*This conference session requires registration and payment.
Moderated by: Geoff Shannon, Coherent Inc and Neil Ball, Directed Light
Industrial Lasers Overview: Fiber, Disk & Diode
Several of the most common laser technologies will be presented with an explanation of their mode of operation, distinctive characteristics, and typical applications. Laser welding processes have been used for over 40 years. Many laser technologies have emerged to solve the most demanding challenges. From the high-power CO2 lasers to the more recent technologies such as high-power diode, disk and fiber lasers, each laser technology brings different advantages making welding processes more efficient.
JP Lavoie - Coherent Inc.
Introduction to Industrial Laser Welding
The basics of laser welding will be reviewed starting with how lasers make welds followed by how laser welds are optimized by focus position, focus spot size, and laser type. This will be followed with information on delivering the laser beam to the workpiece for basic welding as well as high speed welding, spot welding, and laser stir welding. Some final topics relate to plastics welding, reflective metal welding, monitoring laser systems and weld process monitoring for quality control.
Thomas R. Kugler - Laser Mechanisms, Inc.
Handheld Laser Welding: Recent Developments and Future Outlook
In this presentation, we introduce a novel and evolving fabrication technique: Handheld Laser Welding. We will demonstrate its advantages over traditional welding methods such as MIG and TIG with examples of handheld laser welding results on up to ¼ inch thick stainless steel, as well as mild steel, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, titanium, and nickel alloys. Leading handheld laser welder systems possess extra capabilities such as surface cleaning and passivation, which will be discussed along with the future outlook for this field.
Daniel Earley - IPG Photonics
New Cutting Benefits from Ultra High-Power Fiber Lasers
In this presentation, we demonstrate the reasons behind the fast adoption of ultra high-power fiber lasers (10-50 kW) across the cutting industry in recent years. The discussion includes the cost advantages, cutting throughput and quality gains for different materials and thicknesses with ultra high-power (UHP) fiber lasers. UHP lasers enable a new cutting process regime, with significant benefits for fabricators.
Alexei Markevitch - IPG Photonics
Laser Cladding Applications
Laser cladding uses a laser to deposit a layer of material onto a substrate by way of powder or wire. This process is used for refurbishing damaged parts to OEM specs, repairing worn surfaces, and providing enhanced corrosion / erosion resistance. This presentation will discuss laser cladding techniques and industrial applications in which these techniques may be applied.
Rick McRae - Alabama Laser
Laser Metal Additive Manufacturing – Characteristics and Build Capabilities of Laser Metal Fusion and Direct Energy Deposition
Laser Metal Additive Manufacturing (also AM or 3D printing) became an accepted form of manufacturing for a wide range of industrial applications. Metal 3D printing technologies allows for totally new and progressive component designs and revolutionizes traditional processing chains and conventional manufacturing methods. Two well established Laser Metal Additive Manufacturing methods are Laser Metal Fusion (also known as Laser Powder Bed Fusion) and Direct Energy Deposition (also known as Laser Metal Deposition). Both processes have workflow similarities in creation of 3D printed metal parts based on CAD models. However, the process characteristics, build capabilities, application fields and used process equipment are unique for each technology. This presentation gives a broad technology overview of both additive manufacturing methods. It highlights the necessary and surrounding eco system for part processing and utilizes practical application examples. We will also discuss use cases in an educational way, to help future and interested users to understand, select and implement these technologies successfully.
Ulli Kraske - TRUMPF, Inc.
Novel Applications with High Power Diode Laser
This presentation will shortly outline the diode laser technology and then focus mainly on new applications in the field of laser welding, metal additive manufacturing, laser cladding, laser hardening, drying and many others with IR, and Blue lasers. Additive Manufacturing (AM) nowadays is undergoing a revolution as it moves from the prototype and tooling shop onto the factory floor. A growing range of companies is deploying AM to create innovative new products that deliver increased performance. This presentation will introduce diode lasers and their usage in the field of AM focused on the production of large parts and how it significantly decreases cycle times. Further trends will be presented on examples of laser cladding agricultural, mining, oil & gas equipment. Plastic joining techniques will be elaborated on examples of carbon fiber parts for the aerospace industry. Laser welding of battery and EV components will round the talk up.
Wolfgang Todt - Laserline Inc.