About Us

Background

The Association of Laser Users (AILU) was established in 1995 as an independent, non-profit making organisation run by and for laser users involved in activities including manufacturing, healthcare, academic and industrial research; as well as suppliers of laser-related products and services. Our current corporate members include leading players in the UK laser materials community.

The aims and objectives of the association are set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

They include, in particular, the fostering of co-operation and collaboration and the dissemination of information, experience and expertise relating to industrial laser technology, laser materials processing; its applications and related technologies.

AILU President

Prof Adam Clare, University of Nottingham

 

President's Message

It is our pleasure to write this message as incoming President and Vice President of AILU. Mike Poulter and myself picked up the mantle from Dr Jon Blackburn (TWI) who has done a tremendous job of steering AILU over the last couple of years. No small feat when we consider the challenges the last 18 months has brought us. We would be remiss indeed not to thank Jon for his excellent service to AILU – thank you Jon!

Dr Mike Poulter is well known to AILU members and the international lasers community through his role as Global Product Manager with TRUMPF. I got to know Mike through formative discussion relating to AILU’s identity and strategy. This is something we are keen to develop, and we have written to all members to seek input on just this matter.

Mike and myself share a passion for all things laser and the industrial application of lasers. In my capacity as Professor of Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Nottingham I am perhaps more academic-facing but as a business owner I am fully aware of the pressures our community faces in communication, networking, technology demonstration and research for the lasers business. However, this operating environment does bring opportunities and in order to realise these, the power of our community and our people will be at the heart of everything we do.  With this in mind, we are delighted to have the opportunity to represent our membership over the next couple of years and help to shape the strategy that will ensure our success for the next 25 years of our history. This will not however be achieved by a Geordie and Scouser alone – we need your support.

The AILU Steering Committee recently met to consider our purpose, mission and vision. While we have an excellent Terms of Association dating back to our foundation, the forthcoming launch of our new website provides us with the opportunity to refresh and update for the future. Input from colleagues in this regard has been tremendous and while we are finessing wording, AILU will continue to “connect, empower and guide industrial laser users.”

I would like to sign off this message by reminding you that your voice is important. We are listening and with your help we can make gains at an exciting time for lasers technology and for AILU.

Adam Clare               

 

Organisation

The organisation of AILU is under the direction of an elected standing committee made up of representatives from the UK industrial laser community. Elections are held annually at the Annual General Meeting. (See Joining the AILU committee and Officers and Committee)

AILU provides a wide range of general services to laser users and suppliers and hosts a Job Shop Special Interest Group (SIG) for subcontract laser-based engineering companies.

Activities

The current activities of AILU include:

AILU’s Membership

Application for membership of AILU is open to the industrial laser community worldwide, and those with an interest in this community and its activities. We currently have approximately 300 members, made up of mainly manufacturing industry including laser job shops (40%), suppliers of laser-related products and services (30%) and research and consultancy organisations (25%). 

To find out more about AILU membership click here.

See member benefits to review how membership could benefit you.

©AILU: Text on this page is available under the terms of the Wikipedia GNU Free Documentation License.


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