LEMONT, Ill., and PITTSBURGH, Feb. 26, 2019 — Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon University have identified the cause of defects in 3D printing, opening the way to better quality and better control of finished products. Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source (APS) was used to take superfast video and images of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), a process in which lasers are used to create the product by scanning each layer of powder and fusing metal where it is needed. Researchers watched what happened as the laser moved across the metal powder bed to create each layer of the product. The APS experimental...Read full articleRelated content from Photonics MediaARTICLESLaser Process Prints Defect-free Custom Alloy PartsA study from a Texas A&M University research team could make it easier to print uniform, defect-free parts using the laser bed powder fusion 3D-printing technique with metal alloys. The...Photonics Spectra December 2021 IssueResearchers Adapt Laser Welding for 3D-Printed PartsResearchers from the Institut für Integrierte Produktion Hannover and Laser Zentrum Hannover have begun work that seeks to enable laser welding of 3D-printed components. The project, titled...Photonics Spectra August 2021 IssueResearchers Turn Laser Sintering on Its HeadSelective laser sintering (SLS), a process that uses a laser to heat powder materials to the point where the micron-scale particles fuse together to form a solid mass, is one of the most widely used...Photonics Spectra October 2020 IssueStreiffer to Serve as VP for SLAC: People in the News: 04/20/22Stephen Streiffer, deputy laboratory director for science and technology at Argonne National Laboratory, has been named Stanford University’s new vice president for SLAC National Accelerator...Photonics.com 4/20/2022PRODUCTS3D Scanning SoftwareREcreate 3D scanning software from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence creates 3D models in a design and production environment for the creation, repair, or replacement of parts. The solution...Photonics.com 9/21/2021Silicone AdhesiveDOWSIL™ EA-3838 Fast Adhesive from Dow Inc. is a fast-curing silicone adhesive for reduced energy usage and greater assembly efficiency at any production volume. The primerless material...Photonics.com 6/5/2020Vision Inspection SoftwareThe Vision Inspection Pack (VIP™) Software License from Radiant Vision Systems LLC enables the simultaneous evaluation of light, color, and defects in backlit symbols. Designed for...Vision Spectra Autumn 2020 IssueIn-House Wafer TestingIn-house wafer testing from Senseeker Engineering Inc. provides a cleanroom-based wafer probe, supporting quick-turn results. The facility is equipped to perform testing on items ranging from...Photonics.com 8/12/2020PHOTONICS HANDBOOK ARTICLESLaser Measurement Systems: Best Practices: When purchasing a laser, learning how to apply, troubleshoot, and evaluate that device is very important.Given the pace at which technology advances, there always seems to be a learning curve. With the abundance of consumer electronics available, there typically is no right or wrong way to use these...Photonics HandbookIndustrial Lasers: An Introduction to Process Qualification: The step from successfully demonstrating a new laser process on a limited number of samples under laboratory conditions, to scaling that process up for high-volume industrial use is a big one. In particular, it’s necessary to determine how variations in process parameters affect end results, so that acceptable process input and operating ranges can be determined.Materials processing with lasers is actually a broad term for a diverse range of applications. The major categories of these uses, and the lasers that service them, are summarized Table 1. At one...Photonics HandbookAspheric Lenses: Optimizing the Design: This second of two articles discusses the tools optical designers need to tailor their designs to the appropriate manufacturing process, optimizing the cost of component fabrication.With the understanding of aspheric lens manufacturing provided in part one of this article, designers have the tools to optimize their aspheres; the next step is to understand how to specify and...Photonics HandbookLaser Safety: Important Considerations: Laser safety is nothing to scoff at; lasers can be hazardous. Enter Class 1 laser products — lasers that are so safe that the user doesn’t require specific laser safety training or protective eyewear. Some precautions still exist, though.When purchasing an industrial laser system, the astute buyer will look for a Class 1 laser product — a system where the laser beam hazard is completely enclosed and there is no potential laser...Photonics HandbookWHITEPAPERSSpecialty Fiber Preforms for Industrial ApplicationsEnabling new laser applications with fused silica fibers.Photonics.com 5/4/2022Manufacturing Equipment for Photonics ComponentsAs products get smaller, the impact on manufacturing is significant, increasing the