By Dirk Havermann, William N. Macpherson, Robert R. J. Maier and Duncan P. Hand Laser Additive Manufacturing provides novel and exciting possibilities when constructing 3-dimensional free form components in polymers and metals. The process of building 3D components from the inside-out opens up the possibility of embedding sensors into the heart of a component. Fiber […]
Laser Insights
Honoring the father of the laser and all who followed his path
By Geoff Giordano In two days, the University of California, Berkeley, will throw a 99th birthday celebration for Charles Hard Townes, inventor of the laser and professor emeritus of physics at the school. As we celebrate this milestone and Townes’ remarkable career, it brings to mind one attendee from our […]
Laser Safety Training Vital for Your Facility’s Success
By Geoff Giordano After 15 years with LIA, Education Director Gus Anibarro has plenty of stories to tell from his experiences teaching hundreds of laser safety officers (LSOs) and laser users how to safely use these powerful tools. He can tell you about the retinal damage and painful skin burns — and worse. He can […]
Powder-bed machine’s journey symbolizes N.J. firm’s path toward additive manufacturing
As RAPID 2014 wraps up today in Detroit, revisiting the journey of an SLM 280 powder-bed fusion machine purchased at last year’s event by Imperial Machine & Tool of Columbia, N.J., illustrates some of the motives driving U.S. manufacturers toward additive technology. Imperial is heavily involved in advanced manufacturing — particularly for the Department of […]
Sapphire Cutting with Pulsed Fiber Lasers
By Christoph Ruettimann, Noémie Dury and Markus Danner With almost 40 years of experience in precision processing of synthetic crystalline materials, Swiss laser manufacturer ROFIN-LASAG AG has developed a process for cutting sapphire glass, which is now increasingly used in mobile electronic devices and high-quality mechanical watches. Synthetic sapphire is a mono-crystalline aluminum oxide with […]