Laser materials processing in the Nordic countries

This article reviews the current state of laser materials processing in the Nordic countries. The effects of the recent recession are shown to have depressed machine tool investment in Europe, but the numbers of lasers continues to grow. Metal cutting is the predominate use for high–power carbon–dioxide lasers, although welding accounts for 20% of the carbon–dioxide lasers installed in the Nordic countries. Welding is predicted to be the fastest growing application area over the next few years for carbon–dioxide lasers. High–power Nd:YAG lasers are used predominately for welding.