Anaheim, CA-Medical device manufacturing is a hot area for laser technology. The Industrial Laser Community (ILC) is working with Canon Communications to promote the new Laser Tec pavilion at the MD&M tradeshows this year. Attendees of MD&M West Expo, which was held here February 12-15, were treated to “Lasers in Medical Device Manufacturing” presentations covering all precision laser processing applications.
Celebrating its first year as a member of SME’s Technical Community Network, ILC continues to grow and strengthen. Building upon the success of the “Live” Laser Cell at FABTECH 2006 and other programs launched during the FABTECH 2005 event, the ILC is preparing awareness programs for students and operators who want to expand their knowledge and skill sets. Students from North Point High School for Science, Technology, and Industry who operated the laser equipment (see photo) sparked the committee to expand training courses and build a body of knowledge for student and operator access. The committee is chaired by Neil Ball, who can be contacted at [email protected].
The next milestone for ILC is formulating Tech Groups, which provide opportunities for SME members to exchange information and learn about industry applications needs and issues. The various Tech Groups and their respective chairs are as follows: Laser cutting, Jason Hillenbrand ([email protected]); Laser welding, Andrew Dodd ([email protected]); Laser marking, Dale Sabo ([email protected]); Laser surface treatment, Klaus Kline ([email protected]); and Laser drilling, TBD.
ILC members will be sponsoring Laser Resource Centers during SME’s regional events, including Westec, Eastec, Great Lakes Advanced Productivity Exposition, and South-Tec. Additionally Amada America Inc. will be the host site of the Laser Plant Tour complimenting the technical training session where Neil Ball (Directed Light), Tony Arquisch (Lasag), and Mark Rodighiero (Miyachi Unitek) will be discussing the capabilities and nuances of lasers. Bystronic will also be participating in the Laser vs. Waterjet comparison study with Flowjet.
Finally, SME and the ILC are endorsing the ALAW conference in April, where many of the ILC corporate members will be presenting white papers on advanced laser applications in the automotive workshop.
For more information, visit the new website www.sme.org/ilc.