Micro-machining systems can cut, drill and etch precise micro-features quickly and cleanly into a wide range of materials used in MEMS and MEOMS applications.

Oxford Lasers micro-machining systems can cut, drill and etch precise micro-features quickly and cleanly into a wide range of materials used in MEMS and MEOMS applications. This facility provides MEMS designers with an additional degree of freedom when generating new devices such as pressure sensors, accelerometers, angular rate sensors, micro-machines, medical/healthcare and chemical sensors. The application of MEMS and MEOMS is huge, diverse and constantly growing, and the use of lasers in this field is following the same trend.

The combination of silicon based microelectronics with the latest in micro-machining technology promises to spread, and transform almost every product category.

Oxford Lasers high speed, reliable, accurate, round-the-clock production process equipment is ready to meet that demand.

As a result of market downturns in the semiconductor and electronics industry over the past year, many companies are looking to outsource parts of their manufacturing procedures.

Oxford Lasers has increased its sub-contracting capability and now has a set of dedicated, fully equipped, laser Applications Laboratories that are ideal for batch fabrication or technique development and testing.

There is even a special UV laser laboratory for work with plastics, polymers and glass.

Oxford Lasers micro-machining systems can also be used for trimming MEMS devices in order to ensure 100% QA.

For example, precise mass removal by laser ablation enables electro-mechanical trimming and balancing of angular rate sensor devices for higher yield.

In addition to processing silicon, generally associated with the electronics industry, these laser micro-machining systems can deal equally well with other difficult materials such as metals, diamond, ceramics and polymers.

Oxford Lasers has had many years of experience in developing bespoke processes and systems for demanding applications.

These systems benefit from an extensive range of lasers, motion control, part-handling and probing technology.

Precisely metered drug delivery systems, microfluidic structures, catheters, stents, aerosol nozzles and many other medical devices can benefit fromlaser micro-machining techniques.

Precisely metered drug delivery systems, microfluidic structures, catheters, stents, aerosol nozzles and many other medical devices can benefit from the high precision and high throughput achievable with an Oxford Lasers' laser micro-machining system. These systems are capable of processing a wide variety of materials including polymers, ceramics, metals and semiconductors to micron and even sub-micron accuracy. Oxford Lasers micro-machining equipment can supply both superior hole drilling performance and valuable economy when compared with hot needle processes and excimer lasers.

For even more cost effectiveness, multiple wavelengths (visible and UV) can be obtained from the same laser, thus offering the unique opportunity for both metal and plastic components to be manufactured using the same equipment.

Precision flow devices, based on volumetric control of a liquid, gas or solid, face ever more stringent market demands and laser micro-machining answers the need for tighter and substantially smaller volumetric control.

Oxford Lasers can drill holes ranging in size from 5 to 500 microns in diameter and can achieve tolerances of less than 1 micron.

Handheld nebulizers, variable-release medications and intravenous (I.V) regulators, flow meters and gas regulators, aerosol and oxygen face masks, disposable emergency oxygen resuscitators, disposable nebulizer products, apnea monitors and spirometer products are all examples of how this innovative technology can be used.

Leak testing is an area where the smallest possible holes are required to test packaging processes in the pharmaceutical industry.

Oxford Lasers can provide such artificial holes to simulate leaks in an automatic production line quality control process or on a sub contract batch basis.

For customers who are looking to out-source some of their manufacturing processes, Oxford Lasers Materials Processing Applications Laboratories offer direct access to the latest laser micro machining systems, including a new UV laser laboratory specially set up for work with polymers and glass.

A highly qualified and experienced team of application specialists is on site to carry out contracts or to advise.

Oxford Lasers applications facilities offer a high quality, reliable, development and manufacturing service with the production infrastructure and technical know-how to deliver products on time and in a cost-effective manner.

Oxford Lasers micro machining systems or lasers can be used to cut materials such as PZT ceramic, PVDF and lithium niobate for ultrasonic transducers or metals for a wide variety of applications including micro-spotting pins for high-throughput screening.

Selective laser ablation enables the patterning of electronics materials to form complex miniature circuits.

Laser system offers volumetric accuracy for the production machining, drilling and welding of 3D parts for aerospace, automotive and domestic appliance applications.

