Tag Archives: featured corporate member

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 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.

LaserCoil Technologies LLC – January’s Featured Corporate Member

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LaserCoil Technologies LLC, based in Napoleon, Ohio, launched in 2011 with a new approach to laser blanking from coil stock. The innovative technology went through over three years of developmental research and planning at the Automatic Feed Company (AFCO), an organization known for pressroom automation with nearly 65-years of manufacturing expertise focused on metal blanking.

The company received its first order in 2013 and soon thereafter established its 12,000-sq. ft. technical center. The center houses a coil-fed laser blanking system, which can handle 30-ton coils and serves as the technical development center for the company. It is also capable of running prototype parts and low volume production.

Lasers provide an excellent solution to the difficulties faced when stamping high-strength steels. Laser blanking eliminates both the potential need for a larger press to cut high strength materials and the edge fracturing problems that often occur when working with lightweight materials. The company also uses lasers because they do not wear down like other production tools.

LaserCoil Facility, Courtesy of LaserCoil Technologies LLC

Their first product on the market was the LaserCoil coil-fed, single-head laser cutting system which featured patented technologies that enabled laser cutting of blanks direct from coil in aluminum, steel and other sensitive materials.

Today, they offer both single- and multi- head laser blanking systems with automated LaserCoil CAM™ software, the company’s automated programming software to guide users with nesting, cutting and recipe management. Their high-tech machines yield rates that make laser-cutting blanks a feasible alternative to traditional stamping.

“We’ve achieved real-world results that prove the value of this first LaserCoil CAM release,” said Scott Sonnenberg, LaserCoil director of mechanical engineering/product development. “This software provides our customers a single interface to help reduce programming time and scrap rates, as well as improve their throughput and yield.”

LaserCoil Facility, Courtesy of LaserCoil Technologies LLC

LaserCoil CAM was created to enable less experienced system operators the ability to quickly create an optimized program. LaserCoil CAM starts by importing the user’s blank profile CAD file. Then, the user can have the software to select the best coil from multiple coils in inventory, create the best nest for a specific coil width, or permit the program to specify the optimum coil width based upon part yield.

“Creating nesting and cutting programs is a time-intensive process requiring a skilled technician,” said LaserCoil Chief Technology Officer Jay Finn. “LaserCoil CAM takes only minutes from the importing of CAD files to active cutting of a simple blank. To illustrate its efficiency, imagine if you could design and machine a blanking die for a complex part in less than 30 minutes, rather than months.”

LaserCoil Technologies, an LIA corporate member, is motivated to continue developing innovative features for the Laser Blanking process. They have developed a flexible tool in the blanking market that can begin producing blanks within minutes. Because of programing and the ability to operate the line in several different modes, it can offer solutions to new manufacturing challenges.

For more information, visit: www.lasercoil.com

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

September’s Featured Corporate Member – Wayne Trail, A Lincoln Electric Company

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Wayne Trail, a subsidiary of Lincoln Electric, is a leader in the design of flexible, automated systems utilized within a wide range of metal forming, fabricating and joining industries. Its current market segments include robotics, welding and fixturing; press automation; tube bending and fabricating systems; tubular hydroform and structural frame automation; build-to-print manufacturing services; and laser processing systems.

At the time of Wayne Trail’s inception, the company provided the Dayton, Ohio-region automotive industry with tools, dies and fixtures. The company’s reputation and customer base grew throughout the years, allowing for the development of its engineering expertise and inclusion of automation through the production of automated tube-bending systems. In addition, Wayne Trail acquired companies, such as Livernois Press Automation, Flexible Systems Engineering and VIL Laser Systems, which added to its visibility within the industry, expanding its capabilities and, ultimately, leading to its acquisition by Lincoln Electric in 2012.

Since then, Wayne Trail has added to Lincoln Electric’s strength by not only incorporating the staff’s experience in design and system building, but also in adding their proven capabilities and success in laser welding systems. Lincoln Electric employs over 10,000 people globally among their 49 manufacturing operations, joint ventures and alliances in 19 countries, with 180 employees located at the Wayne Trail facility. As laser experts, Wayne Trail has added to Lincoln Electric’s vast product line for numerous industries and products, such as automotive and specialty powertrain component systems and both standard- and custom-designed cells for laser welding, cutting, brazing and more.

Despite its numerous innovative offerings, Wayne Trail’s laser welding system services prove among its most important. From the automotive and aerospace sectors to the battery and energy sectors, Wayne Trail continuously meets new challenges through their powertrain laser systems, multiple robotic laser cutting systems, laser ablation and brazing systems. The company adds to Lincoln Electric’s history as a leading global innovator, continuing to invest in research and development of laser processes – including brazing, ablation, laser die cleaning and laser/hot wire for cladding and welding applications – which hold the potential to help move technology further around the globe.

Over the last five years, Lincoln Electric has grown in automotive, aerospace and commercial system applications for multi-axis laser processing. Continued development in technology and the increase in reliability has allowed lasers to venture from the lab into real-world production systems. As lasers continue to prove themselves as a reliable method of joining and cutting of numerous materials within the industry, immense growth has occurred, creating new jobs and allowing for Lincoln Electric’s expansion into other areas of automation requirements.

With the availability of new materials and affordability of laser technology for customers, Lincoln Electric continues to weld, clean, cut and drill complex components for customers. To meet customers’ developing demands, Lincoln Electric’s engineering groups remain dedicated to developing and advancing innovative system concepts and tools. This was seen when Wayne Trail R&D engineers raised deposition rates and eliminated waste powder while using powder systems through the development of a hot wire process.

As a member of Laser Institute of America (LIA) since 1995, Wayne Trail has been able to maintain access to information and opportunities that span all laser-related industries. It has also allowed the company to collaborate and contribute to the industries it supports, through a presence at LIA conferences and expos, while also keeping Lincoln Electric close to the industry and helping it witness the growth of the laser.

For more information, visit www.waynetrail.com.