AILU - The Association of Laser Users

AILU's Industrial Laser Applications Symposium (ILAS) 2025
2025-03-26 09:00 - 2025-03-27 16:00 (Europe/London) | Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, CV8 2LD, United Kingdom
Full-time student rate is for those registered as a full-time student. Those salaried or on paid internships should choose a ticket at the appropriate delegate rate.
N.B. AILU has been awarded an Optica Global Meeting Grant to help students attend ILAS 2025. Universities can register ONE student to attend ILAS 2025 as a delegate, free of charge (they will still need to cover T&S costs). Free registration will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. To nominate a student please email events@ailu.publishingbureau.dev
ILAS 2025 is a unique 2-day event that attracts international delegates and speakers to share the latest in laser material processing. You are guaranteed to make new contacts, expand your network, find business or collaboration opportunities, meet potential employers and employees to develop your organisation or career.
The symposium will be packed with presentations and exhibitions. It’s where academia meets industry for all things industrial laser related, so don’t miss out.
See the dedicated ILAS 2025 webpage here https://ilas2025.co.uk/
See Event Booking T&Cs here
See Events Code of Conduct here

Laser Safety - AILU workshop
2025-05-21 10:00 - 13:30 | AME, Coventry, Beresford Ave, Coventry, CV6 5LZ, United Kingdom
Introduction

Chair: Bethan Smith (MTC)
Laser safety is of paramount importance to ensure that the laser can be a manufacturing tool that is implemented widely and not considered a high-risk technology. Modern PPE, guarding and accessories make laser safety possible in a research or manufacturing environment.
What should be considered to enable the safe use of lasers? It is not only about the laser beam, which can be stopped using interlocks, guarding and PPE. Other risks are also significant. Laser processes, like conventional processes, generate fume that is hazardous to the operators and any personnel nearby. There are other risks to consider too.
This workshop will set out the latest amendents to the laser safety standards, discuss the latest evolutions of PPE for laser processing and consider how automation is a good alternative to reducing the skill required and the risk to operators when using hand held laser welders.
Who should attend?:
Anyone with a safety role in an organisation where lasers are currently in use (or being considered for use).
Anyone about to buy or currently using a hand held laser system.
Anyone interested in ensuring that the safety in their workplace is up to date
The 2025 AILU AGM will follow this workshop, from 13:30 – 14:30 (see here).
Programme
10:00 – 10:30 Registration
10:30 – 10:40 Welcome
Bethan Smith, MTC
Session 1

10:40 – 11:00 Forthcoming Amendments and new laser safety standards, evolutions of laser PPE and a request for laser user feedback
Neal Croxford, Dovecote Technologies
11:00 – 11:20 Automating existing hand-held laser welding systems to enhance safety
Sinan Bilgin, SS Laser Solutions
11:20 – 11:50 Laser Fume & Filtration
Richard Bloomfield, Donaldson BOFA
11:50 – 12:10 Training & PPE for Laser Safety
Preetesh Mistry, Pro-Lite Technology
12:10 – 12:30 Discussion Session – Q&A – How to promote and deliver strong laser safety in 2025
Dave MacLellan, AILU
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 AILU AGM (optional)

Venue
AME
Beresford Avenue
Coventry
CV6 5LZ
Please follow this link for information on security and parking https://ailu.publishingbureau.dev/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Getting-to-AME.pdf

AILU EVENT T&Cs
See AILU Event Terms and Conditions here.
____________________________________
By registering for this meeting you agree that you are happy for AILU and Sponsors to contact you after the event

AILU Event: Early Careers Group Event
2025-06-17 09:00 - 12:30 | Loughborough University, Epinal Way LE11 3TU, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
Tuesday 17th June
Loughborough University
Founded in 2017, AILU’s Early Careers Group (ECG) represents the next generation of laser industry and academic professionals. Members of the Group are from a variety of industrial laser backgrounds including research centres and industrial manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors.
On Tuesday 17th June the Group will host a seminar followed by a tour of the laser facilities at Loughborough University. Members of the ECG will deliver presentations highlighting the current focus of their research or laser interests.
The seminar is open to AILU members and non-members and would be of interest to those who might like to join this group or would benefit from networking with this enthusiastic and talented pool of individuals.

