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Robotic laser coating removal system [2010-06-04] |
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At the recent EASTEC show, I interviewed about two dozen laser system suppliers who exhibited there. The impression I got was that business had picked up this year, for some in the last quarter of 2009. A few spoke glowingly of a good 2009 driven by sales to the medical devices manufacturing industry. Laser exhibitors at this show are dominantly makers of laser markers, a product sector that is traditionally strong. But some laser welding suppliers spoke of growth in aerospace, energy and automotive (a surprise). Overall, companies have a positive view for the rest of the year and some spoke of record growth. The takeaway: the recovery is on full swing and prospects for a good year are wide spread. Of course, the laser cutting companies did not exhibit, so this outlook is not for the heavy manufacturing sector.
— David Belforte
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INDUSTRY NEWS
:: Robotic laser coating removal system
Johnstown, Penn. — Concurrent Technologies Corp. is designing an environmentally friendly robotic laser coating removal system to remove coatings from US Air Force aircraft. Complete depainting of aircraft is performed as part of the normal maintenance process.
:: Making serial parts out of metal powder
Aachen, Germany — Selective laser melting can produce complex-shaped components in aircraft engines quickly and at a reasonable price, as demonstrated by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) in the EU-sponsored FANTASIA project. The experts presented their latest findings at the International Laser Technology Congress (AKL’10), May 5-7, 2010, in Aachen, Germany.
:: Laser welding is more efficient
Stuttgart, Germany — The laser is a key tool for material processing. It appears to be unbeatable when it comes to the cutting, welding, drilling, marking, and structuring of the most varied of materials. The innovative thinkers behind these laser processing systems will be present at LASYS 2010, the international forum for system solutions in laser material processing, from June 8 to 10.
:: A most gorgeous part
Loughborough, UK — A beautiful and unique trophy was manufactured as an award presented at the Rapid Manufacturing International Conference held in Loughborough, UK. The trophy was built by 3T RPD Ltd of Newbury, UK, using its direct metal laser sintering technology in cobalt chrome material, which was then given a highly polished finish using a micromachining process.
:: Coherent Inc. and SiOnyx to develop black silicon for solar applications
Santa Clara, Calif. — Coherent Inc. has entered into a joint development agreement with SiOnyx Inc. for solar cell manufacturing using black silicon processing, which is based upon the interaction of ultrafast laser light and silicon in a controlled environment.
:: Laser processing shop to expand
Windsor, Conn. — Gary Francoeur is a focused person who runs a laser precision micromachining contract processing shop. The word "focused" was used by at least two of his supporters, a VP of his bank, Connecticut Bank & Trust, and the Director of Economic & Community Development for Suffield, CT. Suffield is the location of the new 12,000 sq ft facility to be built by Francoeur for his company, Arcor Laser Services.
:: Government of Canada funds laser cutter
Quebec, Canada — The Minister of State for Canada Economic Development has awarded $390,000 in repayable funding to J.L. Leclerc & Fils Inc. through the Business and Regional Growth program for the acquisition of a 3D laser cutter to help the company pursue its expansion.
:: New report on additive manufacturing
Fort Collins, Colo. — A 250-page analysis of the newest developments and trends in additive manufacturing (AM) worldwide is available from Wohlers Associates Inc. AM is the process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies.
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