Laser system offers volumetric accuracy for the production machining, drilling and welding of 3D parts for aerospace, automotive and domestic appliance applications. Laserdyne's new 790 BeamDirector is a 5-axis laser machine designed to drill, cut and weld medium to large 3-D parts with a moving beam motion system. Operating at speeds up to 80in/min in the X, Y, Z axis (0-2000mm/min), the 790 BeamDirector is accurate to +/- 0.0004in (0.01mm) per 20in (500mm).

This accuracy is throughout the system's work envelope (called 'volumetric accuracy') and not just in a small area known as the sweet spot common to most other multi-axis laser systems.

Designed, built and tested to ASME B 5 5.54 and ISO 230 standards, the 790 Beam Director is assembled atop a rigid granite base.

It has an extremely rigid X and Z axis assembly and a sliding Y axis arm that eliminates droop.

By using DC brushless motors and digital motor amplifiers, high acceleration and speed are achieved with high accuracy and minimal deflection or vibration due to the unitized assembly and superior system rigidity.

Field-Proven Technology - the 790 BeamDirector uses the field proven and time tested direct drive Laserdyne Systems BeamDirector with fully integrated Automatic Focus Control (AFC)?.

The 35mm (2 inch) clear aperture allows integration of high powered CO2, Nd:YAG and CW:YAG lasers.

All of the Laserdyne Systems BeamDirectors are offered with exclusive 5 year, unlimited hours warranty covering crash related damage.

Programming the 790 BeamDirector includes online TeachVision (optional) or offline CAD/post processor software (optional) for quick implementation of part design to the shop floor or fast and easy program changes.

Typical 790 BeamDirector customer applications include combustion liners, exhaust and heat shields, tubing and hydro-formed parts, nozzle guide vanes and blades, stamped parts and spinners, automotive prototypes, and white goods.

790 BeamDirector Specifications include: * Rotary axes beam director C +/- 450deg and beam director D +/- 135deg.

(45deg above horizontal) * Speed X, Y, Z 0-800in/min (0-2000mm/min) and C, D 0-27 rpm.

* Accuracy X, Y, Z is +/-0.0004in (0.01mm) per 20in (500mm); +/- 0.0008in (0.02 mm) full travel and C, D +/-15 arc seconds.

* repeatability within 0.0008in (0.02mm).

within 15 arc seconds * Electrical Laser and Workstation: 400VAC, 50Hz 3 Phase, +/-6% European and 480VAC, 60Hz 3 Phase, +/-6% domestic .

Custom-engineered solutions for automating laser marking applications are available configured with a feeder bowl, conveyor or tray/pallet handling.

Online offers the only true custom-engineered solutions for automating your laser marking applications. The Index 360 provides the ideal platform for handling any size components of virtually any material. This system is available configured with a feeder bowl, conveyor or tray/pallet handling.

In addition to the lasering operation the system features a fully automatic and programmable packaging system which will place the finished product into your final packaging container.

Available in different laser formats for applications such as marking plastics, marking metals, cutting and trimming, ablating anodized aluminum, micro machining, trimming, welding, micro drilling and much more.

Online Inc's diversified multi-industry experience can many times challenge existing methods with creative new ideas.

The Index 360 is ideal for automation in virtually every industry from medical to fastener, electronic to automotive, aerospace and more.

The Index 360 operates a familiar Windows format and features over 23 standard industry bar codes including 2D matrix.

Getting the most out of multi-axis laser machining systems has been a 30-year quest for job shop owner Ron Sanders who has worked on the most difficult aerospace, power and automotive parts.

Getting the most out of multi-axis laser machining systems has been a 30-year quest for job shop owner Ron Sanders. He's seen and done it all. His three-year-old company, Southwestern Laser, is the culmination of three decades of developing and applying laser technology to the most difficult aerospace, power generation, and automotive applications.

Sander's story is unique because he's built this success with one brand of multi-axis laser system - Laserdyne.

Sanders contributed to developing many of the Laserdyne systems and software features since the early 80s -- the same systems he now uses on a day-to-day basis for customers like Pratt and Whitney Canada and Solar Turbines.

