1 Interaction Phenomena.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Energy coupling.- 1.3 Interaction phenomena.- 1.4 Significance of coupling and interaction phenomena in laser treatment processes.- 1.5 References.- 2 Materials and Workpiece Classification.- 2.1 General aspects.- 2.2 Crystalline materials.- 2.3 Material classes and their properties.- 2.4 Laser treatment.- 2.5 Testing of materials.- 2.6 Seam geometry workpiece classification.- 2.7 Technological considerations.- 2.8 References.- 3 Cutting.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Process characteristics, advantages, disadvantages.- 3.3 Principles and theory in laser cutting.- 3.4 Productivity and obtainable cut qualities.- 3.5 Processing parameters.- 3.6 Safety in laser cutting.- 3.7 System types.- 3.8 Industrial applications.- 3.9 References.- 4 Welding.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Heat sources produced by laser beams.- 4.3 Behaviour of materials during laser welding.- 4.4 Engineering applications.- 4.5 Parameters to consider in the economic analysis of laser welding.- 4.6 References.- 5 Heat Treatment.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2. Process systematic of laser surface treatments.- 5.3 Conclusions and final remarks.- 5.4 Acknowledgements.- 5.5 References.- 6 Forming and Rapid Prototyping.- 6.1 The laser forming process.- 6.2 Process simulation.- 6.3 Applications and similar processes.- 6.4 List of variables.- 6.5 References.- 7 Marking and Scribing.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Marking methods.- 7.3 Systems.- 7.4 Economic aspects.- 7.5 References.- 8 Precision Ablation Processing.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Ablation mechanisms.- 8.3 Material interactions and applications.- 8.4 Laser ablation systems.- 8.5 Economical aspects.- 8.6 References.- 8.7 List of symbols.- 9 Drilling.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Mechanisms, models and techniques.- 9.3 Applications in the gas turbine industry.- 9.4 Other applications.- 9.5 References.- 10 Economics.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 The laser process in perspective.- 10.3 Economic factors.- 10.4 Assessment methods.- 10.5 Case studies.- 10.6 Summary.- 10.7 Further reading.- 11 Assessment of Technology.- 11.1 Assessment of laser technology.- 11.2 Competing technologies.- 11.3 Assessment of laser machines.- 11.4 Test methods for laser systems.- 11.5 Quality evaluation of laser processed components.- 11.6 Basic economic considerations.- 11.7 References.- 12 Modelling.- 12.1 Basic equations and techniques.- 12.2 Analytical models.- 12.3 Numerical solutions.- 12.4 Semi quantitative models.- 12.5 References.