Stuttgart, Germany- Lasers demonstrate high flexibility when it comes to processing surfaces, and what's more for surfaces made from diverse materials. According to Gerhard Hein, Managing Director of the Laser and Laser Systems for Material Processing working group in the VDMA, the basic challenges lie in accurately controlling energy deposition in terms of space and time, maximum processing and repetition accuracy, especially also in the microscale/nanoscale range, as well as excellent processing efficiency. This will be demonstrated at LASYS 2012, the international trade fair for laser material processing, to be held June 12-14, 2012 at the Stuttgart trade fair grounds. This show appeals specifically to users and providers of laser material processing across all industries and deals with all types of materials.
Surface processing occupies one part of the diverse processing spectrum, which laser now covers as a universal tool. "With a view to the industrial large series production and thus to the macroeconomic dimension, a significant leverage effect must be attributed to laser systems for surface processing", states Hein. Laser processes a variety of surfaces including laser engraving and marking of glass and ceramic products for example,laser beam hardening of machine components for example, laser coating of turbine blades, laser cleaning of valuable sculptures, laser material removal and structuring of solar cells, laser polishing for example of medical instruments. Some applications clearly show the advantages laser can have in surface treatment.
Approximately 200 exhibitors are expected at LASYS 2012 (http://www.messe-stuttgart.de) as well as visitors from almost all industries, primarily from mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, the optical industry, metal-working industry, plant and apparatus construction, electrical and electronics industry, as well as medical technology. This show will focus on laser applications and product solutions, laser manufacturing systems for micro- and macro-material processing, as well as for precision technology. Particularly valuable to visitors who want to update and expand their knowledge of laser technology is the excellent framework program which accompanies this specialist trade fair. These events include the Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum (SLT), the specialist forum "Lasers in Action", the short course "Basic Knowledge on Laser and Laser Material Processing" and the solution centre "meet the experts".