LIA NEWS


removing material.’ However, he noted rates can be increased by 10 to 14 times using pulse bursting with 50W lasers processing steel and silicon. Underlying the efficiency of laser


manufacturing is process monitoring, which Markus Kogel-Hollacher of Precitec surveyed in his 90-minute tutorial. While norms are hard to come by in this area, he cautioned, an array of new technology and methods is refining pre-, in- and post-processing assessments – vital to maintaining profitability.


MATH OF THE MARKETS While metal processing dominates the industry and photovoltaic production has slowed globally, LIA past president David Belforte forecasted significant growth in microprocessing applications in his state-of-the-markets address. ‘North American manufacturers are continuing


to beat the odds,’ he said. ‘Even the fiscal restraints in the United States have not slowed growth. Exports to China were offset by slower European market growth a bit, but even so it was a good year and looks like it’s going to finish up a good year for exports.’ In metal processing, ‘more than $1.5 billion of


industrial lasers go into that marketplace, overwhelming the other sectors of marking,


engraving and microprocessing.’ But, with double-digit growth, ‘microprocessing looks to be the market that is really going to drive this business in terms of ultrafast pulsed lasers, both solid state and fibre, and other lasers used for semiconductor, solar cell and flat-panel display work. Overwhelmingly it’s printed circuit boards and hybrids that consume most of the lasers that were used in microprocessing.’ Fibre lasers have had a significant impact. ‘Te


industrial laser technology forecast has been looking pretty good since we came out of the recession in 2008,’ Belforte said, thanks to fibre lasers. ‘Because of the second quarter performance of IPG Photonics – 26 per cent revenue growth in the industrial laser market – it raised the entire industrial laser market by two per cent.’ Furthermore, fibre laser revenue grew 17 per cent in 2012 and is projected to hit 21 per cent this year, ‘which will liſt the entire industry to about six per cent growth for this year.’ While the usual areas showed robust growth


– from the jet engine turbine blades that require millions of laser-cut cooling holes to the displays of smart devices – a particular surprise was


agriculture. ‘Te industry is booming again,’ he said, with $27 billion in equipment produced in the US by 1,000 companies using lasers to weld, cut and additively repair components.


looks to be the market that is really going to drive this business


Microprocessing


BASICS AND BEYOND LME’s three levels of courses – 101 and 102 level instruction on laser types, systems, safety and cost considerations; extended tutorials; and cutting- edge keynotes – supplemented the real-world knowledge attendees gleaned from exhibitors. Tom Kugler of Laser


Mechanisms offered an updated version of his survey of lasers and their properties and applications, including more examples of ultrafast applications and UV wavelength processes.


‘A couple of people asked questions about


composite cutting, so mostly graphite composites for aerospace,’ he said. ‘Tere were also a couple of questions about removal of conductive layers off polymer-glass substrates.’ Back in the exhibit hall, he fielded questions related to certain products and best options for certain processes. ‘We’re meeting potential new customers or existing customers with new projects – the whole gamut.’


The Global Laser Education


PORTAL www.lia.org/laseru


Providing Practical Online Training for All Laser Users!


Presented by: 1.800.34.LASER www.lasersystemseurope.com | @lasersystemsmag ISSUE 21 • WINTER 2013 LASER SYSTEMS EUROPE 33


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