February 2010Issue No 19
Dr Bill O'Neill, Reader of Laser Engineering, Institute of Manufacturing, University of Cambridge.
This year will see a great number of celebrations across the world to mark the 50th Anniversary of the invention of the laser. It is quite remarkable that the first five years after the invention of the laser were probably the most innovative in the history of lasers. This short period produced the HeNe, Nd:Glass, Semiconductor (infrared & visible), Nd:YAG, Ar+, CO2, rare earth doped fibers, and chemical lasers. In addition, by 1965, the essential tools for the manipulation of light had also been developed, including Q-switching, mode locking, and frequency conversion.
These research outputs laid the foundations for the revolutionary applications that were to follow in the fields of communications, medicine, metrology, entertainment and laser based manufacturing technologies. Maimman and other laser pioneers employed razor blades to quantify the power output of their various laser configurations since there were no off-the-shelf laser power meters at that time. For a short while a “Gillette” was used as a measure of performance (the ability to perforate a “standardised” thin foil with a focused beam). This is probably the first example of laser materials processing which did not go unnoticed by the engineering communities of the world. They were already predicting great things in terms of the ability to apply these precise beams of energy in the structuring, joining, cutting and trimming of materials. Fifty years later we have a particularly vibrant industrial laser scene, which has had a major impact in all manufacturing sectors. I hope you are making your plans to celebrate 50 years of lasers and their applications. It’s going to be a great year!
p.s don’t forget to invite me to your party!
Bill O'Neill
E: wo207@cam.ac.uk
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Magazine Articles
The articles below are from the Winter 2009 Issue of the AILU Magazine
Laser freeform fabrication for aircraft applications
Today´s aircraft are characterized by customer-specific design and a high number of variants. Thus, aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers have to manufacture components and replacement parts in very small lot sizes. Due to weight requirements lightweight materials such as aluminium or titanium have to be used in combination with composite materials. Processing these lightweight materials, especially titanium and its alloys, is complex and expensive. An additional constraint is the high price of raw materials and energy, making efficiency in their consumption a necessity. An eligible process that meets these requirements is Laser Freeform Fabrication (LFF), as embodied in Generative Laser Processing (GLP) of three dimensional light weight metal parts.
Laser Freeform Fabrication is a new production method for the manufacture of complex shaped freeform parts from the engineering materials required in aircraft products. LFF gives rise to new design approaches. Three different approaches have been introduced and its application to aircraft parts, such as a bracket forming part of an aircraft's primary structure has been suggested. Compared to conventionally manufactured products these items can typically be fabricated much faster, at a competitive cost and in sufficient quality. Significant weight reduction can be realized by means of topology optimization and the application of LFF.
Claus Emmelmann Maren Petersen and André Goeke
Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany
IMAGE: Illustrating the operating principle of the Laser Freeform Fabrication (LFF) processes
AILU members can log in to the AILU web site and download this article free of charge. Otherwise click here to order a copy’
CO2 lens mount-induced optical deformations
Lens mounts should firmly hold the lens, and in many cases keep it cool and protect it from airborne contamination; all without changing its optical characteristics. This has proved a challenge over the years and has resulted in a range of different lens mount designs. Adding to the diversity, lens mounts are made by the secondary market, some to an original design and others to a modified form.
A CO2 industrial zinc selenide (ZnSe) lens is a precisely made optic. Its surfaces are held to a wavelength of visible light. However, zinc selenide is a relatively soft and flexible material that is easily distorted and mount-induced mechanical distortion of the lens creates two effects:
i. The lens shape is changed, leading to beam distortion.
ii. ZnSe becomes birefringent when subjected to stress, causing the
focal length to change with the orientation of beam polarization.
Mount-induced stress adversely affects a lens’ performance both by changing its shape and by inducing stress birefringence. As a result both the performance and life of the lens are reduced. A mount-induced surface groove on the periphery of a lens is a clear indication that it has been placed under stress by the mount. To achieve maximum lens performance the groove should either be absent or very light.
Nick Ellis (ULO Optics Ltd., Stevenage) and Charles Langhorn (ULO Optics Ltd., Auburn, USA)
IMAGE: Zygo interferometer analysis of an optical surface of a mounted 1.5 inch diameter ZnSe lens under (upper) very little applied pressure and (lower) under moderate pressure
AILU members can log in to the AILU web site and download this article free of charge. Otherwise click here to order a copy’
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Forthcoming Events
24 February 2010
Cooperative Training for Photonics
A free meeting for NW Photonics Association members. The theme is Training in Photonics, a very important issue for growing businesses.
