Lasers produce beams of monochromatic, coherent radiation (light) and are designed to concentrate high amounts of energy over a defined point. The term laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. This helps us understand that, through stimulated emission, lasers release a beam of electromagnetic radiation (beam of light). Read More…
Isotech offers a full range of Fiber, C02, UV, Green, MOPA, Nanosecond, Picosecond and Femtosecond laser systems for marking, cutting and welding of many substrates. Isotech offers both standard systems as well as fully automated or custom systems depending on your specific requirements. Integrated, automated solutions with conveyors, palletized pick and place, rotary dial tables, hoppers, and...
For over 50 years, we have been continuously improving upon and developing new industrial laser systems, with a focus towards the processes of cutting; welding; marking and engraving; and micromachining, providing unmatched total solutions to our global customers. We are a technology driven company, offering laser system customization and providing a “One Stop” laser technology solution and...
Hai Tech specializes in state-of-the-art laser technology, offering both new and refurbished industrial lasers and marking lasers for automotive, tooling and electronic applications. We have over 20 years of experience in laser system design so we can serve you better! For more information, contact a Hai Tech representative today!
Laser Marking Technologies LLC engineers laser systems for the medical, manufacturing, and automotive industries. We provide you cutting-edge technology at competitive prices. We are making innovative strides with fiber lasers, 3D printing tech, and automation capabilities that optimize manufacturing processes. Visit our site today to learn more about what our laser expertise can do for you.
TYKMA Electrox specializes in the design and manufacture of permanent industrial marking laser systems. Product line includes laser marking systems, electrolytic etch marking systems, needle marking systems and customized workstations. We are at the forefront of new product designs and problem solving.
If your business has a challenging component to mark on, our team at Automark will help you solve the problem. We supply laser and marking systems for a multitude of industries. Our team of engineers is ready and willing to tackle any of your challenging assignments. If you have any questions feel free to give us a call and a representative will speak with you today!
More Laser Manufacturers
Lasers generate beams of monochromatic, coherent light and are engineered to focus a significant amount of energy onto a specific point. The word “laser” stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, which indicates that lasers emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation (light) through the process of stimulated emission.
Applications
Laser technology has a wide range of applications depending on its strength, spanning the medical, manufacturing, construction, and electronics industries. Common uses include cutting, welding, etching, engraving, heat treating metals and plastics, as well as surveying, pointing, and leveling. Additionally, lasers can serve as weaponry; for instance, the US Navy employs laser weapon systems to destroy, disable, or warn targets, and other military groups use them to intercept missiles and drones.
Lower-power lasers, like those found in laser modules, are typically used as pointers, leveling tools, and survey equipment. In healthcare, dental and medical lasers are employed for surgeries and optical procedures. Meanwhile, high-power industrial lasers, available through suppliers listed on IQS Directory, are essential for tasks such as cutting, welding, etching, engraving, and heat treating materials.
The History of Lasers
Lasers’ origins can be traced to Albert Einstein’s 1917 paper, “On the Quantum Theory of Radiation.” In this work, Einstein proposed the concept of stimulated emission based on his analysis of proton travel and atoms in excited states. Although his theory was validated, it wasn’t until the 1940s and 1950s that scientists began to explore it.
One of the early pioneers was American physicist Charles H. Townes, who, after working on radar systems during World War II, shifted his focus to molecular spectroscopy. This field allowed him to study molecular structures by sending light energy into molecules and observing the scattered radiation. Despite the utility of this approach, Townes faced limitations with existing technology, particularly in producing shorter microwave wavelengths. Inspired by Einstein’s theory, Townes aimed to create a device that utilized stimulated emission to generate shorter wavelength light. His efforts led to the invention of the maser (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) in 1953, which amplified microwave radiation rather than visible or infrared light.
Laser Manufacturers – Trotec Laser, Inc.
In 1957, while at Bell Labs, Townes began working on the laser, with colleague Arthur Schawlow suggesting the use of mirrors to focus the light energy. This idea was pivotal in the development of the laser. In 1958, Townes and Schawlow published their theoretical paper in Physical Review, and they were granted a patent for their concept in 1960. However, before they could construct their laser, Theodore H. Maiman at Hughes Research Labs built the first working laser that year. Maiman’s laser used a solid-state, flashlamp-pumped synthetic ruby crystal to emit a 694-nanometer wavelength red light. This laser, known as a diode-pumped solid-state (dpss) laser, could only pulse its beam.
