represents a major investment of time, money and energy.This paper reports on some features of these three aspects of laser material processing in Europe: Industrial applications, laser manufacture and laser processing research.Investment in the industrial application of lasers in Europe has been characterised by a steady 10-20% growth/yr mainly in cutting for CO2 lasers and scribing or marking for YAG lasers. On the laser manufacturing side the main feature has been the growing strength of Ferranti, Trumpf and Siemens, all with new models. Company takeovers have also featured strongly resulting in larger corporate bases for the laser manufacturer. On the research side the scene has been dominated by large EEC programmes and the development of powerful laser centres in Germany at Aachen, Stuttgart, Erlangen, Hanover, Bremen and Braunschweig all funded by their respective State Governments. In total the activity represents a major investment of time, money and energy.This paper reports on some features of these three aspects of laser material processing in Europe: Industrial applications, laser manufacture and laser processing research.