AKL 2014 to present latest in laser processing technology

Aachen, Germany - For the 10th time, 60 laser experts from research and industry will present the newest processes, beam sources, latest developments, and trends in laser technology at AKL'14. Technology suppliers and customers will be able to profit from this exchange of experience. The organizer, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT expects more than 600 participants will attend the latest convening on this prestigious conference.

Laser users and manufacturers from diverse economic branches will be meeting from May 7 to 9, 2014, at the International Laser Technology Congress AKL'14 in Aachen, Germany. In past years, manufacturers and developers have used this international platform to intensively exchange ideas on the current status and perspectives of laser technology.

Individualized series production
Linking the virtual world with that of laser production is opening new horizons for production technology, enabling individualized or particularly complex components to be manufactured under inexpensive conditions. Presentations by companies from the energy, automobile, and aviation sectors will show how "digital photonic production" can pave the way for new business models. In addition to the generative processes, ablating and structuring processes will be shown by way of examples.

Ultrashort pulse lasers
USP lasers are increasingly making their way into the industrial environment. In three different sessions at the symposium on May 8 and 9, under the label "Ultrashort pulse laser essentials," experts discussing the foundations of and latest developments in beam sources for high power USP lasers. They will show various applications for micro and macro processing using examples from the manufacturing industry. Moreover, they will present the state-of-the-art of this technology as well as perspectives for processing fiber-reinforced plastics.

Innovation Award Laser Technology 2014
On May 7, 2014, within the scope of the AKL'14, the ArbeitskreisLasertechnike.V. and the European Laser Institute ELI will be awarding the "Innovation Award Laser Technology" for excellent innovations in the development and application of lasers in production technology. The award is endowed with 10,000 Euros. The European research prize is directed at applicants from the European industry as well as European universities or R&D centers. Applications can be submitted until January 17, 2014. For further information, please see www.innovation-award-laser.org.

Supporting organizations
The International Laser Technology Congress AKL'14 is organized by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT. The European Commission, the European Photonics Industry Consortium EPIC, the ArbeitskreisLasertechnike.V., the European Laser Institute ELI as well as the industry associations SPECTARIS, VDA, VDMA, and VDI all assist the forum as supporting organizations.

Those interested in attending can register now for AKL'14 and receive an early bird discount until March 21, 2014.