From 24 to 27 of June, the laser community met at the "LASER World of PHOTONICS" fair in Munich. In total 1.325 exhibitors presented their latest laser products to 34.000 visitors on 55.000 square meters. The "World of Photonics Congress" also took place with its various conferences dealing with the latest scientific developments in the field of optical technologies. 

The VDMA Working Group Lasers and Laser Systems for Material Processing held the annual press conference on Tuesday, 25 June. The focus was on the importance of lasers for medical applications and electromobility, new developments in the field of diode lasers and the economic data of the laser industry. Gerhard Hein, Managing Director of the Working Group Laser and Laser Systems for Materials Processing (picture, right), presented the latest market data for the laser industry.

The members of the Executive Board explained the latest applications and developments of their companies. Thomas Merk, Executive Vice President and General Manager Industrial Lasers & Systems at Coherent Munich GmbH + Co KG (picture, second from left), spoke about the role of lasers in biophotonics, medicine and medical technology. Topics ranged from DNA and flow cytometry to minimally invasive surgery and applications in ophthalmology. Dr. Christian Schmitz, CEO of the Laser Technology Division at TRUMPF GmbH + Co KG (picture, second from right), focused on the role of lasers in the field of electromobility. He showed that meaningful mass production of batteries, electric drives and high-performance electronics is only possible with laser technology. Finally, Dr. Christoph Ullmann, Managing Director of Laserline GmbH (picture, left), reported on the development of a blue diode laser. This class of laser systems brings advantages over other laser systems, especially for the energy-efficient processing of copper, and thus finds applications in the field of battery production.

All documents as well as the brochure "World of Laser Technology - Core of Photonics", which is always published at LASER World of PHOTONICS, can be downloaded from the Working Group Lasers and Laser Systems for Material Processing homepage.