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3 December 2013

Power beam delivery and manipulation: achieving high flexibility and productivity with lasers

• Sector: Laser Processing
• Location: Hauser Forum, University of Cambridge, 3 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0GT
• Attendees: All Welcome

 

 

 

 

 

Chair: Duncan Hand

Supported by the Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Laser-based Production Processes

Download an Event Flyer

Scope

The delivery and manipulation of laser light is arguably as important as the laser technology itself in providing reliable and flexible manufacturing processes. Sustained advances in laser technology (increasingly high brightness, high peak powers, high repetition rates) have continued to present new challenges and opportunities. Novel fibre optic designs and coupling optics have been developed for high average and high peak powers to enable truly 3D processing, whilst innovative robotic solutions provide the essential laser-workpiece positioning capability. The high average power, high repetition rate ultrafast lasers recently developed require ultra-high speed beam manipulation to fully exploit their capabilities, and solutions are being developed using acousto-optic or polygon scanners, coupled with appropriate processing strategies.

This workshop brings together industrial and academic experts from the UK, Europe and the USA to provide a series of talks on the current state of the art. The scope includes free space and fibre optic beam delivery, workstation integration and beam sharing considerations, robotic control of laser beams, high speed scanning for large area surface functionalisation and applications of integrated systems including laser cladding and hardening and remote decommissioning applications.

Who should attend?

In addressing the critically important areas of the delivery and manipulation of high power beams, this workshop will present successes, current limitations and challenges over a wide and fascinating variety of industrial examples including key laser types (from CW to ultra-short pulse), processes (including welding, drilling and surface functionalization) and scale (from macro to micro). For existing and potential users the event offers insights into ways of dramatically improving process productivity, quality and flexibility; for potential users and those wishing to update their understanding of the current capability of laser materials processing, the workshop will provide a unique and excellent review for beginners and experts alike.

The wide scope of this event means that there is something for everyone in the laser user and supplier community, from. Manufacturers and industrialists, supply companies, laser users, laser source manufacturers and suppliers, laser-based engineering subcontractors and machine integrators. All will gain from a greater appreciation of the current state of play; the resultant opportunities recent developments present; and insight into the future development of a laser-composite supply chain within the UK. The workshop nature of the meeting offers many networking opportunities.

Programme

08:15 - 09:15 Registration and refreshments

09:15 - 10:30 Session 1
Welcome
Duncan Hand Heriot-Watt University

Keynote
Fibres for flexible beam delivery in high power laser applications
Jon Shephard Heriot-Watt University

High-power fibre optic cable with integrated active sensors
Magnus Pålsson Optoskand AB, Sweden

Refractive beamshaping for high-power laser applications
Roy McBride PowerPhotonic

10:30 - 11:00 Refreshment break

11:00 - 12:30 Session 2

Beam delivery and other considerations in robot controlled fibre laser workstations
Tony Jones Tec Systems

Integrated process monitoring and back reflection protection in fibre laser beam delivery
Mark Greenwood GSI Group

Changes in types of lasers available as well as turbine engine designs have resulted in new requirements for positional accuracy, speed and flexibility of the focused laser beam
Mark Barry Prima Power Laserdyne, USA

Invited
High productivity in laser welding: using a scanner for remote welding in combination with fast workpiece handling and automated processing
Roland Dierken ERLAS, Germany

12:30 - 13:40 Lunch & EXHIBITION

13:40 - 15:10 Session 3

Keynote
High speed scanning of an ultra short pulsed laser for high throughput surface structuring
Beat Neuenschwander Bern University of Applied Science,Switzerland

Invited
Surface structuring of printing tools and embossing dies with an ultrafast ps laser machining system
Stephan Brüning Schepers GmbH & Co. KG, Germany

High precision 2D kinematic laser processing
James Hall Tannlin

The use of snake-arm robotic manipulators for remote decommissioning applications
Paul Hilton TWI

15:10 - 15:30 Refreshments

15:30 End of workshop

15:30 - 16:15 TOUR Centre for Industrial PhotonicsInstitute for Manufacturing

Tour

The Centre for Industrial Photonics (CIP) within the Institute for Manufacturing is at the forefront in developing leading-edge laser based manufacturing process technologies including:-
• High efficiency laser sources
• Micro and Nanosystem laser fabrication methods
• Additive fabrication through supersonic laser deposition of metals
• On-line and in-process optical diagnostics and control
• Ultra-short pulse laser interactions
• Hybrid ion, plasma, and laser machining for ultra precision applications

Delegates

On the day delegates will receive a name badge, a list of delegates, essential notes for the day and a password for accessing the key presentation slides, which will be made available on the AILU website shortly after the end of the event. A buffet lunch (including vegetarian options) will also be provided together with refreshments throughout the day. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements.

Exhibitors

The exhibition will be held, together with lunch and refreshment breaks, in the Break Out Room, which is adjacent to seminar rooms where the presentations will be made. A maximum of eight tables (160 x 80 cm) / space for pop-up stands (≤ 2 m wide) will be available. There will be mains power available for low wattage use (e.g. for computers). Please let us know as soon as possible if you require significant power.

