Entry into Laser Technology

Über eine Mehrheitsbeteiligung an Pulsar Photonics steigt Schunk in die Lasertechnologie ein. / Schunk enters laser technology through a majority stake in Pulsar Photonics.

Modulare Maschine zur Lasermikrobearbeitung mit Ultrakurzpulslasern. / Modular machine for laser micromachining with ultrashot pulse lasers.

Firmengründer und Geschäftsführer von Pulsar Photonics, Dr. Jens Holtkamp, Dr. Stephan Eifel und Dr. Joachim Ryll (v.l.n.r.). / Company Founders and Managing Directors of Pulsar Photonics, Dr. Jens Holtkamp, Dr. Stephan Eifel und Dr. Joachim Ryll (from left to right).

With its investment in Pulsar Photonics, the Schunk Group is entering the field of laser technology and focusing on growth opportunities in this area.

The technology company is acquiring a majority stake in Pulsar Photonics, which was founded in 2013. The young company is a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology and is based in Herzogenrath near Aachen, where around 40 employees work. Pulsar Photonics is involved in laser micromachining, particularly ultrashort-pulse laser technology.

"For Schunk, ultrashort pulse laser technology is a technology extension with which we are further deepening our expertise in optics and photonics," said Dr. Arno Roth, CEO of the Schunk Group. "As a highly innovative company, Pulsar Photonics is therefore a perfect fit for our innovation initiative 'Success by Innovation'."

Expansion of optics and photonics business

"The integration of ultrashort pulse laser technology now opens up completely new possibilities in our business with machines and systems for the optical industry in the processing of optical components with the highest precision and quality," explains Peter R. Manolopoulos, Member of the Management Board of the Schunk Group and responsible for the Business Unit OptoTech. In addition, ultra-short pulse lasers could also be used to process Schunk's high-tech materials, such as technical ceramics or graphite, in novel ways, opening up new application possibilities. "We see growth opportunities here for laser technology as well as synergies in project handling, purchasing and sales through integration into our global OptoTech network."

New growth and marketing opportunities

"We are very excited about Schunk Group's investment in Pulsar Photonics," said Dr. Jens Holtkamp, one of the startup's three founding managing directors. "Schunk's financial strength and the technology company's existing networks around the world open up entirely new opportunities for us to further develop our cutting-edge technologies and market them globally."

Pulsar Photonics develops and produces machines and systems for materials processing with short- and ultrashort-pulse lasers. These solutions include systems to increase process speed, for example through beam shaping or multi-beam processing, as well as machine-integrated measurement technology to ensure consistent process results. In this way, the processes are adapted to the challenges of modern manufacturing conditions, in particular increased requirements for throughput and long-term stability.

Laser contract manufacturing

In addition to system development, Pulsar Photonics is a competent partner for single-part and series production with (ultra) short-pulse lasers. "If a customer needs precise laser manufacturing in the micrometer range for an application, then Pulsar Photonics is the place to go," explains Dr. Holtkamp. That's because the company develops exactly the right laser process for the customer's application on its own laser machines. "And if they want to, customers can also conveniently outsource the entire laser processing to our job shop," Holtkamp adds. The most important processes are structuring, drilling and precision cutting.

Maximum precision thanks to laser technology

Laser processing with an ultrashort pulse laser allows microstructuring of surfaces with very high precision. Equally high precision is made possible by microdrilling with laser radiation, contact-free and force-free for all materials. The ultrashort pulse laser allows flat materials to be cut precisely and with high edge quality.

According to the Financial Times and Statista, Pulsar Photonics is one of the one thousand fastest growing companies in Europe.