Laser Processing in Manufacturing

Lasers are now recognized as practical alternatives to conventional techniques for many industrial applications. After reviewing the basic theory the book provides an insight into equipment technology and applications. Front Matter....Pages i-x An introduction to lasers....Pages 1-18 Background to laser processing....Pages 19-44 Beam transmission systems....Pages 45-65 Pulsed Nd:YAG lasers in manufacturing applications....Pages 67-90 Continuous wave and Q -switched Nd:YAG lasers....Pages 91-114 CO 2 gas lasers: engineering and operation....Pages 115-139 CO 2 industrial laser systems and applications....Pages 141-161 Excimer lasers: principles of operation and equipment....Pages 163-187 Excimer lasers: current and future applications in industry and medicine....Pages 189-271 Practical aspects of laser processing....Pages 273-284 Back Matter....Pages 285-292