Welcome
11:00 am – 11:05 am Intermediate
Presentations
An Overview of Laser Applications in Manufacturing
11:05 am – 11:45 am Intermediate
This presentation provides an overview of laser applications in manufacturing, aimed at audiences new to the field. It introduces the main types of industrial laser sources and explains their key characteristics. The talk then explores common applications including welding, marking, cutting, and surface processing, highlighting how lasers enable precision, flexibility, and efficiency. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of where and why laser technologies are used across a wide range of industrial processes.
How Fiber Lasers are Reframing the Landscape of Industrial Fabrication
11:45 am – 12:15 pm Intermediate
Driven by continuous innovation since 1990, fiber lasers have become ubiquitous and cost-effective fabrication tools for nearly all industrial applications. From handheld lasers for consumers to fully automated robotic laser systems in hyperscale facilities, the high-efficiency and high-capability that fibers lasers offer is undisputed. We will present our vision of how industry adoption will accelerate in step with Smart-AI integration and Robotic-Mobility solutions to shift the value of lasers from Capex equipment to embedded capability.
Rethinking Bevel Cutting for Thick Steel: Laser and Plasma, Rivals or Partners?
12:45 pm – 1:15 pm Intermediate
Reducing Heat Input and Consumables in Thick-Section Welding with Lasers
1:15 pm – 1:45 pm Intermediate
This talk examines the use of high-power laser welding for thick-section steel and its impact on productivity and manufacturing cost. Conventional arc welding of thick materials requires multiple passes, high heat input, and significant filler metal consumption, leading to long cycle times, distortion, and high consumable usage.
The study demonstrates how laser welding enables deep penetration with substantially lower heat input. Precise energy delivery allows single-pass or reduced-pass welding in thickness ranges that traditionally require multi-layer deposition. This results in shorter welding times, lower energy consumption, and reduced thermal distortion.
Production-scale case studies compare laser welding to conventional processes. Quantitative data show reductions in welding time, filler wire usage, shielding gas consumption, and post-weld rework. The impact on overall cost and throughput is analyzed.
Practical Laser Marking & Cleaning Automation for Real-World Manufacturing
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Intermediate
In this session, Dirk Burrowes, President and Founder of Vytek Industrial Laser Systems, will discuss practical approaches to implementing laser marking and cleaning automation in real-world manufacturing operations. Drawing from more than three decades of experience designing and integrating industrial laser systems, Burrowes will explore key considerations including material compatibility, inline integration, motion control, machine vision alignment, robotic handling, and scalable production workflows.
Attendees will gain insight into how manufacturers across multiple industries are using laser marking technologies to improve efficiency, product identification, traceability, and long-term production reliability.
Attendees will gain insight into how manufacturers across multiple industries are using laser marking technologies to improve efficiency, product identification, traceability, and long-term production reliability.
Laser Welding Automation From Micro to Sheet Welding
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Intermediate
Fiber laser welding automation combines high-power laser sources with robotic systems to deliver precise, repeatable, and high-speed joining solutions. It enables deep penetration, low heat input, and minimal distortion, making it ideal for modern manufacturing. Automation enhances productivity, reduces labor dependency, and improves weld consistency, supporting scalable production across industries.
Laser to Cobot : The High-Performance and Cost-Effective Journey for Automating
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Intermediate
This presentation will cover the aspects of today’s handheld lasers and cost conscious technologies for Laser welding and cutting. The advent of the cobat has offered customers ease of use in automating the cost-conscious packagin of simplified Programming.
This presentation will cover the simplest automated work cell, up to mid priced advanced systems that offer high productivity and ease of use.
