Notable names in Additive Manufacturing, including GE Additive’s Greg Morris and Marc Esformes of Stryker, gathered in Houston, TX for the two-day event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 14, 2017 – The Laser Institute of America’s 2017 Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM^®) took place February 21–22 in Houston, Texas. Researchers and industry leaders from all over the world came together to discuss the latest advances and future challenges within the world of laser additive manufacturing. The two-day event featured
presentations, exhibitors and ample networking opportunities for attendees and industry professionals alike.

“LAM offers its attendees the opportunity to create lasting relationships with key individuals in their industry,” said Jim Naugle, Marketing Director with LIA. “This year was no exception.”

Presentation Highlights

Conference General Chair Milan Brandt of RMIT University addressed the conference, officially kicking off the event.

“Laser systems are at the heart of metal additive manufacturing technology,” says Brandt. “This year’s conference provided an opportunity for those involved with laser technology to explore the latest progress and challenges in additive technology, including the latest in Nano-additive technology and medical applications.”

The workshop opened with a keynote presentation from GE Additive’s Greg Morris, titled Accelerating the Additive Revolution, which highlighted the additive manufacturing efforts led by General Electric, including the company’s plans to be vertical by 2022. In regards to the future of additive manufacturing as a whole, Morris suggested that while the current supply chain will not be immediately replaced, a definite shift is occurring, with co-existence happening in the foreseeable future. He added that laser additive manufacturing has revolutionized jet engine production, reducing 855 individual parts down to 12.

Representing the medical side of additive manufacturing, Marc Esformes of Stryker presented Additive Manufacturing of Medical Implants. As a part of one of the pioneering companies utilizing additive manufacturing for medical devices and tools, Esformes emphasized the potential for revolution when it comes to using AM for life-saving medicalpurposes.

“We can design anything,” Esformes said, in reference to how implants can be custom designed by doctors, for patients using additive manufacturing. “Custom implants can go from 3D scan to 3D part in just a few weeks.”

Our final keynote, Simulation and Modeling of the Metal Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing Process, was presented by Wayne King of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)

and focused on results of extensive efforts to improve qualification of parts produced using laser powder-bed fusion AM by applying physics-based models. King, a widely-recognized expert andDirector of AM Materials at LLNL described the multi-scale modeling efforts of his team, focusing on powder-scale and parts-scale models.

The powderscale model has become so powerful that it can now predict phenomena that was unanticipated, as well as nearly every spark and splatter, occurring in the powder-bed and melt pool. Even with such powerful simulation tools, there is work to be done to create more complete simulations of every step from design to part.

Exciting Developments Unveiled at LAM

Sponsor and attendee Optomec featured the new LENS Machine Series for metal additive manufacturing applications at the event. The LENS series comes in three models and combines Optomec LENS Print Engine technology with standard CNC Vertical Milling platforms, making metal AM technology more accessible and affordable.

While using #LAM2017 on Twitter, attendees, vendors and presenters alike shared their thoughts and photos from the event. LAM 2017 provided two days packed full of knowledge and innovation in laser additive manufacturing, kicking off a new year of progress for both lasers and additive manufacturing technology.

For more information regarding LIA conferences and workshops, like LAM, please visit www.lia.org/conferences. For the latest updates regarding conferences, industry developments, and all things lasers, visit and subscribe to www.laserstoday.com.

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide.