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LIA NEWS


LASER INSIGHT S


Laser Insights gives an insight into the latest developments in laser safety and the possible applications of laser materials processing. These overviews are designed to give you insight into the content and applications of the papers presented at our conferences and workshops.


Visit www.lia.org/laserinsights to begin your search.


Better informing the public of laser exposure injury potential By Patrick Murphy and Greg Makhov


As the costs of consumer lasers drop, and as beam powers increase, there is growing concern over misuse of pointers and of more powerful handheld lasers. Pilots and others harassed by lasers are often worried about potential injuries to their eyes. Fortunately, it is more difficult than the general public might think, for a consumer laser to cause eye damage.


Making contact – the class 1C debate By John O’Hagan


Laser technology and applications sometimes march ahead of laser safety standards. Lasers have been used in the aesthetic industry for many years. The availability of low-cost 808nm laser diodes has triggered a whole industry of home-use devices for various treatments, such as hair removal and skin rejuvenation. The lasers used are typically Class 3B, but the device is intended to be used in contact with the skin, or at least in very close proximity. The accessible emission limits (AELs) for the laser classes are intended for eye and skin exposure. However, a number of the manufacturers of the home-use devices have interpreted the AELs as only applying to the eye. Therefore, there are several devices on the market that are considered (incorrectly) to be Class 1.


Regulatory science and laser safety research at the FDA By Daniel Hammer, William Calhoun, Do-Hyun Kim, Robert James, Ilko Ilev and Victor Krauthamer


The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (FDA/ CDRH) regulates medical devices and radiological products in the US. We approve new devices that are deemed to be safe and effective, and clear for sale devices that are substantially equivalent to older products.


Pflueger later addressed an emerging revolution


in diode lasers, which constituted about half of the overall $7.5 billion laser market in 2012, she said. Laserline has driven much of that growth, she noted, having achieved up to 20kW fibre-coupled devices that in prototypes demonstrate 48 per cent efficiency, versus 40 per cent for previous direct diodes. ‘In the past three years, we and TeraDiode have pushed up the brightness level’ of diodes significantly with fewer components. ‘Te highest power diodes available are at the 900 to 1,000nm range,’ she explained. ‘I think it’s where everything is going to go sooner or later – not for the ultrafast, [but] for the plain CW get-a-lot-of-power-onto- the-workpiece type of applications.’ Te high efficiency, low maintenance and straightforward technology of ultra-high brightness direct diode devices make them ideal for cutting and remote or keyhole welding, she said.


FRIENDS IN THE BUSINESS Connecting with old friends in the laser ‘family’ and introducing newcomers to the fold is one of the key reasons people come to LME, which provides a venue for such contact unlike any other in the industry. No matter one’s level of acquaintance with the technology, experts in all areas were on hand to point attendees in the right direction to find solutions to their business needs. ‘We’re getting a steady stream of questions and


a wide variety of questions,’ said Rob Mueller, who oversaw a rotating cast of industry insiders who took 45-minute shiſts at the ‘Ask the Experts’ booth at the exhibit hall entrance. Te curious asked about ‘everything from materials for the optics to processes to systems to the full gamut. Tere are people here who are just starting their investigations; they know they need to get into lasers. Tey know that their competitors are doing it [and] they feel like they’re behind the eight-ball and they’re trying to catch up. [LME] is a great spot to do it.’ Schaeffer noted that in his time at the experts


booth, he encountered a potential Miami-based customer who had purchased a laser system only to find it didn’t work – and the seller had gone out of business. Since company representatives will be in Boston, near Schaeffer’s facility, they plan further discussions to address their need.


BANG FOR YOUR BUCK LME oſten makes a notable impression on first-time attendees like Dr Funsho Ojebuoboh of Phoenix Infrared in Lowell, MA, which makes components for CO2


lasers. 34 LAS ER SYSTEMS EUROPE ISSUE 21 • WINTER 2013 ABOUT THE LIA


Laser Institute of America (LIA), founded in 1968, is the professional society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications and laser safety worldwide.


www.lia.org


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‘[LME] achieved its objective,’ he said. ‘To have


the presentations going on at the same time, kind of on anà la carte basis, works quite well. I’m surprised at the trend toward fibre lasers. Most of what I’ve got is insight into the direction of the markets; it’s not something we get without talking with these kinds of people, and it’s nice to have all of them here together and see if you can reconcile the information you get from different parties.’ LME was also an eye-opener for Jeff Foster, an


engineer for Dana Holding in Lisle, IL. ‘I came here to see what was new and maybe learn a little something about additive manufacturing and ultrafast lasers.’ He found out about a novel approach for cutting thin stainless steel, which is what he does in manufacturing multilayer steel gaskets. ‘Tis is a really good show [and] a really good


makes a notable impression on first-time attendees


LME often


venue,’ enthused Trumpf’s Grace. ‘We got a lot of good leads and a lot of good projects. Tere’s a value here; this is going to lead to selling lasers.’ When he saw an acquaintance from Universal Laser who wondered if he should exhibit at LME, Grace was emphatic: ‘Yes, definitely, you should be here!’ Te first day was super busy. Ken Dzurko from SPI said the same thing, and so did DirectPhotonics: ‘I don’t know what the rest of the show looked like; I was


busy all day. When you can’t get out of the booth because there are people who keep coming in, that’s a good thing.’ LME is indispensable for staying in touch with


trends, said Gary Yearwood of Prodomax Automation in Ontario, Canada: ‘My partner and I are at a point where we need to do some outside investigation. We don’t want to just rely on going to the guys that we know for information; we want to learn it ourselves. Our customers are coming back to us for [such knowledge].’ As a go-to integrator, he says, his clients rely on his firm to be a step ahead. lStay tuned for information on the fourth annual LME to be held 23 to 24 September 2014, in Schaumburg. Visitwww.laserevent.org for details.


@lasersystemsmag | www.lasersystemseurope.com


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