Laser polishes components to a high-gloss finish

**p.dath** · 1st November 2011, 15:08

This development sounds interesting. A way to quickly and more easily polish metal surfaces. Basically they melt the tiniest amount of the surface, and rely on the surface tension of the metal to make a nice very smooth and accurate surface.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1005110754.htm
"researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT have developed a novel type of machine tool which can polish both simple and complex surfaces using laser beams."

**bogan** · 1st November 2011, 15:11

That's pretty cool, and I guess even for those molds that need a better surface this would cut down on a lot of the work too.

Could be a while before it's general maintenance practice though

**steve_t** · 1st November 2011, 15:37

That's pretty sweet.

Is there anything lasers can't do!

**gatch** · 1st November 2011, 17:21

Lasers can't suck my nuts.

But Pippa Wetzel could.

**Paul in NZ** · 2nd November 2011, 06:35

Originally Posted by gatch

Lasers can't suck my nuts.

But Pippa Wetzel could.

No but they could polish em up for ya enough so she might just consider it.....

**Paul in NZ** · 2nd November 2011, 06:37

Thats actually pretty awesome once they get it cheap enough to use in common manufacture. I think that there will always be a place for stuff thats hand finished though.