What happened this week in Lasers? Discover the latest from the Laser Institute of America LasersToday.com Weekly Wrap-Up:
3D printing by GE Additive & Morris Technologies’ Greg Morris, who will speak at LAM 2017. This was featured on LIA’s Facebook & Twitter feeds this week.
Laser Industry News
Just one year after researchers were able to detect the existence of gravitational waves using lasers, Albert Einstein Institute (AEI) researchers have developed two new technologies with greater sensitivity to gravitational waves. Check out the details here.
Image via Phys.org
Conference News
GE has positioned itself as one of the companies leading the additive manufacturing revolution. Don’t miss Greg Morris of GE Additive, delivering the Day One keynote at LAM® 2017. Learn more about Morris, and GE’s contributions to additive manufacturing applications here.
Only two weeks remain until LAM 2017! There is still time to register for this premiere additive manufacturing event, taking place February 21-22, 2017, in Houston, Texas. For more information, and to register, please visit: https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam.
This year’s LAM is in Houston, TX.
LAM 2017 will be chaired by Professor Milan Brandt of RIMT University. Learn more about Brandt’s work with lasers, additive manufacturing, and more here.
Unable to attend and want live updates from the event? Follow #LAM2017 and @laserinstitute on Twitter for live coverage of LAM® 2017. Attendees! Join the fun, and tag your updates and photos with us, as well!
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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. Find us at www.lia.org.
Explore Additive Manufacturing with GE’s Greg Morris at LAM 2017.
Our Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®) is only two weeks away. If you aren’t caught up, this annual event highlights the latest advancements in additive manufacturing technology and applications, bringing together industry leaders and top researchers to discuss the present and future of additive manufacturing in a variety of critical American industries like medicine, energy and aerospace.
LAM 2017 is in Houston, TX. February is an ideal time to visit Houston, with mild temperatures and ample sunshine.
This year’s event will kick off with the keynote presentation “Accelerating the Additive Revolution” by Greg Morris of GE Additive, as part of the highly-anticipated Trends in Additive Manufacturing Session. Learn more about GE’s work and the keynote speech at LAM below.
GE Additive Leads the Way
Roboze One
Over the last year, GE has further positioned itself as a leader in industrial design and manufacturing technology. In early 2016, GE opened the Center for Additive Technology Advancement, a 125,000-square foot facility in Pittsburgh, PA dedicated to the future of 3D printing. The company also recently reached an agreement with global additive manufacturing provider Concept Laser to own a 75 percent stake, with plans for full ownership in the future.
A recently acquired Roboze One+400 desktop 3D printer bolsters its global research center, allowing the company to experiment with polyetherimide (PEI) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). With these
innovations, GE Additive propels the potential of additive manufacturing and is focused on numerous initiatives to accelerate technology in the manufacturing world.
About Greg Morris
Technology Laureate Greg Morris
LAM 2017 Keynote presenter Greg Morris has served as GE Aviation’s Leader of Additive Technologies since 2013. Previously, Morris was the CEO of Morris Technologies, which was purchased by GE in 2012 to help advance their additive manufacturing initiatives, particularly for large scale production. Technology developed by Morris is directly responsible for GE Aviation’s greater push for AM innovation. In 2015, Morris was honored with the Aviation Week Laureate Award for Technology, for his work in the industrialization of additive manufacturing.
What’s Next for Morris & GE
The next big push from GE Aviation is an increase in the production of LEAP fuel injectors. The company plans to double its production from 6,000 in 2016 to 12,000 in 2017. The project is shifting to the company’s Auburn, AL facility where approximately 50 machines will be producing the parts. Data and information harvested from this initiative will later be used to build better machines. GE will also be investing $10 million dollars in additive manufacturing education by providing equipment to schools for STEM education. For more information on GE’s additive manufacturing initiatives, visit www.geadditive.com
Do not miss Greg Morris of GE Additive, presenting “Accelerating the Additive Revolution,” in his words. The keynote presentation will take place February 21, 2017 at 8:15 AM as part of the LAM opening session, Trends in Laser Additive Manufacturing. For more information on this year’s sessions and presentations, please visit: https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam/program.
Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM) will take place February 21-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. For more information, and to register, please visit www.lia.org/lam.
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. Visit us for conference, education, and courses information at http://www.lia.org today.
