SME s s Perspectives of R&D in the field of Laser Technologies in Belgium

Workshop Pollasnet

SME’s Perspectives of R&D in the field of Laser Technologies in Belgium Dr. Filip Motmans – VITO (Belgium) Warsaw 11/12/2006

14 december 2006

vertrouwelijk – © 2006, VITO NV – alle rechten voorbehouden

Outline 1. Overview of VITO activities

2. Perspectives of Laser Technology in SME’s A. TAD Laser Technology (Regional action in Flanders) B. Belasnet (National action)

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Your partner in innovation

VITO ADS40 digital multispectral image at 1500 m altitude (04-09-2003)

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VITO in a nutshell •

Established in 1991 based upon the non-nuclear research activities of the SCK (Belgian Nuclear Research Centre)

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Autonomous public research company (shares 100 % owned by Flemish government)

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5-year framework contract (2001 - 2005)

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470 people – 7 centres of expertise

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Bridge between scientific knowledge and industrial applications or government policy

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VITO-mission As an independent and customer-driven research organization, VITO offers: • innovating, technological solutions • scientifically based advice and support aiming at • stimulating sustainable development • reinforcing the economic and social structure in Flanders.

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Annual revenue 1992 - 2005 70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000 kEUR

Generated income Grant

30,000

20,000

10,000

0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

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Range of action Flanders Belgium Europe World

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Activities Scientific world strategic research PhD students diffusion of knowledge

VITO

Government policy supporting research contract research reference centres

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Industry contract research consultancy technology transfer


Focus on research MEASUREMENTS MEASUREMENTS AND AND EVALUATIONS EVALUATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTISE • diagnosis, analysis and evaluation of existing environmental problems • preventing potential future ones • advising cost effective remedial or preventive action • main target group: governments

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INNOVATION INNOVATION AND AND RENOVATION RENOVATION TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE • optimising, developing and implementing in-house products and processes • adapting and transferring existing technologies and Best Available Techniques • target groups: industry and SME


Focus on research MEASUREMENTS MEASUREMENTS AND AND EVALUATIONS EVALUATIONS

INNOVATION INNOVATION AND AND RENOVATION RENOVATION

• Integrated environmental studies

• Energy technology

• Environmental measurements

• Materials technology

• Environmental toxicology

• Environmental and process technology

• Remote sensing and earth observation processes

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Material Technology Introduction and implementation of innovative advanced materials and related processes – Plasmatechnology – Ceramic materials and powder metallurgy – Rational use of raw materials – Waste and secondary raw materials – Centre of material advice and analysis – Laser Centre Flanders 14 december 2006


Laser Centre Flanders (LCV) •Founded in 1998 within VITO structure •Aims of LCV: Strategic research Advising role Applied industrial research Feasibility studies Demonstrations Technology transfer

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Main laser activities @ LCV:

•Mainly High Power applications •Laser welding (also hybrids) of metals (steel, aluminium, ...) •Laser welding of plastics •Laser hardening of metals •Laser cladding (wear resistance) •Laser cutting of materials (plastic, paper, metal, ...)

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Website

http://www.lcv.be

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Action programs to promote laser technology in SME’s in Belgium

1. TAD Laser Technology (Flanders)

2. Belasnet (National)

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1. TAD Laser Technology TAD = Subsidised Consultancy Service History Inquiry 4000 companies in Flanders Participants: steel, alu and plastic sector Sawing drilling cutting assembly milling deburring Companies using laser are mainly SMEs (75%) 50% cutting vs 20% welding

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Reasons for not using lasertechnology 1. High cost of investment (perception) laser equipment handling equipment 2. Lack of technologic knowledge of laser possibilities 3. No application (consequence of 2)

All three reasons indicate an underlying lack of knowledge on laser technology. 14 december 2006


Apparent need of technologic support Laser welding Many of current processes in industry can be replaced by laser technology yielding an increased production speed and quality, but knowledge of process is essential Laser cladding Little is known but looks very appealing (wear and corrosion reduction) but people are frightened

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TAD: regional action radius (Flanders part of Belgium) Participants:

VITO Clusta WTCM

Close collaboration with BIL KUL VKC

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Target groups for pro-avtive approach •Job shop companies (133) mainly cutting operations

•Mould production and repairing no deformation of mould due to low and local heat introduction (30)

•Plastic processors polymer welding (126)

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Aims of TAD •Sensitize •Feasibility studies + problem solver (independent vs laser supplier) •Technological advise (for innovation) •Demonstrations •Networking (research projects)

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New and quick evolutions laser field •Not every company needs to keep an eye on new developments •Knowledge transfer to companies is very important

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Facts and figures (period 2002-2005) •50.000 hits/year through LCV website •340 companies (55% SME) yearly increase of 50 •513 consultancy visits •139 advises for innovation •12 seminars (600 participants) •2 innovation days •68 demo projects leading to 146 reasearch projects in 100 companies 8 GTA (special subsidies for SME’s) 7 innovation studies (60% subsidized for SME’s) 1 innovation project (35% subsidized for SME’s)

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Aimed results (period 2006-2007) •150 company visits (>75% SME) •100 advises for innovation (>50% SME) •Seminars, newsletters, publications •50 demonstrations •Feasibility studies 40 GTA (special subsidies for SME’s) 4 innovation studies (60% subsidized for SME’s) 2 innovation project (35% subsidized for SME’s)

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2. Belasnet

Belgian Laser Applications Network National networking organisation Founded in 2003

Companies Members

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2004 104 145

2005 179 219

2006 200 277


Aims of Belasnet •Improving the visibility of Belgian laser-applied production and manufacturing activities. •Promoting Belgian laser technologies to public authorities and offering assistance for the preparation of research projects on European level. •Distributing public information to members. •Organisation of training and demonstrations. •Promoting mutual networking. •Providing assistance in the search for suitable partners for the execution of work in the field of research and development.

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Website: www.belasnet.be (trilingual) Since March 2004 77.000 hits 2004 12700 2005 32600 2006 31800 (until 11/2006)

Contents: -Technology sheets -New developments -Reports -Links -Events -Helpdesk

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Belasnet Flash bimontly (trilingual) •Reports on past events •Agenda Upcoming events •News from laser community •New developments in laser •Presentation of the member companies

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Belasnet Events Benelux Laser Event 2005 i.s.m. Mikrocentrum (april 2005) New evolutions in laser cutting i.s.m. LCV (mei 2005) Workshop Hybride Welding i.s.m. Clusta (mei 2005) FSW & HLW: a breakthrough in light metal alloy welding i.s.m. BIL (oktober 2005) Seminar laser marking (FR&ENG) i.s.m. CRIF-WTCM (november 2005) Nouvelles évolutions dans le découpe laser i.s.m CRIF-WTCM (december 2005) Themadag Lighting Industry 07/03/2006 Eureka KMO-avond voor de Kempen 05/05/2006 Laser applications in Textile Processing 26/09/2006 Innovaties in het lasersnijden 07/12/2006 EVIO “Laser aan de oppervlakte” 12/12/2006 Upcoming Events Benelux Laser Event 2007 Lessencyclus Laser Technology

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SME s s Perspectives of R&D in the field of Laser Technologies in Belgium

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