*Laser Machining DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93779*

*Practical Applications of Laser Ablation*

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**Figure 9.**

*(d) formation of plasma, and (e) ablation.*

**Figure 8.**

*Laser beam machining setup.*

The parameters of LBM such as intensity of laser light, distribution of beam, spot size, scanning speed, and relative motion between laser beam and work piece can be changed according to the requirements for different work materials. As presented in the introduction section, lasers are replacing conventional machining processes due to many advantages. Many developments have been made in the laser technology to shorten the pulse time for different machining processes. Longer pulse duration increases the heat affected zone (HAZ) and leaves high thermal

*Laser beam-work material interactions: (a) heating, (b) melting of surface, (c) vaporization of surface,* 

**Figure 10.** *Difference between the effects of (a) long-pulsed and (b) short-pulsed lasers.*

stresses resulting in crack and void formation, and surface debris. Short pulse duration leads to lesser thermal conduction thus resulting in precise machining operation and good surface finish. **Figure 10** shows the difference between the effects of long and short pulse durations [6].