The Laser Institute of America LasersToday.com Weekly Wrap-Up aggregates industry news, conference updates, and LIA happenings. Here is the latest:
Laser Industry News
LPW Technology recently acquired a TRUMPF TruPrint 1000, which could lead to unprecedented
Roboze One – Image courtesy Engineering.com & Roboze.
levels of additive manufacturing research. Learn about LPW’s research initiatives, what the sets theTRUMPF TruPrint series apart, and the positive impact this may have on medical additive manufacturing applications, here.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have released a “roadmap,” detailing the desired capabilities, foreseeable challenges, and areas for development in polymer-based manufacturing. The roadmap is a result of a NIST workshop, held last summer, where industry leaders and researchers were brought together to develop a comprehensive plan for the future of polymer-based additive manufacturing. Find out more here.
GE recently added a Roboze One + 400 to its Global Research Center. The Roboze One is one of the few printers capable of 3D printing with polyetherimide (PEI) and poly ether ketone (PEEK). Check out the new system here.
LIA Updates & Conference News
This week, LIA was in attendance at Photonics West. Visit the Laser Institute of America Twitter page @LaserInstitute, for updates and photos from the event. The Laser Additive Manufacturing
Sponsors/Vendors: Join us for ICALEO 2017
Workshop (LAM®) is just over two weeks away! Plan your visit ahead of time by viewing the official LAM program, featuring the planned sessions and presentations for this year’s event. Find it here.
Attending LAM? Keep us updated using #LAM2017 on your updates and photos from the event! Be sure to check out our esteemed and exciting sponsors and vendors for LAM 2017. Do not forget to pay them a visit at the event. For a complete list, please visit our 2017 Sponsors and Vendors page.Time is running out to register for LAM 2017! Don’t miss your chance to hear presentations from industry leaders, top researchers, and more related to the growing world of additive manufacturing. LAM® 2017 takes place February 21-22, 2017, in Houston, Texas. For more information, and to register, please visit: https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam/welcome
Don’t miss a single laser industry update! Sign up today to receive the latest in lasers delivered straight to your inbox. Be sure to follow LIA on Facebook and Twitter for even more laser news.
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. Find us at www.lia.org
The 2017 Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) Workshop in Houston brings together top researchers and industry leaders to discuss the latest advancements in additive manufacturing. In preparation for this year’s event, Lasers Today takes a closer look at the workshop’s presenters and innovators.
The global market leader in state-of-the-art metal powder solutions, LPW Technology, are now the proud owners of a TRUMPF TruPrint 1000, an innovative metal additive manufacturing machine that produces small metal components through laser melted fusion. TRUMPF is the largest manufacturer of fabricating equipment and industrial lasers in North America, with an increasing focus on growing additive manufacturing needs, as evidenced by the TruPrint series of machines.
TRUMPF’s TruPrint 1000
What TruPrint 1000 Will Do for Additive Manufacturing Research
The TRUMPF TruPrint 1000 is expected toenhance LPW’s already impressive research and development capabilities. The machine will allow for greater novel alloy development, applications testing, the study of powder degradation, optimize processes and lead to new research projects. The TruPrint offers a standardized user interface and software program, covering all aspects of the production process from design to finished part. The TruPrint 1000 includes a 200 W Fiber Laser, capable of processing parts made of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel-based alloys, and bronze, just to name a few.
In simpler terms, the TruPrint 1000 will help LPW and the additive manufacturing community through a streamlined process and unprecedented data collection. TRUMPF recognizes the growing need for accurate data throughout the additive manufacturing process. When companies, such as LPW Technology are able to harness this data, potential problems can be addressed before the parts go to print. As a result, parts are developed with greater integrity, and at a faster rate.
The addition of the TruPrint 1000 goes hand in hand with LPW’s development of a new metal additive manufacturing lab. Acquiring new equipment, such as TruPrint 1000, enables LPW to further the development of the PowderLife system. Allowing for the strict control of risk and traceability for parts manufacturers, PowderLife is a combination of software, hardware, support, and testing pioneered by LPW Technology. Between the equipment solutions created by TRUMPF and the systems developed by LPW, valid metal powder control processes that benefit users of laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing, are closer than ever before. Furthermore, the streamlining and simplification of these processes lay the groundwork for addressing other challenges, such as those posed by medical applications of 3D printed parts.
Solving Challenges within Medical Additive Manufacturing
With stronger processes to synthesize data, as well as systems in place to control risk and traceability, the future for medical additive manufacturing applications is bright.