About the Speakers
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Geoff Shannon
Laser MarketsBiography
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Neil Ball
Applied SciTechBiography
Neil Ball is the CEO & CTO of Applied SciTech, of San Jose, California. Applied SciTech is a laser technology company serving the industrial, medical, and scientific laser communities worldwide. He has long-standing involvement in the industrial laser community, including participation in SME and the Laser Institute of America. Neil has served the laser industries with focuses on applied photonics—using different types of lasers (UV to infrared) for manufacturing across medical, aerospace, electronics, and other industries. -
Mark Boyle
AMADA WELD TECH, INC.Biography
Dr. Mark Boyle and his team focus on the development and support of products for a wide range of metal joining technologies, including laser welding, resistance welding, and microTIG welding. As a leader in micro welding processes, AMADA WELD TECH provides equipment solutions for a wide range of markets. -
JP Lavoie
Coherent IncBiography
Dr JP Lavoie is Senior Director of Laser Process Innovation at Laserax, where he leads the laser applications and product line management teams. His teams develop laser solutions for demanding materials and industrial challenges. With over 25 years of experience in laser materials processing and photonics, JP brings deep technical and market expertise. He holds a degree in Physics Engineering and a Ph.D. in Physics from Laval University, specializing in lasers and spectroscopy. -
David Fisher
IPG PhotonicsBiography
David Fisher is Head of Global Marketing at IPG Photonics. He holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University and an MBA from University of Massachusetts. Prior to IPG, he served as Sr. Global Marketing Manager for Schneider Electric - Data Center & Network Solutions, twice as a Sr. Product Marketing Manager for B2C & B2B technology companies, twice as a Creative Director for retail & out-of-home global advertising, and has been an avid musician and filmmaker for most of his life. -
Mustafa Coskun
IPG PhotonicsBiography
Mustafa Coskun is Senior Director and Global Head of Beam Delivery & Subsystems at IPG Photonics. He holds BS and MS degrees in Optical Engineering from the University of Rochester and a master’s degree from the Simon School of Business Administration, and has spent his career working extensively in high power laser technology. Prior to IPG, he led the industrial and high power laser scanning business at Novanta and earlier was responsible for the optical design and implementation of the short pulse front end of the Omega EP petawatt laser system at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. -
Faraz Mehdi
Hypertherm AssociatesBiography
Faraz Mehdi is a Senior Staff Engineer at Hypertherm with over 10 years of experience in plasma and laser consumables. He specializes in fluid mechanics, machine learning, and advanced analytics and has led several NPD and technology initiatives to develop innovative, high-impact engineering solutions. -
Ami Spira Spira
Civan Lasers Inc.Biography
Ami Spira is the General Manager of Civan Lasers USA, overseeing the company's operations throughout North America as of January 2024. Before stepping into this position, Ami was the VP of Marketing at Civan Lasers, where he accumulated over 6 years of B2B marketing and business development experience, specifically in the Photonic products sector. Throughout his career, Ami has embraced various leadership and marketing roles across multiple companies. -
Dirk Burrowes
Vytek Laser SystemsBiography
Dirk Burrowes is President and Founder of Vytek Industrial Laser Systems, a U.S. manufacturer of industrial laser marking, engraving, cutting, and welding systems. Since founding the company in 1989, he has led the development of laser technologies used across a broad range of manufacturing industries requiring permanent marking, traceability, precision processing, and automated production workflows. Over the past 30+ years, Burrowes has specialized in laser marking automation, helping manufacturers integrate laser systems into high-throughput production environments for serialization, compliance marking, UID implementation, branding, and product identification. His experience spans system integration, motion control, machine vision alignment, robotic handling, and industrial software workflows. Under his leadership, Vytek has grown from a small engraving operation into an internationally recognized laser systems manufacturer with equipment installed worldwide. Vytek systems are designed, manufactured, and supported in the United States. Burrowes brings a highly practical, application-focused perspective to laser technology, with deep experience solving real-world manufacturing challenges involving reliability, throughput, and production scalability. -
Leonard Fioroni
Biography
Leonard Fioroni is a product manager specializing in fiber laser welding automation, leading the development and implementation of robotic and cobot welding systems for industrial manufacturers. With over 11 years in welding applications and system integration, he helps fabricators improve weld quality, throughput, and consistency. -
Mike Sharpe
FANUC AmericaBiography
Michael Sharpe is a results-driven leader at FANUC, bringing a strong background in industrial automation, advanced manufacturing technologies, and customer-focused solutions. In his role, Michael works closely with customers and partners to deploy robotics and CNC systems that improve productivity, efficiency, and operational performance across a wide range of industries. With experience in automation strategy and technical collaboration, Michael is known for translating complex manufacturing challenges into practical, scalable solutions.