High-energy beam processing technology is at the forefront of modern manufacturing advancements and plays a crucial role in the development of advanced weaponry and equipment. This specialized field utilizes high-energy density beams—such as photons, electrons, and plasma—as energy carriers to manipulate materials and components. It is a highly interdisciplinary domain that integrates optics, electricity, thermodynamics, metallurgy, material science, vacuum technology, mechanical design, automation, and computer science. Key areas within this field include laser beam processing, electron beam processing, ion beam and plasma processing, and hybrid high-energy beam techniques.
**I. Development of Foreign High-Energy Beam Processing Technology**
In the 1970s and 1980s, developed countries like the U.S., Japan, and Western Europe recognized the importance of high-energy beam technology and incorporated it into their industrial development strategies. They established dedicated research institutions such as the Osaka University, Aachen University’s Welding Institute, the British and French Welding Research Institutes, and Ukraine’s Barton Welding Research Institute. These centers have significantly influenced the global direction of high-energy beam technology through continuous research and innovation.
**1. Electron Beam Processing Technology**
Electron beam welding (EBW) has evolved into a mature and widely used technique over the past three decades. Current research focuses on real-time weld seam tracking, computer simulations of temperature fields, and the development of high-power two-pole guns. Applications now extend beyond traditional welding to include electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD), which is gaining traction in aerospace for thermal barrier coatings. Countries like Russia and Ukraine have successfully implemented EB-PVD in blade manufacturing, with Ukrainian institutes developing scalable systems for lab, pilot, and mass production.
**2. Laser Processing Technology**
Laser technology has seen rapid growth, especially in cutting and welding. While cutting still dominates, laser welding is becoming increasingly important in aerospace and automotive sectors. High-power lasers, such as 45 kW COâ‚‚ lasers, are being tested for thick-section welding in industries like nuclear power and shipbuilding. Advances in hybrid laser-arc welding and quality inspection technologies are also being explored. Semiconductor and YAG lasers are finding new applications in industrial settings due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
**3. Plasma Processing Technology**
Plasma technology has experienced significant growth, driven by demands in aerospace and defense. Techniques like plasma cutting, welding, spraying, and ion implantation are advancing rapidly. Research in Russia and Ukraine has led to innovations in supersonic flame and microplasma spraying, while plasma spray forming is emerging as a key method for producing complex components. As we move into the 21st century, plasma processing is expected to play an even more critical role in high-tech manufacturing.
**II. Status of China’s High-Energy Beam Processing Technology**
China began developing high-energy beam technology in the 1960s, with the establishment of the "Key Laboratory of High-Energy Beam Processing Technology" under the Aviation Industry Corporation. The lab focuses on laser, electron beam, and plasma technologies, making it unique in China. Despite progress, challenges remain: limited basic research, low-quality personnel, outdated equipment, and slow application conversion. To close the gap, China must enhance international collaboration, prioritize strategic research directions, and implement open, collaborative operating mechanisms.
**III. Future Research Directions and Key Laboratory Activities During the Ninth Five-Year Plan**
The focus of future research includes improving processability for new materials, developing advanced beam-based equipment, and enhancing control and monitoring systems. During the Ninth Five-Year Plan, the Key Laboratory will work on projects such as high-quality laser drilling, precision welding, laser shock hardening, holographic inspection, rapid prototyping, multi-functional electron beam processing, large-thickness welding, and advanced plasma spraying techniques. These efforts aim to bring China’s high-energy beam technology closer to global standards.
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