Iowa Laser Technology, Inc receives ISO 9001:2008 accreditation

Oct 2, 2009 - Since 2002, Iowa Laser's quality processes have been guided by a family of international standards, called ISO procedures, managed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).  Certification to these standards does not signify guaranteed quality; rather, it certifies that formalized business processes have been adopted and are being applied to manage quality. 

Recently, Iowa Laser received certification to ISO 9001:2008 standards.  Some of the requirements in ISO 9001:2008 include:

• a set of procedures that cover all key processes in the business;
• monitoring processes to ensure they are effective;
• keeping adequate records;
• checking output for defects, with appropriate and corrective action where necessary;
• regularly reviewing individual processes and the quality system itself for effectiveness; and
• facilitating continual improvement.

Our auditor stated Iowa Laser was the first metal fabricator in the state to receive certification.  Congrats to John Lamos, our Quality Department and Internal Auditing team for your continuous improvement efforts.   

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Showcase:  ILT Customer Helps NYC Initiative for Playgrounds

June 15, 2009 - Discussing the capabilities of a 30-year old laser house that ushered laser cutting to the manufacturing world is best left to shop tours so customers can begin twirling their product needs with our wide-ranging abilities.  This is how the relationship with one of our growing customers began.  Visit a state park or interstate rest stop and chances are you'll see this customer's products - outdoor water fountains that Iowa Laser cuts, forms, welds and powder coats.       

Nearly a year into development with this customer's marketing and purchasing departments, and one of Iowa Laser's powder coating suppliers, Iowa Laser now offers them a custom paint program that is being touted all the way to New York City. 

The Schoolyards to Playgrounds Mayoral Initiative, sponsored by Mayor Bloomberg, recently installed the first freeze-resistant water fountain at Public School - PS205 in NYC.  All sheet metal components were fabricated by Iowa Laser.  Click here to see the photos.  

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No Matter The Day, Iowa Laser is Consistency

April 15, 2009 - The commitment we provide to every customer is consistency, across every service Iowa Laser offers.  Today that consistency is advancing technology in Tube Laser Cutting.  Today, on time and to spec, we ran the first job across our new rocket-fast Trumpf tube laser, cutting the proven 6-hour processing time in half!  Yesterday's market was outstanding, today's market is a rumbling concern.  No matter the day, we hold the risk and offer you consistent improvement across our entire company.  

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30 Years!

Nov 4, 2008 - Today marks the 30th Anniversary of Iowa Laser opening the doors in a small shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  A concept developed by two retired engineers, Arvid Waschek and Glenn Davis, Iowa Laser Technology was created to bring laser welding to the ag equipment world.  While many companies were not ready to accept such a 'radical' concept, laser welding and now laser cutting are commonplace throughout the manufacturing world.  To our knowledge, Iowa Laser is the oldest truly laser house in the world.  Congratulations, and many thanks, to the founders of a unique company that has provided for so many in the heart of the midwest and across the world. 

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Never forget what got you here...

Oct 15, 2008 - Not to be forgotten, the original '850' Rofin-Sinar custom laser, one of our first pieces of equipment used for laser welding, has been rebuilt and reinstalled on the floor of our 80,000 sq ft expansion.  This original piece was designed by iowa Laser staff (before lasers were cost-effective on the market) for custom applications in laser welding in the mid 90's.  Designed with a Trumpf 6000W resonator, the new laser will continue to be used for laser welding applications.   

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New 6000W laser purchase

Sept 23, 2008 - Responding to customer demand for clean-cut edge quality on laser cut components, Iowa Laser has installed another 6000W laser, ready for production early next week.  The existing wattage allows ILT staff to use nitrogen to remove laser scale from cut edges to 1/4" material.  This is the 2nd 6000W Trumpf laser system installed in 2008. 

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Iowa Laser Hires Welding Engineer

Sept 1, 2008 - Welding has long been a service offered by Iowa Laser, directed by our staff of manufacturing engineers.  With the new 80,000 sq ft expansion and greatly allocated welding areas, ILT searched the U.S. and found our new welding engineer, Jonathan Lowery, in Louisiana.  Pending the new adjustments after a long move, Jonathan will be bringing ILT into a new era of welding certifications.  Customers will find Jonathan's calm demeanor and thorough knowledge of the welding world a welcome addition to Iowa Laser's Manufacturing Engineering Department. 

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New Technology to the Floor

July 7, 2008 - Trumpf Equipment has long been a partner with Iowa Laser, providing excellent responsiveness in our fast-paced manufacturing facility.  Today marks the replacement of our first laser, a Trumpf 4000W, with a more tailored 3200W 'slide' laser.  The new equipment offers our production staff more throughput because of its unique material handling system.  Rather than an automated load and unload station, the 3200W laser shuffles material from one end of the laser to another, greatly improving a single customer's shop efficiency. 

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A City Says Thanks

May 21, 2008 - Iowa Laser Technology's President, Sean Abbas, accepts the 2008 Continued Investor Award from the City of Cedar Falls, Iowa for the 80,000 sq ft completed expansion in the Industrial Park.  This is the 3rd such award from the city. 

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New Clean-Cutting Options

Feb 4, 2008 - Iowa Laser has added a 6000W Trumpf laser to its repertoire, purchased to alleviate a bottleneck encountered in metal finishing.  By using the new laser to cut up to 1/4" HRPO CQ/A36 with nitrogen, a 'clean-cut' edge is produced without the typical oxide layer found when oxygen cutting. 

The oxide layer produced when cutting with shop air (ie. oxygen) has been found to inhibit paint adherence, causing paint chipping on laser cut edges in the field.  The new laser will be installed and ready for production in mid-Feb. 

Contrary to popular and published wisdom (and our customers' wishes), Engineering is not approving 1" material to be cut with the higher wattage machine because of our commitment to supplying quality cut edges.  Typical heat inputs to laser cut 1" material are too great and material along cut edges begins to melt.   

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A Strong Year Ahead

Jan 12, 2008 - Based on projected demand for the coming year, (2) new machining centers and (2) new Trumpf pressbrakes have been allocated by the Board to replace/supplement existing equipment.  The new Haas machining equipment will include a VF6 dual-pallet changer and a new and improved VF4, both which will create greater efficiencies for existing and upcoming customer orders.  Expected delivery late January and early March. 

The Trumpf pressbrakes will bring Iowa Laser the initial investment in European tooling, providing our customer base multiple options for forming.  Expected delivery dates are late Jan and April.