Tag Archives: corporate member feature

Meet Haas Laser Technologies Inc. – September’s Featured Corporate Member

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(Image courtesy of Haas Laser Technologies, Inc.)

Gilbert Haas founded Haas Laser Technologies Inc. in 1992. From its inception, he wanted the company to exemplify innovation, reliability and quality above all else. Additionally, he aimed at producing laser beam delivery components, which would define industry standards.

“Our products include laser beam delivery components, laser beam diagnostic equipment and custom laser systems,” said Gilbert Haas, president of Haas Laser Technologies.

Haas Laser Technologies facility in Flanders, NJ. (Photo courtesy of Haas Laser Technologies Inc.)

The company has approximately 20 employees who work out of three key locations: Florida, Washington and its main facility in New Jersey. International distributorships support the company’s products worldwide.

Haas mentioned that the corporation, which turns 25 this year, has witnessed sustained growth since its inception. As a result of this growth, their products are currently utilized around the world in all industrial laser applications.

Haas ensures his company is postured for innovation by remaining engaged within the laser manufacturing community. In fact, he was an integral part of the LIA Board of Directors from 2014-2016 and currently serves as the LIA Executive Committee Treasurer.

“Being a member of the LIA puts you on the cutting edge of technology,” said Haas. “Whether it be conferences at ICALEO, LAM, LME, or via proceedings, online courses and certifications, you can always be sure LIA has the information you need to succeed.”

Haas keeps a close eye on where industry trends are headed so that his organization can better adjust to customer needs.  The company is an innovator, was a Prism Award finalist several times, and holds several national and international patents.

TLC Optics (Image courtesy of Haas Laser Technologies Inc.)

“Many new efforts are being made in the laser field,” said Haas. “We have seen the evolution of Nd:Yag to Fiber Lasers and the advances in CO2 laser technology.  Being on the forefront of the

BWA-CAM (Image courtesy of Haas Laser Technologies Inc.)

technology keeps us energized. We are always challenged with developing new unique products that open new markets.”

According to Haas, the Laser Diagnostics and TLC product lines are the latest product offerings by Haas Laser Technologies Inc. today.

“Our BWA Laser Measurement System is the world’s fastest and most repeatable system for laser beam measurements,” stated Haas. “Our TLC optics mitigates thermal lensing experienced in optics in high power laser systems.”

For more details about Haas Laser Technologies Inc. please visit www.HAASLTI.com

This Corporate Member Feature was written by Brandon Kalloo in collaboration with Haas Laser Technologies Inc.

Meet Precision Laser Scanning, LLC – July’s Featured Corporate Member

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By Lindsay Weaver

A company known for its high-speed polygon scanners and expertise, Precision Laser Scanning, LLC was founded by George Helser in 2015. Helser has more than 25 years of experience in optics, including one patent, and 11 years of experience with high-speed polygon scanners.

Meet Precision Laser Scanning – LIA’s Featured Corporate Member for July 2017

Precision Laser Scanning is focused on high-speed laser scanning up to hundreds of meters per second. The company most notably provides polygon scanners and related optics. With today’s fastest Ultrafast / Ultra-Short-Pulse lasers, polygon scanners are the solution for reaching the full potential of the lasers. The company also manufactures advanced controllers and SOS detection systems. They import the highest-quality beam shapers, compact beam expanders, and F-Theta lenses from Germany and Japan to supply along with their polygon scanners.

Recently, the company introduced a unique IR detection glass (HI POWER – IR VIEWER), which is a virtual visualization tool useful to anyone who works with high-power 1064 nm beams. With a damage threshold of 100 W/mm2, it converts 900-1070 nm to green visible light. Since the glass contains imbedded nanocrystals, it is very durable and passes 80 percent of the beam. It can therefore be permanently installed in an operating system to verify operation, and it is superior to opaque laser-detection cards.

Recently, the company introduced a unique IR detection glass (HI POWER – IR VIEWER), which is a virtual visualization tool useful to anyone who works with high-power 1064 nm beams.

Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Precision Laser Scanning is comprised of five employees with more than 40 years of combined experience in laser scanning. Helser compares their business model to that of Apple in that they invent new technology, design products, and market them.

The most valuable service the company offers is the ability to educate customers on the implementation of high-speed polygon scanner technology to achieve up to hundreds of meters per second. Since polygon scanning operates much differently than traditional galvanometer scanning, customers benefit from the experience offered by the company and are therefore able to bring high-speed Polygon Scan Heads to market quickly.

Helser says the company as a whole is most proud of its worldwide reputation in the industry. As subject-matter experts in polygon scanner design and implementation, he truly believes their customers receive the most competent advice during the design, implementation, and production of their Polygon Scan Heads. Polygon scanners were originally developed for laser printers and copiers 40 years ago, but Precision Laser Scanning is re-inventing them for material processing and equipping customers with the knowledge to implement the improved technology.

