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Lasers Today Weekly Wrap-Up – Week of August 22, 2016

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What’s New This Week in the World of Lasers?

Are you ready for the latest news, updates, and points of interest regarding lasers, laser safety, and laser applications?

Aggregating content from Lasers Today, LIA Blog, and our social media channels, here’s what you may have missed this week: 

Laser Industry News: Is Low-Cost, Robotic AM possible for large-scale? 

Is low-cost, robotic additive manufacturing possible for large-scale parts? Learn about the successes Keystone Synergistic Enterprises has had in expanding directed-energy additive manufacturing into large parts, on a low cost platform. The piece also discussed some of the early roadblocks experienced when exploring additive manufacturing for airframe and engine applications, in the late 90s and early 2000’s. Read more about Keystone’s strategy to expand upon additive manufacturing applications for sustainable business here.

A newly proposed method could greatly reduce the manufacturing times of 3D printed parts. In the post 3D Printing of Net Shape Geometries by Laser Metal Deposition, learn how this proposed process differs from traditional laser metal deposition, and the results that it produced here.

Conference Updates: Prepping for the Industrial Laser Conference at IMTS 2016 in Chicago!

On the fence about attending the inaugural Industrial Laser Conference? Be sure to check out our post highlighting the four industrial manufacturing professions that may benefit the most from attending. The Industrial Laser Conference was designed to introduce ways to incorporate lasers into existing processes. Learn how to stay ahead in a competitive, high-tech market here.

Ready to register for Industrial Laser Conference? Find everything you need to know before attending here.

LIA News & Updates: Recapping LME & Summit via LIA Today 

LME (Lasers for Manufacturing Event) & Summit took place April 25-27 in Atlanta, Georgia. This week, we recapped the event. LME & Summit offered educational workshops for both introductory and experienced attendees as well as the latest addition, the Laser Technology Tour, proved to be a hit with attendees. Check out what you may have missed here.

A greater number of industries than ever before are adopting additive manufacturing technology to their processes, often saving money on production costs! Learn how laser additive manufacturing may give your company the advantage in our slideshare The Cost of Manufacturing With Lasers vs Without Them. The slideshare covers the advantages of additive manufacturing, types of 3D printing and more! Download it here.

Interested in learning more about laser additive manufacturing? Register for one of our manufacturing-centric conferences, held throughout the year. 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 — and follow us on Twitter for live, up-to-date conference information. 

The Top Five Things to See and Do at ICALEO 2016

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These five engaging events will take place at this year’s ICALEO conference, held from October 16-20 at the Sheraton San Diego in San Diego, California.

This year’s International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) in San Diego, California is content-packed and better than ever. Held this year from October 16-20 at the Sheraton San Diego, laser professionals and curious tech connoisseurs from around the world will engage on the West Coast in an environment where professionals are able to participate and share in striking conversations and revelations about the latest and most popular developments within laser research.

If you attended the 34th annual ICALEO last year at the Sheraton Hotel in Atlanta, you can attest to more than 400 attendees from over 22 different countries who took part in various event segments and networking with like-minded scientists, engineers, and researchers, all while openly discussing the latest findings in laser research and developments within multifarious fields.

From keynote speaker Dr. Ellen Townes-Anderson’s research of laser tweezers, to more than 200 presentations and posters covering findings in photonics and laser technology, the 2016 ICALEO builds off of last year’s momentum, celebrates 35 years of laser innovation, and provides attendees with countless opportunities to network and learn about new laser technology in various fields and review the latest developments in laser research.

Here are the top five things to see and do at ICALEO 2016:

1. Plenary Sessions

The opening plenary session will spotlight laser applications beyond the everyday. Join us during this session as we visit Mars, self-driving cars, and revisit LIGO. The closing plenary session will bring you new ideas and processes to expand your horizons. It will feature presentations which cover surprising new developments in applications – from iPhones® to planes.

2. The 18th Annual Student Paper Award

Now in its 18th year, the ICALEO Student Paper Award provides a special opportunity for students working within laser development and research. Each year, students submit papers that are then reviewed by designated ICALEO conference chairs. Award winners of the 18th annual Student Paper Award will be announced during the ICALEO’s Closing Plenary Session. There will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner.

3. Laser Industry Vendor Reception & Tabletop Display

This ICALEO event enables attendees to meet other professionals who are making waves within the laser industry. Those attending the Laser Industry Vendor Reception are able to network with others while sharing current or future product ideas. The tabletop displays also allow attendees to participate in engaging conversations and learn about the latest products from some of the biggest names in the industry.

4. The LIA Awards Luncheon

The annual Laser Institute of America Awards Luncheon consists of a conversation-filled meal with colleagues, an awards presentation, and a speaker address. The Arthur L. Schawlow Award recognizes the career-long dedication of an individual and is held with high regard. It is presented each year to one hard-working and motivated individual who has majorly and positively impacted laser technology for scientists and consumers within a given field. Read more about the 2016 Schawlow Award Winner, Dr. Yongfeng Lu, here.

5. Networking Opportunities

Within the technology industry, networking has become one of the most appreciated keys to success. This year’s conference will offer countless opportunities for both aspiring and professional scientists and engineers to network with academics and R&D industrialists from all over the world.

