Laser welding use and applications has been continuously growing in the last years. Their advantages in terms of speed, accuracy or repeatability allowed laser welding to replace other traditional technologies, and several efforts have been focused in reducing the heat effect in the material to get smoother welds with less defects. The developement of higher laser powers and new wavelengths also allowed to weld new materials (metals, glasses, plastics…) and its capability to integrate both the lasers and the beam delivery systems in an automated positioning device made them a great tool for the requirements of the industry 4.0.
During this meeting, we will discover the last developments of machines and components for laser welding and we will discuss how the process monitoring solutions can be used to increase the control of this process.
Nicolas Meunier works as Business Development Manager for Additive Manufacturing, Automotive and High Power Products at Ophir, a brand of MKS Instruments. He has 20 years of experience in sales and product management.
Markus Kogel-Hollacher is an innovator in photonic sensor technology for various applications. Working together with RTD performers and end users one of his guiding principles is to continuously increase the reliability and the use of process monitoring and process control devices in laser materials processing. Dr. Kogel-Hollacher has received the prestigious PRISM Award in 2023 for his innovation bringing OCT sensor technology into semiconductor industry. In 2012 and 2014 he was finalist of the European Innovation Award Laser Technology. In 2024, he was awarded the honor of being one of the 100 photonics industry’s most innovative people.
Sören Hollatz studied mechanical engineering in Aachen and went on to work as a research scientist at Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology where he completed his doctorate in the field of laser welding. In 2023 he started working at 4D Photonics as a Technology Manager.
Stefano Zarini gained his PhD in mechanical engineering with specialization in laser manufacturing process in 2012. After the PhD, he was hired by Optoprim srl with the goal to establish an application center to develop laser processes for costumer and bring the distribution business model of the company to a different level. Now he is manager for the European Laser Application Center (ELAC) counting on more than 650 sqm, 7 different application areas and 12 application engineers specialized in different laser sectors: cutting, welding, micromachining, cladding, marking. This new business model is becoming a business unit being named Optoprim Engineering. The role of the business unit is understanding costumer manufacturing process and identify the best suitable laser solution for them
Alex Griffiths received a PhD in physics in 2018. As Lead Engineer in Product Development at PowerPhotonic, he works on the design, optimisation and application of beam shaping optics in laser micro-machining, laser welding and biomedical systems.