Exhibitors can access the Hauser building from 07:30 on the day. The allocation of tables is ‘first come first served’.

Registration

(delegates and exhibitors)

To register for the event please complete a registration form on the Event flyer or register online at www.regonline.co.uk/03Dec13AILU. Alternatively, members of AILU need only give their name by phone or email (T: 01235 539595; E: events@ailu.org.uk).

Click here to register on line.

AILU members and members of the Institute of Physics and Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Laser-based Production Processes receive a registration discount for this event. Delegates who pay the full price and who decide to join the Association within 10 weeks of the event will receive this discount on their first year’s corporate membership subscription. For further information on membership go to www.ailu.org.uk and look for the link to ‘about us’.

Registratioin Fees

* AILU and supporting organisation members: GBP 140 plus VAT

* Non members: GBP 160 plus VAT

* Concessions: GBP 60 plus VAT (retired, unemployed); GBP 40 plus VAT (full time students)

* Exhibitor (AILU and supporting orgiansation member): GBP 140 plus VAT

* Exhibitor (non-member): GBP 180 plus VAT

* Exhibitor/delegate discount: GBP 50 plus VAT

Fee includes a delegate pack, access to PDFs of key slides, lunch and refreshments.

Cancellations will be accepted up to 1 week before the event; otherwise the full fee may be charged.

For more information please contact us.

Venue

Hauser Forum,
University of Cambridge,
3 Charles Babbage Road,
Cambridge,
CB3 0GT

Travel

By Car
From the North
At junction 14 (A1), exit onto A14 toward M11/London (E)/Huntingdon/Cambridge. At junction 31, take the A14 exit to Cambridge/A1307/Newmarket/Felixstowe/A10/Ely. Slight left at Huntingdon Rd/A1307. Take the right onto Storey's Way, turn left to stay on Storey's Way. Turn right at Madingley Rd/A1303. Turn left onto J.J. Thomson Ave. The Hauser Forum is located at the junction of J.J. Thomson Ave. and Charles Babbage Road.

From the South
Leave the M11 at junction 13, take the A1303 exit to Cambridge/Bedford/A428. Turn right at Madingley Rd/A1303 (signs for Cambridge). Turn right onto J.J. Thomson Ave. The Hauser Forum is located at the junction of J.J. Thomson Ave. and Charles Babbage Road.

How to get there: Click here

Parking

We have reserved parking space close to the Hauser Forum, at the Roger Needham Building. Please download a detailed map here. Parking is also available at Madingley Road Park and Ride, which is 10 minutes walk from the Hauser Forum.

Travel from London Heathrow Airport

Hire Car
Hire cars from Heathrow are available at approximately £50 per day full fuel costs.

Taxi
A taxi will cost around £105 if booked in advance with the following company and takes around 2 hours- web: www.panthertaxis.co.uk

Train
Take the underground from Heathrow to London Kings Cross which will take around an hour, and then a train from Kings Cross to Cambridge (approximately hourly) which will take another hour, and then a short taxi drive from the train station to the West Cambridge Site. Train tickets available from First Capitol Connect

Bus
The bus from the Central Bus Station at Heathrow takes on average 3.15 hours- web: www.nationalexpress.com

Travel from Stansed Airport

Hire Car
Hire cars from Stansted are available at approximately £50 per day full fuel costs.

Taxi
A taxi will cost around £65 if booked in advance with the following company and takes around 1 hour- web: www.airporttaxis-uk.co.uk

Train
Trains run direct from Stansted Airport to Cambridge (approximately 2 per hour) £12-£19 day single with journey time approximately 30 minutes,  and then a short taxi drive from the train station to the West Cambridge Site.  Train tickets available from CrossCountry Trains.

Accommodation

The nearest hotel (approximately 1 mile away) is the Premier Inn Cambridge North,  Huntingdon Road, Girton, CB3 0DL. Tel: 0871 527 8188 Web: www.premierinn.com.

Alternatives include:
Travelodge Cambridge Lolworth - A14 Westbound, Huntingdon Road, Lolworth, Cambridgeshire CB23 8DR tel: 0871 984 6046; web: www.travelodge.co.uk.(approximately 9.5 miles away)

Days Inn, Cambridge Services, A14, Boxworth, Cambridge CB23 4WU. tel: 01954 267176; web: www.daysinncambridge.co.uk‎ (approximately 8.5 miles away)

Within the city the Hotel du Vin is a nice hotel, but rather pricey web: www.hotelduvin.com/locations/cambridge and the Regent Hotel web: www.regenthotel.co.uk/ is also recommended.

There are also lots of Bed and Breakfast places available in the Cambridge area.

Help for Presentors

Help for presenters to upload a presentation prior to the meeting

AILU reserves the right to alter the programme or cancel the meeting at short notice and accepts no responsibility for the views expressed by the speakers or delegates.