Introduction
Laser technologies are used in different fields such as instrumentation, micro manufacturing, medicine, imaging and communications. Application of lasers to micro manufacturing is known to have a number of benefits which include capability of remote processing, noncontact processing, no tool wear, automation and the possibility of machining brittle and hard materials. The use of laser processes for specific manufacturing processes has been around for decades. However, the share of micro applications within the whole laser market was a minor one, with laser welding and cutting dominating the laser application sector. With the increase in miniaturization and higher integration of consumer products, ...