... In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of automated systems, system integrators as well as suppliers of related components motion elements, laser markers. Findings Automated assembly continues to become more flexible, modular, as well as better suited for smaller lot orders and includes more real‐time...

...Robert Bogue Purpose The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the present‐day and anticipated future uses of lasers in the production of solar cells. Design/methodology/approach Following a brief introduction to photovoltaics (PV), this paper first describes the two main types of solar...

... of automated systems, system integrators as well as suppliers of related components motion elements, laser markers were conducted. Findings Automated assembly cells continue to be more flexible, modular, as well as better suited for smaller lot orders and include more real time inspection capabilities...

...Robert Bogue Purpose The paper aims to provide a review of the use of lasers in industry, with an emphasis on applications in manufacturing and material processing. Design/methodology/approach Following an introduction to lasers and their development, this paper considers a selection of key...

...Zhenhua Xiong; Xinjue Zou; Yulin Wang; Han Ding Purpose Accurate alignment is vital to acquire high‐quality joints with less negative effects on the rest parts of the chip or other components on a board. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated laser soldering system, which...

...Steffen Nowotny; Robert Muenster; Siegfried Scharek; Eckhard Beyer Purpose Laser materials processing system technology has become indispensible to the tool and die manufacturing industries and for repairing engines and turbines. The laser build‐up welding process especially is now a standard...

..., laser‐based 3D geometrical scanning system developed jointly by Metris and Volvo, Ghent, and considers its applications and benefits. Findings This shows that the 3D laser scanning system offers significant operational benefits over the conventional, contact probe‐based approach to geometrical...

...Gordon Lowe; N. Jayaweera; P. Webb Purpose This paper aims to describe the development and testing of a system for the automated assembly of aircraft fuselage panels. Design/methodology/approach The system described in this paper uses a low‐cost industrial robot and laser stripe sensor...

...H. Chen; T.A. Fuhlbrigge; G. Zhang; J. Vasco; P. J. Bártolo; B. Silva; C. Galo Purpose Laser milling is a non‐conventional layer‐by‐layer material removal technology suitable for machining a wide range of materials. This technology is particularly suitable to produce microstructures inside...

... own robots and fits them with Kuka controllers. At Automatica, IGM showed a prototype hybrid laser welding system with two laser cameras, one for seam tracking and one for seam inspection (Plate 2). The system is to be implemented for beta testing at a customer in the heavy machinery sector...

...Mike Tao Zhang; Paulo Bartolo; Joel Vasco; Bruno Silva; Carlos Galo Purpose Laser milling is a recent process in mould making, providing several advantages over traditional mould making technologies by reducing manufacturing time, shortening the number of machining operations and avoiding...

... © Emerald Group Publishing Limited 2006 --> Lasers New affordable laser cutting/engraving machine combines power, precision and flexibility Keywords: Lasers The new Legend 36EXT laser cutting/ engraving machine is setting new standards in accuracy, performance...

...Jonathan Corney; Daniel Jean; W. Jack Lackey; Chad E. Duty Purpose To describe the thermal imaging control system used to deposit lines of graphite in a laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) system. Design/methodology/approach A thermal imaging‐based control system is applied to the LCVD...

...E.R. Davies; David Page; Andreas Koschan; Sophie Voisin; Ngozi Ali; Mongi Abidi Purpose Investigate the use of two imaging‐based methods – coded pattern projection and laser‐based triangulation – to generate 3D models as input to a rapid prototyping pipeline. Design/methodology/approach...

... (three‐dimensional miniaturised optical surface‐mounted device), this new technique is designed for use with optical components of around 2 mm in diameter such as laser diodes. It uses six‐axis robotic motion, automated optical alignment with cameras and position sensors and laser‐reflow soldering...

...Anna Kochan Reports from the 2004 Automotive Laser Applications Workshop in Plymouth, MI on the keynote presentation given by Klaus Loeffler, Volkswagen's joining specialist. Outlines the extent of Volkswagen's use of laser welding to build cars at both assembly plants in Germany and elsewhere...

...Robert W. Messler, Jr; Scot Bohnenstiehl; John Levene; Erika Johnson; Luo Chen Being inherently a non‐pressure fusion process, laser‐beam welding (LBW) has been shown to have difficulty compared to resistance spot welding for weld‐bonding Al alloy structures, despite the many structural...

..., Loughborough and DeMontfort, with industrial support from, amongst others, MG Rover, TRW Automotive, Sulzer Metco UK Ltd and Kemlows Diecasting Products Ltd. The developed process offers the rapid generation of mould tools from laser‐cut laminated sheets of H13 steel, bolted or brazed together and finish...

...J.P. Kruth; X. Wang; T. Laoui; L. Froyen Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one of the most rapidly growing rapid prototyping techniques (RPT). This is mainly due to its suitability to process almost any material: polymers, metals, ceramics (including foundry sand) and many types of composites...

... and some of the projects underway – laminated tools for die casting, laser fusion of functionally‐graded materials, and design for RM. Another activity is the industrial Consortium that helps its members in the application of RM technologies. Three Consortium projects are described: deep slot tooling...