Laser-Based Manufacturing
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Course Overview
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to laser-based manufacturing. Students will learn the fundamentals of laser operation, beam delivery optics, and the governing equations of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with materials. The curriculum integrates theoretical concepts with practical knowledge drawn from over 50 years of combined industry and research experience. Real-world manufacturing examples illustrate system implementation, troubleshooting, and process optimization. This course is ideal for newcomers to laser manufacturing or professionals looking to deepen their understanding of laser applications. The 15-week format allows you to learn and apply materials each week. The one hour live session is interactive allowing you to learn from your instructors and other participants implementing laser equipment.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental characteristic of lasers, optics, and motion control elements and how they are applied to various manufacturing processes.
- Evaluate laser applications and be able to select laser equipment, process parameter space, process variables to monitor, and quality metrics.
- Apply safety standards and best practices for operating and maintaining laser equipment.
- Troubleshoot and identify root causes of process performance issues/variations and product defects.
- Analyze the relationship between laser process parameters and the resulting material and part properties, and effectively communicate how process choices influence manufacturing outcomes.
Who Should Attend?
- Design Engineers
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Senior Operators
- Technicians
- Supervisors
Course Outline
- History of lasers and their applications
- Laser Safety
- Principles of laser operation and types of lasers
- Electromagnetic (EM) radiation and wave propogation
- Optics
- Laser-material interactions
- Laser implementation considerations and trouble shooting
- Industrial manufacturing process applications of lasers:
- Marking
- Cleaning
- Heat treating
- Peening
- Forming
- Sintering and Welding
- Polishing and Structuring
- Cutting
Instructors
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.
Kevin Klingbell
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We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.
On-site / Customizable
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