Programme
09:30 – 10:00 Registration & Refreshments
10:00 – 10:05 Welcome – Jacob Lavin, Loughborough University
10:05 – 10:25
Gas Dynamic Interactions in Laser Cutting
Jacob Lavin, Loughborough University
10:25 – 10:40
Remote laser welding of Zn-coated steel to aluminium for automotive structural applications
Ali Baghbani Barenji, University of Warwick
10:40 – 10:55
Utilising spherical aberration in laser processing
Dan Wilson-University of Manchester
11:00 – 13:00 Tour of Optical Engineering Building & Emergent Photonics Research Centre
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch

Venue
Sir David Davies Building
Loughborough University
LE11 3TU
See page 5 of campus map, Building 14 here and venue map here
Parking permit required for those attending by car which can be paid for in advance or on arrival – https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/fm/services/traffic-parking/visitors/

AILU Free Webinar: Implementing Beam Shaping
2025-06-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Sponsored by

Thursday 19th June 2025, 14:00 – 15:00 BST

Free online webinar

Implementing Beam-shaping in the Laser Industry:
Opportunities and Challenges
Speaker: Gwenn Pallier, Product Line Manager, Cailabs
Learn how beam-shaping is used to improve performance in laser material processing applications including welding, cutting, micro-processing and additive manufacturing.
There are many methods to achieve laser beam-shaping, find out more about how they work and what the advantages and challenges are in each case.
Discover examples of applications where MPLC (Multi Plane Light Conversion) from Cailabs has enabled the following benefits:

Enhanced process quality
Increased process speed
Improved depth of focus

Beam-shaping is a hot topic in 2025, this webinar will help you understand how to access the benefits presented by the latest technology.
As well as a presentation, there will be the opportunity to have questions answered in a Q&A session at the end of the webinar.
The webinar will be recorded and accessible for free via YouTube and Vimeo.
The PDF version of the PowerPoint slides will be available after the webinar.

AILU EVENT T&Cs
See AILU Event Terms and Conditions here.
____________________________________
By registering for this meeting you agree that you are happy for AILU and Sponsors to contact you after the event

AILU Workshop - Micro Drilling
2025-10-02 10:00 - 15:30 | AURA Innovation Centre, Bridgehead Business Park, Meadow Road, Hull, Hessle, HU13 0GD, United Kingdom
Sponsored by Luxinar

Introduction
Chair: Mike Wakeham (Winbro)
The latest laser sources bring higher power and ultrashort pulse widths. These parameters increase the quality and throughput of laser drilling in a number of materials including metals and glass. Automotive, medical device, semiconductor and consumer electronics manufacturers are looking for this quality and speed. Small hole diameters and minimal heat input (low distortion) are benefits that laser micro drilling can bring.
Learn from a range of presenters who are using and manufacturing solutions in micro laser drilling. If you are contemplating the use of laser micro drilling in manufacturing or research, this workshop is for you.
Meet laser drilling application experts and suppliers over this full day workshop. The venue is a short walk from Luxinar’s UK facility. During the event there will be a networking lunch where a few exhibitors will be available to discuss the products and services they offer.
At the end of the workshop there will be a short tour of Luxinar’s facility. A live “remote” demonstration of their lasers in action will also be included in the agenda for the day.

Programme:
9:30 – 10:00 am Registration and Coffee
10.00 – 10.10 Welcome
Yannick Galais, Luxinar

