Title: Laser materials processing in the Nordic countries

Authors: Claes Magnusson

Addresses: Luled University of Technology, S-971 87 LULEA, Sweden

Abstract: This article reviews the current state of laser materials processing in the Nordic countries. The effects of the recent recession are shown to have depressed machine tool investment in Europe, but the numbers of lasers continues to grow. Metal cutting is the predominate use for high-power carbon-dioxide lasers, although welding accounts for 20% of the carbon-dioxide lasers installed in the Nordic countries. Welding is predicted to be the fastest growing application area over the next few years for carbon-dioxide lasers. High-power Nd:YAG lasers are used predominately for welding.

Keywords: laser cutting; laser drilling; laser processing; materials processing; laser sales; Nordic countries; laser welding.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1996.036330

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1996 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.271 - 275

Published online: 02 Nov 2010 *

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