“The most effective use of lasers depends on consideration at an early stage in the manufacturing process. Lasers are often used as direct replacements for traditional techniques and seldom considered in terms of their impact on design for manufacturing. This will change as engineers learn that the laser merits a place in their tool kits. There is inadequate knowledge of optics by the public in general and by production personnel in particular. ... There is little doubt that the massive penetration by personal computers in our culture has been a major asset in the acceptance of PC-based manufacturing systems. Similarly an increased national awareness and technical literacy in optics will help dispel the notion that lasers and optics are exotic toys rather than ‘economic tools.’”