May 12--The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA) and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) have purchased the Automotive Laser Application Workshop (ALAW) from founder Frank DiPietro.
Reportedly, the joint acquisition of ALAW represents an opportunity to bring together the laser technology and safety standards expertise of LIA and the metal fabricating industry and educational strengths of FMA to produce an unparalleled educational laser technology conference beneficial to both organizations' members.
Laser industry icon Frank DiPietro will continue to provide inspiration and leadership for the conference as a consultant for five more years. "Life is a series of transitions," DiPietro said at the 2006 ALAW in Plymouth, MI. "Such a transition is now appropriate."
Plans for next year's ALAW include scheduling it again in Plymouth, MI, in April 2007, event organizers said.
This year's conference included three days of presentations by industry leaders on fiber lasers, Nd:YAG laser welding, remote beam laser welding, combined laser cutting and welding, and laser surface technology in automotive applications.