MICREON

Micreon GmbH, located in Hannover (Germany), is a contract manufacturer for ultrafast laser micro machining. Applied techniques are laser micro cutting, laser micro drilling, and laser micro engraving. Processing is done with ultrashort pulse lasers. These lasers allow for precise, burr-free laser ablation of all solid and gel materials. From the manufacturing of single proto-types to mass production, Micreon offers the complete range of material processing. The expertise in the field of ultrashort pulse lasers and high-precision positioning systems allows Micreon to provide industrial micro-machining systems using ultrafast laser technology. Micreon operates as a technical interface between laser manufacturers and industrial users of ultrafast lasers. As specialists in ultrafast laser technology, the Micreon team offers training and coaching of the technical staff that operates the laser work stations for industrial applications. Defined test-cases The two MIDEMMA test cases of Micreon are wolfram foil cutting for X-ray emitters and biocompatible polymer stent cutting. Both have in common the application of ultrashort pulse laser microcutting. The most important differences are material and shape – plane metal parts in the case of the X-ray emitters and highly heat-sensitive biopolymer tube material in the case of the stents. Cutting widths are 30 to 50 µm. The metal sheet thickness for the emitters is 100 µm. The tube wall thickness for the stents is 300 µm. Figure shows both test case parts and their applications. Related to these test-cases, different working groups have been assembled in order to define and develop solutions for the different problems defined by the industrial end-user. Next, the different test-cases and the tasks related to their solution are exposed briefly. Figure 36 shows a poster summarizing visually the technical work carried out during the project related to the test-cases from Micreon. Test-case 1: Tungsten foil cutting for X-Ray emitters In-line process monitoring techniques: LZH Ultra-short pulse laser ablation process adaptive control: LZH Process evolution analysis and smart decision making tool: Leuphana Test-case 2: Biopolymer stent cutting Thermal load monitoring and control: LZH