The 1960s saw significant advancements in laser technology. In 1960, Ali Javan, Donald Herriott, and William R. Bennet developed the first gas laser, which could operate continuously and used neon and helium gas. Javan was later honored with the Albert Einstein Award in 1993 for this achievement. That same year, Robert N. Hall invented the first laser diode system, emitting near-infrared laser light, and Nick Holonyak, Jr. created the first visible-spectrum diode laser.
Since these early developments, laser technology has advanced remarkably. Improvements have been made in pulse power, output power, efficiency, and duration. Additionally, lasers now cover a broader range of wavelengths and materials, finding applications in fields such as DNA sequencing. Ongoing research promises further innovations and advancements in laser technology.
Design
Gain Medium Materials
Common materials used for gain media include:
- • Solid-State Laser Materials: Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (ND: YAG)
- • Gaseous State Materials: Ionized gases (ion lasers), helium, helium-neon, carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorine, fluorine, argon, krypton, and xenon
- • Liquid Materials: Organic dyes
- • Semiconductors
Considerations and Customization
When designing a custom laser, suppliers can vary the product in terms of size, output, beam quality, power consumption, pumping system, and operational lifespan. For industrial fiber lasers, suppliers can coil or bend the fiber to alter light beam quality or optimize space.
Suppliers base their decisions on application specifics, including the target material (e.g., skin, plastic, metal), the type of application (e.g., cutting, welding, pointing), required power, sensitivity, precision, and available space. For detailed information on custom laser fabrication, consult with potential suppliers.
Features
All lasers feature an optical cavity, a gain medium, and a pumping system.
The optical cavity houses the gain medium, which generates the laser light, and mirrors that amplify and direct the photons along the same path. (Photons, which are massless particles carrying energy, constitute the laser light.) The gain medium can be a solid, gas (like argon), liquid dye, or semiconductors, as seen in diode lasers.
Pumping systems energize the gain medium through three main methods. Optical pumping uses photons from another source, such as a xenon gas flash lamp. Collision pumping applies an electrical discharge within the gas or gas mixture. Alternatively, some systems use the energy released from chemical reactions to elevate the medium to its lasing state.
Types
CO2 Lasers: These lasers generate energy by utilizing contained CO2 gas and can operate for thousands of hours before needing a CO2 replacement. They are highly effective with a variety of materials, including metals, wood, plastics, ceramics, glass, and quartz. They are commonly used for deep laser cutting and welding applications.
Diode Lasers: Also known as “semiconductor lasers,” diode lasers use tiny chips made from materials like gallium-arsenide to produce coherent laser light. Typically smaller and less powerful than other types, diode lasers are employed in applications such as CD-ROM drives, CD players, barcode scanners, and laser printers.
Dye Lasers: These lasers use complex organic dyes dissolved in a liquid solution as their lasing medium, and they can be tuned across a broad range of wavelengths.
Embedded Lasers: These lasers are integrated into systems with an inherent capability greater than that of the system itself. The class number of these systems reflects their engineering features that limit accessible emissions.
Excimer Lasers: Known for producing short, intense ultraviolet (UV) light pulses, excimer lasers have unmatched power and versatility in the UV spectrum. They are predominantly used for laser cutting and burning and are prevalent in scientific, industrial, and medical fields.
Fiber Lasers: These solid-state lasers are utilized for a wide range of applications, including cutting, marking, engraving, welding, and more. They employ optical fibers doped with rare earth ions such as ytterbium or neodymium and are essential in telecommunications, electronics, medical devices, and material processing.
Helium Neon Lasers: Created by electrifying helium and neon within a sealed enclosure.
Industrial Lasers: These lasers are designed for industrial applications such as cutting, welding, etching, and other manufacturing processes.
Internal Mirror Lasers: These devices have their reflecting cavity mirror attached to the containment envelope that holds the gas, enabling efficient lasing.
