At a glance
| Booth | I3000 |
| Country | GB |
| Website | www.oxfordlasers.com |
Company profile
Oxford Lasers Ltd has nearly 50 years of experience in lasers, optics and industry; it originated as a spin-out from Oxford University’s Physics Department, began by manufacturing short-pulse lasers, and transitioned more than 35 years ago into a laser integrator supplying laser tools and subcontract services. Its micromachining expertise covers drilling, milling, cutting, welding and patterning across a wide variety of materials, using nano-, pico- and femtosecond pulsed lasers together with advanced motion-control systems for consistent machining of demanding features. The company is particularly known for guide-plate drilling for Advanced Wafer Level Test, supplies leading probe-card companies, and operates a 24/7 facility that has drilled more than 100 million holes for next-generation wafer testing. With support from Innovate UK, Oxford Lasers Ltd is developing GHz-pulse drilling and selective laser etching for glass interposers used in heterogeneous chiplet integration, with stated application areas in power, photonics, quantum and micro-display technologies.
Exhibits
Oxford Lasers Ltd supplies laser micromachining platforms spanning the A Series, C Series and J Series, together with the SamplePrep System for X-ray microscopy sample preparation and the T-Series Trimmer for wafer-level analogue IC trimming. The A Series is a compact, free-standing turnkey workstation for R&D and pilot production, built around a granite load frame for thermal and mechanical stability and offered with Green Femtosecond, IR Femtosecond or Green Nanosecond laser configurations. Its Green Femtosecond configuration is 3 W standard with 10 W and 20 W options at 515 nm, the IR Femtosecond configuration is 5 W standard with 20 W and 40 W options at 1030 nm, and the Green Nanosecond configuration is 10 W standard at 532 nm. Across those configurations, the A Series supports micromilling, drilling, cutting, scribing, etching, surface texturing and thin-film patterning, with optional microwelding and application-specific fixtures. A Series positioning uses 400 mm x 300 mm XY servo stages with 0.005 µm resolution and +/- 0.5 µm repeatability, plus a 150 mm Z-axis servo stage with 1 µm resolution and +/- 1 µm repeatability; a rotary axis is optional for cylindrical workpieces. Its alignment and inspection options include AutoAlign vision-based fiducial alignment, contact-free AutoFocus, a 1.6 MP in-line camera and a 12 MP inspection camera that supports feature verification, dimensional measurement, alignment and quality control. The A Series is enclosed as Laser Class 1, is CE marked, accepts common CAD file formats through integrated Cimita software, and can be configured with pre-programmed functions for standard or repeat operations. Application examples include 500 µm holes in borosilicate glass, 40,000 holes of 5 µm diameter in a 50 µm thick stainless-steel tube, and 500 µm holes drilled at 60 degrees through 500 µm thick stainless steel for a fuel-injector example. For cutting and patterning, documented examples include zero-kerf cutting of 140 µm sapphire with wall roughness below 150 nm, 10 µm ITO tracks on glass, and 5 µm track-and-gap patterning of 200 nm gold on silicon using an IR femtosecond laser. The A Series is positioned for semiconductor materials such as glass, silicon, silicon nitride and palladium, while other stated use areas include universities, aerospace, automotive, defence, medical technology, quantum technology and general research and development. The C Series is a larger turnkey platform for high-throughput production or R&D, designed for 24/7 operation and configurable with nanosecond, picosecond or femtosecond pulsed lasers plus motion-control options. C Series wavelength options are 355 nm, 532 nm and 1064 nm, and its stated dimensions are 2800 mm W x 1700 mm D x 2040 mm H with product weight up to 2700 kg depending on laser type and options. The C Series combines a granite frame with vibration isolation, pre-programmed processes intended to reduce operator involvement, and Cimita control that links CAD input to production. Research examples for C-style systems include microrobotics, millimetre-scale robots, medical-device components, wearable sensors, sensor processing, space-related tantalum collimators and tissue-engineered nerve guides. The platform was developed around requirements from Oxford Lasers Ltd's own high-volume contract-services laboratory and is