Flexible and Reconfigurable Laser Processing Tool-FlexLase

Laser processing is extensively used in advanced manufacturing, mostly using conventional (CNC-based) machine tools. Many critical laser processes, such as drilling of aerospace components, are required to achieve positional accuracy less than 25µm, which is not possible using existing robot configurations. FlexLase project aims to develop a flexible robotic system with positional accuracy less than 25 microns, using a novel vision system and a real-time laser beam position control. The final FlexLase system will be highly flexible, affordable and highly reconfigurable compared to current/alternative technologies.