Sanders grew up with Laserdyne systems by managing the company's application lab and contract services (job shop) for over 14 years.

The job shop was a profit center designed to first develop then produce customer parts.

It also served as a research and development facility where new machine designs and software were tested.

Sanders had a hand in many of the new designs particularly in specifying the critical operating software for the machines.

When Laserdyne's job shop was sold in1995, Sanders went out on his own and founded Northern Lights Laser in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

But his upbringing in the Southwest and warm weather lured him back to Tucson, Arizona in 1999 where he and his wife, Victoria set up Southwestern Laser.

The company is a well-run operation that belies its size by the volume and quality of the work it produces for its big-name customers which includes GE, Sundstrand, Rolls Royce, Allison, Turbo Tech and others.

With 3 laser systems - two Laserdyne 790 BeamDirectors, a Laserdyne 550 BeamDirector, six highly trained workers and more computers than you care to count - Southwestern Laser reports annual volume in excess of $2 million and is growing rapidly despite the economy.

'It's all about being able to do really difficult laser work that customers can1t or don't want to do,' reports Sanders.

'We take a project in one day and begin shipping finished parts the next.

We have customers throughout North America and do work for virtually all of the aircraft engine and power generation manufacturers.

We have complete in-house CAD capabilities, including conversion of wire frame, solids and DXF files to CNC program files.

Turnaround time is everything and we're able to do really difficult work quickly because of our ability to wring the most out of Laserdyne 790 BeamDirector systems.' Laser processed parts range from tiny 0.005 inch rounds to 4 ft X 4 ft X 3 ft 0.050 inch thick stainless tteel parts with 11,000 holes per square inch - wringing the most out of its laser systems is almost an understatement for Sanders.

The company specializes in processing difficult materials such as super cobalt, exotic nickel alloys and stainless steel.

Much of the work involves hole drilling from.003 inch to 24 inch diameters and material thickness from films to 1 inch.

Hole angles range from 10deg to 90deg, rotary parts up to 48 inch diameter and preformed parts up to 24 inch and widths to 48 inch.

'Our Othrough the lens1 viewing (magnification is 45 times) produces unsurpassed feature location placement on these parts,' reports Sanders.

'Laserdyne's automatic focus control (AFC TM) follows the contour of the part regardless of surface irregularities.

And it's the speed that we're able to operate at that really gives us an advantage.

We employ percussion, trepanning and 'fire on the fly' techniques for drilling effusion holes in the preformed parts.

Our 790 BeamDirectors with their 5-axis of moving beam motion are extremely precise and versatile.

From one hole to thousands in a single part, we have the equipment and know-how to do it cost-effectively.' Produced at the rate of one part per second, Southwestern Laser cuts tiny.050 inch rounds from 6 foot long stainless steel wire.

Used in a confidential military application, these parts have smooth, square surfaces part-to-part and are accurate to +/-0.0002 inch.

Produced in quantities of 3000, a part run barely fills a thimble because of the parts' small size.

In contrast to these minute parts are 4 ft x 4 ft x.050 inch stainless steel panels drilled with 11,000 holes per square inch.

Each hole is.005 inch in diameter and percussion drilled on.010 inch centers.

Each hole is drilled twice (the second pass cleans out debris from the first pass) with each finished hole completed in less than a second.

'Repeatability (< 0.0001ý) of the machine really comes into play on work like this,' Sanders reports.

'These 790 BeamDirectors are designed so you get extremely good accuracy throughout the entire work envelope, not just in a sweet spot of the envelope.' Laser accuracy, speed and flexibility is a 'must' at Southwestern Laser - Sanders says his two 790 BeamDirectors achieve volumetric accuracy equivalent to coordinate measuring machines.

Like coordinate measuring machines, the 7901s accuracy is achieved in the system1s axis straightness, squareness and rigidity.

Typically, conventional laser machining systems have a 'sweet spot' where the system accuracy is at its best.

But in the 790, the cantilever system achieves its accuracy from side to side and corner to corner, not just in the sweet spot.

'Positioning accuracy is a cumulative result of many factors working together that effect the overall system1s accuracy and the quality of the parts produced,' says Sanders.