described for industrial production, pilot production and precision R&D work. The J Series is the largest laser micromachining platform in the range and can be built with up to two lasers selected from nanosecond, picosecond or femtosecond types, with optional multi-wavelength capability. Its listed wavelength options are 355 nm, 532 nm and 1064 nm, while final dimensions and weight depend on the laser types and options selected. The J Series is intended for technically challenging work such as transparent-material machining and high-aspect-ratio features, and its flexible platform can be integrated with part-handling solutions for production or R&D. Published-use examples associated with the J Series include insect-scale and quadrupedal microrobots, nitinol living hinges for millimetre-sized robots and medical devices, wearable sensors, silicon sensor processing and tissue-engineered nerve guides. The J Series uses a turn-key single-screen control concept and is offered as a wholly customisable high-power or multi-wavelength micromachining system. The SamplePrep System is preconfigured to prepare micro-samples for X-ray microscopy and can produce micro-pillars with diameters from tens to hundreds of microns from macroscopic bulk samples. Its integrated vision system allows a user to identify and target a specific region in a bulk sample, and the listed processable materials include rock, ceramics, metals and semiconductors. The T-Series Trimmer is a wafer-level laser tool for active trimming of analogue IC devices and is designed to work with common semiconductor testers and probers to trim thin-film resistors or links. For laser-system projects, Oxford Lasers Ltd can review material, thickness, geometry, part quality, tolerances, throughput and timelines, perform feasibility studies with sample production and validation, customise a standard platform where needed, and provide after-sales support through engineers and its Applications Laboratory. Its imaging portfolio combines VisiSize droplet and particle characterisation systems with FireFLY and FireBIRD short-pulsed laser illumination systems for high-speed imaging. VisiSize systems use direct imaging and integral software to visualise and measure droplet, particle or bubble size, shape and velocity in real time, supporting spray analysis in the field or laboratory. The portable VisiSize P15+ is a complete integrated analyser for field or laboratory use, measuring droplet and particle size, shape and velocity with a particle-size range above 10 µm. For a 50 µm diameter particle, the P15+ lists a maximum velocity of 30 m/s, while its high-resolution camera can process up to 15,000 particles per second in real-time mode. The P15+ uses an LED non-laser light source, has an IP67 sealed waterproof enclosure, and is designed for rapid deployment with first data collection stated as possible in less than five minutes. Its standard power and controller cable length is 5 m with a 25 m option, and the system reports measures including mean diameter, Sauter mean diameter, volume percentiles at 10%, 50% and 90%, deviation and relative span. P15+ application examples include agrochemical field work, cooling-tower emissions, food flavouring and spray processes, nozzle assessment and training, and other situations where portable real-time droplet characterisation is required. The VisiSize N60 is a Class 1 laser-safe system for high-velocity, high-density or high-volume sprays and measures particle or droplet size, shape, velocity and direction down to sizes above 2 µm. For a 50 µm diameter particle, the N60 lists a maximum velocity of 1500 m/s, and the N60 is also described as capturing clear images of small particles at speeds up to Mach 3. Its working distance is 40 to 1500 mm, and its online high-resolution camera supports up to 15,000 particles per second in real-time mode. N60 outputs include mean diameter by number, area or volume, Sauter mean diameter, D10, D50 and D90 volume percentiles, deviation, relative span and absolute concentration. Stated N60 applications include fire-suppression droplet measurement, industrial sprays and nozzle development, automotive and fuel sprays, paint and coating sprays, and vapour mitigation. The related VisiSize N60maX retains N60 capabilities down to 2 µm but adds a longer working distance for materials that require a safer handling distance. FireFLY is a compact 500 W, 808 nm short-pulsed laser illumination family offered as the FireFLY-S Standard model and FireFLY-LS Light Sheet model