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MWL Laser Manufacturing Weekly — Fourth Edition August 20, 2026

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From LPBF Distortion to Machine Uptime: This Week in Laser Manufacturing

This week’s stories cover very different parts of manufacturing with light, but I think a common thread runs through them.

Getting a laser process to work is only part of the job. We also have to make it predictable, traceable, maintainable, and useful in production.

This week we look at LPBF distortion compensation, automated medical stent welding, growth in industrial laser applications, and using machine data to improve uptime. We are also introducing a new MWL Product Watch and our first recurring MWL Automation Note.

Manufacturing With Light Weekly 2nd Edition

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This week’s issue looks at the less glamorous work that turns laser technology into a dependable
manufacturing process. Fraunhofer ILT is developing localized laser methods for applying PFAS-free
functional coatings. Chiba University is investigating whether the tiny recoil force created during
ablation can provide real-time feedback on processing depth and breakthrough. A second Fraunhofer
story follows extreme high-speed laser material deposition from development into automotive series
production.

Advanced Motion Algorithms Are Powerful — But Physics Still Gets a Vote

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Modern motion controllers are amazing. In laser processing, advanced algorithms can smooth corners, reduce vibration, improve path following, synchronize laser firing, and help squeeze more performance out of a machine. Features such as input shaping, look-ahead, contour smoothing, and frequency-response-based tuning are real tools that can make a good machine much better [1][2][3][4]. But they … Read more

Why can a Class 4 laser be operated by hand when enclosed laser machines require so much engineering?

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I will admit that I am confused. You probably will be too if you read this article. But it’s an important topic that deserves to be discussed. Please read the full article. And please chime in. I have helped build industrial laser systems containing Class 4 lasers. To make the completed machines Class I, or … Read more