Category Archives: Laser Manufacturing

3 Industries That Benefit from Robots & Laser Manufacturing

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By Alanna Ritchie

It is getting easier to produce parts for products like land, sea and air vehicles.

With the combination of lasers and robots, engineers and their companies are enjoying increased manufacturing speed, better material affordability and better rates for their clients. The pairing also facilitates streamlined processes for welding, cutting, and lightweighting. Furthermore, laser manufacturing which uses robotics provides better precision, customization, speed, and safety.

Explore how laser manufacturing and robots are transforming some of America’s top industries below.

Innovations in Robots & Laser Manufacturing

A FANUC robot equipped with a laser for welding applications (Credit: AdvancedManufacturing.org)

1. Automotive

In a recent article for Advanced Manufacturing, senior editor Bill Koenig describes how automotive and aerospace manufacturing benefit from these complementary technologies. Over the last few years, the utilization of lasers and robots has evolved in the automotive space. Hydroforming is a successful metal-forming process for making large vehicles and was improved with lasers used to trim parts once removed from the die. Koenig also explained how lightweighting and welding are major manufacturing applications using lasers and robots, which help drive production costs down.

2. Aerospace

Koenig’s article also offers a summary of benefits in the aerospace industry. Today, lasers are commonly utilized to repair and clean parts. Robotics.org says robots are the tools for choice for a variety of industry manufacturing operations, including drilling, fastening, sealing, painting and composite part production. Aviation and aerospace are also top areas using robots and laser manufacturing for advanced welding, as described below.

3. Shipbuilding

FANUC America Corp.,  a pioneer in industrial robots and automation parts, is one of the companies using robots in laser manufacturing to create and improve new parts and systems. ABB, Kawasaki Robotics and KUKA are also using industrial welding robots, according to the February 2017 report, “Global Industrial Welding Robots Market 2017-2021”. The report found that shipbuilding is a leading industry using this technology for advanced welding techniques. It also identified customized robotic systems as the next significant trend and predicts that from 2017 to 2012 this market should grow at a rate of 6.91%.

FANUC shared some of the benefits of its laser cutting robotic products. The facility’s senior director of manufacturing writes, “Since we implemented the new FANUC robotic laser cutting system, we have been able to increase throughput, eliminate overtime, and improve the safety conditions of that workcell. In addition, the overhead robots provided a safer work environment, higher throughput and reduced work in process.” (FANUC America Corporation).

Report for the Global Industrial Welding Robots Market (2017-2021)

Improving & Automating Manufacturing with Lasers & Robots

Andy Hrodmadka of Trumpf, a leading fabricating machinery and industrial laser manufacturer, explained in an email to Advanced Manufacturing how robotics and laser technology benefit one another. “Laser welding and cutting cannot be done by hand,” Hromadka said, “Automation is required in some form and we collaborate with robot manufacturers and robotic systems integrators to implement laser processing systems.”

Interested in diving deeper into laser manufacturing and robotics? Learn more about the future of laser technology here.

You can also get email updates regarding recent developments in laser manufacturing and safety by subscribing to the Lasers Today blog here.

Valuable Online Resources in Laser Manufacturing

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Whether you are an expert in the field of laser manufacturing, an ambitious student, or are just beginning your career, discovering new information about laser manufacturing applications is always a valuable endeavor.

3D Laser Cutting – Trumpf Inc.

With that in mind, the LIA team compiled a list of the top laser welding and manufacturing-related online publications for you to explore. These resources are packed full of information, tips, stories, and real-life applications for all laser manufacturing levels.

Here are some of our favorites:

#1: The Welding School Blog: Laser Technologies in Welding

Tulsa Welding School has served as a training school for welders for over 60 years. With three locations nationwide, Tulsa Welding School is focused on the education and careers of its students. Beyond classroom and hands-on instruction, the institution regularly updates The Welding School Blog and covers the most breaking information in laser welding, like this article on how new technology, including lasers, is revolutionizing the welding industry.

Other posts focus on potential students and individuals interested in the field, or aim content toward current professionals, discussing competitions, career advice, and networking opportunities for welders. In all, the Welding School Blog manages to share intriguing stories, history, and background on the history and impact of welding applications.

Read more from The Welding School Blog on laser technologies in welding here.

