LOBO, tarm, Shake Hands

The rumors are true. Tarm laser  & showtechnik OHG, the laser display company founded by Rüdger Müller, is now offering laser show services and products produced by long-time rival LOBO electronic.

The two German firms have a long history in the laser industry, both stretching back more than 25 years. Although tarm was launched first, LOBO soon became a rival and the companies competed for many projects.

After many ups and downs, tarm's Rüdiger Müller believes that working with LOBO is the winning choice. “I know the market as hardly anyone else and I have still many ideas which I would like to realize. Cooperation with LOBO was the only logical consequence. I can concentrate on my true strength and implement projects without the limitations of my own, old-fashioned technology.”  LOBO produces a complete line of state-of-the-art laser products, and has created award-wining laser displays around the world.

The agreement between Müller and LOBO does not affect two other companies that bear the tarm name. Neither tarm Showlaser GmbH or tarm laser technologies GmbH have any affiliation with LOBO, which is based in Aalen, Germany.

Chris Stuart Comes to Cambridge Lasers

Cambridge Lasers Laboratories has announced the hiring of Chris Stuart as its new Applications and Sales Engineer. Stuart will represent current and future laser products to the scientific, research and entertainment markets. Stuart brings with him 16 years of experience in the laser industry including sales, corporate management and design engineering.

Included in his role at Cambridge Lasers is the continued expansion of the company’s Lexel product lines into the entertainment marketplace. “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to be part of this division within the company,” said Stuart. “Cambridge Lasers has always been a vital resource to its light-show customers, and we’ll continue to offer new laser systems, replacement tubes, repair services as well as rental and back–up equipment.”

Since its 2002 acquisition of Lexel Laser’s assets, trademarks and patents, Cambridge Lasers has re-engineered the “Color Pro” line of full- color laser systems resulting in longer tube life, improved color balance, increased power and beam stability.

Stuart received his education through the Optical Sciences program at the University of Arizona, Tucson, as well as a degree in Laser Technology from Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Laser Pointer Law Moves Forward in US

A law that promises up to five years of prison time for someone aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft was unanimously passed by the Judiciary Committee of the US House of Representatives.

"It's only a matter of time before one of these laser-beam-pranksters ends up killing over 200 people in a commercial airline crash," said the bill’s author, Ric Keller, a Republican congressman from Orlando, Florida.  Although the Securing Airplane Cockpits Against Lasers Act still has a long path of head of it before it becomes law, the arguments made by Keller greatly exaggerate the danger posed by laser pointers.

In a speech supporting his bill, Keller said "These easily available pen-sized laser pointers, like the one I purchased here for $12 at the House of Representatives Office Supply Store, have enough power to cause vision problems in pilots from a distance of two miles.”

The common 5.0 milliwatt laser pointer is classified as a "distraction" by safety officials at distances of 3,000 feet (less than two miles), and in the worst case scenario (at a distance of 300 feet) is considered to be a temporary visual nuisance, similar to the glare from an oncoming car's headlights or the flash from a point-and-shoot camera. Although pilots should never be the target of a laser pointer, neither the FAA or private officials have predicted that a low-powered laser pointer is likely to cause an airline crash. "If you're a terrorist and you're going to attack aviation, this would probably not be your weapon of choice," said Steve Luckey, chairman of the Airline Pilots Association's national security committee. "These things are more of a nuisance.
 

The full text of Keller’s speech can be found at: http://keller.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=34996

Fore more detailed discussion of laser pointers, see:

• Pangolin Laser Systems' Web page on the issue: www.pangolin.com/resguide09c.htm

• An in-depth article by the US Army's David Sliney on the Laser Focus World Website (registration required).

• ILDA's position on lasers and aircraft safety can be found here.

ILDA Members get PALME Discount

ILDA members are eligible for exhibitor’s discounts at The Middle East's largest sound, lighting, audio-visual systems integration exhibit, April 23-26, 2006, in Dubai, UAE.

ILDA members receive 10% off the space-only rate of $360 per m2 for stands booked by Dec. 31, 2005. There is a 5 percent discount thereafter until March 31. 2006. For general information visit: www.palmeonline.com

 To receive exhibition info, click here , or email Jonathan Gadalla.

> Top of Page

Rüdger Müller of tarm, left, and
Lothar Bopp of LOBO start a new
era of cooperation.