Laser vision Trumpf

LASER VISION

Trumpf is a global leader in the development and manufacture of advanced machine tools, lasers and electronic systems for industry. The multi-faceted global technology group continues to see major global expansion. Philip Yorke takes a closer look at some of the company’s latest products and the strategy behind its success.

The Trumpf Group was founded in 1923 and began as a mechanical workshop. From the outset it established a reputation for the manufacture of innovative, high quality products. Today the company remains privately owned by descendants of the same founding family and through a dedicated policy of continuous change and improvement has become a clear global market and technology leader. With over 60 subsidiaries, the group is represented in almost every European country, as well as having a major presence in North and South America and in Asia. The company’s key manufacturing facilities are located in Germany, Austria, China, the Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland and the USA.

In the fiscal year 2014-2015 the company generated sales of more than €3 billion and currently employs over 11,000 people worldwide. Following on from its best year ever in 2013-2014, Trumpf has exceeded its targets to achieve even better results in the last fiscal year. The purchase of the Chinese machine tool manufacturer JFY was the largest in the company’s history and is just one of many acquisitions it made recently in line with its ambitious strategy for growth.

Trumpf also secured a range of important future technologies with the takeover of Igeneric GmbH and the Italian laser producer Sisma SpA, both of which have added significantly to the company’s technological product portfolio and competences. More recently Trumpf has invested more than €30 million in new state-of-the-art facilities for its solid state laser production.

Setting the pace

When it comes to medical applications, Trumpf’s advanced laser technology is setting the pace. Today the company is at the forefront of these exciting developments. Owing to its versatility and special abilities, the laser is the optimal choice as a production tool for cutting, welding and the production of complex medical technology products. “The laser is a pioneer of miniaturisation and with minimal focus diameters, with about 25 micrometres for marking and 10 micrometres for removal structuring and it makes entirely new product designs possible,” said Dr Alexander Knitsch, the head of the medical technology division at Trumpf.

The latest development in the field of medical laser technology is Trumpf’s move into new fields of application for ultra-short pulse lasers. In May this year Trumpf launched its new TruMicro 2000 picosecond laser with flexible and versatile applications. This means that corrosion-free marking is now possible on highly reflective surfaces and the company offers complete turnkey solutions for ease of use.

The new laser can be used in a broad spectrum of industrial applications ranging from high-quality metal engraving to cutting extremely thin films, as well as for the corrosion-free marking of medical instruments and chrome-plated plastics. This new laser is

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LQ Mechatronik-Systeme GmbH, a medium-sized company from Besigheim, is a successful systems and product supplier of comprehensive electromechanical solutions for control and installation applications. Whether for modular control cabinets or cable drag chains – mechatronic experts focus on the reduction of complexity. LQ takes a modular principle with standardised interfaces as a basis for combining individual components to form compact functional units or installationready systems, thus supplying mechanical and plant process engineering companies with complete electromechanical units. The company employs 280 employees on three continents. Apart from its headquarters in Germany, the LQ GROUP has branches in Switzerland, the USA and China.

especially attractive for medical applications, particularly for reusable tools such as surgical instruments and endoscopes. Products such as these require uniform labels so they can be easily traced and the new TruMicro from Trumpf is capable of marking even highly reflective surfaces. These markings remain corrosion-free despite daily cleaning and sterilisation and exhibit a strong visual contrast.

The high peak pulse power of Trumpf’s picoseconds laser creates a nanostructure on the surface of the workpiece. The special quality of the process is that the steel’s chromium oxide layer remains intact, which prevents corrosion from forming. The advantages offered by the TruMicro 2000 are also seen with chrome plated plastics used in common consumer products such as showerheads and automobile interiors. Developing smart functions in other industrial fields, trumpf leads the field with its cutting-edge innovation, whether it’s in the design of lightweight batteries or powerful punching machines, such as the world’s fastest: Trumpf’s TruPunch 5000.

Solid-state success

The demand for solid-state lasers continues to see dramatic growth and Trumpf provides equal boosts for both development and production. In June this year Trumpf announced that it had committed over €30 million to construct new development and production facilities in Schramberg, Germany. This will provide over 12,000 square metres of additional floor space enlarging the current site to almost double its current size.

“The trend towards using solid-state lasers in industrial production shows no sign of stopping,” explains Peter Leibinger, vice-chairman of the managing board of Trumpf GmbH and chairman of the Laser Technology Business Division. “Schramberg is the cradle of the laser industry in Germany and a global forerunner when it comes to solid-state lasers. Our investments will create the conditions necessary for the laser to continue along a course of successful development,” said Leibinger.

Optimising availability

Trumpf’s latest TruConnect modules optimise the availability and utilisation of connected laser systems and its monitoring system makes manufacturing processes transparent. An essential prerequisite for success in industry 4.0 and connected production is the availability of a flexible production resource that can handle all manufacturing processes. Efficient and economical laser manufacturing requires stable and robust laser processes. Here a wide range of sensors work to collect condition data and process parameters.

With its new Condition Based Services Trumpf provides a way to read out sensor data and further increase the technical availability of lasers.

For further details of Trumpf’s innovative laser technology and other advanced industrial technologies visit: www.trumpf.com n