Fiber lasers are extremely versatile laser equipment that are increasingly playing critical roles in the manufacturing and material sciences sector for machining and fabrication applications among others. Made from fiber components or bulk optics, fiber lasers are gaining traction in myriad industry verticals owing to higher raw power potential in comparison to other laser technologies, and wider scope of potential applications.
Fiber lasers are gaining popularity in healthcare, machining, art, transport sectors for marking, engraving, cutting, ablation, welding, drilling, cleaning, processes contributing to adoption and sales of associated devices.
Fiber Laser Application on Reflective Surfaces
Of the myriad industrial laser technologies available, fiber lasers are one of the very few options that are viable for operating on reflective surfaces without causing damage to the laser equipment, making it ideal for processing on metals such as silver or aluminum. For instance, fiber lasers are great choice for the generation of traceable labels such as barcodes on metal surfaces such as food & beverage cans, and medical equipment.
3D Printing and Semiconductor Sector Generates Major Opportunities
Fiber laser technologies are being used in additive manufacturing processes, which have a critical role in 3D printing applications for direct digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping. Further, the technology has also gained a growing role in the electronics and semiconductor development sector, owing to capabilities to operate on substrates of incredibly miniscule sizes, which has gained importance with the trend of miniaturization in electronics. Also, electronic devices operate with the integration of components comprising a wide range of metals, which makes fiber laser welding essential.
Automotive LiDAR and Light Weighting Applications
Recent innovations in fiber laser welding has proven to be beneficial for battery production and automotive light weighting processes. Automobiles can have major reduction in weights through the reduction of flange sizes with fiber laser processes. These advantages are rapidly being incorporated into the industry owing to simple use of optical fibers in robotics. This not only boosts production speeds, but also cuts expenses for raw materials and operations.
Fiber laser technologies have also recently found a place in LiDAR – light detection and ranging in automotive settings, boosting long-range sensing for the nascent autonomous automobiles sector, which will continue to gain importance in the years ahead with growing investments by tech industries in the development of autonomous transport systems.
The Road Ahead for Fiber Lasers
Fiber laser devices can be limited owing to high costs, depending on the cost of production, intended end user, and design functionalities. However, miniaturization of devices, energy efficiency, and mass production activities, in addition to a wider range of options through online distribution channels will help in cutting down prices and boost adoption rates.
Fiber laser machines are expected to display positive prospects with innovations such as single emitter diodes and pumps, which will allow operations even in extreme industrial environments, with high resistances to vibration, dust, temperature, and humidity, while maintaining high complexity outputs, without increasing purchase and operational costs of the devices. Also research into energy weapons, space and gravity, and optical technologies will generate key lucrative opportunities for manufacturers in times to come.
Fiber lasers are a unique technology which is finding roles to play in a steadily increasing range of industry verticals. With fiber laser core device manufacturers gaining interest from investors the cost saving applications of the technology will have far reaching impact on the long-term prospects of the global economy. While the industry remains consolidated, the growth of industry 4.0 practices will help medium and small-scale enterprises to make inroads into the sector in the years ahead.
Source/Author: Future Market Insights
