IPG Photonics and University College London have reached a major milestone in their strategic research partnership. In November state-of-the-art high-power lasers, laser depth dynamics, and their auxiliary equipment were delivered and commissioned at the UCL lab located at Research Complex at Harwell.
The project is part of Dr Chu Lun Alex Leung’s IPG Photonics/Royal Academy of Engineering Senior Research Fellowship in synchrotron calibrated laser processing technologies (SEARCH). It aims to establish a cutting-edge imaging platform that combines X-ray and light-based imaging to better understand the interaction of lasers with materials, enhancing our fundamental grasp of laser technologies. The ultimate goal is to transform the calibration and use of laser and sensing technologies, facilitating flaw detection and closed-loop process control. This advance will enable the fabrication of defect-free products for electric vehicles and advanced propulsion systems, revolutionising manufacturing standards.
"I want to thank IPG Photonics, Royal Academy of Engineering, UCL, and Research Complex for their tremendous support to kick-start my Senior Research Fellowship. I am excited to develop and deploy use-inspired technologies with IPG Photonics Inc. and its subsidiaries in the UK, Germany, and Canada. Looking forward to working with IPG and UCL teams to shed light on laser material processing."
Chu Lun Alex Leung
The recent arrival of this world-class equipment at Research Complex is a great milestone for our work in materials imaging. We’re thrilled to continue to support Alex’s research in this next phase of his career with the RAEng fellowship. As a vital member of our community, his collaborative efforts bring together not only IPG Photonics and the department at UCL, but also create crucial links with the national facilities at Harwell, supported by UKRI.
John Hand, Director, Research Complex at Harwell
"At IPG Photonics, we are thrilled to be part of this ground-breaking collaboration with UCL. This partnership aligns seamlessly with our mission to advance laser technologies that enable innovative manufacturing solutions. By combining our state-of-the-art high-power laser systems with Dr Leung’s cutting-edge research, we are not only pushing the boundaries of material processing but also contributing to the broader goals of sustainable manufacturing and a net-zero future."
Iurii Markushov, Corporate Vice President, Global Applications, IPG Photonics
"Alex’s Fellowship marks the latest phase the dynamic partnership between UCL Mechanical Engineering and IPG Photonics. This strategic collaboration is set to drive significant advancements in laser and sensing technologies, with the department eagerly anticipating the integration of this research into industrial applications."
Fiona Jamieson, Strategic Partnerships Director, Mechanical Engineering, UCL
Background:
IPG Photonics is a world-leading manufacturer of fibre lasers and amplifiers. We serve a wide range of industrial applications, including laser welding, additive manufacturing (AM), cutting, cleaning, etc. Our annual revenue is USD ~$1.46 billion, with > 6580 employees worldwide. Our company’s operational objectives align with the goals and objectives of the SEARCH programme as we aim to drive UK’s productivity capabilities, accelerating the transition towards the 2050 net-zero emission target, and to tackling global challenges in ‘Innovate UK materials and manufacturing vision 2050’ and ‘Future of mobility’.
Dr Chu Lun Alex Leung is an Associate Professor in Advanced Manufacturing (2023 - present), IPG Photonics / Royal Academy of Engineering Senior Research Fellow in Synchrotron calibratEd lAser pRocessing teCHnologies (SEARCH), and Co-director of the Materials, Structure, and Manufacturing group at Harwell, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London. Discover more about his work here.