Each year, ICALEO strives to provide both the latest and most recent information in laser technology to its attendees. Whether it be through a meet-and-greet, poster presentation, award ceremony, tabletop display, or networking social event, ICALEO 2016 offers countless educational and socially interactive opportunities for aspiring and veteran professionals alike.

For more information, and to register for ICALEO 2016, please click here.

Are you a current student and want to register for this event? For more information on discounted student memberships, please click here.

 

3D Scanning for Measurement On The Rise, Report Says

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Following the trend of additive manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing, the utilization of 3D scanning for measurement is on the rise.

According to a new report by MarketsandMarkets, the market for 3D scanners is expected to grow to nearly six billion dollars by 2020, a significant increase from 2015’s $3.41 billion. A compound annual growth rate of 9.6 percent is also projected.

The public summary of the report suggests that the growth is driven by new developments in 3D scanner technology, the capacity for quality control with the devices, and the time saved by stronger quality control.

Laser-based 3D scanners are expected to take up the majority of the market share. This figure includes devices that use laser triangulation, phase shifting, time of flight, or a combination of all three as “laser 3D scanners.”

The Leica Absolute Scanner LAS-20-8. (Image courtesy of Hexagon MI.)

The report also reveals that the market is significantly concentrated in the Americas, followed closely by Asia and other Pacific regions, due to rising applications in fields such as automotive, healthcare, and construction industries.

The full report can be found through MarketsandMarkets here.

 

 

Major Change to OSHA Rules Stirs Controversy

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New OSHA regulations going into effect August 10 are sending a ripple of controversy throughout manufacturing, construction, and other hazardous industries.

The new law requires that companies that operate in hazardous industries with a staff of fewer than 250 file OSHA form 300A in the event of work-related injury or illness. Those with more than 250 employees will file 300, 300A, and 301.

The new regulations require companies to file electronically with OSHA. Previously, these forms and reports were kept on hand by an employer, and only received by OSHA in the event of an investigation. Under the new law, not only will OSHA receive all reports, the reports will also be available to the public, online.

The transparency of the inner workings of these companies could positively impact the industries by highlighting areas of concern, leading to better work environments for employees. On the flip side, the public accessibility of the information could open the doors to unfavorable press and lawsuits.

Workers in hazardous industries are divided by the new rules. Those in favor of the changes suggest that OSHA’s accessibility to those records can help the administration better target their investigations. Believing that regularly occurring accidents may be symbolic of poor management or other company shortcomings, there is significant hope that the rules will inevitably lead to safer, well-operated workplaces.

Those who oppose the changes feel that the new rules “shame” those in hazardous industries. While few would argue against a push for greater transparency, it is the method and lack of employee and company privacy, that has many concerned. Others raise concerns about the ability to revise reports, after investigation. If the initial information is shared to the public, but is later revised for accuracy, it is easy for the information to be misinterpreted by anyone who comes across the report.

Although the law goes into effect this summer, the record keeping will change over beginning January 1, 2017. The mandatory submission of reports will begin July 2017. The records will be available online shortly after OSHA receives them.

For the latest updates, subscribe to Lasers Today and get OSHA news sent straight to your inbox. Visit LasersToday.com and navigate to the right-hand panel to sign up. 

Throwback Thursday: Exploring the History of Laser Tag

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What a Game of Laser Tag Can Tell Us about Lasers Today 

Rising in popularity in the 1990s, the game of Laser Tag has served as a staple for kids’ birthday parties, after school recreation, and most recently, a fun team building tool for corporate and company events. While most of you who are reading this have played – you may not know that the roots of laser tag are firmly set within the United States military.

Initially developed for training purposes for the Army in the 1970s and 80s, the first “toy” version of the game was released in 1979 in the form of the Star Trek Electronic Phaser Guns Set. A few years later, George Carter III got to work designing an arena based game, like the ones still found across the country today. The first center for competitive play opened shortly after, in 1984.

Laser Tag is more advanced today than it was in the 1980s.


Laser Tag’s Evolution

Over the years, the equipment and technology used in laser tag saw many different iterations and designs. In most cases, players wear a device – usually a vest – equipped with sensors that are sensitive to infrared light. The laser “guns” emit an infrared light at a wavelength that is safe for the human eye and body. The device worn by players then responds to the contact of the light, usually by buzzing or lighting up. Often times, low-powered visible lasers are also included in the gun for visual purposes.

As laser tag grew in popularity, more and more styles of play were developed, at varying levels of complexity. Some are grandiose, “capture-the-flag games,” while others play with elimination in mind. Others involve complete “missions” that tie into a story, for a fully immersive experience. In its most evolved form, the infrared light is encoded with information such as where the beam originated from and where it was received. This helps keep score at the end of a match.

More than just a family-friendly activity, laser tag competitions have taken place worldwide for over a decade. With help from the Laser Tag Museum, the laser tag industry recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

With new concepts for laser tag popping up in theme parks, tourist attractions, and entertainment centers to this very day, here’s looking to another 30 years of laser-centric fun.

For more fun, engaging laser history, click to read our blog on the Origin of the Word Laser.