#2: Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing

Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing is an online magazine packed full of relevant content for laser manufacturing professionals. Although the magazine itself is released every other month, the Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing web page is frequently updated with the latest news, developments, and information— including laser engraving and welding.

Featuring industry news, relevant videos, popular products, financial reports, and links to other online resources, this publication is bookmark-worthy for anyone professionally involved with laser manufacturing. Be sure to check out the Editor’s picks for exclusive pieces not found in the magazine.

#3: Industrial Photonics Magazine

Like the previous entry, Industrial Photonics Magazine is also an online industry magazine. This magazine does an excellent job of aggregating the best news, features, webcasts, videos, and more in relation to laser applications. While you will find a whole lot more than pieces on laser manufacturing, Industrial Photonics Magazine stays on top of the latest industrial headlines, making it a valuable resource for those looking to expand their laser knowledge even outside of their own profession.  Read on and subscribe by clicking here.

Industrial Photonics Magazine

#4: LasersToday.com and LIA Today

Laser Institute of America is committed to providing the latest and most valuable laser manufacturing information to our members and the laser manufacturing community at large. For breaking industry news and updates in one convenient location, visit our website LasersToday.com here. You can even sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox, so you never miss articles on Laser Weld Process Monitoring and Laser Welding Publications, for example.

LIA Today is a full-color newsletter that is published six times per year. It includes articles on the latest industry news to keep members and other laser professionals current on important issues that impact the laser community. To read the September/October issue of LIA today, Science and Research, and to subscribe, click here.

Be sure to support the blogs listed above by clicking through the links – and feel free to comment below and let us know what your favorite laser manufacturing publications and resources are, too.

Become part of the LIA experience and stay on top of your laser manufacturing career. Explore how to become an LIA member today by clicking here.

LIA to Host Manufacturing Day Event on October 7 for Worldwide Laser Community

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Resource site will provide LIA members and small businesses with information designed to reduce and prevent exposure to laser beam and non-beam hazards in manufacturing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 4, 2016– In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2016, Laser Institute of America (LIA) will provide the worldwide laser community on October 7 with online information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees’ health and safety, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to laser beam and non-beam hazards in industrial workplaces.

Manufacturing Day is an annual national event supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.

“There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology,” said Jim Naugle, Marketing Director at LIA. “The average age of a manufacturing employee is 56, and between now and 2020 there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers who will need to be replaced.”

Manufacturing Day is co-produced by the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).   Partners include Edge Factor and the Science Channel and guest producer, Industrial Strength Marketing.

To access LIA’s helpful information, please visit LIA’s official Manufacturing Day page http://bit.ly/2cEqBNo. For more information or questions, please contact LIA Marketing Department at marketing@lia.org.

About LIA

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and laser safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications and laser safety worldwide. Serving the industrial, medical, research and government communities for over 45 years, LIA offers technical information, training and networking opportunities to laser users from around the globe. Please visit us at http://www.lia.org. More information on Manufacturing Day is available at www.mfgday.com.

Staying Competitive in a High-Tech Market: 4 Industrial Manufacturing Professionals Mastering Lasers at the Inaugural Industrial Laser Conference

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On September 13, 2016, Laser Institute of America (LIA) will host the inaugural Industrial Laser Conference at the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago. Now is the perfect time to discover the possibilities of incorporating lasers into your shop’s manufacturing processes.

Calling all Production Managers, Automation Engineers, Directors of Manufacturing, and Technicians! The present and future of industrial manufacturing is all about innovation and disruption. If you’re attending the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) at McCormick Place in mid-September, or can invest in your future by traveling to Chicago, you won’t want to miss learning how to incorporate lasers into your processes at the inaugural Industrial Laser Conference held at IMTS.

The present and future of industrial manufacturing is all about innovation and disruption.

No matter whether your shop already incorporates lasers into its manufacturing processes, or you’d like to take the first step, but don’t know where to start, the Industrial Laser Conference will provide you with the foremost laser-based technical information you need to remain competitive in the high-tech manufacturing marketplace. For more information on why – and for – who the Industrial Laser Conference was created, click here.

The inaugural Industrial Laser Conference is held this year at IMTS 2016.

What You’ll Discover at the Industrial Laser Conference at IMTS

Industrial Laser Conference is a full day of learning about industrial laser opportunities, how manufacturing is evolving with the application with the application of additive laser technology, a machine shop’s journey into metal additive manufacturing, and much more. Chaired by renowned FANUC America Corporation production manager Elizabeth Kautzmann, the “best of the best” in industrial manufacturing and lasers will cover 360-degrees of the industrial manufacturing and lasers landscape and how to leverage lasers in your current program.

