Laser Beam Shaping and Patterning for Manufacturing
A laser manufacturing system includes a laser patterning unit having an optically addressed light valve and an image relay able to direct a patterned laser beam from the laser patterning unit against a part. In some embodiments the patterned laser beam can ablatively remove material from the part or induce selected chemical reactions or transformation in part material.
1 . A laser manufacturing system, comprising
a laser patterning unit having an optically addressed light valve;
an image relay able to direct a patterned laser beam from the laser patterning unit against a part; wherein
the patterned laser beam can ablatively remove material from the part.
2 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the part has multiple material layers, with selected layers being removable.
3 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the patterned laser beam can further induce selected chemical reactions in part material.
4 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the patterned laser beam can further laser peen part material.
5 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the laser patterning unit provides one-dimensional patterning.
6 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the laser patterning unit provides two-dimensional patterning.
7 . A laser manufacturing system, comprising
a laser patterning unit having an optically addressed light valve;
an image relay able to direct a patterned laser beam from the laser patterning unit against a part; wherein
the patterned laser beam can induce selected chemical reactions or transformation in part material.
8 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 7 , wherein the patterned laser beam can further ablatively remove material from the part.
9 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 7 , wherein the part has multiple material layers, with selected layers being removable.
10 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 7 , wherein the patterned laser beam can further laser peen part material.
11 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 7 , wherein the laser patterning unit provides one-dimensional patterning.
12 . The laser manufacturing system of claim 7 , wherein the laser patterning unit provides two-dimensional patterning.
13 . A laser manufacturing method, comprising
providing a laser patterning unit having an optically addressed light valve;
directing a patterned laser beam from the laser patterning unit against a part using an image relay; and
with the patterned laser beam acting to at least one of 1) induce selected chemical reactions and 2) ablatively remove material from the part using the patterned laser beam.