Press Releases

Laser experts from a remarkably broad spectrum of sectors will convene in Aachen May 2–4, 2018 at the International Laser Technology Congress AKL’18. 77 laser experts in research and industry will present cutting-edge methods and beam sources as well as the latest developments and trends in laser technology. The AKL gives technology suppliers and customers plenty of opportunities to swap stories and expertise. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT oversees this event, which is once more expected to draw more than 600 attendees. The program of events is already at www.lasercongress.org – where you can also register now for AKL’18.

On November 14th, 2017, the Fraunhofer lighthouse project, futureAM, was launched in Aachen under the auspices of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT. Six project partners – the Fraunhofer Institutes ILT, IWS, IWU, IGD and IFAM as well as the LZN Laser Zentrum Nord – have set themselves a clear goal: Over the next three years, they will work closely together to secure the prerequisites for significant technological leaps in additive manufacturing with metallic materials (metal AM).

Additive manufacturing is becoming increasingly important in industrial production. Decisive factors are the scalability of the build volume and the productivity of additive manufacturing systems. Against this background, scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT are further developing the selective laser melting (SLM) technology. To this end, a new SLM laboratory system was built in Aachen. With an effective utilizable build volume of 1,000 mm x 800 mm x 500 mm, the system is able to manufacture large metal components quickly and with high process reliability. Fraunhofer ILT will be presenting ideas and process videos about the new system at the 2017 formnext trade fair from November 14 to 17.

Biomolecules and cells circulating in the blood carry diagnostic information, the analysis of which makes highly effective, individualized therapies possible. In order to tap this information, scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT have developed a microchip-based diagnostic device: The “AnaLighter” analyzes and sorts clinically relevant biomolecules and cells in a blood test with light. As a result, physicians can make early diagnoses, for example, of tumor and cardiovascular diseases and initiate patient-specific therapies with great efficacy. Experts from Fraunhofer ILT will be presenting this technology at the COMPAMED 2017 in Düsseldorf from November 13 to 16.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT and Rapid Shape GmbH are working together to further develop resin-based 3D printing. The new “TwoCure” process requires no support structures and is significantly more efficient and productive than conventional 3D printing techniques for plastic components. Experts from Fraunhofer ILT will be presenting the state-funded joint development that makes use of the interaction of light and cold in forming the components at formnext 2017 from November 14 to 17 in Frankfurt am Main.

The “Peter M. Baker Leadership Award” of the Laser Institute of America LIA stands for providing outstanding leadership, significantly enriching the laser community as well as decisively participating in the technological advancement of photonics worldwide. Prof. Poprawe, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, received this award for his extraordinary commitment to the international laser industry at the 36th International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics ICALEO from October 22 to 26, 2017 in Atlanta, USA.

At the productronica trade fair in Munich this November, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT will be presenting Laser-Based Tape-Automated Bonding, LaserTAB for short. The experts from Aachen will be demonstrating how new battery cells and power electronics can be micro-welded more efficiently and precisely than ever before thanks to new optics and robot support.

The Innovation Award Laser Technology is a European research and technology prize provided with 10.000 Euro prize money and awarded at 2-yearly intervals jointly by the associations Arbeitskreis Lasertechnik e.V. and the European Laser Institute ELI in recognition of outstandingly innovative work in the field of laser technology. The call for proposals is open. Closing date for applications is January 15, 2018. Application instructions and information for online-submission can be downloaded at www.innovation-award-laser.org. The official presentation of the award will take place in Aachen´s town hall on May 2, 2018 at the International Laser Technology Congress AKL´18 (www.lasercongress.org ).

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has called for the implementation of a new network of excellence under the lead of the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF). The Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP) focusses the key strengths of the German Photonics Community and will support highly skilled young researchers on a world class level. The national network of excellence aims to level the playing field with elite institutions, such as the American Havard University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by setting new standards in the research with light.

An innovation in the field of additive manufacturing will make its debut from November 14–17 at this year’s formnext in Frankfurt, Germany: the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen will be presenting a new approach for selective laser melting of copper materials. In the future, it should offer users the first cost-effective method for 3D printing components made of pure and highly conductive copper.