**Preface to "Advances in Laser Materials Processing"**

Innovative laser processing technologies developed in recent years make it possible to solve any engineering problems—from repair technologies and technologies for volumetric growth and improvements in the surface and structure of products from a broad class of materials to micromachining and laser polishing. The traditional scientific approach to improving laser technology and the methods for post-processing formed surfaces and the structure of functional products concerning a wide range of materials has proven its effectiveness in transitioning from laboratory conditions to real production. The high efficiency of this approach can be explained by the fact that, under various operating conditions of a functional product, in all cases, its surface layer is the most loaded, and the service life of the entire machine-building product or mechanism under specific operating conditions depends on its quality and structure. The second important parameter of the viability of a product is its volumetric properties associated with the structure—primarily the volumetric strength and thermal stability in specific conditions.

Many years of experience of the scientific team of the Moscow State Technological University STANKIN in the field of electrophysical processes, as well as world-class scientists in the field of laser materials processing and highly qualified specialists, made it possible to present the results of the latest scientific research in the field of improving laser technologies and post-processing for relevant machinery products as a collection of scientific articles. In addition, the presented achievements contribute to the development of innovative products in the field of laser technologies in machinery and other related industries and present the results of developments in the form of patented methods, techniques, and equipment, ready for complete implementation in enterprises in the context of the novelty for transition to the sixth technology paradigm.

The Special Issue is dedicated to the most recent achievements in the laser processing of various materials, such as cast irons, tool steels, high-entropy alloys, hard-to-remelt materials, cement mortars, and innovative manufacturing and post-processing methods based on a laser.
