We know that lasers are going to be a part of many growth industries. They already are. As we head into 2014, there are several indications that laser technology and the use of lasers is going to continue to grow.
We are hearing from industry experts who say greater power and shorter pulse widths will soon be a part of laser technology. New advances could mean more efficient laser manufacturing with less waste. We could also see laser systems that consume less energy. So many industries and fields are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency. Why should the laser industry be any different?
Lasers are already fast and they are getting faster. It’s happening quite a bit in the world of commercial lasers. Ultrashort-pulse-width lasers are lasers that produce repeated light bursts. The bursts result in clean, precise cuts. This type of laser has many uses, such as the German auto supplier who can drill precise holes into a direct-injection valve for a gasoline engine. This allows for more efficient engine combustion and fuel savings.
Improvement in laser power and efficiency will prove to be beneficial for many industries. One example cited by experts is in the aerospace engine industry. There are studies that say significant savings in weight and material are possible. There is also the possibility that fuel efficiency will be improved.
We know how laser engraving and laser marking can save time and deliver truly special results. There is no reason why the laser cutting and laser engraving industry will not continue to grow. Laser cutters and engravers can work with a wide variety of materials. We are talking about metal materials like gold, silver, platinum, titanium and brass. Non-materials like wood, plastics and cardboard can also be used with laser cutters and engravers.
Watching the growth of lasers this year should be interesting. One can only wonder what we’ll be talking about at the beginning of 2015.