Tag Archives: lpw technology

How LIA Corporate Members Are Innovating the Future of Manufacturing

Posted on by
Reply

The Laser Institute of America aims to foster the future of laser applications. Many of our corporate members uphold similar ideals and they are working hard to advance the future of laser applications in manufacturing.

From the development of new life-saving products to building the future of transportation and researching the next steps in the additive manufacturing revolution, here’s what some of our members have been up to in the last year:

Buffalo Filter Launches Plume Pen Pro

With a 25-year legacy as a recognized surgical safety brand, Buffalo Filter recently launched the new Plume Pen Pro. The device is a surgical smoke evacuation pencil that offers surgeons the “flexibility and option of longer surgical smoke capture ports making the exchange of blades easy and plume capture tailored to plum length.”

The Plume Pen Pro, along with other products by Buffalo Filter, work to reduce surgical smoke inhalation and exposure. This keeps operating rooms safer with user-friendly solutions.

Image: Buffalo Filter

 

II-VI HIGHYAG’s RLSK Laser Featured in Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing

A recent issue of Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing featured a cover article on laser welding for the Ford Mustang, spotlighting II-VI HIGHYAG’s RLSK remote laser welding head. In developing the new Mustang, Ford needed a large-scale, single-sided joining method that did not possess the potential structural weakness of traditional spot welding. Ford then turned to remote laser welding, which not only solved the structural weakness issue – it created a measurable increase in productivity at the production plant.

Starting in 2015, the RLSK remote laser welding head was put into full use by Ford. Four were installed at the Detroit plant, joined by 24 additional structural remote laser heads for the vehicle’s production. Implementing these remote laser heads lead to a decrease in weld time, fewer station cycles, fewer welding robots, and an increase in overall production space.

Image: II-VI HIGHYAG

LPW Technology, Inc. CEO and Founder Discusses 3D Printing Opportunities in Aerospace

Machine Design Magazine recently published a piece on the use of 3D printing for aerospace applications. The article quoted various industry leaders and experts, including LPW Technology Founder and CEO Dr. Phil Carroll. Dr. Carroll addresses the increasing demand versus the quality control of metal powders used in 3D printing. In the early days of powder metal liturgy, the materials were essentially grounded up scrap metal, leading to a high chance of contamination. Contamination of a pure metal powder could lead to a compromised part down the line, because the offending particles may degrade over time.

To combat this, greater inspection and handling of metal particles is required. Working with Lloyd’s Register and TWI, LPW will be certifying powders for a joint effort to increase the adoption of additive manufacturing.

Image: LPW Technology

RPM Innovations, Inc. Working With Okuma America Corp. on Alternative to Combination Additive/Subtractive Manufacturing Processes

 Despite the overwhelming push for additive manufacturing processes across industries, there are still many cases in which traditional subtractive processes are the most effective solution. However, it does not always have to be a case of choosing one over the other, or even combining them.

With the assistance of their laser deposition machines, RPM Innovations and Okuma America are developing options for machines that allow individual operations to occur, by keeping processes in separate sections that link together. Rather than choosing one manufacturing method, or forcing them to overlap, separating the processes allows for differences in processing time, automation in loading and reloading, as well as the addition of other processes in the workflow.

Image: MMS Online

Spectra-Physics Introduces Icefyre

Earlier this year, Spectra-Physics debuted IcefyreTM, “a compact, high power industrial picosecond hybrid fiber laser.” The IceFyre is versatile in its process optimization and repetition rates, as well as pulse-on-demand triggering. It combines the power supply and laser head into a single, compact unit.

In the official news release, Spectra-Physics states that Icefyre is designed for precise manufacturing of sapphire, glass, ceramic, metals, plastics, and other materials. The Icefyre made its debut at the 2017 SPIE Photonics West.

Image: Spectra Physics

We are committed to sharing the latest news about our esteemed and innovative Corporate Members. To learn more about becoming a Laser Institute of America Corporate or Individual Member, click here.

 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. Read about LIA or contact us for more information.

LPW Technology & TRUMPF Team Up to Face Additive Manufacturing Challenges

Posted on by
Reply

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 to enhance 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 at LAM 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. 

Meet 3 of 2016’s Selective Laser Melting Innovators

Posted on by
Reply

Selective Laser Melting is an increasingly important segment of additive manufacturing.

Considered by many to be the first major manufacturing revolution of the 21st Century, additive manufacturing continues to disrupt tradition and introduces new ways to shape our world. The following are a few of this year’s biggest innovators in the realm of selective laser melting:

IPG Photonics

Recently ranked on Forbes Fast Tech Top 25, IPG Photonics is making waves with their High Power CW Fiber Lasers for Selective Laser Melting and Laser Metal Deposition applications.

They use High Power CW Fiber Lasers to develop “fully dense metallic parts with improved mechanical properties.” With regular recognition for their products, IPG Photonics is a company to watch when it comes to industry innovations.

Courtesy: IPG Photonics

LPW Technology

LPW Technology offers a variety of metal powders for use in additive manufacturing. The company aims to “support, develop, and challenge the fast-growing 3D metal printing industry.”  LPW Technology recently partnered with TWI, Ltd. for the High Strength Aluminum Alloy Parts by Selective Laser Melting (Hi-StA-Part) Clean Sky project. The endeavor utilizes selective laser melting to “demonstrate the viability to produce aerospace grade aluminum parts” using direct manufacturing.

LPW focuses their research and development efforts around advancing the metal 3D Printing industry. Hi-StA-Part Clean Sky is just one of the many additive manufacturing projects LPW Technology is actively participating in.

Courtesy: SPI Lasers

SPI Lasers

SPI Lasers is one of the leading manufacturers of fiber lasers. They’ve also contributed to the rise of selective laser melting. The redPOWER CW Fiber Laser is used to build “complex titanium implants and components” in a matter of hours.

Fractionalizing the wait time expected in traditional manufacturing, their systems have a lower operating cost and work virtually any sort of metal. Plus, SPI Lasers does an excellent job of outlining additive manufacturing practices and applications to educate curious minds. Between education and application, SPI Lasers is setting a standard of innovation in not only selective laser melting, but in additive manufacturing overall.

Interested in learning more about these exciting innovations in selective laser melting? Be sure to register today for the Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®) taking place February 21-22, in Houston, Texas. To learn more about LPW Technology, IPG Photonics, and SPI Lasers, visit them along with other LAM Sponsors & Vendors at LAM 2017.

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 at www.lia.org for more information.