24 February 2010
Optics as a key enabling technology in Medical Technology
As partners in the new Photonics and Plastic Electronics KTN, the Welsh Optics-Electronics Forum (WOF) is supporting a seminar - Optics in Medical Technology - Optics as a key enabling technology in Medical Technology in Ballybrit, Galway, Eire
16 March 2010
The Route to Mass Adoption of Additive Manufacture in Metal Component Fabrication
AILU one-day additive manufacturing technology workshop with presentations, an exhibition and tour. The UK has a thriving community in Additive Manufacturing (AM) and this event will provide an insight into current developments in research and their future impact. We have brought specialists in materials together with commercial users and researchers in laser and non-laser AM technologies, and the day will include lots of opportunities for discussion and questioning. Delegates will be able to assess the different processes, latest developments in commercially available systems, the products and applications for which AM can be exploited and the potential benefits of AM technology to their organisation in addressing today’s manufacturing challenges.
23-25 March 2010
Pacific International Conference on Applications of Lasers and Optics (PICALO)
Pacific International Conference on Applications of Lasers and Optics (PICALO) focuses on the growth and application of lasers and optics in the Pacific region. PICALO brings together researchers, engineers, equipment suppliers and industry personnel to hear the latest developments and progress in lasers and applications and to share knowledge, experiences and visions. PICALO offers an exciting technical and social program in cities that represent laser growth in the Pacific region. PICALO features sessions on Laser Materials Processing and Micro, Nano and Ultrafast Fabrication as well as the International Enterprise Summit.
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Most Gorgeous Part
Courtesy of Applied Laser Engineering
This gorgeous part is an example of intricate 3D engraving of brass.
A key property of the beam produced by a fibre laser is its high beam quality.
High quality precision engraving is a good example of where control of pulse characteristics can be critical. Companies specialising in intricate 3D engraving vary these parameters to optimise the material removal regime for any given application. The example shown was produced by Applied Laser Engineering, who specialise in engraving rolls in a range of materials, including brass which is considered a difficult material to laser process. This is achieved using a short (several nanoseconds long) pulse fibre laser micromachining system. Only a few microns of material are removed with each laser pulse, but with exceptional quality.
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Special Interest Groups
Check out the activities of each of our special laser user groups within the Association. Our Special Interest Groups are where like-minded members can get together to discuss recent developments in their field.
Job Shop Group
 Subcontract laser-based engineering companies form this group. For more details about their activities, see here.
Market Development Group
 The successful launch of the Design for Laser Manufacture site took place in September 2007, see here. To add your own information, images and videos please contact us.
Medical Group
 The Medical Group was launched in 2007. To join the group and influence its development, please contact the AILU Office. For more details see here.
Micro:Nano Group
 The Micro:Nano Group activities were launched at the 10th Microprocessing workshop in June 2008. For more details see here.
Products & Process Innovation
 The aim of the Products and Process Innovation Group is to provide a focus for universities and other organisations involved in laser and/or laser materials processing development and/or research, to identify their common needs and create the possibility of joint initiatives and activities with industrial laser users. For more details see here.
 For developers and end users of Additive Layer Manufacturing helping to develop the technology and provide networking opportunities and information about funding sources and competitions
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The Association
 The Association of Laser Users (AILU) was established in 1995 as an independent, non-profit making organisation run by and for laser users involved in activities such as manufacturing, healthcare, academic and industrial research; as well as suppliers of laser-related products and services.
The aims and objectives of the Association are set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. They include the fostering of co-operation and collaboration and the dissemination of information, experience and expertise relating to industrial laser technology, laser materials processing; its applications and related technologies.
 AILU has been a partner in the Photonics Knowledge Transfer Network, leading development in high power lasers. Contact the AILU Office for more information about the PPE KTN.
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Contact us
If you would like to advertise in the monthly newsletter, please contact us at:
AILU
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100 Ock Street
Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX14 5DH
United Kingdom
info@ailu.org.uk
www.ailu.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 539595
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If you would like other people to see this e-newsletter, please send them the following link www.ailu.org.uk.
If you would like to advertise in the monthly newsletter, please contact the AILU Office by email in the first instance.
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