10.10 – 10.30 Microelectronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing: A Paradise for Laser Drilling?
Ben Fulford, Luxinar
10.30 – 10.50 High Speed Micro Drilling of Metals and Glasses
Dimitris Karnakis, Oxford Lasers
10.50 – 11.10 ns pulsed fibre laser: a versatile tool for drilling applications
Jack Gabzdyl, TRUMPF
11.10 – 11.40 Tea & Coffee Break
11.40 – 12.00 Laser selective etching of transparent materials with modified Bessel beams
Jakob Gueye, Heriot Watt University
12.00 – 12.20 High aspect ratio micro-drilling in glass and SiC using percussion and single-pulse processes
Artur Stabrawa, Fluence Technology
12.20 – 12.40 Advances in Laser Drilling and Metallization of TGVs for Advanced Packaging
Ashley Crane, EKSPLA
12.40 – 1.50 pm Lunch, Exhibitors and Networking
1.50 – 2.10 Micro Hole Drilling for Biomedical Applications
Mike O’Key, OpTek Systems
2.10 – 2.30 High speed drilling of micro holes in metallic components
Olusola Oyelola , Winbro Group
2.30 – 2.50 High power laser drilling of 0.5 mm thick stainless steel
Jagdheesh Radhakrishnan, MTC
2.50 – 3.10 From negative to >45 Degree angles, how to control taper during cutting & drilling processes
David Bruneel, LASEA
3.10 – 3.20 Remote presentation of Luxinar USP Laser Applications Lab.
Louise May, Luxinar
3.20 – 3.40 Tea & Coffee Break
3.40 – 4.40 Tour of Luxinar facility

Venue
AURA Innovation Centre
Bridgehead Business Park
Meadow Road
Hull
Hessle
HU13 0GD
Find out more about AILU events (past and future) here: ailu.org.uk/events
Interested to join our Early Careers Group? – more here: ailu.org.uk/early-careers-group
Read about the event sponsor here: luxinar.com

AILU EVENT T&Cs
See AILU Event Terms and Conditions here.
____________________________________
By registering for this meeting you agree that you are happy for AILU and Sponsors to contact you after the event

AILU Event - Early Careers Group Seminar & Tour
2025-11-19 10:00 - 14:30
AILU’s Early Careers Group Seminar & JET Fusion Tour
Wednesday 19th November
UKAEA, Culham, Oxfordshire

Founded in 2017, AILU’s Early Careers Group (ECG) represents the next generation of laser industry and academic professionals. Members of the Group are from a variety of laser backgrounds including universities & research centres, and industrial manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors.
On Wednesday 19th November the Group will host a seminar followed by a tour of the JET fusion facility.
The seminar and tour are open to AILU members and non-members, and would be of interest to those who might like to join this group or would benefit from networking with this enthusiastic and talented pool of individuals.
IMPORTANT: Attendees must bring photo ID.

Programme
10:00 – 10:30 Registration & Refreshments
10:30 – 10:50 Welcome and Introduction to Fusion Energy Research at UKAEA
Chris Peters, UKAEA
10:50 – 11:05 Laser Repair Processes for Remote In-Situ Operations in Future Fusion Power Plants
Sean Roche-Watson, University of Manchester
11:05 – 11:20 Exploring Microstructural Evolution Induced by Dynamic Beam Shaping in Autogenous Laser Beam Welding of AA6082
Reshad Bakhtari , Warwick University
11:20 – 11:35 Commercial Thinking for Technical People: Understanding Value, Not Just Specs
Tom Kerrigan, TLM Laser
11:35 – 11:55 Cutting Edge Laser Processing and Micro-Machining Tools
Mike O’Key, OpTek Systems
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 14:30 Tour
14:30 – 16:00 ECG Members’ Meeting

Tour
Joint European Torus (JET) was the world’s largest and most powerful fusion machine – it operated for over 40 years, setting a series of fusion performance records until closing in late 2023. The project was hosted by UKAEA for labs around Europe and laid the foundation for many of the advances we see in fusion research today.
Now JET is becoming a pioneer in the decommissioning of large fusion facilities. The techniques and knowledge from UKAEA’s JET Decommissioning & Repurposing (JDR) programme will help to develop future fusion plants that are sustainable from both an environmental and financial perspective.
The tour will allow individuals to gain an appreciation of the scale and complexity of this large device and the systems required to operate and maintain it.