for synchronisation with high-speed cameras. The FireFLY-S is a Class 4 diode-laser system with a 50 ns to 100 µs pulse-duration range, 330 ns minimum separation, maximum pulse frequency of 100,000 Hz and burst frequency of 3,000,000 Hz with 254 pulses per burst. FireFLY-S applications include general high-speed imaging, particle sizing, spray diagnostics, digital image correlation, Schlieren imaging, bright-event imaging, NDT testing, time-resolved PIV and high-speed PIV. The FireFLY-LS is also a 500 W, 808 nm Class 4 diode-laser system, with a 50 ns to 100 µs pulse range, 330 ns minimum pulse separation and maximum pulse frequency of 10,000 Hz. Its uniform light-sheet output, PIV program mode and external-camera triggering are intended for time-resolved and high-speed PIV, flow visualisation, fluid mechanics, bio-locomotion and other high-speed 2D imaging. FireBIRD is a 1000 W, 808 nm Class 4 short-pulsed laser illumination system designed to synchronise with monochrome high-speed cameras for blur-reduced imaging of fast and bright processes. Its listed pulse operation includes 50 ns pulses and 15 ns at reduced power, with frequency modes up to 10 MHz for 254 pulses, 8 MHz for 5000 externally triggered pulses, 1 MHz for 60 seconds and 500 kHz continuous operation. FireBIRD can use direct-mounted optics or flexible light delivery, and an optional remote operational control supports extended use up to 500 m with longer lengths available on request. Stated FireBIRD applications include welding and additive manufacturing, energetic and ballistic events, front- or back-illuminated high-speed imaging, and flow visualisation using Schlieren or particle image velocimetry. FireBIRD can also be combined with VisiSize software for particle characterisation so that image capture and particle analysis can be used together for process evaluation. Oxford Lasers Ltd also provides contract imaging services covering high-speed imaging, velocity profiles, spray pattern, plume geometry, droplet size and distribution, and bright-event imaging. Its imaging laboratories can support in-house work, possible on-site services, equipment rental or system purchase, allowing testing arrangements to be matched to a project rather than requiring equipment ownership from the outset. For inhaled-drug devices, imaging services can measure spray pattern, plume geometry, event duration and velocity for pMDI, BAI, intranasal, DPI, SMI and smart-device formats, including co-flow testing for BAI, DPI and smart inhalers. High-speed imaging combines high-speed cameras with short-pulsed diode lasers so that the short illumination pulse reduces effective camera exposure into the nanosecond range and suppresses motion blur in transient events. The service also measures particle, droplet or bubble velocity with image-based tracking and can relate size to velocity, while spray-analysis software can quantify spray-pattern dimensions, cone angle, event duration and velocity profiles. For bright events, FireFLY and FireBIRD illumination uses a specific single wavelength so excess light can be filtered, making details visible through glare from processes such as welding and ballistics. The VisiSize application range includes academia and R&D, agrochemicals, atmospheric research, automotive, ballistics, cooling towers, cosmetics, energetics, fire suppression, food and beverage, fuels, manufacturing, metals refineries, mining, nuclear research, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and shower-head development. In agrochemical work, VisiSize systems are used for spray-drift assessment, nozzle development, drone or UAV spray assessment, formulation and adjuvant studies, air-blast sprayers, spray-application studies and biologic-pesticide applications. The portable P15+ can also be used in extension and training programs to visualise particles in real time and demonstrate how operating conditions or formulation changes affect spray drift and spray quality. For cooling-tower monitoring, VisiSize can measure volume flux to assess emissions; the P15+ IP67 enclosure supports use in 100% humidity and its optional 25 m cables help place the instrument in difficult monitoring locations. Food and beverage applications include sprayed coatings and flavourings, where P15+ measurements can support optimisation of nozzle type, pressure, flow rate and formulation, while the N60 has been used for atomiser-nozzle testing in baby milk powder development. For steel-production cooling, the N60 has been applied to droplet