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EBM is used in industries such as aerospace, medical device manufacturing, electronics, and microfabrication. It is applied to produce components
like microelectronics, precision parts with complex geometries, and delicate medical instruments. The process is especially valued for its ability to
achieve high levels of precision and control in material removal.
Laser Beam Laser Beam Machining (LBM) is a non-traditional machining process that uses a focused, high-intensity laser beam to remove material from a
Machining workpiece. LBM is known for its precision, ability to create intricate shapes, and its suitability for a wide range of materials, making it a versatile
(LBM) method for various industrial applications.
In laser beam machining, a laser is directed onto the workpiece's surface, causing localized heating and vaporization of the material. As the material
vaporizes, it is ejected from the workpiece, resulting in material removal. LBM is often used for cutting, engraving, drilling, and surface modification.
Key features and steps of the laser beam machining process include:
• Laser Generation: A laser beam is generated using a laser source. The laser can be of various types, such as CO2 lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, fibre
lasers, and diode lasers, each with specific characteristics.
• Workpiece Setup: The workpiece is positioned on a table, and the laser beam is focused onto the machining area.
• Material Removal: The focused laser beam heats the material at the point of contact, causing it to vaporize and be expelled from the
workpiece's surface. This creates the desired machining effect, such as cutting or engraving. (Source of images:
• Control and Monitoring: Parameters such as laser power, beam intensity, and beam focus are carefully controlled to achieve the desired https://www.riehepherd.top/products.aspx
material removal rate, precision, and surface finish. ?cname=laser+beam+machining&cid=5)
LBM has several advantages:
• High precision and accuracy, allowing for intricate and fine details.
• Minimal mechanical contact, reducing the risk of tool wear and workpiece damage.
• Can be used on a wide range of materials, including metals, ceramics, plastics, and composites.
• Minimal heat-affected zone and thermal stress, making it suitable for delicate workpieces.
However, LBM also has limitations:
• Limited material removal rates compared to some traditional machining processes.
• The efficiency may be affected by the material's reflective properties or thickness.
• Initial equipment and operational costs can be relatively high.
LBM is used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical device manufacturing, and art. It is applied to produce
components like precision parts, microelectronics, medical implants, decorative items, and more. LBM's ability to achieve high precision and control
over material removal makes it a valuable tool for creating complex shapes and achieving intricate designs.
In both modes of operation, traditional or digital, the processes are the same as principles. The difference comes to the precision of machining and in the
productivity. They both are higher in the digital mode. To reach from the traditional operation to digital operation two actions should be performed:
• Replacing or retrofitting of the traditional machining equipment to a digital machine
• Training the operators in order to be able to operate the new digital machine and understand the difference from the old and the new working
environments.
Retrofitting of the traditional machines involves specific costs, but those costs are generally lower than acquiring a new digital machine.
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