16 Feb. New centre for applications and assembly of drive systems
Sponsored Post – Motion control specialist Aerotech is significantly expanding its capacity at its Fürth site. In addition to setting up a laser laboratory, assembly of controls and drive products will also take place there in future. The company is creating a European centre for the development, testing and validation of laser-based manufacturing processes and for the customer-oriented assembly of motion components.
The newly built laser laboratory in Fürth offers customers from all over Europe the opportunity to test and optimize laser-based manufacturing processes directly on site using Aerotech products. The aim is to demonstrate applications under realistic conditions and to further develop them together with customers. In the long term, the laboratory is intended to serve as a European centre of excellence for micro-material processing.
The laboratory is headed by Dipl.-Ing. Oliver Hentschel, who has more than twelve years of scientific experience in laser and photonics research. At the Fürth site, Hentschel is now responsible for the technical expansion of the laboratory as well as the planning and execution of customer trials. Here, users can test Aerotech components directly in combination – from laser scanners to multi-axis systems to controllers.
High-tech core: ultra-short pulse lasers from Light Conversion
The centrepiece of the laboratory is an ultrashort pulse laser system from long-standing partner Light Conversion. The company is regarded worldwide as a pioneer in femtosecond lasers and laser systems and opened a new 400-square-metre R&D laboratory in Silicon Valley in 2025. The cooperation with Aerotech includes the provision of a customised laser scanning and motion control system for demanding applications in semiconductor, electronics and medical device manufacturing.
„Users can check directly with us whether and how a desired application can be implemented,“ reports Oliver Hentschel. „Feasibility studies, process optimisations and test series are carried out in the laboratory under realistic conditions. This significantly reduces any risks involved in the transition to industrial production. After consultation, smaller start-up series can also be produced here to validate transferability to series production.“
Further expansion planned
Up to four machines can be operated in a laboratory area of around 50 square metres. A complete system is planned for the start, and the equipment is to be continuously expanded over the next two years.
Image: Aerotech