Automotive industry leader Ralf Kimmel will provide a keynote address on Laser Applications in Automotive Manufacturing on day two of this year’s Lasers for Manufacturing Event^® (LME^®), April 26-27, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA.

Kimmel, an automotive industry business development leader at Germany’s TRUMPF, a leading worldwide manufacturer of fabricating equipment and industrial laser technology, will address the integration of innovative, cost-efficient production processes and the use of new materials in the auto industry — all enabled by laser technology.

“Light as a tool in manufacturing cars is an established medium for a wide range of applications; at the same time, laser technology is a guarantor for innovation and enables the development of new car technologies,” Kimmel said. “Although these innovations are happening at different levels, lasers are the missing element that we can incorporate for present and future industry growth and success.”

Kimmel will touch on the choice of material and production methods of today’s automobiles, which, as Kimmel mentioned, lead to new challenges and opportunities for lasers in joining processes. Various application examples will be shown, like a new laser brazing technology, welding of copper with new lasers at green wavelengths, and black laser marking, without any susceptibility to corrosion.

Kimmel’s keynote address will be one of four unique educational presentations at the fifth annual LME. This year’s conference in the heart of the Southeast will feature the latest trending topics in 3D printing, additive manufacturing, cutting, welding, drilling and marking.

For more information on LME 2016 and to register, visit www.laserevent.org.