Concept Laser reports a 75-percent sales boost for 2014

Lichtenfels, Germany - Additive manufacturing, a technology predicted to grow 400 percent within the next 5 years, enabled laser melting specialist Concept Laser to increase its 2014 sales by 75 percent over 2013. The company received 110 new machine orders in 2014 vs. 84 in 2013 (a 31-percent increase) and increased its number of employees to 103, 30 percent more than the previous year.

According to Frank Herzog, Concept Laser's president and CEO, 2014 was the most successful year in the company's 15-year history. Key focus areas include series adaptation of multilaser technology for increased building speed, as well as pioneering work in the area of real-time monitoring for quality assurance, known as "QMmeltpool 3D." Multilaser technology has a direct impact on exposure times, for instance. Empirical values show an increase in build rates of up to 80 percent. In 2015, the company will introduce its X line 2000R multilaser system, which will feature two 1000W lasers and variable optics.

Multilaser technology has a direct impact on exposure times. Empirical values show an increase in build rates of up to 80 percent. For 2015, Concept Laser will introduce its X line 2000R multilaser system, which will feature two 1000W lasers.

The company's infrastructure at its Lichtenfels headquarters was also expanded in 2014 to meet demand, including a brand-new 3500 m² production hall that is nearing completion and will increase machine output by a factor of 2.5. Separate inspection chambers for confidential customer projects and improved delivery times are important considerations for customers. A new, 600 m² state-of-the-art process development and material research center was also launched in 2014. Last but not least, to meet the enormous demand from the aerospace industry in the US, Concept Laser Inc. (Dallas, TX) was founded in summer 2014.

Based on solid sales figures and more-than-favorable prognosis for additive manufacturing, the company will continuously expand its capacity and develop ambitious new products. In addition to adding more space, the division has increased its capacity to 10 machines. The high demand in recent years has also required changes in logistics, including a new 1200 m² logistics center slated for operation in Q1 2015. The company will also soon break ground on a new administrative building. The international sales network is slated for further expansion.