Tag Archives: Laser Institute of America

Proposal of a New Laser Safety Guard Material & Its Protection Time Evaluation Method

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KUNIHIKO WASHIO, TAKASHI KAYAHARA, YOSHIHIRO EMORI AND AKIRA FUJISAKI

Thin metallic sheets made of aluminum or steel with a thickness of 1 to 2 mm are often used as laser guard materials. However, metallic laser guards are easily penetrated by high power laser irradiation due to quick melting.

Therefore, their protection times are short. Current problems of metallic laser guards are: (1) A tendency toward generating a large through hole due to quick melting if irradiated with high-power laser; (2) Protection times are significantly influenced by surface reflectivity conditions and reflectivity changes over time.

Contrary to ordinary metals, pitch-type carbon fibers have desirable features such as non-melting, high-sublimation temperature and low-reflectivity. Therefore, we have conducted experiments to evaluate pitch-type CFRP (carbon-fiber reinforced plastics) as a new guard material for high-power lasers. These 3-mm thickness, lightweight CFRP plates incorporate industry grade pitch-type carbon fibers K13916 having tensile modulus of 760 GPa, fabricated by Mitsubishi Plastics Inc. The specific gravity is only 1.7. The CPRP plates consist of stacked multilayers with carbon fiber orientation orthogonal to each other, layer by layer. The carbon orientations of the top and bottom layers are designed to be in parallel. The fabricated CFRP plates have strong anisotropy in thermal conductivity: 60 W/(m•K) for X and Y directions vs. 1 W/(m•K) for Z direction. Therefore, the heat generated at the irradiated front surface is effectively prevented from reaching the rear side due to the very low thermal conductivity in Z direction.

Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of experimental setup. A CW fiber laser capable of emitting up to about 10 kW at a wavelength of about 1,070 nm was used. The laser beam was irradiated at test samples with a focusing lens having focal length of 300 mm. The length L from the focal point to the test samples was adjusted so that the irradiated beam diameter becomes either 60 mm or 30 mm. Two silicon photodiodes PD10 and PD11, equipped with 50-nm bandwidth bandpass filters having different center wavelengths (1,075 nm and 1,000 nm, respectively), were used in the front side to differentiate scattered laser radiation and thermal radiation.

Figure 2 shows the layout of eight photodiodes located on the back plate inside the shielding box. Seven photodiodes from PD2 to PD8 are with bandpass filters having a 1,075 nm center wavelength. One photodiode PD12 is with a bandpass filter having 1,000 nm center-wavelength. All the photodiodes were used in photovoltaic mode without applying any bias voltage. The output waveforms from the photodiodes were simultaneously recorded with a 10-channel data logger. The input resistance of the data logger was set to be 2.4 kΩ.

Three different types of materials were used for test samples. They are: 3-mm-thickness CFRP, 1.6-mm-thickness zinc-coated steel and 1.5-mm-thickness aluminum. The top surfaces of aluminum test samples were gray coated to suppress strong reflection. Two types of sample-holding arrangements were used for test samples having two different sizes. One arrangement is for 300-mm-square, larger size samples and is designed to thermally insulate them from the shielding box to ensure natural air cooling. The other arrangement is for 150-mm-square, smaller-size samples and is designed to test small samples economically by utilizing partial and indirect peripheral cooling by attaching the sample to a rear-side panel having four watercooled heat sinks. Figure 3 shows pictures taken during and after laser irradiation for a 300-mm square, pitch-type CFRP test sample.

Table 1 shows the comparison of test results for partially and indirectly cooled, 150-mm-square test samples irradiated with 60-mm-diameter laser beam at 3 kW. Average values of experimentally measured penetration times for ten samples of 1.6-mm-thickness zinc-coated steel and 1.5-mm-thickness gray-coated aluminum were 55.89 s and 3.96 s, respectively. The relevant standard deviations were 3.13 s and 0.14 s, respectively. Penetrated large holes are clearly visible for metallic test samples. On the other hand, for the case of 3-mm-thickness pitch-type CFRP, we could not observe any penetration for all the tested ten samples, even after more than three minutes of irradiation, although slight texture and color change could be seen on the rear surfaces.