'The straight, rigid and square granite base of the Laserdyne 790 is the ideal foundation on which the accuracy is built.

Most laser machining systems are not rigid enough to isolate and eliminate the vibrations induced by continuous back and forth movement of a few thousandths of an inch necessary in many aerospace applications such as drilling combustor liners.' Laserdyne's specially designed three-axis positioning module addresses these requirements for rigidity, straightness and squareness.

Built and tested in accordance with ASME B 5.54 and ISO 230 standards, the system is designed for very high speed operation without compromising accuracy.

By using DC brushless motors and digital motor amplifiers, high acceleration and speed are achieved with negligible deflection or vibration due to the unitized assembly and excellent system rigidity.

Operating at speeds up to 800in/min in the X, Y, Z axis (0-20m/min), the 790 BeamDirector is accurate to +/-0.0004 inches (0.01mm) per 20 inches (500mm).

Sanders says his company pushes the limits with these machines with only normal maintenance required.

Annual certification is routinely done using laser inferometers and ball bar devices.

Southwestern Laser is a fully-equipped operation with conventional support machine tools and complete flow measurement capabilities used to check air flow through combustor liners and similar components.

One system made by Super Flow tests subsonic flow rates while a second made by Cincinnati Control Dynamics tests super sonic flow rates.

What They Say About Ron Sanders' laser knowledge: 'Ron Sanders is what multi-axis laser processing is all about,' comments Terry VanderWert, general manager of APA Optics, a manufacturer of fiber optic products and former associate.

'Sanders helped design those BeamDirector systems, so he knows them from the ground up.

He brings to the table broad technical training in materials and processes.

He thinks in terms of multi-dimensions and defines the tooling and software to do the job.

Besides being totally confident of his knowledge, he'll work all day and all night to do a good job on a project because he has so much pride in what he does.'

A flexible precision laser machine with high dynamic response is believed to be the world's first of its type with high dynamic response for precision 2D and 3D cutting, welding and drilling.

Lasertech has introduced its DML 80, the world's first series laser machine with high dynamic response for high precision 2D and 3D cutting, welding, and drilling Based in Kempten, Lasertech has now channelled into a further impressive innovation its many years of experience gained from laser application technologies. At euroblech in Hannover, this subsidiary of Deckel Maho presented the DML 80 series as a new machine generation for the flexible, highly dynamic, but above all highly precise cutting and drilling of sheet metal between 0.1 and 3.0mm. The extreme machine precision of 10micron (Pmax), high positioning speeds up to 120m/min, and accelerations up to 2G are only a few of the impressive features that this innovation has to offer.

The 'supporting pillars' of this concept are in particular the X/Y-axis compound table with highly dynamic linear drives and the solid machine bed of polymer concrete on the tried-and-tested three-point support.

The result is vibration-free, and therefore the highest possible precision for all machining operations.

The DML 80 also proves impressively flexible in the choice of laser source: an Nd:YAG solid-state laser can be integrated just as easily as a CO2 system.

Accordingly, the laser type and power can always be configured to the respective requirements placed in each and every case on quality, speed, and material.

For all applications, the laser is manipulated directly via the Siemens 840D powerline, whose full potential is accessed from an ergonomic stainless steel operator console with 17in TFT screen.

At the same time the CNC controller is, so to speak, an 'old hand' in laser applications, and ensures from the outset that the operator can access the whole range of CAD/CAM systems established on the sector.

This optimal overall picture is rounded off by the small space requirements of 3,0 x 3,5m and the ease of servicing facilitated by a walk-on column for fast access to the laser.

The modular machine concept with 3, 4, or even 5 CNC axes makes the DML 80 ideal for extremely flexible applications both for fine 2D and 3D cutting and for laser drilling and welding applications.

And not least of all, the wide range of potential applications means that the offer can be easily configured to the specific requirements of a great many sectors, whether the automotive, electronic, or aerospace industries.

But also every smaller laser job shop will find that the DML 80 is the perfect complement to its conventional machinery stock: with investment costs of just under 250.000 euros for the complete machine including the YAG-laser the price-performance ratio proves an especially attractive incentive.