challenge to stay efficient and cost effective. Micro molding and lithography add multiple steps, long wait times...Photonics.com 4/6/20213SAE End-Cap Fusion Splicer (ECS)The world's first portable end-cap fusion splicer that provides capabilities that overcome the limitations of current end-cap splicing processes.Photonics.com 6/24/2020How to Select Optimal Positioning Equipment for Laser Direct-Write ProcessesThis paper explains how to select optimal positioning equipment for laser direct write processes. Advanced manufacturing techniques, such as laser direct write of waveguides in mobile phone displays,...Photonics.com 5/27/2020WEBINARSDynamic Beam Lasers Are Opening New Applications for Materials ProcessingDynamic Beam Lasers (DBLs) are fiber lasers based on Coherent Beam Combining (CBC) whose operational properties offer a set of parameters that did not previously exist in lasers. DBLs open new...Photonics.com 11/9/2021How Dynamic Beam Lasers Optimize Precision and Power for Materials ProcessingAutomotive electrification is one of many major trends driving the evolution of high-volume laser processing systems for precision manufacturing. Applications ranging from the alignment and...Photonics.com 1/10/2022Laser Source Selection for Microwelding ApplicationsThis webinar will cover laser engine and beam delivery options for microwelding applications for a range of markets, including medical device manufacturing, automotive components, electronic leads,...Photonics.com 6/25/2019Ensuring Manufacturing Process Success in Laser MicroweldingLaser microwelding is a manufacturing process that joins parts on a millimeter scale. The miniature size of the parts brings challenges to achieving consistency in both welding quality and production...Photonics.com 10/21/2021PHOTONICS DICTIONARY TERMSadvanced photon sourceAn accelerator at the Argonne National Laboratory, providing powerful x-ray beams for materials research applications.EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009pulsed weldingA type of laser welding that produces short-duration vapor pockets without buildup of heat in the part, useful for parts that are too thick for conduction welding and that move too slowly for keyhole...EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009conduction weldingA type of laser welding of thin materials using a defocused or low-power carbon dioxide laser beam. The energy is absorbed by the material through conduction and melts the material to produce an edge...EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009keyhole weldingThe process of binding or attaching larger metal sheets by laser welding. The effect is generated by higher power densities which, while creating a larger weld, produce a vapor that is penetrated by...EDU.photonics.com 2/20/2013MEDIAVirtual tour at SCANLAB - Home of high-performance scan systems 'Made in Germany'Visit SCANLAB virtually and see how high precision scan systems are manufactured - from research and development until shipment. SCANLAB has been developing and producing galvanometer scanners and...Photonics.com 9/25/2018Fluosil® Fused Silica – High Performance for your Industrial Applications - Heraeus QuarzglasEnabling New Laser Applications with Fused Silica Fibers: Fused silica is the material of choice due to its low absorption (low loss) and high damage threshold, enabling new applications like surface...Photonics.com 5/4/2022The New Collar Workforce by Sarah Boisvert - Book TrailerOrder your copy today! An Insider's Guide to Making Impactful Change in Manufacturing and Training NEW from Photonics Media Press! Transformation is underway in the modern factory and...Photonics.com 5/3/2018Pigeons + LEDs: Illuminating the Skies - LIGHT MATTERS 05.20.2016The May episode of Light Matters features renowned artist Duke Riley, whose work is lighting up the skies over Brooklyn Navy Yard through mid-June with Fly by Night, a uniquely-orchestrated live...Photonics.com 5/20/2016PHOTONICS BUYERS' GUIDE CATEGORIESWelding Laser SystemsLaser Welding Services3D Printing Systems3D Printing ServicesCOMPANIESSCANLAB GmbHWho we are Since its founding in 1990, SCANLAB has successfully focused on developing and manufacturing galvanometer scanners and scan solutions. Our products turn lasers into highly dynamic and...Photonics Buyers' GuideFOCtek Photonics Inc.FOCtek provides customers with all types of custom manufactured lenses, Precision Optical Components, Polarizing Optics, Prisms, Filters, Coatings, Optical Systems, Crystals, Nonlinear Crystals,...Photonics Buyers' GuideOZ Optics LimitedEstablished in 1985, OZ Optics is a leading worldwide supplier of fiber optic components, test equipment and sensors. OZ Optics manufactures its products in three locations, Ottawa (Canada),...Photonics Buyers' GuideLaCroix Precision OpticsOptics that Defend, Build, Cure and Discover The LaCroix name is synonymous with quality precision optics. Since 1947, three generations of family leadership have placed LaCroix Precision Optics...Photonics Buyers' Guide