These automated fabrication tools utilize a focused beam of light to precisely cut or join materials. Cutting involves vaporizing the material along a designated path, while joining fuses materials together through intense, localized heating. Examples include systems employed for creating intricate metal components in aerospace manufacturing or for joining plastic parts in medical device assembly.
This technology offers significant advantages over traditional methods. It delivers high precision, speed, and repeatability, minimizing material waste and improving overall efficiency. Its adaptability across diverse materials, from metals and plastics to composites and ceramics, has revolutionized numerous industries. Initially developed in the mid-20th century, this technology has steadily evolved, becoming increasingly powerful, precise, and affordable.
