Laser Materials Processing

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This project is introducing undergraduate students to a broad range of materials processing concepts through the development of a laser materials processing laboratory. A 700- watt CO2 laser system was recently donated to the department. However, in order to effectively integrate the system into the undergraduate laboratory curriculum, a workpiece motion system is required. This project has added a computer numerical control (CNC) workpiece motion system to this laser system. With the CNC enhancement to the laser system, materials processing topics such as heat treating, laser joining, surface modification, and alloying are being introduced. The laboratory is primarily used in welding metallurgy, manufacturing processes, and materials science courses. In addition, the laboratory is used extensively in computer-aided manufacturing courses where computer-machine interfacing topics are introduced, as well as CNC programming concepts and CAD/CAM integration.