Join the Future of Industrial Manufacturing at this exciting inaugural event! Here are four Industrial Manufacturing Professionals Who Should Attend the Industrial Laser Conference 2016:

1. Production Managers: You’re the professional who is in charge of your company’s overall vision and production of the manufacturing process. Ask questions and get expert answers from the brightest in the field – and shops who are already finding success.

2. Automation Engineers: You’re all about the designs and programs for automated machinery and their processes. Explore in depth at the Industrial Laser Conference.

3. Directors of Manufacturing: Since you oversee management and are in charge of all manufacturing areas, there’s no better place to gain confidence in the future of your staff and shop with in-depth information from lasers in manufacturing leadership.

4: Technicians: You make it a priority to look after technical equipment in order to become a better acquainted expert within any application of a craft or science. The Industrial Laser Conference is perfect for you and your future!

What’s more, registration for this event includes access to the Industrial Laser Conference and the IMTS exhibit floor for all six days. If you’re attending the International Manufacturing Technology Show, adding the Industrial Laser Conference to your schedule is easy.

If you’re attending the International Manufacturing Technology Show, adding the Industrial Laser Conference to your schedule is easy.

Get on board and don’t be left behind! For more information or to register for this event visit: https://www.lia.org/conferences/laser-conference.

We want you to Discover Chicago! Make the Most of the Industrial Laser Conference and the International Manufacturing Technology Show. Click here to read our guide to Chicago during the big week.

The Top Three Ways to Explore Laser Additive Manufacturing Through LIA

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Considered by many to be the “hottest” trend in manufacturing, LIA has no shortage of resources in which you can learn more about Additive Manufacturing.

The popularity of additive manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing, does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Taking a step away from traditional manufacturing methods, additive manufacturing builds from the ground up, rather than reducing a part or product down to size.

LIA recognizes the importance of this growing trend and offers multiple ways to learn, explore, and get involved with additive manufacturing concepts. To highlight this, we’ve put together the top three ways LIA can help you better understand Laser Additive Manufacturing.

Conferences

Arguably the most important way LIA can help you become more acquainted with laser additive manufacturing is through our conferences. LIA conferences are held regularly throughout the year, across the country, and focus on a variety of laser applications.

This year brings the introduction of an all-new conference – the first ever Industrial Laser Conference, which encourages the introduction of lasers in manufacturing processes. With additive manufacturing featured as one of the main focuses of the event, making your way to Chicago this September is worth looking into. Click the link above for more information and to sign up.

Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®), held in the early part of the year, is a two-day event that focuses solely on additive manufacturing practices. Here, advancements in the field are discussed during a variety of sessions. Representing over a dozen industries, it is nearly impossible to leave LAM without learning something new about additive manufacturing.

Publications & Blogs

LIA makes topical, current laser applications information readily available to laser professionals. Laser additive manufacturing is no exception. The LIA store has a sizable collection of educational published papers available for purchase. These papers, presented at previous conferences like ICALEO, provide invaluable information on laser-based additive manufacturing processes. Check them out here.

Blogs and articles found on LIA Today and Lasers Today often explore laser additive manufacturing through current news and relevant updates. Like the post you are currently reading, LIA aims to increase your awareness of opportunities, as well as your general knowledge on laser applications, like laser additive manufacturing. Updates on conferences, how to network, and where related events are taking place are all available to you, anytime, anywhere.

Laser Safety Training

While the desire to learn more about laser additive manufacturing is important and exciting, learning appropriate operational practices with lasers is essential. Laser safety courses designed for manufacturing applications prepare you for the work environment by teaching proven practices that will keep you and others safe.

While there is not currently a course exclusively for laser additive manufacturing, those interested in the processes should look into Industrial Laser Safety Officer training. Industrial Laser Safety Officer training is designed for laser professionals that deal with manufacturing processes. Industrial-centric courses are available both in classroom and online. Check the current course schedule to see upcoming training in your area. Online registration can be found here.

LIA aims to encourage laser safety and promote laser applications, internationally. Get involved today by checking out our blogs, exploring our numerous laser safety courses, or registering for an upcoming conference, today!