LASYS 2016, the international trade fair for laser material processing, will be held for the fifth time from May 31 to June 2 at Messe Stuttgart, in Stuttgart, Germany. The biannual trade fair provides a forum for industry and R&D companies to jointly present applications of lasers in materials processing for multiple industries. LASYS 2016 will include myriad demonstrations of laser materials processing systems. Courtesy of LASYS. In 2014, LASYS hosted 5,500 guests from 42 countries, of which 86 percent reported being involved in investment and procurement decisions for their companies, and 77 percent reported attending with investment intentions. The 186 exhibitors traveled from 18 countries. In 2016 and beyond, industry experts expect growth in the market for laser material processing and a high demand for laser technology. At LASYS, exhibitors in one hall will demonstrate the benefits of the universal “laser” tool, whose flexibility leads to many new product designs, along with established production processes, such as laser marking. These systems inscribe different materials and object shapes with high quality and are becoming increasingly more important in the global economy. Demand is being fueled by a need for flexible marking systems for product traceability and for design purposes, that is, for use in conjunction with increasingly cheaper laser systems. Exhibitors will demonstrate solutions they use to cope with system challenges, such as marking components during transportation on a conveyor belt, processing plastics and inscribing uneven surfaces. LASYS hosted 5,500 guests in 2014, with 81 percent reporting industry affiliation. Courtesy of LASYS. Visitors to LASYS will learn how laser processing can optimize material consumption and how high processing quality saves unnecessary reworking of components, as well as see how high processing speeds and high flexibility increase productivity. As part of LASYS’ practice-orienting program, exhibitors will present their machines on the Laser Live exhibition stand so that prospective customers can see them in use. LASYS also said it’s planning a Rapid Area joint exhibition stand with Messe Erfurt on “generative manufacturing.” Another joint exhibition, with the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, will offer a platform to young, innovative companies with newly developed products and processes. Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft Laser technik eV will stage a short course on the basics of lasers and laser material processing. The course will focus on lasers and laser beam sources, as well as laser material processing in different industries, rapid prototyping and ways to obtain government funding. The international character of LASYS will also be reflected by the exhibitors and an international pavilion. Through cooperation with IREPA Laser as part of the initiative, the leading French event ESPACE LASER will also participate in LASYS 2016 with up to 20 French companies. LASYS attendees will be given the opportunity to hold discussions with experienced laser experts and to forge contacts for their business and bring their knowledge up to date. In addition to the products and services presented by exhibitors, an accompanying program at the congress level will offer visitors other discussion opportunities in this respect. One highlight of the program includes Lasers in Action, a three-day forum with case studies and a practical demonstration of laser systems. The Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum (SLT) of the Institut für Stahlwerkzeuge (IFSW) at Stuttgart Airport will form a second integral part of the program. It will bring laser experts and users together for the ninth time at the ICS International Congress Center Stuttgart on May 31 and June 1. SLT has been held every two years since 1999, and LASYS describes SLT as the international user forum of the laser industry. In 2016, SLT will also examine the topics of micro and macro material processing, as well as the related laser sources and beam guiding systems. In addition to the latest developments in traditional methods, which include cutting, welding, drilling and structuring, topics will include generative manufacturing and system technology concepts and solutions to increase productivity in micro material processing. A demonstration of the latest advances in the areas of ultrashort pulse lasers, beam guiding, ultrafast scanners and beam shaping will also take place. Representatives from R&D will provide an overview of the latest trends in laser technology. With regard to potential new applications, SLT will also offer an insight into the relevant principles, and contributions from industry will document the current state of development and implementation of innovations. LASYS said the character and surroundings of Messe Stuttgart create an ideal setting for active and successful networking. The first day of the trade fair will be followed, for example, by an evening event that gives attendees and exhibitors another opportunity to directly exchange information and experiences during a tour of the laboratory at IFSW. Staged concurrently with LASYS 2016 are the automotive trade fairs of the British organizer UKIP, as well as OAS — the international trade fair for surface treatments and coatings — and parts2-clean, the international trade fair for industrial parts and surface cleaning. For more information, go to www.lasys-fair.com.