This white paper introduces a neoLASE Ytterbium MOPA System with switchable femtosecond or picosecond laser pulse emission. Therefore, this system represents a universal tool for several machining processes such as drilling, cutting, structuring and ablating. Pulse energies of up to 500 µJ and average output powers of up to 100 W, open a wide field of laser applications.

GFH-CEO Florian Lendner gave a lecture at the laser application workshop, korea on the topic: "Smart Ultrafast Laser Processing with Rotating Beam - Laser Micro Drilling, Cutting and Turning"

For the 12th Jena Laser Conference - on January 14th and 15th, 2021 - more than 250 experts from industry and research, education and politics came together to discuss current trends and challenges in the laser industry.

"Rotosymmetrical components are in the course of miniaturization even smaller and more sophisticated," reports Florian Lendner, CEO of GFH GmbH. “This is where conventional manufacturing technologies reach their limits, because the cutting forces, that act on the component and the tool size, make machining more difficult and even make it impossible with particularly sensitive geometries. This is especially true when materials are needed that are considered difficult to machine.” Several years ago, GFH GmbH therefore demonstrated the possibility of turning and grinding with lasers on its universal laser micromachining systems and delivered the first productive solutions. However, the full potential of the new manufacturing technology could be only partially exploited because the machines were not designed for these applications. There were limitations, for example, in terms of the speed of rotation of the components, the efficient use of laser radiation and generally the complete workflow. These limitations has been eliminated with the new machine: "After several years of intensive development work together with reference customers and supported by European research funding as part of the Horizon 2020 project, we can proudly present our new turning and grinding solution," reported Lendner. “It is available as a double spindle in short and / or long turning design, optionally with a rotating swivel unit as a counter spindle. This means there are no limits to the complexity of the components, and even end machining is possible.”

The GL.smart turning tool elevates cutting technology with non-contact, wear-free machining for small, rotationally symmetrical precision parts.

The demand for high-quality components in large quantities and the shift of value chains to regions with low production costs are putting competitive pressure on many manufacturing operations. Often the only way to absorb this is through faster manufacturing methods. This, however, requires modern technologies with a high degree of automation, which seem oversized for small to midsize enterprises (SMEs) in particular. Frequently the procurement costs are simply too high. GFH GmbH and neoLASE GmbH jointly developed a cost-effective, cross-industry solution under the EU subsidy program “Horizon 2020”: the “Smart Modular All-in-One Robust Laser Machining Tool”—SMAART—is a highly flexible, fully automated laser machining system that automatically switches between various process steps such as laser turning and fine texturing using an especially programmed, intelligent control unit. The system also covers a pulse range of 500 ps to 500 fs with no need for complex changeovers. This keeps the acquisition cost down and is intended to increase quantities and create jobs over the long term.

In the course of the Sino-German Laser Processing Workshop held in Taicang with around 80 well-known participants from industry and politics, including Consul General Thomas Elz from the German Consulate General in Shanghai, german and chinese experts presented the latest research results in the field of ultra-short pulse laser processing and additive manufacturing.

The demand for components of high quality in large quantities and the shift of value chains to regions with low production costs are putting competitive pressure on many manufacturing operations. Often the only way to absorb this is through faster manufacturing methods. This however requires modern technologies with a high degree of automation, which seem oversized for small to midsize enterprises (SMEs) in particular. Frequently the procurement costs, for instance for ultra-short pulse laser systems, are simply too high. GFH GmbH and neoLASE GmbH jointly developed a cost-effective, cross-industry solution under the EU subsidy programme “Horizon 2020”: the “Smart Modular All-in-One Robust Laser Machining Tool” – SMAART – is a highly flexible, fully automated laser machining system that automatically switches between various process steps such as laser turning and fine texturing using an especially programmed, intelligent control unit. The system also covers a pulse range of 500 ps to 500 fs with no need for complex changeovers. This keeps the acquisition cost down, and is intended to increase quantities and create jobs over the long term.

“Ultrafast Laser Processing with Rotating Beam – Laser Micro Drilling, Cutting and Turning”

“Smart Ultrashort Pulse Laser Processing with Rotating Beam – Laser Micro Drilling, Cutting and Turning”

A selection of 1658 Europe-wide proposals were submitted to the EU SME Instrument-Program. GFH, together with the company neoLASE, was able to prevail as one of the 63 funded projects with the so-called SMAART project - SMAART = Smart modular all-in-one robust laser machining tool.
The GFH GmbH, in cooperation with the company neoLASE, has set itself the goal of minimizing investment risks of prospective customer with regard to laser technology and reducing the complexity so that the ultrashort pulse laser technology becomes a key technology for the future success of Europe.

Also in 2019 GFH GmbH participates in various fairs and industry meetings of the laser industry. On these occasions, you will receive all information about the SMAART project of the cooperation between neoLASE & GFH GmbH.