Product Code: ICAL07_M702

Laser Micromachining and Energy Field Manufacturing
Authors:
Wenwu Zhang, GE Global Research; Schenectady NY USA
Jeffrey Shaw, GE Global Research; Schenectady NY USA
Andrew Trimmer, GE Global Research; Schenectady NY USA
Z. Jay Cao, GE Global Research; Schenectady NY USA
Magdi Azer, GE Global Research; Schenectady NY USA
Presented at ICALEO 2007

Micro/nano material processing has become the cornerstone technology for the production of many modern products, and the unique features of laser energymake laser one of the most powerful tools for micro/nano manufacturing. Laser micromachining is flexible and can replicate features with high accuracy, but the manufacturing cost and throughput are normallynot competitive enough for mass production. Thus, the optimal engineering solution usuallyrequires integration with other energy fields and other processes. With the case study of a high aspect ratio metal structure, this paper shows the common engineering contradiction between quality and productivity, and highlights the value of newmethodologies of process innovation found in Intelligent Energy Field Manufacturing.