Laser Metal Fusion, sometimes referred to as Selective Laser Melting, is a preferred additive manufacturing method for parts intended for medical use. The method allows for complex features, with nearly unlimited design capabilities. Parts created using laser metal fusion are typically low-weight, stabilized, and inexpensive, making them excellent candidates for artificial hips, and other implants.
The TruPrint 1000 gives the flexibility and feasibility for elaborate parts to go into production quickly and cost-effectively, through its laser metal fusion capabilities. The time from design to prototype is fractionalized, giving greater opportunities for research of medical applications.
Learning More atLAM 2017
Representatives from LPW Technology and TRUMPF will be presenting at LAM 2017. Be sure to catch Nathan Kistler of LPW discussing “Characterizing and Managing Metal Powders in AM Service” as part of the Materials for Additive Manufacturing Session. Frank Geyer of TRUMPF will present “Metal Powder Based AM- New Applications” as part of the final of two Additive Manufacturing Applications sessions. Plan your visit to LAM with the advance program here.
Want to learn more about the recent developments within the world of additive manufacturing? Registration is still open! For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam.
With the Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®) just around the corner, Lasers Today is taking a closer look at some of the topics presented at this year’s event.
LAM Applications in China: Rounding out the final session at LAM is “Progress and Medical Applications in Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts by Selective Laser Melting” by Yongqiang Yang of South China University of Technology.
LAM 2017 brings researchers and industry leaders together to discuss advances in the world of additive manufacturing. Around the world, exciting innovations are coming to light, many of which will be discussed at this year’s event. One country that is seeing significant progress within its additive manufacturing initiatives is China.
Rounding out the final session at LAM is “Progress and Medical Applications in Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts by Selective Laser Melting” by Yongqiang Yang of South China University of Technology. The use of additive manufacturing for medical purposes is a growing area of interest for many. While there are still significant challenges and obstacles ahead, the work performed at the South China University of Technology (SCUT), and across the nation, is notable to anyone involved with, or intrigued by, the possibilities presented by additive manufacturing within the medical field.
About Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is being used by researchers to 3D print medical implants. SLM is used both for coating and completely creating the implant parts. Materials used usually include platinum, nickel titanium, and in some prototypes, stainless steel. One of the biggest challenges faced by researchers and developers is the risk of infection and/or rejection of the implant within the body.
Courtesy: Open Biomedical Initiative
Additive Manufacturing in China
China’s history with additive manufacturing begins in the early 90’s, where a push for research on additive manufacturing processes, equipment, applications, as well as education began. Schools, such as SCUT, emphasize hands-on practice and application within their programs. For over two decades, universities and other higher education facilities have given students opportunities to “compete” in various design competitions, pushing innovation as part of the learning process.
In partnership with specific industries, especially the companies within them, various programs have given students the opportunity to pursue specialties and specific interests within additive manufacturing, providing relevant work experience. In doing so, additive manufacturing is now considered one of the biggest areas of market growth within China, in decades. In fact, the undergraduate programs have lead to an overall increase in the quality of programs in science, engineering, mathematics and more.
However, there is a call for more progress within the medical applications of additive manufacturing, particularly with implants and tissue engineering. The longevity of the prototypes created pose unwanted side effects, rejection, and infection risks that still stand to be solved.
A Successful Implant at South China University of Technology (SCUT)
When thinking of 3D printed implants, it is easy to assume that the applications are only for human benefit. However, this is not always the case. Last summer, SCUT in collaboration with Leader Animal Hospital and Guangzhou Yang Ming Technology Company outfitted an injured red-crowned crane with a new, 3D printed beak.
After a fight with other birds led to a severe beak injury the crane was unable to eat.. Guangzhou Yang Ming Technology Company, which specializes in designing molds for 3D printing, passed their mold design to SCUT, who printed the new beak out of titanium. Titanium has shown promise in other instances as a preferred material for implants for humans, due it its biocompatibility.
The procedure in which they attached the new beak was successful, allowing the bird to eat shortly after the process. The red-crowned crane received the first successful beak transplant in China, joining a growing list of successful 3D-printed implant procedures on birds.
These successful procedures increase the likeliness of 3D printed implants becoming a viable solution for more than just birds. Advancements within additive manufacturing, including selective laser sintering, are opening many doors for the future of the medical industry.
Be sure to catch the presentation at LAM 2017 as part of two exciting additive manufacturing application sessions. Check out the advance program for LAM here to plan your visit to this year’s event. LAM 2017 will take place February 21-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. For more information, and to register, click here.
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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.
