Laser polishing will take center stage for the fourth time on September 16 and 17, 2020 at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen. This is a premiere, as the "4th Conference on Laser Polishing - LaP 2020" is taking place virtually for the first time. Due to the large number of international participants, the conference will start at 13:30 on both days and end at 16:30 (MEST).
In 2014, Fraunhofer ILT organized the first "Conference on Laser Polishing - LaP" to exchange research results in an international setting. Since then, the English-language event has been a meeting place for laser polishing experts from all over the world. "In the past, we have had many participants from Asia and America," states Dr. Edgar Willenborg, who heads a research team of seven scientists at Fraunhofer ILT who are working intensively on laser-based deburring and polishing. "That's why the virtual conference starts at 1:30 p.m. on both days, taking place in the evening for Asia and in the morning for America. We considered 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to be the only sensible time frame for an international online conference."
Problem case "subsurface damage" solved
A glance at the program indicates its scientific character: of the total of ten presentations, all are from the scientific community, with nine of them focusing on laser polishing of metals. "But there will also be a presentation on the laser polishing of glass optics," explains Willenborg. "This is a real highlight: on September 16 from 14:50, we will be looking in detail at how subsurface damage to optical glass can be eliminated." These small microcracks occur when grinding glass and can be reliably removed using laser polishing.
The finishing touch for 3D components and tools
The second afternoon of the conference starts with two highlights in the laser polishing of metallic components. At 13:40, Chinese scientists will be demonstrating how near-surface porosity can be removed from additively manufactured metal components. On the other hand, the second presentation at 2:15 p.m. will deal with how tool steel can be optimally laser polished using a permanent magnetic field.