Laser Modules Portable and typically low-power, laser modules are used in consumer applications like laser pointers and laser levels.
Laser Systems: Versatile systems used for various tasks including cutting, marking, and micro-machining of metals, plastics, and die boards.
Marking Lasers: Employed to etch text, designs, or other markings on materials such as ceramics, wood, and glass. The thickness of the marking can be adjusted by changing lenses.
Medical Lasers: Used in medical procedures as alternatives to scalpels, offering high precision.
Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Lasers (YAG Lasers): These solid-state lasers use neodymium-doped YAG crystals. They come in continuous and pulsing configurations and are used for tasks such as marking, cutting, and welding.
Solid-Atate Lasers: These lasers generate a beam through the electrification of a solid gain medium, which amplifies light in the system.
Visible Lasers: Emitting light in the visible spectrum (red, green, violet, or blue), these lasers are used in applications where visible light is essential, as opposed to infrared lasers that are not visible to the naked eye.
Welding Lasers: Known for their precision and quick exposure time, welding lasers heat only the focused area, providing clean, precise welds that are often beyond the capability of manual welding.
Advantages of Lasers
Lasers provide several key benefits. Firstly, they deliver a stable output and maintain reliable performance over extended periods with minimal maintenance. Secondly, laser manufacturers offer robust solutions for high-duty cycle and continuous-use applications. With varying repetition rates, lasers can function continuously for hundreds or even thousands of hours.
Accessories
Common accessories for laser equipment include drivers, mounts, safety goggles, and other protective gear, as well as cover detectors, laser projectors, optical isolators, optical system design software, crystals, choppers, rotary laser levels, and shutters.
Proper Care and Usage
When purchasing a laser, it’s essential to understand its potential dangers and the necessary safety precautions. Exposure to lasers can cause significant harm to people and property, so proper precautions are crucial. Lasers are categorized into five classes based on their power output and associated hazards: Class I, Class II, Class IIIa, Class IIIb, and Class IV. Manufacturers must include engineering controls to enhance safety in their laser systems.
Class I lasers are the lowest power and present no biological hazard, with a power output of less than 1 milliwatt (mW). They are typically used as pointers.
Class II lasersare generally safe but can cause eye damage if directly viewed, with a maximum power of 1 mW.
Class IIIa lasersare somewhat more dangerous, with a power range of 1 to 5 mW. They pose a risk of eye injury but are not capable of burning materials.
Class IIIb lasers, with power outputs between 5 and 500 mW, can cause eye damage and may burn materials.
Class IV lasers are the most hazardous, with power levels of 500 mW or higher. They can burn materials, including human skin and hard metals, upon contact.
Regardless of the class, all lasers must be enclosed to limit access to the beam. Class IV lasers must also have a master switch to prevent unauthorized use and a light beam stop or attenuator to reduce beam emission when the laser is not active. It is advisable to apply these safety features to Class IIIa and IIIb lasers as well.
Additional safety measures include restricting access to the lasing area, using eye protection, implementing area controls, installing barriers and shrouds, and ensuring proper education and training for users.
Standards
When purchasing laser products, ensure they are certified by the appropriate organizations relevant to your application, industry, and location. For instance, ANSI provides laser safety guidelines for various sectors, including military, medical, education, and industrial fields. OSHA also establishes standard requirements for laser use in the workplace, so it’s crucial that both your laser equipment and work environment comply with OSHA regulations. Additionally, the FDA has its own set of laser standards. To determine the specific standards your lasers must adhere to, consult with industry experts and relevant government agencies.
Choosing the Right Manufacturer
Lasers are highly sensitive devices, and even when properly manufactured and matched to an application, they can be risky if they malfunction or aren’t suited to your needs. This makes it crucial to partner with a reliable and experienced laser manufacturer. To assist you in finding the best fit, we’ve put together a list of top laser manufacturers. Their details and profiles are available further up on this page. Take a moment to review their offerings and see which ones align with your requirements. Select three or four manufacturers to contact, and discuss your specifications, including budget, timeline, standards, delivery preferences, and support needs. It might be helpful to jot down your requirements beforehand to be well-prepared. After speaking with each manufacturer, compare their responses and choose the one that best meets your needs.
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