The “1st Conference on Laser-based Optics Manufacturing LOM” will focus on laser-based manufacturing of complex optics and aim to boost the transfer of knowledge from research to industry. Laser-based optics manufacturing promises competitive advantages because it is cost-efficient, digitally controllable and also free of grinding dust and polishing agents.

The vision of purely photonic process chains in optics production is becoming a reality. “It is now foreseeable that lasers will develop their potential along the entire process chain, from shaping and polishing to shape correction,” says Dr Edgar Willenborg, group lLeader of polishing at Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen. In initial industrial applications, laser-based processes will complement established mechanical processes. The driver of this development is the increasing demand for complex aspheres and free-form optics specifically designed for individual applications. Their production is pushing mechanical manufacturing processes to their limits since these conventional methods are usually optimized for processing spherical – i.e. semicircular – lenses.

Shaping, polishing and correcting the more complex aspheres mechanically is time-consuming and costly. This is where freely programmable, non-contact laser processes have a distinct advantage. There is no need to use shaping tools or polishing agents. The laser processes also leave chemically clean surfaces. “And thanks to the numerically controlled processes which do not need forming tools, the processing times are no longer dependent on the lens shape,” explains Willenborg.

There are still a number of challenges to overcome before laser-based manufacturing processes can be widely used for optics. In particular, the required dimensional accuracy and the extensive range of materials for glass and polymer optics pose unresolved issues. Fraunhofer ILT is launching a new specialist conference to address these issues in a targeted and timely manner with an international specialist community from research and industry: The “1st Conference on Laser-based Optics Manufacturing LOM” will take place from October 15 to 16, 2024 in combination with the “6th Conference on Laser Polishing LaP” at the Aachen-based institute.

In addition to twenty lectures, the combined event will offer an extensive laboratory tour, a showcase and poster exhibition and various discussion and networking formats. “Because we are expecting a highly specialized international community from research and industry, both conferences will be held in English,” explains Willenborg. As the aim is to transfer know-how to industrial applications, the majority of presentations will be given by researchers.

In technical terms, LOM will focus on photonic process chains whose shaping is based on ablation using ultrashort-pulse (USP) lasers and selective laser-induced etching (SLE).