On November 6, 2025, the VDMA Working Group Laser and Laser Systems for Material Processing held its autumn meeting at the VDMA headquarters in Frankfurt. Members received a concise overview of current developments, strategic topics, and international market trends in laser technology.
VDMA Laser opened the meeting with updates on ongoing projects and activities. This was followed by analyses of market trends and industry perspectives based on data from Optech Consulting, VDMA, and VDW. Discuss...

From September 21–25, 2026, the 14th CIRP Conference on Photonic Technologies (LANE 2026) will take place at the Heinrich‑Lades‑Hall in Erlangen. It is organized by the Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies and the Institute of Photonic Technologies at FAU Erlangen‑Nuremberg. The VDMA Working Group Laser and Laser Systems for Material Processing is a partner of the event.
LANE 2026 provides an international platform for exchanging scientific results and industrial deve...

From April 22–24, 2026, Aachen will once again become the hub of the international laser community: The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT is hosting the 15th International Laser Technology Congress (AKL’26). The VDMA Working Group Laser and Laser Systems for Material Processing supports the congress as a conceptional sponsor.
With over 500 participants, more than 80 expert presentations, and around 50 exhibitors, AKL’26 provides a comprehensive platform for knowled...

On March 4, 2026, the VDMA Forum Quantum Technologies and Photonics invites you to an exclusive lab tour at PTB Braunschweig. Gain practical insights into quantum technologies and their industrial applications.
Quantum technologies – the key to the future
Quantum technologies are changing industry: They enable ultra-precise measurements, secure communication, and new computing methods. With the lab tour at the PTB, the VDMA is creating a platform to make these innovations tangible and pr...

Aluminum is one of the most important construction materials in many manufacturing sectors. At the same time, the material is very demanding when it comes to reliable welding results. A current customer project impressively demonstrates the difference that a clean, reproducible preparation process can make:
A manufacturer of extruded aluminum parts has used LASERVORM to add an upstream laser cleaning step to its existing laser welding process. This has reduced the scrap rate from 17 percent to...

The VDMA is offering its members and European companies the opportunity to participate in a joint pavilion at Laser World of Photonics China 2026, taking place from March 18–20, 2026 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
The event is the leading trade fair for the photonics industry in the Asia-Pacific region and a key gateway to the Chinese market.
With over 52,000 professional visitors and 1,400 exhibitors in 2025, the trade fair provides ideal conditions for business developm...

With over 220 participants, the Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting organised by Photonics21 took place in Brussels on May 15–16, 2025, bringing together leaders from science, industry and politics.
This year's Annual Meeting had a strong focus on ensuring the continued representation of photonics in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
In her video message to the European photonics community, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen stated that photonics is crucial for Europ...

On 14 May 2025, the spring meeting of the VDMA Working Group ‘Laser and Laser Systems for Material Processing’ took place at Weil Technology in Müllheim in the Markgräflerland region.
Host Florian Weil, CEO of Weil Technology, and Nikolas Meyer, Head of Sales and Industry Management and member of the working group's executive committee, welcomed the participants to a day of professional exchange, networking and discussions on current economic developments and technological...

Inter Expo Consult GmbH, in cooperation with VDMA Laser and Laser Systems for Material Processing and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), is pleased to announce the official German Pavilion at LASER World of PHOTONICS INDIA 2025. The trade fair will take place from 17th to 19th September 2025 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre in Bengaluru, India, alongside productronica India.
Advantages for exhibitors
The German Pavilion offers you as...

Photonics West, one of the world's most important trade fairs for optics and photonics, took place from 28 to 30 January 2025 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. For the first time, the German Pavilion was applied for by VDMA Laser and Laser Systems for Material Processing together with Spectaris, which represented an important step for the members.
The German Pavilion was organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and implemented by Mess...