SCANLAB, Pulsar Photonics Collaborate for Higher Integrated Laser Scan Systems

Puchheim and Herzogenrath, Germany – SCANLAB GmbH and Pulsar Photonics GmbH agree to collaborate on the development and distribution of more highly integrated laser scan systems in 2022. Besides collaborating on the development of the ‘Photonic Drill Engine’ for laser micro-drilling at a high throughput rate, SCANLAB will now be able to supply a range of beam shaping systems and other customized solutions. In doing so, the company will broaden its product line for micro material processing and provide users with additional solutions to help them increase their productivity and processing quality.

Since 2019, the two companies have been working together on the design and development of scan solutions for microprocessing. This new initiative also means that SCANLAB will take on shared responsibility for the distribution of highly integrated laser scan systems, allowing the organization to supply further integrated solutions to its own customer base beginning in February 2022. The market for USP applications (ultrashort pulse lasers) is expanding; the most significant hurdles, in general, are attaining the necessary increases in throughput. The use of multi-beam systems to parallelize laser processes can aid in overcoming this specific problem.

Integrated scan systems

The Microscan Extension (MSE) is also known as a ‘1 µm laser blade’. This scan lens quickly converts a scan head into a micro-spot scan system. The use of a galvanometer scanner in conjunction with MSE provides highly precise component processing: In the UV wavelength range, the focus diameter is less than 4 μm, and even less than 1.5 µm.

The MultiBeamScanner (MBS) is a scanning solution that enables laser cutting, drilling, and removal processes to be performed simultaneously. The employment of Diffractive Optical Elements (DOE) divides the incident laser beam into a configuration made up of numerous partial beams, allowing multiple laser spots to be worked on at the same time in a single image field. This means that numerous components can be processed concurrently or structures can be formed more quickly. Combining this technology with the XL SCAN solution improves the precision and speed of parallel laser processing even further.

The FlexibleBeamShaper (FBS) is the most complex system. The FBS is a beam shaping system that may be installed into a machine and generate custom beam distributions as needed. The FBS is, in a sense, a ‘photonic toolbox’ containing a variety of predefined beam shapes, thanks to the optical phase modulator, which can be controlled electronically. The system, which has an integrated galvo-scan head, expands process developers’ options for flexible, efficient microprocessing.

The Beam Alignment Module (BAM) is used to actively stabilize the position of the beam. Alignment errors, thermal effects generated by laser sources, variations in the ambient temperature, and all their impacts on the beam position can be measured and adjusted. The BAM assures that process outcomes remain consistent even when environmental conditions alter.

The joint development

The collaboration between Pulsar Photonics, a USP expert, and SCANLAB extends beyond a standard joint distribution project for the specified products. During their ‘Photonics Drill Engine’ (PDE) development project, the two companies will jointly create an exceptionally dynamic, versatile multi-beam tool for laser material processing. This technology is especially well-suited for use in the electronics industry, such as laser drilling circuit boards to boost drilling rates for high-density applications.

Image Source: SCANLAB GmbH