With its technical features and the support of DMG as a global marketing and service company, the DML 80 precision laser machine undoubtedly has everything needed to become a global trendsetter.

DML 80 LaserCutting: * Electronics: etched and moulded parts, circuits, soldering templates, ceramics.

* Medical engineering: endoscopic housings, surgical instruments.

* Automotive: precision and prototype parts.

* Machine construction: hydraulic valves, spinnerets for textile a nd man-made fibres, tool parts.

* Flexible sheet machining: general precision parts, prototype and job lot applications, tube machining.

DML 80 D PowerDrill: * Medical engineering: hypodermic needles, micro tools.

* Automotive: fuel and oil filters, power trains.

* Machine construction: bores for air / oil cooling, lubrication, etc.

* Precision sheet machining: general precision parts, micro machining * Special applications: fixed turbine blades for aviation and stationary gas turbine construction.

Highlights of the DML 80 series are: * Solid machine bed on three-point support.

* 2/4 axes in the workpiece, 1 axis in the laser.

* Compound table in linear motor technology.

* Circular axes in linear interpolation.

* Walk-in columns for ease of access to the laser.

* Installation facility for CO2 or YAG lasers.

* Laser protection is class 1.

* CNC is Siemens 840D Powerline with integrated laser functions.

* The optimal laser integrated for the respective application.

* Large z axis for flexible work piece clamping.

Specifications of the DML 80 include: * Number of machine axes - 3, optionally 4, 5.

* Work envelope (X,Y and Z) - 800 x 500 x 700mm.

* Straight line traverse speed - 120m/min.

* Maximum acceleration - 1.5G.

* Maximum workpiece weight - 50kg.

* CNC - Siemens 840D Powerline.

* Machine frame built of cast PC - 7000kg * Working axes are X, Y +(B, C) with laser optics along z axis * Laser power sources available are CO2 gas laser or Nd:YAG solid state.

Unlike other laser marking systems a modular design allows users to specify a range of configurations including wavelength, power output, markfield size and operator interface.

Unlike other laser marking systems the new M series from thinklaser has a revolutionary modular design. Now, for the fist time, customers can specify a range of configurations including wavelength, power output, markfield size and operator interface. With its completely programmable beam power, pulse energy and marking speeds the Mseries can mark a wide range of industrial materials creating the most versatile marking tool available.

At the same time thinklaser markers have evolved to be the optimum combination of performance, reliability and flexibility and are available as both CO2 or Nd:YAG configurations.

For the technically minded these markers use light at a wavelength of 1064 nm and power outputs from 35 to 100 Watts, Nd:YAG and can be used for marking a wide range of materials.

While metals are those materials more commonly processed, the wavelength will also process coated metals, plastics and ceramics.

All systems are fitted with motorised aperture changes providing both multimode and TEMoo configurations.

And using a wavelength of 10.64 um these RF CO2 systems will provide marking across materials such as wood, plastics, glass, coated metals, paper and ceramics.

Two power ratings are available in this category, 25 Watt air cooled and 50 Watt water cooled.

Using the industry standard Windows NT as the operating platform, the 'editing menus' are intuitive and easy to use, making the operating software user friendly and efficient throughout the complete programming and product marking process.

Windows NT's familiar pull-down menus allow you to edit a wide variety of functions, select text with TrueType or single stroke fonts, enter or select logos, barcodes and 2D matrix codes.

Generate single part layout or array layouts in front of you on the system monitor.

Designed and packaged to offer a high degree of flexibility these laser markers can be supplied as stand alone process tools or fully integrated into automated production lines with full handling solutions from thinklaser.

If our standard handling portfolio fails to meet your needs our design group can provide the necessary solutions.

thinklaser has been a leader in component marking, using Laser technology, for over 20 years.

Our goal is to work as partners with our customers to assist in creating production efficiency while reducing production costs.

Tube shaping using laser processes allows silicone and poly tubing to take on new forms - ablates spirals or contours without piercing tube wall in medical components.

Unusual tube shaping and contouring of silicone and polymer tubing with precision hole features as tiny as 5 microns is a new service offered by Spectralytics, contract manufacturing supplier of specialized high precision laser services. The new Spectralytics process allows for any shape to be drilled through to the center (one wall) or through both walls of the tubular part. In addition, Spectralytics can ablate spirals or contours on the outside tube diameter without piercing through to the tube core.

