PhotonAix e. V.

Competence Network for Optical Technologies and Systems in Aachen

EXTRA

The Network of Competence "Laser Technology Aachen" has been contributing to the success of laser technology in Germany for a number of years - success which is based on a unique regional network of renowned R&D centres, leading laser manufacturers, innovative laser users, flexible laser job shops, recognized economic development agencies and far-sighted providers of finance. Core capabilities lie in the development of manufacturing processes, in laser measurement and testing technology as well as in the development of laser beam sources, components and plant.

This technology is used by clients from various sectors, including the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, plastics and metals processing, electrical engineering, electronics, steel construction, machine tool manufacture, precision engineering and optics. Lasers are used in manufacturing processes to cut, join, mark, and surface treat, and are also deployed in micro-machining and rapid prototyping.

Aachen has become a highly attractive centre because of the consistent efforts made here to integrate the Competence Network into inter-regional structures and to give local activities an international quality. Suppliers of technology, their customers, investors, scientists and experts in education can all find close partners in the Competence Network with whom they can collaborate. In terms of research and development, practically all the leading laser manufacturers as well as the laser users co-operate with the members of the Competence Network.

Laser processes and innovative laser beam sources are being developed in Aachen for introduction onto the market in the short and medium term. Network partners such as Thyssen Laser-Technik GmbH are also developing new system components and complex, specialized plant. Global leaders in laser manufacturing have established their own development groups at the Laser User Centre based at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT). Teams from industry and science work closely together here on development projects. This way of transferring technology is based on sharing comprehensive scientific knowledge and technical infrastructure - unique in Europe.

The Fraunhofer ILT, with its 230 members of staff and over 10,000 square metres of work space, is one of the world's most important contract research and development institutes in its field and forms the core of the Laser Technology Competence Network in the Aachen region. The Laser User Centre at the Fraunhofer ILT is home to subsidiaries of major laser manufacturers, innovative laser users and new companies working on specialized plant, laser manufacturing and laser measurement technologies.

This has created the ideal environment for testing ideas in an industrial setting. These activities are complemented by the services provided by other members of the Laser Technology Competence Network in Aachen: scientific research at the Technical University (RWTH) Aachen, advise specific to small and medium-sized companies by regional laser job shops and the Testing and Advisory Centre, business start-ups at the renowned AGIT technology centre in Aachen, and investment capital funding from a specialist investor in technology - S-UBG AG. The network of members is designed in such a way that external inquiries can be answered directly by a competent partner.

LINK TO WEBSITE

www.photonaix.de
www.kompetenznetze.de/navi/en/Kompetenznetze/photonaix.html

German Networks of Competence

Introduction

List of German Research Projects

Image Proc. Thuringia