Fraunhofer ILT laser polishing conference draws international participation

Aachen, Germany - From May 6-7, 2014, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) established and hosted the 1st Conference on Laser Polishing (LaP 2014), where over 70 local and international scientists and laser technology users from various sectors of the industry met in Aachen. During five different sessions, 14 speakers from six countries expounded topics related to the laser polishing of glass and metals.

Headed by Dr. Edgar Willenborg, LaP 2014 created an international platform for exchanging scientific findings in the laser polishing field. A total of 14 lectures were held in English, providing over 70 participants from 10 countries with the opportunity to gain a comprehensive picture of latest scientific developments and first industrial applications of laser polishing.

Dr. Thomas Kiedrowski (Robert Bosch GmbH; Stuttgart, Germany) introduced a metal polishing application that is already in use today and with which millions of components are laser-polished annually. His presentation centered on an example taken from CVT production. Two lectures given by Dr. Manyalibo Matthews (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) and Dr. Philippe Cormont (CEA CESTA) explained another way in which these new methods are being employed successfully, this being to repair optics for high-power laser systems by means of CO₂ laser radiation.

In addition to the lectures, a further highlight for conference participants was a tour of the laboratories at Fraunhofer ILT that let them see the latest laser polishing machines and test setups. Among other things, visitors were shown a live demonstration of the adaptive laser polishing machine for the polishing of metal work pieces that was developed as part of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research-funded ALPINE project.

The conference aims to be held every other year, as LaP 2016 will take place April 26-27, 2016, in Aachen.