Program and flyer of the SLT 2016
SLT 2016 Review
Innovations for laser experts and users
Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum 2016, 31 May - 1 June 2016
With the 9th Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum (SLT 2016) the Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW) of the University of Stuttgart and the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre have once more created a great platform for effective knowledge transfer. The SLT 2016 took place at the International Congress Center Stuttgart (ICS) from 31 May until 1 June 2016 in conjunction with the Trade Fair for Laser Material Processing (LASYS) at the Trade Fair Centre Stuttgart (Airport).
The SLT evening event was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW).
252 two-day and 47 one-day visitors came to the SLT 2016. This is an increase in comparison to 2014. 94% of the respondents said, that the conference met their expectations. Main reasons for participation were the lecture topics and the acquisition of information.
The Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum takes place on a biannual cycle. Since 1999 it has established itself as a recognized and central panel for laser technology which aims at an international audience.
Main focal points of the conference were highlights and innovations in the field of industrial laser-based manufacturing. As in the past the SLT 2016 covered topics from micro- to macro-processing together with the required laser sources and beam delivery systems. In addition to the latest developments on the common processes (cutting, welding, drilling, structuring, etc.) the conference particularly highlighted current trends such as additive manufacturing or the system technology required to scale the productivity in micro materials processing. Correspondingly, the latest results in the fields of ultrafast lasers, beam delivery, ultrafast scanners, and beam shaping were also presented.
An excursus concerning basics of laser materials processing with respect to future applications was also part of the agenda. Many representatives of research, development and industry took part in the conference. The presentations were held in English and German, with simultaneous translation. On 31 May 2016, Dr. Godehard Schmitz of Robert Bosch talked about “The Future of Industrial Laser Applications”. Prof. Thomas Dekorsy of the University of Konstanz, who recently took over the leading position at the Institut für Technische Physik des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt in Stuttgart, did a presentation on “Metrology Using Laser Induced Ultrasonic Waves“.
Highlights of the event on 1 June 2016 were a talk by Prof. Thomas Graf, director of the IFSW, about “Thin-Disk or Fiber Laser? It is a Matter of Geometry” as well as “The Potential of High Average Power Lasers in Nuclear Decommissioning” by Dr. Paul Hilton from The Welding Institute TWI in Cambridge.
In the participant survey, the SLT received an excellent certificate. You can download the results here:
Picture gallery of the SLT 2016 (all photos: Werner Hennig)
