Nowadays the laser is a conventional tool in industrial manufacturing, for a wide spam of applications, from subtractiveto additive, from cutting to welding. The main topic in production today is headlined with the word digitalization andIndustry 4.0. In this context the laser is playing a dominant role, because it is possible to produce a part directly from adigital model by contactless processing. This unique feature allows for monitoring processes with smart devices, which isa key issue of Industry 4.0. Especially sensor technology is a leading part related to Smart Factory and predictivemaintenance and even process control. Transforming machine elements into intelligent cyber physical systems involvesthe integration of smart sensors for condition and process monitoring.This contribution of Precitec to the SPIE LASE Conference will present some of the highlights in the area of laser metaldeposition and 3D printing using innovative laser processing heads in combination with sensor strategies to fully monitorand even control the manufacturing process with the OCT sensor principle.Sensors based on OCT (optical coherence tomography)/ low coherence interferometry are different to all the othertechnologies because the measurement is not affected by the process emissions and thus open new horizons in lasermaterials processing. The use of this method in laser applications has risen in the last years. Since its first appearance in2008 [1], application examples were shown for laser cutting [2], selective laser melting [3], laser micro machining [4],laser drilling [5] and laser welding [6]. For the latter, a huge potential is foreseen [7] [8].
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