Tag Archives: laser manufacturing

Automotive Laser Applications Expert Ralf Kimmel to Deliver Keynote Address at LME 2016

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Automotive industry leader Ralf Kimmel will provide a keynote address on Laser Applications in Automotive Manufacturing on day two of this year’s Lasers for Manufacturing Event® (LME®), April 26-27, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA.

Kimmel, an automotive industry business development leader at Germany’s TRUMPF, a leading worldwide manufacturer of fabricating equipment and industrial laser technology, will address the integration of innovative, cost-efficient production processes and the use of new materials in the auto industry — all enabled by laser technology.

“Light as a tool in manufacturing cars is an established medium for a wide range of applications; at the same time, laser technology is a guarantor for innovation and enables the development of new car technologies,” Kimmel said. “Although these innovations are happening at different levels, lasers are the missing element that we can incorporate for present and future industry growth and success.”

Kimmel will touch on the choice of material and production methods of today’s automobiles, which, as Kimmel mentioned, lead to new challenges and opportunities for lasers in joining processes. Various application examples will be shown, like a new laser brazing technology, welding of copper with new lasers at green wavelengths, and black laser marking, without any susceptibility to corrosion.

Kimmel’s keynote address will be one of four unique educational presentations at the fifth annual LME. This year’s conference in the heart of the Southeast will feature the latest trending topics in 3D printing, additive manufacturing, cutting, welding, drilling and marking.

For more information on LME 2016 and to register, visit www.laserevent.org.

Laser Institute of America to Host Manufacturing Day Virtual Event

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Orlando, FL, Oct. 2, 2015 – In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2015, Laser Institute of America will host a virtual event as part of an effort to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that laser manufacturing can provide. LIA’s virtual event will consist of 4 presentations that are free to the public for viewing between October 2nd and October 9th. Presentation topics include: Fundamentals of Laser Additive Manufacturing, Fundamentals of Laser Robotics, Laser Safety, and Impact of Lasers in Plastic Assembly.

Manufacturing Day is an annual national event executed at the local level supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.

“There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology,” said Jim Naugle, LIA Marketing Director. “The average age of a manufacturing employee is 56, and between now and 2020 there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers who will need to be replaced.”

Manufacturing Day is co-produced by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Manufacturing Institute (MI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), and guest producer Industrial Strength Marketing (ISM). Media partners include the Edge Factor and the Science Channel and the national movie partner is American Made Movie.

For more information on LIA’s Manufacturing Day event, visit: http://www.mfgday.com/events/2015/laser-institute-of-america

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. www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553.

Sapphire Cutting with Pulsed Fiber Lasers

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By Christoph Ruettimann, Noémie Dury and Markus Danner

With almost 40 years of experience in precision processing of synthetic crystalline materials, Swiss laser manufacturer ROFIN-LASAG AG has developed a process for cutting sapphire glass, which is now increasingly used in mobile electronic devices and high-quality mechanical watches. Synthetic sapphire is a mono-crystalline aluminum oxide with outstanding technical properties, such as a high thermal conductivity, very high light transmission and complete acid resistance. In addition, it is an outstanding electric insulator and extremely scratch-resistant: With a Mohs’ hardness of 9 sapphire is beaten only by diamond.

Sapphire can be cut with a variety of laser technologies. Ultrashort pulse lasers, such as picosecond lasers, cut the material using very short pulses. The energy of these pulses is transferred so quickly to the electrons that the chemical bonds of the atoms are destroyed. In contrast to that, pulsed fiber lasers with a pulse length in the range of microseconds to milliseconds work with another cutting process, so-called fusion cutting. Continue reading →

LME 2014: A Focused Laser Event Like No Other

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By Geoff Giordano

ORLANDO, FL, May 12, 2014 – Some new names will join familiar faces teaching the basic and master courses at the Laser Institute of America’s fourth-annual Lasers for Manufacturing Event® (LME®) in Schaumburg, IL, in September. And four expert keynote speakers will again provide big-picture analysis of how and where lasers can improve profitability for firms that bring them into their production lines.

LME 2014 will touch on everything from the right lasers to buy, the proper way to incorporate them into efficient manufacturing systems, how to realize maximum return on your investment, to what applications are best suited for the technology.

Not only will attendees hear from the most knowledgeable experts in the laser field, but they will hear short presentations and case studies from top industry players during LME’s unique Laser Technology Showcase theater right on the exhibit floor.

Continue reading →