October 5--Warwick Laser Systems Ltd. has joined forces with assembly equipment manufacturer Modular Automation in what is described by Modular as a major boost to its manufacturing operations. The new equity partnership means that Modular now has in-house expertise in this highly specialized field and will no longer have to rely on advice from its suppliers when developing new laser applications. Engineers from Warwick Laser Systems will be based at Modular's Birmingham factory and will work side by side with the design team.
With more than 25 years of experience in laser technology, Warwick Laser Systems is acknowledged as one of the world's leading authorities in the application of laser systems in industry.
The company's application laboratory based at the University of Warwick has access to a range of lasers with which to carry out its development work. Warwick Laser's Managing Director Richard Icke says, "We have over 1 million pounds worth of lasers at our disposal from a variety of manufacturers. This means we can experiment using different types of equipment and demonstrate to the customer that the process we have developed works, right here in the lab."
Although there are many roles for lasers in production technology, a particular area of expertise likely to be employed by Modular is the welding of plastic materials. The laser welding techniques developed at Warwick offer a number of advantages over more traditional methods, such as hot plate, vibration, and ultrasonic welding.
"The whole team at Modular is delighted to have Warwick Laser Systems as our new housemate," says Modular's Managing Director Trevor Dixon. "Developing laser applications is always a challenge, partly because of the difficulty of providing suitable test equipment. This new partnership will bring a lot of benefits to both companies and will allow Modular Automation to take the industry lead in laser technology."
Modular Automation International supplies a range of bespoke and standard products, including the advanced Easy-link conveyor and the new MAC all-purpose assembly machines for use throughout the industrial, medical, pharmaceutical, and food & drink manufacturing industry.
For more information, visit www.modular.co.uk.