“The universal laser machine”
After a Corona-related break in 2020, highlights and innovations in the field of industrial laser-based manufacturing brought together about 180 experts and users at the 11th Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum (SLT) in June 2022.
The SLT is an international, scientific conference that takes place every two years and always presents current research results and future trends. The conference with a total of 44 lectures covered topics from micro- to macro-processing together with the required laser sources and beam delivery systems. It is organized by the Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW) of the University of Stuttgart and always takes place in conjunction with the Lasys.


The relaxed time schedule together with the pleasant surroundings of the Lasys fair once again provided the conference topics with a suitable framework for active and successful networking. An evening event following the first day of the SLT 2022 provided further opportunities for exchange, including a guided tour through the laboratories directly at the IFSW.
Many representatives of research, development and industry took part in the conference. The presentations were held in English and German, with simultaneos translation. On 21 June Dr Andreas Michalowski, Bosch Research, talked about “Towards automated self-learning process optimization”. Dr Christian Schmitz, Trumpf did a presentation on "Industrial laser processing: What’s next?". Highlights on 22 June were a talk by Prof. Ludger Overmeyer, Leibniz University Hannover, about “Additive manufacturing under space conditions using the Einstein elevator”; Winfried Kaiser about “The (r)evolution of lithography optics: EUV enables the continuation of Moore’s Law” and Prof Thomas Graf, Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge at the University of Stuttgart, about “On the way to the universal laser machine”.
Read selected talks as technical articles in a special section of the June/July '22 issue of PhotonicsViews.
The next SLT will take place 4 – 5 June 2024.
Further reading: LASYS holds its own in a strong market environment, wileyindustrynews.com, 28 June 2022
Company
University of Stuttgart – Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW)Pfaffenwaldring 43
70569 Stuttgart
Germany
most read

IMTS 2026: America's Manufacturing Sector Focuses on Growth and Technology
The largest manufacturing trade show in the Western Hemisphere is bringing together 1,788 exhibitors this year, including about 400 companies participating for the first time.

Forecast: Significant Growth in Industrial Robotics by 2030; Cobots Are Growing the Fastest
According to a recent analysis by Interact Analysis, global sales of industrial robots are expected to rise from about 550,000 units in 2025 to just over 760,000 units in 2030.

Solid-State Transformers for AI Data Centers
As part of a strategic partnership, Siemens and Reinhausen are developing a solid-state transformer for AI data centers with an 800-volt DC system.

Humanoid robotics is driving demand for cobot arms and actuators
According to recent analyses, global production of humanoid robots exceeded the 20,000-unit mark in 2025 and is expected to more than triple in 2026.

European machine vision expects slight recovery and growth in 2026
According to the VDMA Machine Vision department, sales are expected to increase by around 3%, following a decline of 2% in 2025.






