March 2010Issue No 20
Martyn Knowles - Technical Director of Oxford Lasers Ltd.
Welcome to latest AILU newsletter!
Recently I was reading an article by Prof. Colin Webb on the history of the gas laser. The article (to be published in Optics & Photonics News) is part of a series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first laser by Maiman. Although the article brilliantly describes the various types of gas laser and deals with the theory behind them, the element that interested me most was the historical aspect, especially the photographs of the early devices. Maybe it was just nostalgia for my own early career in laser source development. The article also reminds us that although the field of laser technology continues to develop rapidly, there are also many lessons that we can learn from its history. As a community we can be proud of the many achievements of individuals in the application of lasers in industry, medicine and research. We can also reflect on the fact that although the laser industry seems to go through a down-turn every eight years or so, the net trend over the longer term is positive: it really is an exciting industry to be in! All the indicators seem to say that we are probably through the worst of the latest down-turn. Certainly our own company has seen a strong increase in orders over the last 9 months. Personally, I subscribe to the view of David Belforte, the editor of Industrial Laser Solutions, that we should be looking for the positive rather than dwelling on the negative. So I hope that you will find something positive to interest and amuse you in this issue of the newsletter.
Martyn Knowles
E: martyn.knowles@oxfordlasers.com
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Magazine Articles
The articles below are from the Winter 2009 Issue of the AILU Magazine
Design for additive layer manufacture
Additive layer manufacture (ALM) is currently the subject of significant current research interest and a wide range of additive manufacturing technologies have been developed based on wire and powder based technologies. To date, the majority of the research effort in this field has been focused on the development of technologies and materials for ALM; however, in order for these technologies to be effectively implemented in industry, it is also necessary to understand how best to design components for manufacture by ALM: for whilst it is true that ALM technologies provide new opportunities for designers,they also introduces new manufacturing constraints within which designers must operate.
In the next 20 years, the material requirement for new aircraft is estimated to be 20 million tonnes of billet material. Today’s aerospace structures are commonly manufactured using machining processes in which the ratio of final part weight to initial billet material weight may be as little as 10%.
“Design for ALM” is an important step towards the practical application of ALM technologies. An initial design study had identified some potential for design improvements of stiffened structures using unconventional design features that are appropriate for ALM. Future work will focus on investigating and cataloguing the capabilities of ALM and undertaking more realistic industrial case studies to better understand the application of these processes.
Helen Lockett and Panos Kazanas - School of Engineering at Cranfield. University, Cranfield
IMAGE: Stiffened panel produced by "Ready to Use Additive Manufacture" ALM
AILU members can log in to the AILU web site and download this article free of charge. Otherwise click here to order a copy’
Enhancing laser micro processing applications with advanced control systems
Laser machining systems have evolved greatly over the years in terms of flexibility, speed and accuracy as well as generally falling in price. Apart from the obvious introduction of newer and better laser sources and a greater understanding of material interaction processes, many of the improvements have been due to advances in control systems and sensor technology.
For the past 40 years the computing power of processor chips has grown relentlessly, and there is now a wide range of devices available to systems designers including high speed digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays, high resolution detectors and sensor arrays with integrated micro optics. Recent products include real time networked motion controllers with advanced adaptive algorithms, coupled to graphical optimisation tools. Such developments can be put to good use in the laser processing of fine polymer catheters for medical device applications, where because of the flexible nature of these catheters there is a need for careful alignment and focus during laser processing especially when machining long lengths of tube. As a result beam alignment with the tube position can be continuously maintained to within ±10 µm over lengths in excess of one meter using multi pass processing.
True smart- decision making abilities are very much for the future, but given the pace of development of the past few decades undoubtedly there will be great advances and many new applications. To quote Wikipedia: “Next generation Smart Systems will combine technical “intelligence” and cognitive functions…”
Paul Apte - Rideo Systems Ltd
IMAGE: Fine filigree structures machined in 800 um diameter flexible Peek (top) and Polyimide tubes using UV laser multi-pass processing. With active alignment tracking it is possible to process tubes over 1 meter in length. Courtesy Blueacre Technology.
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
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.
27 April 2010
21st Century Applications of Power Photonics
“21st Century Applications of Power Photonics”
Power Photonics technology is playing an increasingly important role in manufacturing and 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the first working laser, developed by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Lab in 1960. Initially a wonder of science and then an industrial tool the rate of development of laser sources and applications continues unabated. This seminar concentrates on 21st century manufacturing needs, singling out recent applications that illustrate the scope and potential of the laser revolution.
27-28 April 2010
Mtec - Sensors, Measurement and Instrumentation
Mtec is the complete sensors, measurement and instrumentation event for the UK and Ireland and features technology related to instruments and techniques for practical measurement as required in engineering, utility, process, chemistry and life sciences sectors, including:
• Sensors
• Instrumentation
• Hardware
• Techniques
• Information Processing Systems
• Automatic Data Acquisition
28-29 April 2010
Laser Engineering for Your Business
The North West Laser Engineering Consortium is the largest university based laser processing research group in the UK and works with a large number of companies. It consists of laser processing research groups at the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool. The Knowledge Exchange for Laser Processing project aims to enable North West companies to benefit from the advantages that laser technology offers to companies working across a broad range of sectors, including Aerospace, Biomedical, Energy,
Automotive, Manufacturing and Consumer Goods.
19 May 2010
Recent development in laser sources and systems: meeting 21st century challenges in manufacturing
Concentrating on the many exciting developments that have occurred within the last two years, this workshop addresses technological developments in industrial-grade laser sources and systems. The importance of these developments will be illustrated in terms of new or improved real manufacturing processes and particular focus will be placed on what are termed the 21st century challenges in manufacturing: including power generation; transport with reduced CO2 impact; improved healthcare and quality of life, security and communications; high added value, flexible manufacturing.
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Most Gorgeous Part
Courtesy of BLM Group
This gorgeous part is an example of "cut & bend" features on a round tube.
The stainless steel used for washing machine components is not easy to cut, punch or weld, and this difficulty played a significant part in launching laser tube processing in Italy. 80% of the tubes currently cut used in Italy are now laser processed, in this example using a BLM Group ADIGE system. The sample shown above is an excellent example of what can be achieved using "cut & bend" features on a round tube, providing tight bends from a single piece. Tube diameters up to 150 mm diameter stainless steel tube are standard for these machines.
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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
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AILU
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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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