When pitch-type CFRP test samples were irradiated with laser beams having much higher irradiation densities, we could observe rising, but from complex signal waveforms from the photodiodes located inside the shielding box. To interpret photodiode signal waveforms, a small mirror was placed in the rear side to monitor the phenomena occurring on the rear surface. By comparing the video data and photodiode signal waveforms, we have found that rear-side ignition starts much earlier than the penetration, or burn-through. Therefore, we have decided to use this rear side ignition time, instead of penetration time, as the experimental limiting time-base for the statistical calculation of protection time.

Figure 4 shows an example of irradiation test results for 300-mmsquare, larger size, naturally air-cooled CFRP test samples, irradiated with 30 mm-diameter laser beam at 9 kW. The rear side ignition time has been measured to be 23.5 seconds for this sample. A tiny hole can be seen in the bottom picture for the rear surface. Figure 5 a shows histogram of rear-side ignition times observed for 300-mm-square, naturally-air-cooled ten test samples.

The average value of rear-side ignition time has been measures to be 24.89 s with standard deviation of 3.61 s. From these data, the protection time of 3-mm-thickness pitchtype CFRP plates for irradiation of 30 mm-diameter laser beam at 9 kW (power density of 1.27 kW/cm2) has been calculated to be 9.8 s, which is very close to satisfy T3 class condition of minimum inspection interval of 10 s according to IEC 60825-4 Ed. 2.2: 2011, Safety of laser products – Part 4: Laser guards.

In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that lightweight pitchtype CFRP plates (with density of about 1/4 of steel) can provide remarkably long protection time against multi-kW high power fiber laser irradiation when used as a passive laser guard. Pitchtype CFRP would be also useful as a key component material for construction of active laser guards. It must be pointed out here, however, that proper precautions against the flames and fumes generated at the irradiated front surfaces of pitch-type CFRP plates become necessary.

The authors greatly acknowledge funding of METI standardization project “International Standardization for Highly Laser-Resistant Laser Guards.” The authors also thank the committee member of OITDA on high strength laser guards for helpful and valuable discussions and encouragement. Kunihiko Washio is president of Paradigm Laser Research Ltd. Takashi Kayahara, Yoshihiro Emori, and Akira Fujisaki are engineers at Furukawa Electric CO. LTD.

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.

Laser Institute of America Announces 2018 Event Dates & Location for LAM® & LME®

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Lasers for Manufacturing Event (LME®) & Laser Additive Manufacturing Conference (LAM®) to Take Place in Schaumburg, IL for 2018

ORLANDO, FL – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Laser Institute of America (LIA), the professional society for lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide, is thrilled to announce the dates and location for the 2018 Lasers for Manufacturing Event (LME®) & Laser Additive Manufacturing Conference (LAM®). LAM® will take place March 27–28, 2018. LME® will commence March 28–29, 2018. Both will be held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL, USA.

Celebrating its tenth consecutive year, the Laser Additive Manufacturing Conference (LAM®) features presentations discussing where and how to apply additive manufacturing concepts, with a distinct focus on laser technology. Topics to be covered at this year’s event include Additive Manufacturing Applications, Selective Laser Melting, Laser Metal Deposition, Design for Additive Manufacturing, Process Monitoring, Metal Feedstock, and 3D Software Tools.

Lasers for Manufacturing Event (LME®) is an interactive exhibit, created with the intent of increasing the awareness and application of lasers in manufacturing. At LME®, laser specific solution providers are available to answer questions and provide demonstrations to those who may be new to laser technology or are looking to source new equipment for their manufacturing needs. Attendees will also have the option to attend a complimentary education track, as part of the exhibit. Topics of interest at this year’s LME® include 3D printing, Additive Manufacturing, Cutting, Drilling, Marking, and Welding.

Details regarding registration, guest speakers, special topics, lodging, and more are forthcoming.  For up-to-date information regarding the 2018 Lasers for Manufacturing Event (LME®), please visit www.laserevent.org. Updates for Laser Additive Manufacturing Conference (LAM®) will be posted to www.lia.org/lam.

About Laser Institute of America

Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. http://www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553.

 

 

 

 

Laser Safety Focus: The Value of Becoming a Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer

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As part of our continued celebration of National Safety Month, we are raising awareness on the value of becoming a Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer (CMLSO) with this next blog in the June Laser Safety series. Click here to read about becoming a Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO).

