Tag Archives: adding lasers to manufacturing

How LIA Corporate Members Are Innovating the Future of Manufacturing

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The Laser Institute of America aims to foster the future of laser applications. Many of our corporate members uphold similar ideals and they are working hard to advance the future of laser applications in manufacturing.

From the development of new life-saving products to building the future of transportation and researching the next steps in the additive manufacturing revolution, here’s what some of our members have been up to in the last year:

Buffalo Filter Launches Plume Pen Pro

With a 25-year legacy as a recognized surgical safety brand, Buffalo Filter recently launched the new Plume Pen Pro. The device is a surgical smoke evacuation pencil that offers surgeons the “flexibility and option of longer surgical smoke capture ports making the exchange of blades easy and plume capture tailored to plum length.”

The Plume Pen Pro, along with other products by Buffalo Filter, work to reduce surgical smoke inhalation and exposure. This keeps operating rooms safer with user-friendly solutions.

Image: Buffalo Filter

 

II-VI HIGHYAG’s RLSK Laser Featured in Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing

A recent issue of Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing featured a cover article on laser welding for the Ford Mustang, spotlighting II-VI HIGHYAG’s RLSK remote laser welding head. In developing the new Mustang, Ford needed a large-scale, single-sided joining method that did not possess the potential structural weakness of traditional spot welding. Ford then turned to remote laser welding, which not only solved the structural weakness issue – it created a measurable increase in productivity at the production plant.

Starting in 2015, the RLSK remote laser welding head was put into full use by Ford. Four were installed at the Detroit plant, joined by 24 additional structural remote laser heads for the vehicle’s production. Implementing these remote laser heads lead to a decrease in weld time, fewer station cycles, fewer welding robots, and an increase in overall production space.

Image: II-VI HIGHYAG

LPW Technology, Inc. CEO and Founder Discusses 3D Printing Opportunities in Aerospace

Machine Design Magazine recently published a piece on the use of 3D printing for aerospace applications. The article quoted various industry leaders and experts, including LPW Technology Founder and CEO Dr. Phil Carroll. Dr. Carroll addresses the increasing demand versus the quality control of metal powders used in 3D printing. In the early days of powder metal liturgy, the materials were essentially grounded up scrap metal, leading to a high chance of contamination. Contamination of a pure metal powder could lead to a compromised part down the line, because the offending particles may degrade over time.

To combat this, greater inspection and handling of metal particles is required. Working with Lloyd’s Register and TWI, LPW will be certifying powders for a joint effort to increase the adoption of additive manufacturing.

Image: LPW Technology

RPM Innovations, Inc. Working With Okuma America Corp. on Alternative to Combination Additive/Subtractive Manufacturing Processes

 Despite the overwhelming push for additive manufacturing processes across industries, there are still many cases in which traditional subtractive processes are the most effective solution. However, it does not always have to be a case of choosing one over the other, or even combining them.

With the assistance of their laser deposition machines, RPM Innovations and Okuma America are developing options for machines that allow individual operations to occur, by keeping processes in separate sections that link together. Rather than choosing one manufacturing method, or forcing them to overlap, separating the processes allows for differences in processing time, automation in loading and reloading, as well as the addition of other processes in the workflow.

Image: MMS Online

Spectra-Physics Introduces Icefyre

Earlier this year, Spectra-Physics debuted IcefyreTM, “a compact, high power industrial picosecond hybrid fiber laser.” The IceFyre is versatile in its process optimization and repetition rates, as well as pulse-on-demand triggering. It combines the power supply and laser head into a single, compact unit.

In the official news release, Spectra-Physics states that Icefyre is designed for precise manufacturing of sapphire, glass, ceramic, metals, plastics, and other materials. The Icefyre made its debut at the 2017 SPIE Photonics West.

Image: Spectra Physics

We are committed to sharing the latest news about our esteemed and innovative Corporate Members. To learn more about becoming a Laser Institute of America Corporate or Individual Member, click here.

 The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. Read about LIA or contact us for more information.

Five Things You Should Know About LIA’s Industrial Laser Conference

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There’s more to this inaugural conference than you think. 

Have you heard the buzz about our inaugural Industrial Laser Conference?  This one-of-a-kind industrial laser event is presented by Laser Institute of America and will be held at the September 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago. It is the foremost way for you and your team to learn how to incorporate lasers into your manufacturing processes, so you can stay competitive – and grow – in the current high-tech market.

Debuting on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at the world-renowned McCormick Place, the Industrial Laser Conference will cover the spectrum of industrial applications of lasers, such as Additive Manufacturing (AM), Cutting, Welding, Marking, and more. Most importantly, the experts at the conference will show you exactly how to apply lasers to increase your organization’s profits and efficiency.

We couldn’t possibly pack every engaging detail about the conference in one Lasers Today blog post, but we can share with you our five favorite things about the first-annual event. Here are the top five things you can expect at the Industrial Laser Conference – and this is just the beginning:

1. The Industrial Laser Conference will be held at the famous IMTS

IMTS will run in its entirety from September 12-17, 2016, and will showcase over 2,000 exhibiting companies and more than 114,000 attendees.

If you’re already attending IMTS – the Industrial Laser Conference is a great complement to inspiring your skill set and furthering your company. Enjoy the entirety of the IMTS event, plus the Industrial Laser Conference – or travel to Chicago to learn about leading edge industrial laser manufacturing over a course of a day.

 2. The conference is perfect for Production Pros, Manufacturing Engineers, Directors of Manufacturing, Design Engineers, Technicians – and more.

From manufacturing directors to automation engineers to production specialists, every member of the industrial manufacturing workforce can benefit from attending this conference, learning over the course of a full day how to leverage lasers into their manufacturing processes in a high-tech, high-demand market.

 3. It is chaired by FANUC America Corporation’s Elizabeth Kautzmann

Take it from us – Industrial Laser Conference Program Chair Elizabeth Kautzmann of FANUC America Corporation is ready to kick off this future-forward inaugural event. As Kautzmann explained to us in a recent interview, the innovative techniques on center stage at the Industrial Laser Conference are emerging and revolutionizing the industry to meet market demands, all rooted in the field’s collective understanding of conventional machining. You can read more about what this industrial laser leader has to say about the conference here.

 4. It’s Industrial Laser Content-Packed

Anyone who works in industrial laser manufacturing can benefit from this event. From the “Tracking Trends in Lasers” program that will discuss today’s industrial laser opportunities in depth, to the latest advances in Additive Manufacturing, Hybrid Manufacturing, and Kautzmann’s favorite, “Trends in the Trenches,” there is something for everyone at the Industrial Laser Conference. View the full program here.

5. It’s Future-Forward – and Focused on You

This event is perfect for both industrial manufacturing professionals who want to improve their laser program – and those who have considered lasers as part of their processes before, but haven’t made the leap just yet. From the novice to the expert, every member of the industrial manufacturing spectrum can benefit from this future-forward event that is 100 percent focused on your individual and collective success.

Learn More about the Event – Sign Up Now! Click to register. If you have any additional questions, we’d be happy to help. Contact our Conference Team: conferences@lia.org, or +1.407.380.1553.