Venue
UK Atomic Energy Authority
Culham Campus
Abingdon
Oxfordshire
OX14 3DB
Click on the links below for:
Travel details – Visitor-travel-information-UKAEA.pdf
Site map – Site-map-UKAEA.pdf
Tour information – Tour-information-UKAEA.pdf

AILU 2025 Annual Job Shop Business Meeting
2025-11-27 10:00 - 16:00 | TRUMPF, Luton, President Way, Airport Executive Park, Luton, LU2 9NL, United Kingdom
Sponsored by Laser Trader

Introduction
The laser manufacturing sector contains over 150 subcontractors in the UK. If you are a member of this community or in the supply chain, this meeting is for you!
Not a member of AILU? No problem! Non-members are welcome too. Talk to us about special offer tickets for non-members in the laser subcontract industry – especially if you have never experienced this meeting before.
After this event, you will take away vital information which can make a real difference to your business. By mixing with industry peers, the AILU Job Shop Members can benchmark their performance in a number of business areas. This meeting will focus on Carbon Footprint reduction, Cyber Security, Cost of Metals and Scrap, Micromachining, Welding and much more – so that participants have the information to determine the future directions of their business. Plenty of time is set aside in the programme for networking and discussion with delegates and presenters.
As well as the above there will be the usual opportunities to catch up with the latest new technology on the market, the results of the Prime and Scrap Metal Survey and the Open Discussion Forum which allows people to ask any question that may be answered by our panel of experts or participants in the audience.
Programme
09:30 – 10:00 Registration & refreshments
10:00 – 10:05 Welcome & Introduction
Chris Waters (Chair of AILU Job Shop Group)
10:05 – 10:20 Introduction to TRUMPF
Lee Moakes (TRUMPF UK)
10:20 – 10:40 Reducing Carbon and Costs with Real Solutions
Matthew Roberts (Energise)
10:40 – 11:00 Buying Energy in 2026
Liam Conway (Greenfields Energy Group)
11:00 – 11:30 Refreshments
11.30 – 11.50 Drivers and Challenges in the UK Steel Market 2026
Kaye Ayub (MEPS International)
11:50 – 12:10 How Cyber-secure is Your Business?
Paul Crumpton (IASME)
12:10-12:30 Laser & Ultrasonic Welding
Phil Carr (Carrs Welding)
12:30 – 12:40 AILU Prime & Scrap Metal Survey Results
Dave MacLellan (AILU)
12:40 – 13:40 Lunch
13:40 – 14:40 What’s new – short commercial presentations
Short company pitches (10 mins each): Bystronic, Ficep, SS Laser Solutions, Mate Tooling Solutions, World Machinery, TRUMPF
14:40-15:20 Open Discussion Forum
15:20 Close

Directions:
Directions to venue on Google Maps
PLEASE PARK IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING AND ENTER VIA THE MAIN ENTRANCE

AILU Workshop: Optics & Beam Delivery
2026-02-12 09:00 - 16:00 | MTC, Ansty Park, Coventry, CV7 9JU, United Kingdom
Sponsored by Laser Trader

Introduction

Chair: Bethan Smith (MTC)
Material processing applications such as cutting, drilling, welding, and surface structuring rely heavily on advanced beam delivery and control to achieve high productivity and consistent quality across metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, and other industrial materials. Innovations in optics for beam shaping, fiber-optic delivery, articulated arms, scanning heads, and welding and cutting heads have played a central role in enabling higher throughput, easier integration, improved reliability, and greater overall efficiency.
This workshop will feature presenters discussing recent developments in optical components, beam-shaping methods, and beam-delivery hardware—including galvo scanning heads, articulated arms, and processing heads for welding and cutting. These insights will be valuable to beam-delivery manufacturers, optics suppliers, system integrators, and end users of laser material processing, as well as researchers working to advance the field.
As well as listening to the presenters, there is plenty of time for networking with the other delegates and a handful of exhibitors. The meeting includes tea/coffee breaks and a buffet lunch.

