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4 June 2008

Industrial opportunities in laser micro and nano processing

• Sector: Welding and Cutting with lasers
• Location: Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus, Warrington, Cheshire
• Attendees: All welcome

This workshop is the first day of a 2-day  event addressing Industrial and research opportunities in laser micro and  nano processing organised by the North West Laser Engineering Consortium (NWLEC).

 An AILU technology workshop with presentations, an exhibition and tour.

 Download a flyer (PDF 512kB)

About this workshop

Laser technology is vitally important in the micro and emerging nanoengineering fields, providing high-resolution, accuracy, speed and flexibility; in particular, its utilisation in the engineering of micro features is key to the technical and commercial success of many mass-produced components ranging from photovoltaic cells and panels, inkjet print heads and flat panel displays, to MEMS components, circuit fabrication and micro-hole drilling.

In this annual workshop, industrial users of laser processing technology, suppliers of laser-based equipment and researchers in new laser technology come together to present their applications. This year’s workshop is run in collaboration with NWLEC, a Northwest Science Fund project managed by the Universities of Liverpool and Manchester. A second day (5 June) meeting run by NWLEC and NWPA will concentrate more on research activities; both events benefiting by the proximity and enhancing the networking opportunities that each will provide.

Malcolm Gower Workshop Chair

Malcolm Gower has had a long career in applied laser research, first in the USA and then at the Universities of Oxford and Reading and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. From 1984 to 2006 he was Chairman and Technical Director of Exitech. In 2007 he founded Nanophoton Technologies where he provides expert consultancy services to the micro/nano community worldwide. He is a Fellow of the IEE, the IoP and in 1993 was awarded an MBE for his services to industrial laser development.

 Who should attend?

The wide scope of this event means that there is something for everyone in the laser user and supplier community, from beginners to experts. The workshop nature of the meeting provides many opportunities for delegates to discover the interests and concerns of others in the laser micro-processing community and to establish valuable links. 

Programme

09:15 - 10:45 Session 1

Welcome and introduction
Malcolm Gower Nanophoton Technologies

Invited speaker:
Large scale laser micro-structuring of gravure print rollers
Guido Hennig MDC Max Daetwyler AG (Switzerland)

Forming, production of micro and nano-scale components
Bill O’Neill Cambridge University

Laser-assisted manufacturing for emerging micro-technology sectors
Nadeem Rizvi Laser Micromachining

High throughput parallel micro-machining using a femtosecond laser
Walter Perrie NWLEC

10:45 - 11:15 Refreshment break

11:15 - 12:50 Session 2

Fibre laser with complete parametric control for micromachining applications
Richard Murison Pyrophotonics, Canada

Midaz micro-slab DPSS lasers: higher power and pulse rates for higher speed micro-machining
Mike Damzen Midaz Laser

Near field imaging for sub-wavelength processing
Zengbo Wang NWLEC

Micro-machining of glass and other transparent materials with nano, pico and femtosecond lasers
Martyn Knowles Oxford Lasers

Laser processing of micro-optics
Mike Osborne OpTek Systems

12:50 - 13:50 Lunch & EXHIBITION

13:10 - 13:40 Clinic

13:50 - 15:25 Session 3

Brief insight into Rolls-Royce laser manufacturing technologies
Clive Grafton-Reed Rolls-Royce

Industrial micro-machining with high average power picosecond lasers
Sascha Weiler Trumpf

Applications of laser direct-write freeform refractive micro-optics
Roy McBride PowerPhotonic

Laser applications in photovoltaics
Heather Booth Oerlikon

CW fibre laser production of nano-particles
Dr. Zhu Liu  NWLEC

15:25 Refreshments and TOUR

 

Workshop Information

Venue

Daresbury Laboratory employs around 550 staff. Facilities include the STFC Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS), the Medium Energy Ion Scattering Facility and the National Centre for Electron Spectroscopy and Surface Analysis. A tour of the SRS will take place after the presentations.

Details of Second Day NWLEC Programme

Delegates

Registration and presentations will take place in the Merrison lecture theatre on the ground floor of ‘A’ block. On the day the delegates will receive a name badge, essential notes for the day, together with a CD of key slides or presentation notes. A buffet lunch (including vegetarian options) will also be provided together with refreshments throughout the day. Please advise us of any special dietary needs. 

Exhibitors

The exhibition, together with lunch and mid-morning and afternoon refreshment breaks, will take place in the reception building (‘B’ block) atrium, a short walk from the Merrison Lecture Theatre. The Atrium is on the first floor and can be accessed by lift or stairs.

Table tops of 910 x 1820 mm will be provided and poster boards on request. Some single phase power will be available throughout the exhibition area. The area will be open from 08.00 for exhibitors wishing to set up their tables before registration. Earlier entry can be arranged on request. 

Registration

Delegates and exhibitors who are AILU members need only phone or email their names; otherwise a registration form should be completed. AILU members and members of supporting organisations for this event receive a registration discount. Delegates who pay the full price and who decide to join the Association within 10 weeks of the event will receive this discount on their first year’s corporate membership subscription. Full details of AILU membership can be found at www.ailu.org.uk, taking the link to 'about us'

Travel

Full address: Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, Warrington, WA4 4AD Daresbury Laboratory is 5 miles south west of Warrington and 5 miles east of Runcorn, both of which are well served by train. It is located 1 mile down the A56 from junction 11 of the M56 motorway, which connects to the national motorway network via the M6 (6 miles east). Manchester International Airport is approximately 30 minutes away by car.

Directions and maps are here

Accommodation

There are a number of 4-star and budget hotels in the area, but all require transport to the laboratory. Here is a selsection of links to local lotels: Daresbury Park,  the Park Royal,  the Holiday Inn and the Stretton Premier Lodge

Exhibition

To book a tabletop contact the AILU office (T: +44 (0)1235 539595; E: courses@ailu.org.uk). Spaces are limited so an early response is recommended.

Clinic

A selection of experts will be available for one-to-one technical and/or commercial discussions over most of the lunch period. Places can be reserved upon arrival or pre-booked at the AILU office.

Registration Fees

• AILU and supporting organisation members: GBP 142 plus VAT
• Non members: GBP 175 plus VAT
• Concessions: GBP 65 incl VAT (retired, unemployed); GBP 40 incl VAT (full time students)
• Exhibitor (AILU and supporting orgiansation member): GBP 135 plus VAT
• Exhibitor (non-member): GBP 175 plus VAT
• Exhibitor/delegate discount: GBP 50 plus VAT

Fee includes a delegate pack. 

Cancellations will be accepted up to 1 week before the event; otherwise the full fee may be charged.

To book (we will invoice, send no money) e-mail: courses@ailu.org.uk.

For more information please contact us.

AILU reserves the right to alter the programme or cancel the meeting at short notice and accepts no responsibility for the views expressed by the speakers or delegates.