Laser-assisted metal forming

The laser's main current use is in cutting or joining processes. Innovative techniques in the field of rapid prototyping include the laser in an expanding range of applications in which the laser beam is almost always used as a heat source. The ease with which the beam can be focused and controlled, both in time and space, are obvious advantages. The use of the laser inflexible forming applications can also be considered a type of rapid-prototyping technique. The latest developments integrate the laser as a localised heat source in conventional manufacturing processes, resulting in combination cutting techniques such as laser-assisted turning for the machining of ceramics. The use of lasers informing processes is also in development.