LASER CUTTING has been the major application for industrial lasers in manufacturing for the last 30 years. It is a well-established process that offers many advantages and benefits over traditional cutting methods. Laser cutting is typically high speed, repeatable and reliable, producing a very narrow and clean kerf (cut width) in a wide variety of material types and thickness. It is a process that can easily be automated by integration into flexible programmable machine tools or robots. Cutting lasers typically are CO₂ or Nd:YAG, available in power levels ranging to 6 kW.

LASER DRILLING makes it possible to machine both very small and precise holes in a variety of shapes and orientations, in a wide variety of materials, including difficult-to-machine aerospace alloys. These holes can be tapered or shaped to enhance the amount and direction of air or liquid flowing through them. The drilling of holes in aerospace/turbine engine parts generally serves to enhance the cooling characteristics of the part. These holes can be drilled at extreme angles to the surface. Hundreds or thousands of cooling holes can be drilled in one part with a single set-up in cylindrical or unusually shaped parts. A high power pulsed Nd:YAG laser is normally used, although a CO₂ laser can be used with non-metallic parts.

LASER WELDING offers many advantages over traditional welding techniques - consistent, reliable joints with minimal distortion due to heating, a small heat affected zone (HAZ), a narrow weld profile with excellent appearance (especially if gas shielding is used), and considerably faster weld rates. These qualities are a result of using a small focus spot size, 0.008" to .04" (0.2-1 mm), appropriate gas shielding, well-engineered joint design, and ensuring repeatable fit up of parts. Lasers typically used for welding are CO₂ and Nd:YAG. The choice of laser is determined by material type and thickness, cycle time and weld penetration requirements.