SMART Laser Manufacturing

The SMART project aims to develop a new generation of pulsed fibre MOPAs that will have the same revolutionary impact in laser micromachining that earlier generation fibre MOPAs have had in laser marking. Micromachining applications involve highly-precise material removal, so micromachining lasers need excellent beam quality, high pulse intensities and high average powers to achieve good throughput. To be successful, the lasers need to be a highly manufacturable and truly-dependable tool, rather than an exotic scientific instrument. In this project a product-platform capability designed for lean manufacturing will be developed with multiples of improvement in pulse characteristics and average power compared to existing pulsed fibre MOPAs. Detailed characterisation of the light and matter interactions will be studied alongside the technology and product development aspects to bring to market a highly-informed and successful product with UK manufacture. There will be at least three new lasers commercialised by the end of the project, with substantial volume sales targeted in the areas of micromachining, solar processing, and high-end decorative marking.