Unusual shapes and contours can thus be created with accurately sized and located holes.

Precise depth control insures repeatable accuracy of features part-to-part in both small and large quantities.

Spectralytics developed the new process for medical applications such as catheters, embolic protection devices and stents.

The company provides Nd YAG laser drilling, cutting and welding, CO2 laser cutting and welding, Excimer laser drilling, micro-machining and ablation, and TEA laser and traces for medical, electronic and other technology applications.

Additional services include experience at laser processing a wide range of medical device materials ranging from nitinol to nylon, and hard materials from stainless steel to titanium, as well as exotic and heat sensitive materials.

ISO 9002 certified, Spectralytics provides automation and clean air systems customized to a customer's requirements.

The company provides many secondary operations including electro polishing and chemical deburring.

It offers complete design services including CAD/Smart Cam DAD/CAD facilities, smart scope measurement, and full lot control and material tracking.

It has in-house tool shop and universal tooling for multiple designs.

By adding a PWM output to a servo range of motion control systems an ideal low cost solution for precise duty and frequency controls has been made for system integrators of laser machines.

EE Controls has recently added a PWM output to its AMC-E servo range of motion control systems. Precise duty and frequency controls offer an ideal low cost solution to system integrators of laser machines. The PWM output is used to precisely control the modulation of the laser power to overcome problems of scorching caused by changes in machine speed.

The frequency range is 150Hz to 10MHz and the duty cycle has a resolution of 65535:1.

Both parameters can be set either from an HMI or host PC.

Minimum and maximum duty cycles can be defined to ensure the laser continues to modulate when contouring at slow speeds.

Inversely, the maximum duty cycle is used to limit laser power when cutting light materials.

The PWM output compliments the solutions provided for the laser system integrator when using one of the AMC range of motion control systems.

Other solutions include controlling the modulation via an analogue output and generating a trigger at a precise machine position to fire the laser.

The world's first four-disc laser generates a nominal 4kW of processing power to the workpiece but the maximum laser power attainable is roughly 40% higher.

The world's first four-disc laser has been introduced by Trumpf as a development of the HLD301 and 1001.5 systems. The four discs generate a nominal 4kW of processing power to the workpiece but the maximum laser power attainable is roughly 40% higher. In addition to this exceptional output potential, the disc laser is characterised by a sharply improved beam as there is almost no thermal lensing associated with this process.

The superior beam quality of 7mm.rad brings many advantages, the first of which is the reduction of focal diameter.

It is now possible for a laser beam to pass through a length of glass fibre cable with a core diameter of just 200mm.

Benefits include higher cutting and welding speeds, shorter cycle times and lower heat input into the workpiece.

In the processing of thick sheets, the improved beam quality of the disc laser is mainly used to achieve greater working distance and depth of field, or to increase the processing field size of the scanner optics.

The excellent beam quality also allows machining optics to be more compact.

This is useful whenever weld or cut locations are hard to access or when focusing optics are integrated into the processing stations.

This laser also opens up a whole new field of application in remote welding with solid-state lasers.

The active laser medium is a disc only a few tenths of a millimetre thick, excited from the front by diode lasers.

The back of the disc has contact with a cooling surface and is also equipped with a highly reflective layer, mirroring the laser resonator.

In common with its forerunners, the new disc laser is of modular design.

Each laser cavity has its own diode power supply.

Naturally the laser units confirm to CE regulations and fulfil the latest EMC requirements.

They also feature all the standard Trumpf continuous wave solid-state laser interfaces.

The latest generation of Trumpf laser controls completes this system.

These control the components inside the laser unit as well as external beam-guidance components and the focusing optics.

The laser power can be modulated as required and up to 79 different programs stored, together with laser parameters and beam guidance variants.

The laser beam is guided to the workpiece along flexible laser light cables.

Using beam splitters or beam switches, various different processing stations can be operated either simultaneously or successively.

The energy of one or more solid state lasers can therefore be effectively used.

Trumpf 's new four-disc laser naturally has integrated Telepresence capability.

