RESEARCH on the development and use of high power carbon dioxide lasers for materials processing has been in progress at The Welding Institute for more than twelve years. Multikilowatt systems have been built, operating on the fast axial flow principle. Current research into laser materials processing using these machines can be divided into three areas: laser surfacing, high speed laser welding of sheet materials, and the mechanical properties of laser welds. These research programmes are described and significant results highlighted. Also described is a plasma control technique for welding at relatively slow speeds, that has been developed at The Welding Institute.

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© 1982 Laser Institute of America.
1982
Laser Institute of America
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