Concept Laser Holds Topping Out Ceremony
In order to meet the growing demand for advanced generative laser melting technology, Concept Laser has expanded its production facility to increase its machine output and continue the company’s “dynamic growth” in the U.S.
Posted: July 30, 2014
Concept Laser GmbH (Lichtenfels, Germany), a pioneer in the field of laser melting with metals, held a “topping out” ceremony this past June at their headquarters in Lichtenfels. The ceremony was a milestone in the expansion of their production facility to meet the growing demand in the market for their advanced generative laser melting technology, LaserCUSING®. The new production facility is 3,500 sq m (approximately 37,000 plus sq ft) and allows the company to increase its machine output by a factor of 2.5 compared to the previous year.
“We have experienced highly dynamic growth in the U.S.,” said Frank Herzog, the chief executive officer of Concept Laser. “The primary reason for this growth is the increasing demand from the aerospace industry which relies heavily on additive production technology, as a rapid method for building prototypes and production metal parts. As a result of the increased in demand for machines, we are expanding our production facility capacity. The new facility provides additional benefits to our customers. The design of our new facility allows for guaranteed secrecy for the increasingly sensitive projects, thus ensuring a high level of confidentiality to our customers.”
Representatives of the laser melting system manufacturer stated that they are expecting a continuation of the massive growth in 3D printing (additive manufacturing) applications with metals. This will be driven primarily by the aerospace, automotive and medical and dental industries, with regional hotspots in the U.S., Europe and parts of Asia.
Herzog reported highly dynamic growth in the U.S. at the present time. The reason for this is the aerospace industry, which relies heavily on generative production technology (additive manufacturing) as a fast method of building prototypes and test beds while optimizing the time and costs of manufacturing amorphous components. The reason for the growth is the aerospace industry, which relies heavily on generative (or additive/3D printing) production technology, as a fast method of building prototypes and parts.
The company has also announced the new production capacity generated by collaboration within the Hofmann Innovation Group (Lichtenfels, Germany), of which the independent company Concept Laser is a member, is also a specialist in the fields of toolmaking and rapid and industrial prototyping. However, the group also boasts many years of experience in machine and plant engineering.
The Group has previously built machines for Concept Laser, so it was a logical step to take further advantage of the existing experience and synergy within the group, and a win-win situation for everyone involved. The new production facility was built by the Group and will also be responsible for the future production of Concept Laser systems.
Concept Laser will lease the space in the 3,500 sq m production facility and be responsible for the commissioning and quality assurance of its own machines. Speaking at the topping out ceremony, Frank Herzog stressed the importance of the collaboration. “Our new production capacity is a long-term investment that has the active support of the Hofmann Innovation Group. In the future, the financially solid structure of the Group and its numerous synergies will help us stay on the right track,” concluded Herzog.
In addition to expanding its production facility, Concept Laser continues to strengthen its workforce to meet the growing demands for its LaserCUSING technology. Since 2012, the company has strengthened its workforce in production, development, service, and applications engineering divisions worldwide and has increased the number of employees from 35 to 85.
Along with the personnel expansion, in 2013 the company opened a new 670 sq m research and development center for expanded testing capacity, with dedicated development equipment for the LaserCUSING. The new center offers engineers the perfect platform for process and system development. Recent developments from the new center include the release of LaserCUSING System X line 1000R in XXL format.
In related news, due to the growing demand for generative laser melting with metals in the US., Concept Laser announced their plans to open a U.S. subsidiary. Together with an existing subsidiary in China and their headquarters in Europe, this will place the company in prime locations around the world to support their growing customer base.
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