Via a modem, the operating and control data as well as up to 600 other values can be accessed at any time and transmitted to any of Trumpf's service outlets.

Fine welding, fine cutting and laser marking in a very wide range of materials can be automated with ease to assist in the manufacture of medical devices.

Following the recent Medical Device Technology Show at the NEC in February 2003 and the MEDTEC show in Stuttgart in March 2003, Rofin-Baasel UK launch a new brochure giving an overview of their portfolio of laser applications in the Medical Device market. Fine welding, fine cutting and laser marking in a very wide range of materials can be automated with ease. Applications covered in the new brochure include: * Fine cutting of tubes (2-axis) and 3-D components (4 or 5 axis system).

* Manual spot welding of medical device assemblies.

* CNC controlled seam welding machines.

* Polymer welding solutions.

* Welding with dynamic beam and fibre optic beam delivery.

* Microstructuring of tools and moulds.

* Ablation of materials.

* Perforation of thin-walled devices.

* Laser marking medical parts for traceability.

Diode pumped solid state laser micro-machining systems are now available for a wide range of applications in the automotive, electronic, semiconductor and medical device sectors.

Oxford Lasers, previously known for its copper vapour laser products, has just launched a range of diode pumped solid state laser micro-machining systems to complements its product range. Dr.Martyn Knowles, Technical Director says 'This was a key strategic decision to broaden our product range so that we can serve a wider group of customers. We have developed an in-depth knowledge of laser micro-machining systems over the last 10 years and are very pleased to add DPSSL systems to that portfolio.' The company has already been successful with this new product range and has supplied 532nm and 355nm systems for medical device manufacture and research applications.

The company also offers systems with 1064nm output for micro-drilling and cutting of metals and with 266nm output processing plastics and glass materials.

Dr.Knowles goes on to say 'The company originally made its name as a laser manufacturer but over the last 10 years our business has increasingly changed to being a system integrator.

Today over 80% of our business is supplying turnkey systems for micromachining and imaging applications and more than 50% of those systems incorporate a laser that we source externally.' Oxford Lasers offer 3 standard system platforms with a fully integrated and interlocked workstation and PC controlled multi-axis part-handling with options such as trepanning heads, optical taper correction systems, galvo scanning systems and automated vision alignment systems.

These systems are ideal for a wide range of micromachining applications in the automotive, electronic, semiconductor and medical device sectors.

A new machine generation emerged at EMO for laser cutting and drilling with flexibility, high dynamic response, with acceleration of 1G, and above all high precision.

With its DML 80 Series Lasertec will be presenting a new machine generation for cutting and drilling with flexibility, equally high dynamic response, and above all high precision. The 'supporting columns' of the DML 80 FineCutting and the new DML 80 PowerDrill are the compound table, the linear drives with high dynamic response on the rotary axes, and the solid machine bed of polymer concrete with three-point support to eliminate vibrations during machining, thereby counteracting any restrictions on high precision. The brilliant features of these machines for 2D and 3D laser machining are the high accelerations over 1G, positioning speeds up to 120m/min, and the extreme precision of 10 micron (Pmax).

The modular machine concept with 3, 4, or 5 CNC axes facilitates extremely flexible applications for the DML 80, both for fine 2D and 3D cutting with min widths of 20 micron and for the precision drilling of diameters from 20 micron.

With respect to the choice of laser, the DML 80 proves equally flexible for both drilling and cutting: an Nd:YAG solid-state laser can just as easily be adapted as a CO2 resonator, for laser power outputs from 15W to over 1kW.

Accordingly, the laser can always be chosen for individual quality, speed, and material requirements.

In all cases, the laser is manipulated by the Siemens 840D powerline with integrated laser functions.

As a result, the whole world of CAD / cam systems established on the sector is available.

This optimal overall picture is rounded off by the ease of access to the laser and machining table for simplifying maintenance and the small space requirements of 3.0 x 3.

m.

Highlights of the DML 80 Series; * 2D and 3D laser machining with max.

precision and dynamic response.

* Compound table and rotary axes with linear drive technology.

* Modular machine concept for fast conversion from 3D to 2D.

* 2 / 4 axes for the workpiece, 1 axis for the laser.

