Laser Institute of America Celebrates its 50th Birthday in Times Square

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The Laser Institute of America (LIA), a professional not-for-profit society for laser education, innovation and commercialization, celebrates its 50th birthday in New York’s Times Square today, ahead of its 37th landmark International Congress on Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics (ICALEO) conference.

In celebration of its 50 years, LIA showed thanks to the support received from industry giants IPG Photonics, Coherent, Han’s Lasers and TRUMPF, at the world-famous Thomson Reuters building in Times Square.

The digital screens displayed a prominent message for the commemorative occasion,

“On its 50th Anniversary, LIA would like to thank Coherent, Han’s Laser, IPG Photonics and TRUMPF for its support.”

Complimenting this message was a bold statement below, previewing the future of LIA and its strategy to shape the future of the photonics industry:

“Defining the next 50 years of photonics – LIA.”

Celebrations Continue at ICALEO with Industry Partners

LIA will address the global photonics materials processing landscape at its 37th annual edition of ICALEO. Laser industry professionals from academic and industrial backgrounds will gather at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, FL, from October 14-18.

This year will see past presidents, board members and corporate members all in attendance celebrating LIA’s 50th year, with many bringing memorabilia to celebrate the occasion.

“LIA’s 50th birthday is a time for us to reflect on our great achievements and contributions in the growth of this industry over the years. It also marks a time for us to be innovative and pave the way to success together, over the next 50 years,” commented Dr. Nathaniel Quick, Executive Director of LIA.

ICALEO annually draws international crowds of attendees and companies, showcasing and discussing the latest in photonics microprocessing, nanomanufacturing and materials processing. Prominent companies in attendance this year will include Beijing JCZ, Coherent, Edgewave, Han’s Laser, IPG Photonics, SPI Lasers and TRUMPF.

Tickets are on sale until 18 October 2018.

Meet 3 of 2016’s Selective Laser Melting Innovators

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.