Petaluma, CA and Hamburg, Germany--Ultrafast laser manufacturer Raydiance is teaming up with Rofin, manufacturer of laser sources and laser-based solutions for industrial materials processing, to introduce femtosecond laser technology to industrial production, beginning with medical device manufacturing. See also recent news, "Rofin-Sinar reports second-quarter gains".
Rofin’s first solution incorporating Raydiance laser technology is the new StarCut Tube Femto, a system solution that offers "cold" laser cutting for makers of life-saving medical devices such as cardiovascular stents. The StarCut Tube Femto cuts sensitive materials such as gold, platinum, shape memory alloys, and low-melting point polymers with high precision and cut quality, and no thermal effect. Raydiance says these unique capabilities are enabling totally new medical device designs while improving quality and manufacturing costs on existing products.
"We are seeing an explosion of innovation in the medical device market powered by Raydiance," said Barry Schuler, Raydiance chairman and CEO. "But as customers move from design to manufacturing, they require 21st century solutions that integrate sophisticated motion control, beam delivery, visioning systems and software for their factory floors. Rofin is a bold innovator and the clear worldwide leader in integrated laser processing solutions. We are thrilled with Rofin’s decision to partner with Raydiance. This is a significant validation both for Raydiance and for ultrafast laser technology."
Thomas Merk, COO Rofin Laser Micro and Laser Marking added, "Medical device manufacturing is just the beginning of the journey. There is a multitude of applications in various markets--photovoltaic and microelectronic components, to name just two--that will benefit from ultrafast cold laser ablation. And there is no doubt that Raydiance is the innovation leader in industrial-grade femtosecond laser technology. Their ability to deliver superior performance, reliability, and ‘smart’ software control is transforming this unique technology."
SOURCE: Business Wire; www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100606005073&newsLang=en
--Posted by Gail Overton; [email protected]; www.laserfocusworld.com