Eagle Eye Polygon Scanner

Because of the company’s focus on high-speed laser scanning for material processing, Helser appreciates the focus that the Laser Institute of America (LIA) places on material processing as well. He notes that LIA excels at laser safety training and regularly brings together like-minded individuals at the conferences. As a member of LIA since 2012, Precision Laser Scanning has participated in every ICALEO conference held since joining. ICALEO is the leading international event to attend for learning about the latest research in the field and networking with experts from all over the world.

“Anyone interested in the latest advances in material processing will find it very worthwhile to attend the annual ICALEO conference,” Helser said. “As President of Precision Laser Scanning, ICALEO helps me to guide our customers doing material science and to position our company to provide solutions for the latest applications.”

For more information about Precision Laser Scanning, visit www.precisionlaserscanning.com.

This Corporate Member Profile was written by LIA Writer Lindsay Weaver in cooperation with Precision Laser Scanning. 

 

Meet LASEA – June’s Featured Corporate Member

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Known worldwide for its ultra-speed and accuracy, LASEA is a precision laser solution provider that manufactures highly efficient and reliable laser machines for the industry.

Headquartered in Liege, Belgium, LASEA was founded in 1999 by Axel Kupisiewicz. Well-acquainted with the space industry, the founder created the company to respond to the growing needs of precision laser processes. Right from the start, LASEA specialized in automatic and high-precision machines that operate using short and ultrashort pulsed lasers.

The company provides laser systems and industrial production lines for coating removal on glass and plastic using these short-pulsed lasers. As its most popular product, the high-selling and ultrafast pulsed laser machine is known as the LS5. It includes vision capabilities, a dual laser option, and the brand-new Precession module for zero-taper cutting and drilling.

Thanks to a team of experts and strong R&D programs, LASEA has remained at the forefront of technology and innovation in the laser industry. The company will soon be releasing a high-productivity machine for micromachining that contains a femtosecond 100W laser power. Since 2003, LASEA has been a pioneer in the world of femtosecond laser machines. It was the first company to introduce an industrial laser machine using a femtosecond laser at Laser Munich in 2011. As a part of these innovations, LASEA had developed unique and patented processes such as intra-volume marking within transparent materials for traceability and anti-counterfeiting.

LASEA’s reach extends into markets as diverse as medical devices, luxury jewelry and watches, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace applications. The company offers a range of laser machines and OEM beam management modules for applications such as marking, micromachining, engraving, cutting, drilling, selective ablation, and texturing.

Comprised of approximately 70 employees collectively, LASEA has three subsidiaries in addition to its headquarters. The U.S. subsidiary of the company, LASEA, Inc., is based out of El Cajon, CA. Overall, the company is primarily made up of technical personnel, of which 40 percent are engineers. It’s further organized into individual departments for R&D, Application, Machine Conception, Optical Components, and Production. It also houses its own electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and automation groups.

LASEA’s flexible approach is based on customer satisfaction and allows the company to conceive and manufacture turnkey, customized solutions for many world-class companies in the med-tech, pharmaceutical, and watch manufacturing industries.

Some of the most notable achievements include delivering world-premiere machines for cochlear implants and intra-ocular implants. To give an idea of the company’s vast scope, LASEA has also installed many high-end systems in production lines that run automatically 24 hours per day within the watch industry. These systems have unparalleled processing capabilities, as well as ultra-high precision systems of up to 0.2 microns on each axis. LASEA is proud to have developed and installed so many unique and advanced systems.

As a Laser Institute of America (LIA) member since 2016, LASEA, Inc. General Manager Robert Braunschweig said he appreciates LIA as being the centerpiece of the world of laser processing. He credits the conferences and networking with advancing and promoting new technologies and ideas. As a pioneer in ultrafast laser micromachining, he believes LASEA serves an essential role in this promotion and simultaneously benefits from the reach and knowledge of LIA.

For more information about LASEA, Inc., visit www.lasea.us.

Meet Plasmo USA LLC – April’s Featured Corporate Member

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By Brandon Kalloo 

Plasmo USA LLC, a subsidiary of Plasmo Industrietechnik GmbH, was established in 2013. The Austrian-based technology company provides automated quality assurance systems for manufacturing industries around the world. Their experts are leading the way in the real-time quality control of joining processes and 3D Additive manufacturing. Their services include laser power measurements, the monitoring of welding processes, analysis software and tailor-made solutions in the field of industrial image processing.

