Nanosecond pulsed fiber lasers have made a significant impact on general marking applications. There is now a greater appreciation of the versatility of these laser sources for industrial micromachining applications The low cost compact nature of these sources coupled with the virtually no maintenance requirement gives users a fit and forget option.
Some MOPA fiber laser sources allow users to vary to pulse width and also to operate over wider pulse repetition rate than conventional 1 micron sources. This flexibility in adjustment can enable users to optimise the pulse characteristics for more challenging applications. Fiber lasers can also deliver specific beam qualities through internal fiber design and this has opened up further opportunities with significant benefits to micromachining applications.
Applications beyond the traditional marking are reviewed, including; deep engraving, thin film patterning, micro cutting, drilling, cleaning, scribing and even soldering.
The current generation of pulsed nanosecond fiber lasers are highly flexible, versatile and reconfigurable and are capable of a broad range of micromachining applications.