Abstract

Although CO₂- and Nd:YAG lasers are still the most common lasers in high power laser machining, the number of diode laser applications is constantly increasing. The strong automotive industry, followed by mechanical engineering and aerospace industry like Airbus company, push the laser technology, especially in the welding area (sheet metal welding for body in white, powertrain and tube welding, etc.). But the popularity of surface technology is steadily increasing as well, including laser hardening and cladding for wear resistance, for example in the case of turbine blades. The presentation will illustrate these actual trends in high power laser machining in urope with a wide range of applications.

© 2004 Optical Society of America