TRUMPF Photonics Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Some examples of the plant’s capabilities are found in the laser heads used in the company’s TruMicro Series. While the TruMicro series 5000 laser heads look identical to previous versions from the outside, adaptations to thin disk pump cavity, pump diodes and conversion modules have been made to achieve higher power. The higher efficiency pump diodes reduce the amount of pump light converted into heat to 62 percent. This low heat generation inside the Yb:YAG disk is essential to achieving high average power at good beam quality.

As such, The TruMicro 5000 picosecond laser supplies the highest power of any picosecond laser for industrial production. The infrared TruMicro 5070 has an output power of 100 watts, while the TruMicro 5270 achieves 60 watts with a green wavelength of 515 nm. These lasers provide twice the average power of the TruMicro series 5000 “compact” that was introduced in 2010. With their high productivity, the TruMicro 5070 and TruMicro 5270 lasers are perfect for integration into highly-automated production lines, with a low cost of operation that is unmatched throughout the laser’s life.

The excellent beam quality found in these TruMicro lasers translates into extremely high precision production. The unique double feedback loop guarantees laser power and, in turn, process results under all conditions. With their extremely short pulse durations, these lasers vaporize almost any material so quickly that no heat input can be detected. With no mechanical or thermal load on the material, these lasers are ideal for processing brittle or hard materials, semiconductors, metals, dielectrics and polymers.

Prior to the plant tour, U.S. House Representative Rush D. Holt, Jr. (D-NJ) attended the ceremonies and discussed the important role of manufacturing to the American economy. He referenced New Jersey’s unique position in high-tech research, production and entrepreneurship and stressed how the U.S. government must (1) permanently expand and increase the R&D tax credit, (2) pass the America Innovates Act that helps universities prepare their students to become entrepreneurs, and (3) return to the American tradition of respect for research.

Events throughout the day included several technical presentations on diodes, lasers and applications. One of the more interesting of these was “CO2 Lasers vs. Solid-State Lasers: How to Make the Right Choice for Your Application” that was given by product manager Stefan Fickenscher.

With sales of $2,761 billion (€2,024 billion) and 8,550 employees, the TRUMPF Group connects three business divisions with five business fields. These include the Machine Tools/Power Tools division, whose core business is machine tools for flexible sheet metal processing such as punching and forming, laser processing and bending, with standardized system components that enable automated production solutions. This wide spectrum of stationary machines is rounded off by portable power tools for sheet metal working.

The Laser Technology/Electronics division designs and builds laser systems for cutting, welding and surface treatment of 3D parts, high-powered CO2 lasers as well as lamp- and diode-pumped solid-state lasers, marking lasers and systems. The industrial electronics sector comprises radio-frequency and medium-frequency generators for inductive heating of a wide variety of materials, for surface coating by means of plasma technology and for CO2 laser excitation.

The Medical Systems division offers operating tables, surgical lights and ceiling-mounted equipment management systems. In all of these business areas, TRUMPF derives its innovative strength from its high expenditures on research and development, which is 7.8 percent of sales as of fiscal year 2009/10.

Editor’s note: Princeton Lightwave continues today as a separate company unaffiliated with Trumpf, developing and producing avalanche photodiodes and arrays, as well as long-wavelength (1.3 to 2 micron) indium phosphide based high-power lasers and superluminescent diodes. Princeton Lightwave is just down the road from Trumpf Photonics in Cranbury. www.us.trumpf.com