LASER MANUFACTURERS AND OEM MACHINE BUILDERS ARE CONTINUING TO EXPAND THE LIMITS OF LASER MATERIALS PROCESSING. THESE OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON HELPING THE FABRICATOR TO EXPAND BIDDING OPPORTUNITIES. THIS HAS TAKEN THE FORM OF IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PROCESS, EXPANDING THE RANGE OF MATERIALS, THICKNESSES, AND THE PROCESSES THAT CAN BE ACCOMMODATED BY A SINGLE MACHINE. THE LATEST LASER DESIGNS ARE NOW CREATING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FABRICATORS TO USE THIS TECHNOLOGY TO PROCESS HIGH-VALUE COMPONENTS WHERE HIGH QUALITY RESULTS AND MINIMAL THERMAL OR WORK-INDUCED STRESS IS REQUIRED FOR PERFORMANCE CRITICAL PARTS.