Oftentimes the position of medical laser safety officer (MLSO) goes unrewarded, overlooked as long as the individual with that responsibility does the job correctly – after all, done right nothing happens.

Elevate your status by proving your knowledge of laser safety protocols and requirements through certification by the Board of Laser Safety. Whether you are an RN, OR supervisor, or technician with the desire to add to your job designation, MLSO certification will demonstrate your value to the organization that employs you.

“Certification has validated my credibility and allowed me to work with different laser companies to assist in their training programs as well,” said Terri Clark, a Registered Nurse at SpaMedica in Toronto, Canada.

Certification can also help to confirm your employer’s commitment to a safe working environment. One way to avoid workplace accidents is to follow AORN’s Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Evidence-based guidance for nursing, it not only helps to standardize perioperative practice, but promotes patient and worker safety as well. In the recommendations for personnel working in a laser environment, the guidelines call for a thorough understanding of laser procedures, formal education (medical laser safety AND MLSO), and attainment of certification as a MLSO.

One of your first steps to becoming certified is by taking LIA’s Medical Laser Safety Officer Training. This training meets one of the four requirements to sit for the Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer (CMLSO) exam. For your convenience, this training is available as an online course as well as in the classroom. Education is an essential element of laser safety and LIA is committed to making the opportunity to deepen laser safety knowledge widely available. These MLSO training courses meet the requirements outlined by ANSI, OSHA and The Joint Commission.

To obtain certification, you must pass the 100-question CMLSO exam, which is based on the 2011 edition of the ANSI Z136.3 Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care standard and covers eight areas of practice related to medical laser safety. You may take the CMLSO exam at a computer-based testing location or by pencil-and-paper following most LIA MLSO classroom courses.

For more information on becoming a CMLSO, visit www.lasersafety.org or call 407-985-3810.

 

 

Laser Institute of America’s Executive Director Peter Baker Retires After Decades in the Industry

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Retirement comes after more than 28 years of leadership at LIA

ORLANDO, FL (PRWEB) JUNE 12, 2017

Laser Institute of America (LIA) Executive Director Peter Baker officially retired from his position on May 1 after decades at the organization’s helm.

Executive Director Peter Baker’s retirement comes after more than 28 years of leadership at LIA.

Baker’s initial experience with LIA was as a speaker at its very first conference for materials processing in 1980. He was elected as LIA’s executive director at the 5th ICALEO® in 1988. Baker and his wife, Sunny, opened the Orlando office in April of 1989.

Noting that Baker served LIA for more than half of its existence, LIA’s 2017 President Paul Denney wrote in the March/April issue of LIA TODAY that within that time frame, Baker “has taken an organization that consisted of a handful of academics and engineers to an organization that is recognized as a world-leading society for laser safety and applied laser technology.”

Denney admits that finding “the next Peter Baker” will be no easy feat, and he is hard at work with the Selection Committee trying to secure the right leader for LIA’s vision. During the transition, Baker will be available to help guide the new executive director in the role, and LIA will continue to benefit from his mentorship.

At the end of 2016, Baker was the first recipient of LIA’s Leadership Award, which was designed to highlight an individual who exhibited outstanding leadership in an organization and who significantly benefited the laser industry. Going forward, the award will be named after him, signifying his profound worldwide impact and advancement in laser sciences and applications.

After more than 28 years with LIA, Baker says he is extremely grateful to have worked with various members, presenters, instructors, and staff. By the same token, his years of business, leadership, and management experience have not gone unnoticed by LIA.

“I can’t even begin to express the impact that Peter has had during his time with LIA—not only in the expertise and leadership he brought, but also regarding growth in my own career. I know he has impacted countless others here at LIA over the years as well,” said Jim Naugle, LIA’s Marketing Director. “I wish him the best and will definitely miss his presence and direction here at LIA.”

Baker’s unique experience and background allowed him to bridge the technical and business communities that make up the laser industry, guiding LIA to a position that supports laser safety and applications in manufacturing, R&D, medicine, and education. He leaves LIA as a viable organization that is primed and ready to grow with the changing economic climate.

About LIA

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. http://www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553.