An In-depth Look at Additive Manufacturing’s Challenges & Successes
By Betsy Marone
The eigth year of Laser Institute of America’s Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM®) Workshop brought together over 170 attendees from 14 countries. The successful event gathered these individuals – over half of whom attended for the first time – who are involved in the manufacturing of complex, lightweight, metal and various other structural materials. From 3D printing and cladding to rapid manufacturing and sintering, presentations covered a plethora of revolutionary Additive Manufacturing (AM) methods that continued the workshop’s tradition of building enthusiasm in the industry.
The event, which was held at the Embassy Suites in Orlando, FL from March 2-3, featured numerous speakers from key companies involved in the industry. Presenters hailed from companies including Keystone Synergistic Enterprises, Inc., Fabrisonic LLC, Rolls Royce and General Electric as well as universities around the world who are making important advances in additive manufacturing. Continue reading →
LIA’s 8th annual Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM®) Workshop welcomed over 170 attendees – over half of whom were new to the event – from 14 countries. They gathered in Orlando, FL on March 2-3 to discuss the latest developments in 3D printing, cladding and other revolutionary additive manufacturing (AM) methods.
LAM General Chair Paul Denney, along with co-chairs Ingomar Kelbassa and Jim Sears, designed the two-day event – featuring keynote addresses, educational sessions and numerous exhibits – to showcase the way companies are utilizing additive manufacturing.
“New this year was a session dedicated to technologies (electron beam, arc welding and ultrasonic) that compete against lasers for additive manufacturing,” said General Chair Paul Denney.
To begin this session, Professor Sudarsanam Suresh Babu from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville gave a keynote presentation that focused on recent advances in metal additive manufacturing, as well as the role in-situ process monitoring, computational monitoring and advanced characterization play in the field. Professor Babu’s discussion of AM’s benefits, compared to traditional manufacturing methods, gave way to an overview of the additive manufacturing process – from geometrical conformity and topography optimization to size specific properties and beyond.
After gaining this background on alternative technologies, attendees learned about the selection process companies use when choosing the premier additive manufacturing processes for their needs. In addition, the first day also featured executives from leading companies, including DMG MORI, Concept Laser, Inc. and Optomec, Inc., who showcased new equipment available for AM.
Focusing on new AM approaches, Christoph Leyens from Fraunhofer IWS discussed precise laser metal deposition with wire and powder filling material, while TRUMPF Inc.’s Frank Geyer compared the processes of laser metal deposition and laser metal fusion. After which Daniel Capostagno of SPI Lasers LLC, concluded the day with his presentation on fiber laser welding and cladding using filler wire.
With a focus on bridging the gap between additive manufacturing research and application, the second day began with a keynote address given by Professor David Bourell of the University of Texas at Austin. The Director of the Laboratory for Freeform Fabrication discussed the current status of additive manufacturing.
The day’s sessions also focused on both the national and global successes and challenges in AM with presenters from around the world. Tim Biermann of Fraunhofer ILT presented on LAM R&D centers in Germany, while Milan Brandt from RMIT University discussed the industry further in Australia.
Sharing the latest and greatest in additive manufacturing, LAM 2016 gave attendees a unique inside look at this rapidly-progressing manufacturing process. Alex Zappasodi of Polymet Corporation remarked, “A great show! Valuable information, great attendees and meticulously organized.” James Tomich, who attended LAM for the fourth time this year, agreed and said, “If you’re using lasers for AM, you don’t want to miss LAM.”
“We’re looking forward to LAM 2017, when we return to Houston, TX,” said Denney. “While the Oil and Gas industry is suffering from lower oil prices, we feel that there will still be a strong interest in laser cladding – a form of laser additive manufacturing – because it can lower production costs.”
Additive manufacturing has been creating buzz for some years, and is now on the threshold of becoming mainstream. According to a Pricewaterhouse Coopers survey of more than 100 manufacturing companies in 2014, 11 percent had already moved to volume production of 3D printed parts or products. With interest only increasing based on maturing technologies and processes, there has never been a better time to learn the latest about laser additive manufacturing, meet and network with experts, and benchmark laser additive manufacturing against other technologies – and no better place than LIA’s fast-approaching Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM®) Workshop.
The two-day event, held on March 2-3 in Orlando, FL, will focus on the question “why lasers?” in the burgeoning field of additive manufacturing. Through its keynotes, sessions, exhibits and networking opportunities, the workshop will answer that question and many more. For people involved in manufacturing of complex, lightweight, metal and other structural materials, LAM is a must-attend event. Continue reading →
