INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION: AILU
AILU: Connecting, empowering and guiding laser professionals
Dave MacLellan, Executive Director of AILU, shares how joining the UK’s largest industrial laser association could help develop your business
AILU, the Association of Industrial Laser Users, was founded in 1995 as a not-for-profit organisation based in the UK and with strong global connections. The purpose of the Association is to grow laser adoption through connecting, empowering and guiding new and existing users of industrial lasers globally. In recent years, the focus has been on promotion of laser material processing as the norm rather than the exception within manufacturing industry. This is achieved by connecting buyers and suppliers, and fostering events where industry and academia can connect for mutual benefit.
As the years have gone by, the
advance of technology towards lower-cost, higher-power and more efficient laser sources has combined with greater automation and higher reliability to mean that the adoption of laser material processing is moving towards becoming quite typical – not just for large organisations, but also in micro SMEs and virtually any manufacturing company.
Who are the members? The complete supply chain of industrial lasers is represented in AILU’s membership. Laser source suppliers, and the companies that provide them with optical components, are the heart of the industrial members. Machinery manufacturers integrate laser sources into turnkey systems, and they form the next tier of members alongside the equipment providers that manufacture or supply motion
“End users join AILU to find support and advice, especially when they are interested in buying and using laser systems”
systems, fume extraction and cooling equipment. Then there are the service industries that provide subcontract laser processing (cutting, welding, marking, additive manufacturing) and the supporting industries that supply training and consultancy. End-users join AILU to find
support and advice, especially when they are interested in buying and using laser systems in their manufacturing. Finally, the research community, which includes RTOs and universities together with more commercial research-focused organisations, provide the innovation and early- stage research into applications and laser technology. Especially among this community, AILU
Attendees of AILU’s annual job shop meetings discuss business, new machinery, laser technology, and issues such as energy prices, staffing, supplier performance and the current geo-political situation
offers bulk membership to cover complete departments, and there is a thriving early careers research community that organises networking and dissemination events.
Why join AILU? There are many benefits to reward membership of AILU. A primary benefit is where an organisation has a need to adopt laser material processing but is not familiar with the technology and needs guidance and advice. AILU can connect new members to our experienced network that is always happy to give guidance and recommendations. Also, we have an extensive network of laser subcontracting “job shops” that are very supportive of each other. They are open to sharing best practices and giving free advice, whether related to lasers or general business matters. Whether an organisation is looking to connect with the supply chain for laser systems, or is an
established supplier looking to break into new markets, AILU is adept at providing opportunities to make connections to promote business and improve knowledge.
Experience AILU events AILU runs events for dissemination of know-how. These events allow participants to network and to listen to presentations on the latest advances in applications and laser technology. Typically the presenters and delegates are a 50/50 mix of industry and academia. Some of the events target specific sectors like automotive, aerospace, medical devices or energy generation and e-mobility. Every year there is also a
dedicated Job Shop Business Meeting that allows the owners and managers of job shops to meet and discuss business, find out about new machinery and laser technology as well as discuss common issues such as energy prices, staffing issues, supplier performance and the geo-political situation. ILAS, the Industrial Laser
Applications Symposium is also held every two years. ILAS 2023 took place in March; the date and venue for ILAS 2025 will be announced later this year.
Contact AILU:
AILU’s biennial ILAS event brings together industry and academia to discuss the latest application and technology developments in industrial laser processing
WWW.LASERSYSTEMSEUROPE.COM | @LASERSYSTEMSMAG
Web:
www.ailu.org.uk Email:
info@ailu.org.uk Phone: +44 1235 539595
THE 2023 GUIDE TO LASER SYSTEMS LASER SYSTEMS EUROPE 69
IPG Photonics
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74
