The Next Generation of Advancing Manufacturing Technologies in Automation LEAP

Lincoln Electric Speakers:
Patrick Wahlen, Vice President Additive and Advanced Manufacturing
D. Mark Douglass, Business Development Manager, Additive Solutions
Chris Williams, Senior Director of Innovation and R&D

Monday, October 13
12 – 1 p.m.
Location: Callaway/GTMI bldg.,
Room 114

Lunch provided for in-person attendees on a first come first serve basis.

If you can’t join us in-person, just us virtually via Zoom.

Whether you are joining us virtually or in person, please register here prior to attending.

Abstract: Advanced manufacturing has transitioned from simple mechanized production tools to advanced cyber-physical systems that integrate advanced kinematic control, data analytics, and adaptive closed loop feedback mechanisms and methodologies. This presentation provides an overview of the evolution of advanced manufacturing, defining the core principles relevant to the manufacturing environment and examining its current deployment within Lincoln Electric Automation. We will explore the architecture and operational characteristics of our existing advanced automation capabilities and additive manufacturing systems, highlighting their role in enabling high-throughput, precision-driven production environments. The focal point of this discussion, however, is what’s next.

LEAP—Lincoln Electric Automation Platform, is a next-generation control and automation framework engineered to deliver the next generation of capabilities to the automation environment. LEAP integrates sophisticated algorithms with high-speed computational mathematics and a variety of relevant sensor inputs that will revolutionize the scope, scale, and flexibility of a broad array of automation applications including 3D wire arc additive manufacturing. The LEAP platform leverages advanced multi axis multi sensor inputs including adaptive algorithms to optimize process parameters dynamically, enabling greater flexibility, traceability, and repeatability across diverse manufacturing applications. This platform represents a significant leap forward in automation capabilities and intelligence, positioning Lincoln Electric to drive the next phase of manufacturing innovation through scalable, high-performance highly flexible control enabling the next revolution in automation of the manufacturing environment.

Attendees will gain insight into how LEAP’s architecture supports modular deployment, seamless integration with additive technologies, and the convergence of automation and data-driven flexible manufacturing strategies.

Bio: Patrick Wahlen is Vice President Additive and Advanced Manufacturing based in Cleveland Ohio.

Patrick is one of our most experienced international business executives having successfully completed multiple complex expatriate assignments managing businesses on five different continents. Patrick joined the Lincoln Electric Company in 1989 as a Technical Sales Representative. In 1998 he was appointed Regional Manager Southern Africa in Johannesburg South Africa. In 2002 Patrick was appointed Managing Director of Lincoln Brazil in Sao Paulo Brazil. In 2006 Patrick moved back to the US to assist in the development and implementation of the Global Industry Segment initiative and subsequently led the Process and Power Generation Segment until being appointed in 2013 as Managing Director of Lincoln Electric Australia in Sydney. In 2017 Patrick was appointed Vice President of Consumables in Europe and led the successful restructuring and consolidation of the Air Liquid / Lincoln consumables portfolio and manufacturing footprint while residing in Paris France. After executing the integration of the consumables operations and leading these facilities through the Covid crisis, in late 2021 Patrick returned to the US as Vice President Global Alloys and Cored Wires. In 2023 Patrick was subsequently appointed Vice President Additive and Advanced Manufacturing where he is currently responsible for both the rapidly growing Additive and Baker Industries businesses.

Patrick graduated from Purdue University with both Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Applied Physics Nuclear, attended the Thunderbird School of International Management, and holds various patents in engineering and welding applications.

Bio: D. Mark Douglass, PhD, CFA is the Business Development Manager for Lincoln Electric Additive Solutions, responsible for overseeing sales, marketing, strategic commercial and technical partnerships; previous to this role he was a member of Lincoln Electric’s strategy and M&A team. Prior to Lincoln Electric, he was sell-side equity analyst, focusing on industrial manufacturing technology companies. Preceding his Wall Street tenure, he was an advanced manufacturing engineer specializing in laser materials processing. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation.

Bio: Chris Williams joined Lincoln Electric Company as the Director of Motion Control in 2012. Under his leadership, the engineering team developed high-performance multi-axis motion control systems and complementary software platforms, resulting in numerous product derivatives from a single platform. In 2014, he became the Director of Cutting Engineering, overseeing the multi-site development of a new product portfolio, including flat plate bevel cutting, PythonX structural, Vernon pipe, Flexcut air plasma and the Fineline HD family of products and torches.

In 2022, Chris transitioned to Senior Director of Innovation and R&D in Global Automation. In this role, he focuses on standardising automation solutions by developing new, secure, and reusable technologies that add significant, differentiating value across all Lincoln Electric business units. He also drives the creation and implementation of standards and processes to ensure consistency, efficiency, and innovation throughout the product lifecycle.

Chris received his Masters in Mathematics from Newcastle University.