Precision laser machining program

High brightness, diode pumped solid state laser technology has now progressed to a point that it is envisioned as the next-generation industrial laser. In response, the Precision Laser Machining (PLM) Consortium was formed as part of the US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) Technology Reinvestment Project. The goal of PLM is to develop a new generation of laser machine tools and innovative manufacturing processes. To accomplish this, a 24-member consortium of industrial users, process developers, system integrators, and technology developers has been established. High brightness, high average power, diode pumped Nd:YAG lasers are being developed. The use of diode pump arrays in place of flashlamps, and zig-zag slab geometry allow lasers to be scaled to brightness levels beyond the current generation of lamp pumped rod lasers. The resulting tools offer improved precision and speeds and the potential of enabling processes that are not currently possible.