Covered topics: Non-contact beam measurement; a precession bore system with a green laser for electronics fabrication; and laser cutting, welding and optical measurement for e-mobility production.
Editor's picks
Discussion topics including cladding with diode lasers, CO2 lasers in the automotive industry, nano-structured anti-reflective surfaces, and software for designing beam-splitting optics were covered in the second installment of the Lasers In Action Webinar series
The first webcast in the Lasers In Action series covered blue diode lasers, automated weld monitoring and thermal laser processing.
News
ScaleNC and Optimate support sheet metal fabrication. (Image: Trumpf)
25 September 2020
The ideas for the start-ups were developed as part of Trumpf's 'Internehmertum' programme
25 September 2020
The new project seeks to enable facilities to operate equipment remotely via an agnostic remote control hub
Share of total exports of laser systems in Germany. (Source: VDMA)
07 September 2020
The decline has been linked to the ailing global economy, structural transformation in the automotive industry, and politically motivated upheavals
The new Peregrine software being used to monitor and analyse a component during printing. (Image: Luke Scime/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy)
26 August 2020
The new AI software identifies and controls surface-visible defects by using a convolutional neural network to perform high speed image analysis
Laser beam transmitting upwards through glass. (Image: John Whitehead/Columbia Engineering)
25 August 2020
The technique, published in Additive Manufacturing, has the potential to print embedded circuits, electromechanical components, and robot components
The Lasea group now has 110 employees (above: Lasea, below: Optec), with more than 1,000 systems installed on five continents.
17 August 2020
The acquisition will enable the Lasea Group to offer a wider range of subtractive and additive laser solutions for the luxury goods, medical, electronics and academic sectors
A multi-beam module was used to increase the processing speeds of ultrafast lasers for helical cutting. (Image: Fraunhofer ILT).
13 August 2020
The new process can be used to cut metal strips as an alternative way to produce plug connectors for vehicles
Analysis & opinion
25 September 2020
Trumpf’s David Harvilla, Stefanie Bisch and Sebastian Zaske discuss why green lasers represent the perfect tool for welding e-mobility components made of copper
25 September 2020
Nataliya Deyneka-Dupriez and Alexander Denkl, of Lessmüller Lasertechnik, describe how OCT can be used to perform online process monitoring when using an oscillating laser beam to weld e-mobility components
25 September 2020
ES Precision’s new UV laser is paying for itself by opening up a range of valuable niche processing jobs, writes director Andrew May
The recent emergence of blue laser processing shows promise for copper processing applications in e-mobility. (Image: Nuburu)
25 September 2020
Over the summer laser users learned how two types of blue diode laser are dramatically improving copper welding for fabricating e-mobility components
15 June 2020
Anibal Di Luch, of TWI, reports on the development of a robotic platform for the laser processing of large-scale, high-end structures for aircraft
11 June 2020
Dr Paulina Morawska, research associate at Heriot-Watt University, discusses how ultrafast lasers can be used to address the encapsulation challenges of OLEDs
09 June 2020
Christian Knaak and Peter Abels, of Fraunhofer ILT, explain how imaging and machine learning can be used to identify weld imperfections with high accuracy
Features
25 September 2020
Greg Blackman speaks to two researchers who presented at the LANE conference on different aspects of laser welding
The LS4 integrates two laser sources, a 50W green nanosecond and a dual wavelength (near-infrared and green) 10W femtosecond source. (Image: Lasea)
25 September 2020
Keely Portway discovers how laser systems are used in smart manufacturing
24 April 2020
Nikolaus Fecht on how AI is helping move laser systems closer to achieving complete error-free production
16 March 2020
Keely Portway looks at regular maintenance practices that can help laser users ensure maximum uptime of their system
Trumpf enables copper additive manufacturing by combining its TruDisk 1020 with its TruPrint systems.
13 March 2020
Optically-driven additive manufacturing is entering uncharted territory with challenging reflective, thermally conductive metals such as copper, finds Andy Extance
Application focus
Figure 1: Common views of the ROV. (1) Vertical thrusters, (2) buoyancy, (3) laser cleaning module, (4) horizontal thrusters, (5) wheels with built-in magnets, (6) rear video camera, (7) LED lamp, (8) front video camera, (9) thruster control units, (10) main control unit, (11) nozzle of the laser cleaning module.
Researchers are developing laser systems capable of cleaning ship hulls underwater
Ben Fielding, of Weldwide, explores the benefits of laser welding and how the technology compares to other well-established joining methods
Florent Husson, of Alphanov, describes how large parts can be polished using robotics and high-power lasers
Lasers can be used to create durable black marks on stainless steel. (Image: Coherent)
Andrew May, director of ES Precision, shares five tips to get the best laser marking results
John Powell, technical director of Laser Expertise, on some of the key aspects to consider when buying a new cutting machine for a job shop
Press Releases
Phillips Precision of Boylston, Massachusetts, USA, has introduced a modular, ready-made fixturing for laser processes.
II-VI Incorporated, a provider of laser technologies for materials processing, has introduced its L45 laser lapping system for processing superhard materials such as polycrystalline diamond (PCD), polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC), synthetic diamond, and reaction-bonded ceramics.
Hamamatsu Photonics has created a spatial light modulator that delivers pulse laser power capability up to 400 GW/cm2, by utilizing its advanced thin-film and circuit designing technologies. This new SLM to high-power industrial pulsed laser systems will contribute to achieve high-throughput, high-precision laser processing to processing resistant material such as light-weight and high-strength carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP).
The system uses advanced laser technology and incredibly low clamp force to produce precise, clean and repeatable welds of superior aesthetic quality and performance
The Branson GL-300 is a highly flexible quasi-simultaneous plastic joining solution, designed to deliver efficient high-quality welds in a wide range of applications
This versatile solution delivers clean, high-contrast permanent marks without damage for a wide range of delicate or heat-sensitive materials, such as plastics, metals, and glass
Nickisch was previously Key Account Manager for the expansion of the systems business at the machine manufacturer Evosys Laser GmbH and has been involved in laser welding of plastics for more than a decade
White papers
08 September 2020
When purchasing a highly advanced device for use in the workplace, such as a laser, learning how to properly apply, troubleshoot, and evaluate that device becomes very important.
This article will detail why a laser’s performance is important for industrial laser materials processing, and will serve as a guide for the right and wrong ways to apply, ascertain, evaluate, and take action on the laser performance data gathered.
09 June 2020
Edmund Optics describes its development of NebularTM nano-structured anti-reflective surfaces that can be used to reduce stray light in laser systems for materials processing.
