Page 5 - Annual Report 2013-2014

5
ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014

processing may play a significant enabling role,
e .g . for high-value-added components and systems

and those fabricated from new/mixed engineering
materials, or relating to new production techniques .

In addition, the aim is to identify relevant areas
where research and development would be required

to facilitate future laser-based solutions to such
production needs, for example in new laser-material

process science and technology, new or enhanced
laser source development, beam manipulation and

delivery, and system integration/control issues . once
a final consultation process is complete, the report

will be finalised and released in autumn 2014 . our
plan is then to use this roadmap as the first step in
advances in laser technology in two key areas: (i)
the development of a National Strategy for Laser
a new generation of lasers with ultra-high quality Manufacturing in the UK .
and reliability based on solid state (diode, fibre)

technologies that have evolved from advances in
the telecoms sector; and (ii) a new generation of We have also exhibited at MACH 2014, three
AILU workshop/seminar events, the Scottish
high average power laser technologies offering
controllable trains of ultrashort (ps-fs) pulses, with Manufacturing Advisory Service conference in June
2014, the National Manufacturing Debate and
wavelengths in the IR-UV . Funded projects include
the development of high energy amplifiers for Manufacturing the Future Conference . the Centre has
hosted and/or chaired a range of events, including
ultrafast lasers; research into applications enabled
by ultrashort pulsed laser processes including workshops on laser beam delivery, and EU H2020
and technology Strategy Board funding opportunities .
micro-joining of glass-to-metal and high speed glass
machining; the development of sensors and key
Looking forwards, we expect to fund a further 6
parameters to enable truly smart laser processes;
and the development of multi laser selective melting projects in the next year, and as a result to expand
the base of industrial collaborators actively involved
machines to greatly improve the speed and efficiency
of metal powder-based additive manufacturing in projects .

processes .
We gratefully acknowledge the support of all those
engaged with the Centre, both the dedicated
our geographic spread brings its own challenges
but we maintain good communication via the use of academic team and our highly supportive (yet
challenging!) industrial partners .
video and teleconferencing, supplemented, of course

by frequent visits between sites . In particular we have
recognised the importance of providing the Research

Associates employed by the Centre with appropriate
networking opportunities and so have created a

series of events for RAs from across the Centre to
come together for 1-2 days at a time, to discuss their

research, and interact with industrial collaborators .
Furthermore, we have earmarked a funding stream
Professor duncan Hand
for RA-led feasibility projects that will be developed in Centre Director
the course of these networking sessions .

our outreach activity has in particular focused

on the development of a roadmap for UK laser
manufacturing, working closely with the Association

of Industrial Laser Users, AILU . the primary objective Professor Len cooke
of the Roadmapping exercise is to identify new and
Chair of the Independent Steering Group
evolving manufacturing applications where laser