IREPA LASER over the years
IREPA LASER is an industrial research and development company that has specialised for over 30 years in laser processes and materials. A look back at the key dates in IREPA LASER’s history.
1982: IREPA’s laser department is set up on the premises of ENSAIS.
IREPA LASER is a founding member of the Club Laser et Procédés.
1983: IREPA acquires a 1500W CO2 laser to develop industrial applications in laser cutting and welding.
1987: A patent is filed for a device that continuously monitors the characteristics of a laser beam along the entire optical chain.
1988: The laser department is granted CRITT status (Regional Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer) by the French State and the Alsace Regional Council.
IREPA takes part in setting up the subcontracting company Laser Alsace Production, specialising in laser cutting and laser welding.
1989: Together with ENSAIS, IREPA creates a post-BTS/DUT continuing education module leading to the diploma of Technical Manager for Laser Metallurgical Applications (« RETAMEL »).
1990: IREPA obtains level II accreditation for the « RETAMEL » course from the National Technical Commission for the Accreditation of Qualifications and Diplomas.
1992: Two patents are filed: one for a coaxial laser cladding nozzle, jointly with Électricité de Strasbourg, and one for a laser-assisted thermal spraying process « PROTAL » with the Institut polytechnique de Sevenans.
1993: IREPA moves into 1400 m² premises at the Parc d’Innovation de Strasbourg-Illkirch.
1995: « IREPA » is dissolved and a new association, « IREPA LASER », is created to take over the laser activity.
1997: The « PETAL » project marks the start of the plastic welding activity.
1998: IREPA LASER is awarded the CRT label (Technology Resource Centre) by the Ministries of Research and Industry.
A CIRTES branch is opened at IREPA LASER and an IREPA LASER branch is set up at CIRTES.
2000: IREPA LASER is a regional winner of the INPI innovation awards and obtains SRC approval (Contract Research Company) from ANVAR.
2001: The company TECHLASE, specialising in laser cladding and laser surface heat treatments, is founded.
ESPACE LASER, the trade fair for laser techniques in industry, is also launched. Its first edition takes place in Nancy.
2002: Olivier FRENEAUX, founding director, leaves IREPA LASER. He is succeeded by Eric FOGARASSY, research director at the CNRS in Strasbourg.
2003: The Strasbourg laser research and innovation consortium « PROLASE » is set up. It strengthens IREPA LASER’s links with local research structures to keep its expertise at the cutting edge.
IREPA LASER takes part in founding RHENAPHOTONICS Alsace.
2004: IREPA LASER obtains ISO 9001 version 2000 certification.
2005: IREPA LASER renews the level II accreditation of the « RETALI » course for 5 years.
IREPA LASER joins the « Véhicule du futur » competitiveness cluster, accredited by the Government.
Jean-Paul GAUFILLET is appointed head of IREPA LASER, replacing Éric FOGARASSY, who has been elected director of the École nationale supérieure de physique de Strasbourg.
2006: The rapid manufacturing activity is launched, building on IREPA LASER’s laser cladding know-how.
2007: IREPA LASER celebrates its 25th anniversary at its Technical Days.
2009: The network of Alsace CRITTs organises itself for joint transfer actions.
After 3 years of development, IREPA LASER begins marketing the CLAD® process (Direct Additive Laser Construction). The first MultiCLAD® LF4000 direct manufacturing machine from EasyCLAD Systems, incorporating the PowerCLAD CAM software, is sold.
IREPA LASER signs a partnership agreement with the Beijing Optical Society.
2011: IREPA LASER becomes a member of the Institut CARNOT MICA (Materials Institute Carnot Alsace), which brings together 15 R&D partners.
2012: IREPA LASER celebrates its 30th anniversary at the inauguration of the CLAD® MAGIC machine in 2012. The micro MUSE machine is put into operation.
The company BeAM is founded.
2013: IREPA LASER is a founding member of the Comité National de Sécurité Optique (CNSO).
IREPA LASER launches the Factory of the Future industrial development programme « Laser metal additive manufacturing ».
2018: Launch of the PAM-PROD project (Procédés Additive Manufacturing – Productivité), coordinated by APERAM and IREPA LASER, which aims to produce large metal parts. This project will enable IREPA LASER to host the future prototype machine in its « Additive Manufacturing Factory ». Bringing together 6 partners, the project – worth 7 million euros – will run for 36 months. The first builds are expected by 2021.
2020: IREPA LASER becomes an SCIC SAS
Exciting projects lie ahead in the coming years…
