Precitec, ALE drop suit over laser cutting sensor patent

Wixom, MI -- Precitec Inc. has dropped a patent infringement case against American Laser Enterprises, in which it had accused ALE of violating its US patent on a sensor system for laser cutting systems. No details were offered about how the case was resolved -- but apparently it was by Precitec's "voluntary dismissal without prejudice," legalese which suggests the door could remain open for future litigation on the same grounds.

Precitec alleged in a March 21 filing in US District Court in Michigan that ALE is infringing on its US patent #5,489,888, a "sensor system for contactless distance measuring," with a specific reference to application on laser cutting tools. ALE, the company claimed, had been "making, using, inducing others to use, offering for sale, and/or selling sensor systems, nozzles, and/or other parts that infringe one or more of the claims of the '888 patent." ALE sells parts and accessories for Precitec cutting and welding heads, as part of its overall business of turnkey retrofit-upgrades and parts for CO₂, Nd:YAG, and fiber laser systems.

Having resolved the matter without litigation, "ALE resources will now be totally focused on establishing the ALE brand with our current products and expanding the product offering with new, intuitive, and cost effective laser beam delivery components and systems," stated ALE managing member/owner Susan Sprentall.