Mol, Belgium - The first Benelux Laser Event was held here on April 26th and 27th at the VITO Laser Centre. With more than 500 people attending this event for at least one day, Jan Weijers, one of the organizers, called it a great success. The program offered five lectures each day, an exhibition including 30 companies, and demonstrations in the laboratory of VITO.
VITO is the Flamisch Institute for Technology, Research and Development. Its main activities are in the fields of energy, environments, and advanced materials. As part of its mission to develop innovative products and processes it runs a well-equipped laser laboratory. During the guided tour, visitors saw demonstrations of hybrid welding of aluminum with a Nd:YAG laser, cladding with a CO2 laser, and precision welding with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. One hall contained an exhibition of products developed by the laser center.
The event was sponsored by Rofin Baasel Benelux and Finn-Power. The Mikrocentrum, a Dutch organization located in Eindhoven, was responsible for the organization of this joint Belgium-Dutch event. Mikrocentrum’s mission is to serve the industry in training people and organizing special events like the Benelux Laser Event. - MVD