measurements in a stated 1 to 250 µm size range and 2 to 60 m/s velocity range to optimise volume flux applied to a steel slab. In semiconductor and electronics processes, VisiSize systems can assess ultrasonic nozzles used to apply photoresist coatings and the P15+ can help investigate unexpectedly large droplets, clogging-related effects and agglomerate generation. Thermal-spray applications listed for VisiSize include HVOF, atmospheric plasma spray, arc spray, combustion wire spray, controlled-atmosphere plasma spray and cold spraying. For mining, nuclear and petrochemical work, VisiSize can characterise Venturi-scrubber droplets, where collection efficiency depends on factors including liquid and gas flow, nozzle geometry, injection mechanism, spatial dispersion and droplet-size distribution. Pharmaceutical and healthcare applications include disinfection sprays, aerosol and droplet generation in medical procedures, and development of SMI, pMDI, BAI, DPI, intra-nasal and smart inhaled-drug delivery devices. For shower-head development, VisiSize provides real-time water-droplet sizing to study how shower-head design affects water dispersion and water management, with droplet size also noted as relevant to legionella transmission. For Container Closure Integrity Testing, Oxford Lasers Ltd laser-drills calibrated micro-holes into customer packaging to create positive controls for deterministic leak-test development and validation. It can drill holes from 2 µm to 100 µm and larger in suitable samples, and lists packaging formats including vials, bottles, syringes, autoinjector PFI syringes and cartridges, ampoules, IV bags, laminate pouches and blister packs. For cases where direct drilling is impractical, it supplies laser-drilled stainless-steel pinhole discs with certified holes down to 2 µm that can be affixed over a larger opening in the package. Its stated CCIT capability reaches 2 µm holes in glass and metals including stainless-steel pinhole discs, 5 µm holes by direct drilling in polymers, and leak-detection index classifications from 3 to 6. Certificates of Conformity can use optical microscopy or flow effective diameter measurements, with equipment calibrated to national reference standards to provide traceability for method validation and quality-control release samples. The CCIT service is supplied to pharmaceutical manufacturers, leak-test equipment OEMs, and pharmaceutical and medical process consultants, and includes an example technique for drilling through two material layers in a fully assembled autoinjector without disassembly.
Capabilities and products
- Laser micromachining systems for R&D and pilot production (A Series)
- High-throughput production laser micromachining systems (C Series)
- High-power multiwavelength laser micromachining systems (J Series)
- Laser microsample preparation systems for X-ray microscopy (SamplePrep)
- Wafer-level analogue IC active laser trimming systems (T-Series Trimmer)
- Laser micromilling workstations
- Laser microdrilling workstations
- Laser microcutting workstations
- Laser microscribing systems
- Laser microetching systems
- Laser surface microtexturing systems
- Laser thin-film patterning systems
- Laser microwelding capability for micromachining workstations
- Laser drilling of wafer-test probe-card guide plates
- CCIT positive-control pharmaceutical packaging laser microdrilling
- Laser-drilled stainless-steel pinhole discs for CCIT
- Laser micromachining feasibility studies with sample fabrication
- Customised laser micromachining system design
- Laser micromachining equipment after-sales technical support
- 500 W short-pulsed laser illumination systems for high-speed imaging (FireFLY)
- Light-sheet laser illumination systems for PIV imaging (FireFLY-LS)
- 1000 W short-pulsed laser illumination systems for high-speed imaging (FireBIRD)
- Droplet and particle size, shape and velocity measurement systems (VisiSize)
- Portable droplet and particle size measurement systems (VisiSize P15+)
- High-velocity spray droplet and particle measurement systems (VisiSize N60)
- Extended-working-distance droplet and particle measurement systems (VisiSize N60maX)
- High-speed imaging contract services
- Contract particle and droplet size and velocity measurement
- Contract spray pattern and plume geometry measurement
- Inhaled drug delivery device imaging characterisation services
- Bright-event laser imaging contract services
- Laser illumination and high-speed imaging equipment rentals
- Particle sizing equipment rentals