Meet Plasmo USA LLC, LIA’s April Featured Corporate Member

They boast over 700 systems in operation around the world, which has led to a diverse clientele list that includes the likes of GM, Tesla and EOS. Various steel manufacturers, as well as automobile powerhouses like Audi, BMW and Suzuki, look to Plasmo for their quality assurance solutions in automated metalworking processes.

The company has 30 employees that work in four departments including Development; Sales & Marketing; Service and Support; and Administration. Because of their growth over the years, they now have branches located in Germany and the USA (Plasmo USA-Sales and Service office in Plymouth, MI).

Today, they are taking on new and exciting challenges associated with the monitoring of additive manufacturing processes including selective melting applications like direct metal laser sintering.

Plasmo is taking on new and exciting challenges associated with the monitoring of additive manufacturing processes including selective melting applications like direct metal laser sintering.

“We develop, adapt and integrate solutions according to customer requirements and objectives,” said Gerald Obritzberger, a Business Development consultant with Plasmo USA LLC. “Our solutions are independent from the plant or manufacturer which is important because it guarantees the best solutions for their particular application.”

According to Obritzberger, instead of being a hardware or software seller, Plasmo takes pride in branding itself as a solution provider.

As their brand expands, they have found new methods to gain traction in various marketplaces, including networking at conferences, setting up locations overseas and by joining various associations.

Plasmo prides itself as a solutions provider.

“Being a member of LIA is a big benefit for a European company like Plasmo because we get our name out to the key players in the laser market,” said Obritzberger. “Every year we have been members people recognize us more and realize that Plasmo is serious about staying in the North American market.”

To learn more about PLASMO USA LLC visit: http://www.plasmo-us.com/.

This Corporate Member Feature was written by Brandon Kalloo in collaboration with PLASMO USA LLC.

Meet Glowforge™ – February’s Featured Corporate Member

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Glowforge is a 3D laser printer that can create amazing things from various materials at the push of a button. In 2014, Glowforge was founded in Seattle, Washington with the goal of making CNC laser cutter/engravers cheaper, more capable and easier to use through a low-cost desktop unit that comes equipped with cameras, accelerometers and modern cloud-based software.

Meet Glowforge, February 2017’s Featured Corporate Member.

In 2015, Glowforge launched a crowdfunding campaign at Maker Faire in New York where their 3-D laser printer made its world debut. Their booth had extremely long lines as they ran prints for hundreds of excited visitors. The campaign was intended to reach $2 million in pre-orders, which was enough to give them the confidence to mass-produce their machines.

According to Glowforge, which is an LIA Corporate Member, the product was a hit and they garnered positive feedback from small businesses, inventors and creatives alike.

“It turns out a lot of people saw Glowforge and decided it would change their lives,” said Bailey Nelson, the company’s Community Manager. “30 days after the launch, we had received nearly $28 million in pre-orders for the Glowforge 3D laser printer, making it the largest 30-day crowdfunding campaign in history.”

Today, Glowforge credits its online community for the brand’s continued success. The community offers ideas, advice, and wisdom about working with lasers and other fabrication tools and techniques. Customer contributions include feature ideas, material suggestions, and crowd-sourced tutorial developments.

A row of Glowforge printers, courtesy of the company.

Since the launch, their staff has grown from 14 to approximately 40 employees and they are not slowing down. Currently, Glowforge is looking to hire talent with a wide range of skills, including electrical engineers and manufacturing engineers.

The company is proud of the features they have pioneered. One innovation called a “trace” allows users to draw designs with a pen. The designs are then automatically converted into printable files. Precision preview is another user-friendly option that allows customers to preview their designs superimposed on a live camera view of their material so they can drag them for perfect positioning.

Products Made on a Glowforge printer, courtesy of the company.

Another feature, 3D Autofocus, allows the laser beam to automatically focus on both smooth and curved surfaces. The technology measures the height of materials placed on the bed in several places so it can maintain the laser’s focus on various surfaces.

Among the unique elements of the Glowforge brand is their product’s ability to recognize materials. The onboard cameras automatically detect Proofgrade™ materials (a line of masked and prefinished materials designed specifically for laser processing) to automatically configure power, speed, and focus. With Proofgrade materials, users can choose variations like “cut” or “dark engrave” without having to determine speed and power settings.

“Our customers are the best in the world,” said CEO Dan Shapiro. “They tell us that Glowforge was just what they needed to help them scale their small business, prototype their latest invention from just a drawing, or level up the creative endeavors that had grown stale in their 9-5 jobs. We’re inspired every day when we see what they are doing with their Glowforge units, and we are honored to provide the tool that unlocks their creativity.”

For more information about LIA’s February Featured Corporate Member, please visit: http://glowforge.com.

This Corporate Member Feature was written by Brandon Kalloo in collaboration with Glowforge.