Laser-Based Manufacturing II Laser-Material Interactions

This course serves as Module II of the Laser-Based Manufacturing Series, building upon the foundational concepts introduced in Module A: Fundamentals of Laser-Based Manufacturing. Participants explore the physical principles governing how laser energy interacts with materials and how these interactions influence process performance, product quality, and manufacturing outcomes.

Successful completion of Module I is required.

This module examines the science that underlies laser processing and provides participants with a deeper understanding of how materials respond to laser energy. Topics include energy absorption, heat transfer, phase transformations, process monitoring, and system integration considerations that affect manufacturing performance.

Participants will explore how laser parameters, material properties, and process conditions combine to influence quality, productivity, and process stability. The module bridges foundational laser physics and practical manufacturing applications, preparing participants to evaluate and optimize laser-based processes.

View course details

Who Should Attend?

Design and manufacturing engineers working with or transitioning to laser-based processes.
Senior operators, technicians, and supervisors involved in laser system setup and maintenance.
Professioanls in aerospace, automotive, or medical device industries seeking to enhance their laser capabilities.
Evaluate and select appropriate laser systems, process parameters, and quality metrics for various manufacturing applications.
Troubleshoot laser processes and identify root causes of defects and performance issues.
Apply laser safety standards and understand how process choices affect material and part outcomes.

What You Will Learn

Upon successful completion of this module, participants will be able to:

Explain how laser wavelength, power density, pulse characteristics, and material properties influence laser-material interactions

Analyze mechanisms of energy absorption, reflection, transmission, and thermal transport during laser processing.
Describe the effects of laser processing on material microstructure and resulting part properties.
Distinguish between solid-state heating, melting, vaporization, and multi-phase transformation processes.
Evaluate the relationship between process parameters and manufacturing outcomes such as quality, productivity, and consistency.
Identify key variables that must be monitored and controlled to achieve stable laser processing performance.

Course Details: RA00148-E377

Course Outline

Industrial Laser Technologies: Comparison of CO2, fiber, disk, excimer, harmonic, continuous-wave, pulsed, and ultrafast laser systems and their manufacturing applications.

Laser System Architecture and Integration: Beam delivery methods, galvo systems, mask processing, part handling, automation, vision systems, registration, and calibration.

Process Monitoring and Thermal Effects: Analysis equipment, process diagnostics, web-handling considerations, heat transfer, and process measurement techniques.

Material Response and Process Physics: Material heating, phase transformations, fluid flow, energy distribution, and the scientific principles underlying laser processing performance.

Course Schedule

Instructors and Program Director

Instructors

Kevin Klingbeil

Kevin Klingbeil is a seasoned expert in laser manufacturing processes with over 25 years of experience in process engineering, quality management, and technology leadership. He began his career after earning a physics degree from UW–Madison, initially working in automated circuit board inspection before advancing into laser-based manufacturing. His expertise spans laser welding, cutting, scoring, cladding, and heat treating across both metallic and non-metallic materials using a wide range of laser systems and wavelengths.

Kevin has consistently taken on both technical and leadership roles, including managing quality systems, developing embedded controls for galvo scanners, and directing multidisciplinary teams. He has also contributed to industry knowledge through conference presentations and client education. Currently, he leads his own consulting firm, Cross Product Solutions, helping manufacturers optimize laser processes and system integration.

Frank Pfefferkorn

Dr. Frank Pfefferkorn is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His teaching and research are focused on discrete metal part manufacturing processes, and heat transfer as it applies to manufacturing processes. His goals are to: (1) educate/develop manufacturing engineers/workforce, and (2) build a scientific understanding of advanced manufacturing processes, develop physics-based models that can be used to improve and control these processes, and to transfer this fundamental knowledge to industry. In his lab he conducts research with a focus on where the tool meets the workpiece, whether that tool is a laser, mechanical cutting tool, friction stir tool, etc. Currently, his lab is conducting research on: friction stir welding and processing, placing sensors in the coatings of cutting tools for smart manufacturing, solid-state metal additive-subtractive manufacturing (including friction surfacing), and laser remelting surfaces for polishing, structuring, and hardening.

In addition to being an Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering he serves as the Academic Director of the online MS Manufacturing Systems Engineering Program at UW-Madison.
Program Director

James Rink

Total Credits:

CEU 1,

Course Administration

Fee Information

Fee Covers instruction and materials

Discounts

When eight or more sign up from same employer, your course discount is $161.
When three or more sign up from same employer, your course discount is $107.

Payment Options

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
Provide the registrations representative with:
- the course name, dates, and/or course number.
- the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend, please notify us by no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Because this course has limited enrollment, cancellation received after this date and no-shows are subject to the full course fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.