Abstract
Research Overview
Raising Awareness Remains Vital to Increasing Uptake of Laser Welding Equipment
Given the constant improvements in laser features, the potential for laser
welding applications in various production processes and industries continues
to expand. However, lack of sufficient awareness in respect to its benefits
has meant that manufacturing companies in the UK remain reluctant to invest in
the technology. In overcoming this challenge and translating the market
potential into faster growth, vendors need to raise awareness among production
engineers and provide end users with resources that will allow them to make
better informed decisions.
Automotive Sector is Key to Market Growth
In line with Pan European and global trends, UK's automakers are increasingly
adopting laser technology for welding components. While this is allowing for
quality and productivity improvements, the penetration of laser welding is yet
to reach its potential, thus resistance welding remains the predominant
welding technology even with those adopting laser welding. Considering the
number of automakers yet to adopt the technology, there exists substantial
application scope within this end-user industry. Also, given that benefits of
laser welding are now well proven within the automotive sector's production
process, demand is likely to be self-perpetuating to some extent.
An added growth factor is the completion of extensive testing requirements for
laser welding processes and materials in aerospace construction. "Aerospace
related manufacture remains a strong part of the UK manufacturing economy,
particularly due to the number of European aeronautic defence and space
company (EADS) sub-contractors based in the United Kingdom," says the analyst
of this research service. "With the creation of a significant range of
applications for laser welding in the aerospace end-user industry, growth in
this sector should prove to be an important driver for future demand."
Short-term Growth Likely to Hinge on Achieving Further Penetration in Existing End-user Industries
The laser welding technology in the United Kingdom is at a relatively early
stage in its commercial development. With the existent scope to replace
conventional welding processes, short-term growth in the UK laser welding
market is expected to rely on further penetration in existing end-user
industries. However, as older laser welding technologies begin to show signs
of saturation, upcoming technologies promise to open new applications,
particularly in the light manufacturing and high-tech electronics as well as
medical fields. These new precision technologies are likely to drive sales
growth in the long term.
"Solid-state lasers have already surpassed CO2 lasers in welding applications
in the United Kingdom, mainly as the result of demand for Nd:YAG lasers from
the automotive industry at the high-output power end of the market, and
electronics and medical industries at the low-output power end of the market,"
says the analyst. "The fastest growth rates are likely to be seen among
emerging laser technologies such as fibre and disc lasers, since these lasers
are likely to replace currently established lasers for welding applications
due to their higher economic feasibility."
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