* Precision: solid machine bed with three-point support.

* Optimal access to the laser and machining table.

* Controller: Siemens 840D powerline with integrated laser functions.

* Various lasers from 15 W to over 1000 W for the most diverse applications, for example fine cutting for min widths of 20 micron or precision drilling of diameters from 20 micron.

Application examples for the DML 80 PowerDrill machine: * Medical engineering: injection needles, micro tools.

* Automotive engineering (not series production): fuel and oil filters, power trains.

* Mechanical engineering: holes for air / oil cooling, lubrication, etc.

* Precision sheet metal manufacture: general precision parts, micro machining.

* Special applications: turbine guide vanes for aviation and stationary gas turbine installations.

Application examples for the DML 80 LaserCutting machine: * Electronics: etched and milled parts, circuitry, soldering templates, ceramics.

* Medical engineering: endoscopic housing, surgical instruments.

* Automotive engineering: precision and prototype parts.

* Mechanical engineering: hydraulic valves, spinnerets for textile / man-made fibres, tool and mould parts.

* Flexible sheet metal machining: general precision parts, prototype and small run applications, tubing.

Specifications of the DML 80 FineCutting and DML 80 PowerDrill models: * Number of machine axes - 3 (4 / 5 options).

* Machining volume (X, Y and Z) - 800 x 500 x 700mm.

Traversing speed: * Linear along X and Y - 120m/min.

* Acceleration, max.

X and Y - 1.2G.

* Machine precision, Pmax - 10 micron.

* Parts weight, max.

- 50kg.

* Laser sources - Nd:YAG, CO2.

DML 80 PowerDrill model: * Number of machine axes - 5.

* Controller - Siemens 840D powerline.

Summing up - with its DML 80 Series Lasertech presented a new machine generation for high-precision cutting and drilling.

The DML 80 PowerDrill also offers an excellent laser cutting performance for machining turbine guide vanes for aviation.

3D laser machining with the DML 80 FineCutting presents convincing performance features with accelerations over 1G, rapid traverses of max.

Optical focus control makes laser processing of 3D non-metallics, composites and thermal barrier (ceramic) coated metals as easy and as accurate as with metals.

Laserdyne's new patent pending Optical Focus Control (OFC) feature is now available for all 790 BeamDirector systems. OFC makes laser processing of 3D non-metallics, composites and thermal barrier (ceramic) coated metals as easy and as accurate as with metals. OFC is available on all new 790 BeamDirector NdYAG laser systems and as a field retrofit to existing 790 systems.

OFC complements the 790 BeamDirector's patented Automatic Focus Control (AFC) and provides new capabilities such as precision drilling of cooling holes in thermal barrier coated turbine engine components.

It also contributes to improved quality by better controlling focus at the precise location of the drilled hole and to greater throughput with its faster response and wider working range.

In one application, for example, OFC reduced the time for drilling a pattern of shallow angle cooling holes by 24 percent.

It accomplished this by eliminating the time to measure the distance between the laser focal point/gas assist nozzle and workpiece.

In addition, the system operator has the ability to switch back and forth between OFC and AFC within part programs, increasing versatility and production efficiencies.

OFC has increased sensing frequency compared with capacitance based sensors.

This allows it to follow a surface under closed loop control at twice the speed of AFC while avoiding the need to find the surface location.

OFC senses part surfaces inaccessible to conventional AFC nozzles and it eliminates side sensing problems that can occur with nozzle based sensors.

Additional benefits include a wide sensor range for commonly used focal lengths.

Most important, OFC enhances system flexibility because it can be used on a wide range of materials, both metal and non-metal, and with different surface finishes and colors.

It can be operated with or without nozzles, is highly reliable, and does not add weight, external cabling or other appendages to the BeamDirector.

OFC is another feature resulting from Laserdyne solving a specific customer problem.

It is one of many 790 BeamDirector features and capabilities that contribute to increased throughput and quality in laser drilling.

The 790 BeamDirector with new OFC option is built and tested to ASME B 5 5.54 and ISO 230 standards.

The system design supports today's manufacturer1s goals for high throughput of precision laser drilling and cutting applications in an industrial environment.