“Fundamentals of Laser Micromachining" book released

Ronald Schaeffer, CEO of PhotoMachining Inc., has released a book, “Fundamentals of Laser Micromachining,” explaining how laser technology is applied to precision micromachining.

“Fundamentals of Laser Micromachining,” by Ronald Schaeffer

Due to their flexible and efficient capabilities, lasers are often used over more traditional machining technologies, such as mechanical drilling and chemical etching, in manufacturing a variety of products, from medical implants, gyroscopes and drug delivery catheters, to aircraft engines, printed circuit boards and fuel cells, according to publisher CRC Press.

The book combines background on physics, lasers, optics and hardware with analysis of markets, materials and applications. It gives sufficient theoretical background for readers to understand basic concepts, according to CRC Press. However, it also includes an appendix with detailed theoretical discussions.

After reviewing laser history and technology, Schaeffer compares available laser sources, including CO_2, excimer, Nd:YAG, fiber and short pulse. Schaeffer addresses topics crucial to obtaining processing results, such as IR and UV material–photon interaction, basic optical components and system integration. The text also covers real-world applications in the medical, microelectronics and aerospace industries, as well as details on processing many common materials, such as metals, silicon, ceramics and glasses.

For engineers and project managers, this book provides the foundation to achieve cost effectiveness, the best edge quality and the highest resolution in microscale industrial laser machining, according CRC Press. The book will help the user select the correct kind of laser for an application.

The book is available at Amazon.com and from the PhotoMachining Web site at www.photomachining.com. For more information call (603) 882-9944 or send an e-mail to sales@photomachining.com.

Schaeffer is the Laser Points columnist for MICROmanufacturing magazine.