Cutting wood with a beam of light (Mar, 1963)

Cutting wood with a beam of light

A new technique in woodworking may be on the way. The University of Michigan has developed a tool that cuts through maple and other hardwoods with bursts of light that act like the science-fiction writers’ disintegrating-ray gun. The experimental drill operates with a laser (light amplification by stimulated electron radiation) head that contains a coiled xenon flash tube and a ruby rod. It builds up intensely hot light pulses, focuses them through a lens to vaporize a hole in a block of wood instantly without leaving char. It’s not ready yet for the home workshop.

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1. Wood Supplies Fuel for New Car (Sep, 1935)
2. First Continuous Laser (Apr, 1961)
3. TAIL LIGHT SHINES ACROSS CAR (Dec, 1932)
4. Amazing New Uses Found for Wood (Mar, 1933)
5. Build a Toy World from Spools and Scraps of Wood (Jan, 1932)