Orlando, FL - One of the hottest subjects in laser materials processing today is the ultra-fast pulse laser, which is rapidly gaining market share as industrial users appreciate the benefits that accrue from the ‘cold processing’ advantages this laser offer.
The increasing availability of industrial-grade ultrafast lasers and their utility in machining will be the focus of a keynote address by Magnus Bengtsson at the Laser Institute of America's third annual Lasers for Manufacturing Event (LME) on Sept. 11-12 at the Schaumburg (IL) Convention Center.
Bengtsson, director of strategic marketing at Coherent, will discuss in "Ultrafast Lasers - Are We There Yet?" the best sources for these devices, examples of their application, and future opportunities for the use of these tools.
"People typically choose ultrafast lasers to enable a new process or because the requirements of the old process have become tougher to meet," he explains. "There are also cases, e.g., glass cutting, where ultrafast lasers can enable higher throughput and better quality than longer-pulsed lasers. Ultrafast lasers have great potential, but it does not mean they are the solution to every problem. Quality, throughput, and cost of ownership must all be balanced for each application."
Bengtsson continues: "We need an event like LME in the US to broaden the appeal and the conversation beyond the laser industry itself and talk to a wider audience. We need to learn what challenges other industries face and see if we can help them come up with innovative solutions to support future manufacturing."
LME is aimed at manufacturers who understand that they need to use lasers to upgrade their processes to ensure that they remain competitive in today's economy. The exhibit space is a unique collection of laser providers, system integrators, and industry experts sharing real-world experiences and up-to-the-minute information with the goal of employing lasers profitably in big-ticket industries like aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, and health care.
In addition to Bengtsson's address, one of four 30-minute keynotes in the highly popular and convenient Laser Technology Showcase Theater in the exhibit area of LME 2013, other industry luminaries will update attendees on ultra-high brightness direct diode lasers, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and the market for industrial lasers.
The education track will also feature basic courses addressing the main types of lasers used for manufacturing, design and economic considerations when putting together a system for your applications, and laser safety.