Laser Beam Machining (LBM)

What does LBM stand for?

Laser Beam Machining.

What does LASER stand for?

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

What is a laser?

An optical transducer that converts electrical energy into a highly coherent light beam.

What does monochromatic mean for laser light?

The light theoretically has a single wavelength.

What does highly collimated mean?

The light rays are almost perfectly parallel.

How does LBM remove material?

Focused laser energy causes vaporization and melting.

Why is the laser beam often pulsed in LBM?

To release concentrated impulses of energy against the surface.

What materials can LBM process?

Virtually any material.

What type of stock is LBM generally used on?

Thin stock.

Is LBM usually considered a (mass production material removal) process?

No.

What are major advantages of LBM?

No contact, no cutting force, no tool wear, high precision, narrow kerf, and easy automation.

What is a major thermal limitation of LBM?

A heat affected zone may cause thermal damage or micro-cracks

Why is LBM less efficient on thick materials?

Beam penetration decreases with thickness.

Why can aluminum and copper be difficult for LBM?

They are reflective and may require higher power or specialized lasers.