Programme
9:30 – 10:00 am Registration and Coffee
10:00 – 10:10 Welcome
Bethan Smith, MTC
10:10 – 10:30 Novel Optical Coating Techniques for High Power Laser Material Processing Applications
Samuel Thienel, Laser Components
10:30 – 10:50 Flexible mechanisms for free-space delivery of laser energy
Nick Clark, Alban Laser Systems
10:50 – 11:10 Single-Step AI Control of Coherent Beam Combination for Agile Beam Shaping
Ben Mills, University of Southampton
11.10 – 11.40 Tea & Coffee Break
11:40 – 12:00 A stable beam for a stable process
Fabrice Meier, Cailabs
12:00 – 12:20 Agile Femtosecond Lasers for Precision Multi-Material Manufacturing
Nicolas Valero, Amplitude Laser:
12:20 – 12:40 Innovative hollow core fibre beam delivery solutions for Ultrashort Pulsed Lasers
Benoît Beaudou, GLOphotonics
12.40 – 1.50 pm Lunch, Exhibitors and Networking
1:50 – 2:10 Beam Shaping for Advanced Laser Manufacturing
Andrea Geltrude, PowerPhotonic
2:10 – 2:30 Example applications in laser beam manipulation for micro-structuring of materials
Olivier Allegre, University of Manchester
2:30 – 2:50 Keyhole stabilisation and spatter-free welding with Adjustable Mode Beam fibre lasers
Mustafa Coskun, IPG Photonics
2:50 – 3:20 Tea & Coffee Break
3:20 – 3:40 UK Laser Damage Assessment and IBD Coatings for High-Power Applications
Andrew Ritchie, BRL Laser Damage Ltd.

Venue

Manufacturing Technology Centre
MTC Events
AMTC Building
Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre
Airfield Drive
Ansty Business Park
Coventry
CV7 9JU
What3Words: encodes.backed.balancing
Go to Google Maps

Travelling by car
The MTC in Coventry is located minutes away from Junction 2 of the M6.
Head into the Ansty Business Park through a set of traffic lights. Go straight over the next two roundabouts and then take the first exit at the third roundabout. From here, take the first right for the AMTC Building car park.
Parking at the AMTC building
Located within our beautiful grounds, the parking facilities at our AMTC building in Coventry have 275 complimentary car parking spaces and 10 large disabled parking bays. The parking is secure with barrier control, and we have dedicated EV parking for electric vehicles.
Please only use dedicated car parking when travelling by car. Stopping and parking on the roundabout in front of the venue is prohibited at all times, including for dropping off and picking up. Please be aware that regular law enforcement patrol the area and issue fines in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Travelling by train
Just 20 minutes from Coventry Railway Station, rail is a popular transport option for our delegates. The X30 bus travels from Coventry railway station to the Ansty Business Park every 20 minutes. Alternatively, there’s a taxi rank situated just outside the station.
Travelling by air
Birmingham Airport is less than a 30-minute drive from Ansty Business Park. If you’d like us to arrange Taxis or Ubers from the airport, please let the MTC know.

Travelling by bus
There’s a dedicated bus service that runs frequently between Ansty Park and the centre of Coventry.
The X30 stops at Pool Meadow Bus Station in Coventry, and travels via Coventry train station.
From the city centre, the bus route follows the main artery roads past the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, before arriving at Ansty Park.

AILU Event: Early Careers Group Seminar & Tour
2026-06-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Micrometric, Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 3RX, United Kingdom
Early Careers Group Seminar & Tour
Monday 8th June 2026

Programme to follow

Venue
Micrometric Ltd,
Doddington Road,
Lincoln,
LN6 3RX

AILU's Industrial Laser Applications Symposium (ILAS) 2027
2027-03-24 08:00 - 2027-03-25 17:00 | Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth, CV8 2LD, United Kingdom
ILAS 2027 is a unique 2-day event, attracting international delegates, speakers and exhibitors from around the world to share the latest in laser material processing technology and applications.
Enjoy plenary presentations from renowned international speakers, keynote speakers on a range of topics covering the whole of industrial laser technology, and around 80 high-calibre presentations from industry and academia. On top of this, 30 exhibitors will represent the latest in laser technology and the complete supply chain. Whether you’re a researcher, engineer, business owner, student or technology supplier, the programme is built to inform and inspire across the full breadth of laser applications.
Make new contacts, expand your network, find business or collaboration opportunities, meet potential employers and employees to develop your organisation or career.
2027 marks the tenth Industrial Laser Applications Symposium
It’s where academia meets industry for all things industrial laser related, so don’t miss out.

See the dedicated ILAS 2027 webpage here: https://ilas2027.co.uk
