Laser vision gives Lithuania competitive edge

prospective

The project significantly contributed to the development of the laser industry in Lithuania. Based on the project results, a new branch of industrial lasers has been introduced at Ekspla. Two fast-growing startup companies were also launched.Andrejus Michailovas, Technical Director, EksplaThe project is contributing to the growth of Lithuania’s knowledge-based economy through the development of competitive laser systems, material micromachining and spectroscopy technology.Pooling resourcesFour Lithuanian laser and photonics companies joined forces  to devise specific lasers for the industrial market. The companies participated in leading international conferences on lasers and cooperated closely with each other and with specialists from outside the country. Laser testing then followed and prototypes were created.Ekspla, Light Conversion, Optida, and Standa have been creating new laser technologies for industrial application to enter Southeastern Asia. Ultra-fast laser impulse technology makes these manufacturers competitive with other well-known laser companies.The desire to exploit novel applications of laser in industry stemmed from the constraints of the scientific laser market. Lithuanian companies would be limited to a maximum of 10% global market share in scientific lasers. By widening their horizons to industry, the companies were able to tap into the increased demand for industrial laser equipment.Innovative lasersEkspla, Light Conversion, Optida, and Standa are working on providing the global market with innovative new lasers that satisfy industrial application requirements. This should boost the hi-tech sector’s contribution to economic growth in Lithuania. It is forecast that sales in the laser industry sector could reach LTL 0.5 billion (€145 million) by 2017.By developing technologies that give access to the world’s industrial laser market, the expectation is that Lithuania’s export potential will grow. This will then lead on to higher turnovers for the companies involved and to greater investment in human skills and knowledge. Already Light Conversion alone holds 80% of the global market of tunable femtosecond lasers.As many as 20 students were given the opportunity to follow placements in the laser companies, with some staying on in permanent posts. Ten new jobs were created as a result of the collaboration.