Microprocessing with ultrashort-pulse lasers: process development, contract manufacturing and technology consulting
LightPulse LASER PRECISION
Weil der Stadt (production) · Stuttgart (TTI GmbH, TGU LightPulse)New on Amplifa
About LightPulse LASER PRECISION
LightPulse LASER PRECISION is an independent service provider for microprocessing with ultrashort-pulse lasers. Founded in 2018 at Technologie-Transfer-Initiative GmbH (TTI GmbH) of the University of Stuttgart, the company is a spin-off from the Institute for Beam Tools (IFSW) and was established by Dr.-Ing. Daniel Förster and Dr.-Ing. Christian Freitag. Its range of services includes process development, contract manufacturing of single pieces through large series, technology consulting, fixture construction and calibrated quality inspection. Ultrashort-pulse lasers are used to machine metals (steel, aluminium, copper, brass, gold, platinum), ceramics (aluminium oxide, silicon nitride), transparent materials (glass, sapphire, ruby, Borofloat glass, silicon) and CFRP — among other things through fine cutting, micro drilling, structuring, marking and engraving. Due to nearly melt-free material removal, geometry tolerances below 1 µm can be achieved. Applications lie in particular in medical technology and general industrial manufacturing with a focus on miniaturization. Production takes place at the facility in Weil der Stadt on the company's own ultrashort-pulse laser machining machine.
- Site
- Weil der Stadt
- Processes
- Micromachining with ultrashort-pulse laser, Fine cutting / laser cutting, Micro drilling, Laser marking, Laser engraving / Engraving, Surface structuring (laser-structured surface), Process development for ultrashort-pulse lasers, Technology consulting (sampling, system technology selection, commissioning, training)
- Materials
- Steel, Aluminium, Copper, Brass, Gold, Platinum, Aluminium oxide (Al2O3), Silicon nitride (SiN)
- Certificates
- Calibrated metrology (digital microscope), ISO 9001
- Founded
- 2018
- Industries
- Medical technology, General industrial manufacturing / miniaturization
- 01
Enquiry and technology consulting
- 02
Sampling with detailed report
- 03
Process development
- 04
Fixture design and construction (in cooperation with NC manufacturing companies)
- 05
Contract manufacturing (single piece, small to large series, express production)
- 06
Calibrated quality inspection and measurement
- 07
Support and development partnership after series launch
Materials and Machining Methods
Ultrashort-pulse laser machining
Force-free, nearly melt-free material removal through quasi-instantaneous vaporization with picosecond pulses; geometry tolerances <1 µm.
Steel
Melt-free fine cuts, e.g. in steel foils up to 100 µm thickness.
Copper
Fine cutting of copper foils, e.g. with 30 µm thickness.
Brass
Fine cutting, e.g. in 200 µm thick brass.
Aluminium
Machining with geometry tolerances below 1 µm.
Gold and platinum
Precise machining of precious metals.
Aluminium oxide (Al2O3)
Force-free cutting of complex geometries such as labyrinth structures in hard ceramics.
Silicon nitride (SiN)
Wear-free cutting of ceramics that are difficult to machine.
Glass / Borofloat glass
Drilling, cutting and marking of transparent materials thanks to nonlinear absorption.
Sapphire and ruby
Force-free micromachining of extremely hard minerals, e.g. multiple drill holes.
Silicon
Micro drilling and cutting of silicon.
CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic)
Fine cutting, engraving and surface structuring of fibre composites with adapted process control.
Locations
Weil der Stadt
DEProduction facility / manufacturing with ultrashort-pulse laser machining machine
- Lot size
- Single pieces to large series
- Materials
- Steel, aluminium, copper, brass, gold, platinum, Al2O3, SiN, glass, Borofloat glass, sapphire, ruby, silicon, CFRP
- Ultrashort-pulse laser machining machine
- Calibrated digital microscope (measurement <1 µm in plane)
Stuttgart
DEImprint and administrative address of TTI GmbH, TGU LightPulse (Nobelstraße 15)
Components and Applications
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micromachining with ultrashort-pulse laserMachining | <1 µm (geometry tolerances) | – | – | Single pieces – Large series | Steel, Aluminium, Copper, Brass, Gold, Platinum, Aluminium oxide, Silicon nitride, Borofloat glass, Sapphire, Silicon, CFRP |
| Fine cutting / laser cuttingMachining | <1 µm | – | – | – | Steel (foils up to 100 µm thickness), Copper (foils 30 µm thickness), Brass (200 µm), CFRP, Sapphire, Glass, Aluminium oxide, Silicon nitride |
| Micro drillingMachining | – | – | – | – | Silicon, Glass, Sapphire |
| Laser markingSurface | – | – | – | – | Glass, CFRP |
| Laser engraving / EngravingSurface | – | – | – | – | CFRP |
| Surface structuring (laser-structured surface)Surface | – | – | – | – | CFRP |
| Process development for ultrashort-pulse lasersEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Technology consulting (sampling, system technology selection, commissioning, training)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Fixture design and construction for series productionAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Quality control / calibrated measurement (digital microscope, 2.5D height profile,Inspection | <1 µm (plane), a few µm (height profile) | – | – | – | – |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrashort-pulse laser machining machine | – | – | – | – | Weil der Stadt |
| Calibrated digital microscope (metrology) | – | – | Measurement in plane <1 µm; 2.5D height profile a few µm | – | Weil der Stadt |
Additional services
Quality and Metrology
Quality is ensured through continuous quality control with a modern, calibrated digital microscope: measurement in plane with accuracy <1 µm as well as 2.5D height profiles and surface structures with accuracy of a few µm.
| Evidence | Weil der Stadt |
|---|---|
| Calibrated metrology (digital microscope) | |
| ISO 9001 |
History
- 2018
Foundation of LightPulse LASER PRECISION by Daniel Förster and Christian Freitag as a transfer and start-up company at TTI GmbH of the University of Stuttgart; spin-off from the Institute for Beam Tools (IFSW).
- 2019
EXIST start-up scholarship for the ultrashort-pulse laser micromachining service concept.
- 2020
Funding under the 'Young Innovators' programme of the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg.
- 2021
LightPulse LASER PRECISION becomes independent as a startup, standing on its own feet.