Laser technologies surprise and interest

In October and November 2017, the Rēzekne Technology Academy (RTA) organised seminars on the use of laser technologies in digital art and design. Seminars were organised within THE FRAMEWORK OF the EUCIDA project — “European Connections in Digital Arts” (“digital art covers Europe”). The aim of the project is to expand the knowledge of young people about the use of digital arts and laser technologies in the implementation of their creative ideas.
At the beginning of the seminar cycle, THE leading researcher of THE RESEARCH centre for physical processes and laser technologies Dr.sc. ing. Prof. Lubomir Lazov introduced the participants with the design of lasers and the basic principles of their operation, the types of lasers and the safety rules to be observed when working with laser systems. The participants were explained by laser safety classes and potential consequences in cases of non-compliance. Protective glasses designed to protect the vision, working with different types of lasers, were shown. Warning signs for laser radiation, other security features and hazard levels were discussed at first meeting.
In the next seminar, THE Director of THE RTA Masters Study Programme “laser technology” and head of the research centre for physical processes and laser technologies Dr. phys., mg. oec. Pavel narica and this centre operator Anton Package presented seminar participants on the interaction of laser radiation with different materials. The advantages, disadvantages and features of this technology arising from the laser processing process of different materials were discussed. Theoretical basics on the use of laser beam in treatments such as labelling, engraving, cutting and welding were discussed and illustrated with samples giving an idea of the application of this technology in both the performance of modern production processes and the possibility of integrating laser technologies into the implementation of their creative works.
The use of laser technologies in the handling of different materials is not conceivable without a laser beam scan path programming. Consequently, a seminar on the preparation of drawings for work with laser equipment in vector applications was organised at THE RTD Information and Communication Technology Research Centre. At the time of the seminar, significant changes were made to the design of the nuances for further programming of laser equipment, as well as significant differences in the raster and vector graphics. During this seminar, stakeholders were given the task of drawing a snowflap in the vector application “Inkscape”. During the work, young people used creativity and ingenious ways to create their own personal snowflakes.
The participants of the final seminar attended THE RTA physical process and the laser technology research centre where the presence of different types of laser systems such as the Trumpf laser system with an output maximum capacity of 4 kW, the Rofin firm laser machine with the ability to process surface in 4 ns mode, as well as old-type CO2 and solid-substance laser systems, which allowed participants to gain the idea of the rapid development of technologies in the sector. With the end of the workshop cycle, pre-built snowflakes were produced for stakeholders using a CO2 laser system, as well as with the help of optical fibre laser equipment, personal hangings were made to the participants.
In 2018, a seminar cycle on the use of laser technologies in digital art and design will continue (the head OF THE RTA physical process and laser technology research centre Pavel narica and the employee Anton Package), as well as eight seminars on the modern design will be organised (led BY RTA Lectores Diana Apele and Silvija Mežinska). The activities will take place in both the Rēzekne Technology Academy and THE Lūznavas manor, where a modern CO2 laser equipment is purchased in the summer of 2017. Logging seminars at project manager Intas Rimshanes when writing to e-mail: inta.rimsane@rezeknesnovads.lv.
It is important to emphasise that the Rēzekne Technology Academy will continue to take the winter in the masters' study programme “laser technologies”, where we are invited to apply for all stakeholders. More information: http://www.lazer.rta.lv/ or phone 29273276 (Pavel narica).
Anton Package,
RTA Physical Process and Laser Technology Research Centre Laboratory 
Eduarda Medvedev photo (www.rezeknesnovads.lv)
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