It’s only a few weeks until many of us will be gathering, again in Orlando, FL, at the annual Laser Institute of America (LIA) meeting of laser material processing enthusiasts—The International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO; to take place October 7-10, 2019). This will be my 36th year attending (I missed two because of schedule conflicts), as I have a strong connection to ICALEO and the LIA and will be looking forward to what the LIA calls the 'New' ICALEO, a format update of the largest North American meeting on advanced laser material processing.
You still have time to get to Orlando for one of the four industry-focused days: Aerospace, Automotive, Microelectronics, and Biomedical. It’s the LIA’s way of inviting those with specific interests to collective sessions on these subjects.
You can read all about the 38th ICALEO event, so I’ll give you my perspective. Gathered in one location will be many of the world's leading developers of industrial laser material processing. ICALEO organizers have arranged the schedule so that you will have the opportunity to meet these industry leaders for one-on-one discussions. I can assure these people are very friendly, approachable, and most willing to share their knowledge with those new to the technology. It’s only here in one location in North America that you can meet experts on laser cutting, welding, drilling, marking, surface treatment, micromachining and nanofabrication, and additive manufacturing.
David Belforte | Contributing Editor
David Belforte (1932-2023) was an internationally recognized authority on industrial laser materials processing and had been actively involved in this technology for more than 50 years. His consulting business, Belforte Associates, served clients interested in advanced manufacturing applications. David held degrees in Chemistry and Production Technology from Northeastern University (Boston, MA). As a researcher, he conducted basic studies in material synthesis for high-temperature applications and held increasingly important positions with companies involved with high-technology materials processing. He co-founded a company that introduced several firsts in advanced welding technology and equipment. David's career in lasers started with the commercialization of the first industrial solid-state laser and a compact CO2 laser for sheet-metal cutting. For several years, he led the development of very high power CO2 lasers for welding and surface treating applications. In addition to consulting, David was the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Industrial Laser Solutions magazine (1986-2022) and contributed to other laser publications, including Laser Focus World. He retired from Laser Focus World in late June 2022.