To meet that goal, the project hopes to develop four key technologies:

• Integration of laser sources and beam delivery heads. Develop a single module that integrates three laser sources and three beam delivery heads, allowing multi-wavelength emission, a broad pulse length regime, and dynamic beam shaping.
• Dynamic beam shaping. Implement adaptive energy distribution for dynamic beam shaping in a hybrid robotic and CNC platform, enhancing flexibility in manufacturing processes.
• In-process monitoring and control. Incorporate in-process monitoring and control mechanisms, supported by an advanced digital infrastructure based on a cloud data management system, to ensure stable and efficient manufacturing.
• Process design for laser-based manufacturing. Integrate process design models using machine learning and a cloud data management system, aiming to minimize waste, defects, process costs and energy consumption.

The coalition members include DePuy Synthes, a medical device manufacturer; Tofas, a Turkish automotive OEM; Synova, a manufacturer of laser cutting systems; and IMA Automation, a manufacturer of automated assembly systems. 

“We decided to participate in the FLASH project because we needed to expand our perspective and access new technologies to help our business,” says Fabrizio Colla, CEO of ATOP, part of IMA Automation. “We are aware that we cannot do everything alone and therefore embrace the idea of collaboration, especially with a multinational team. In our case, the laser technology developed within the project will contribute to making [electric vehicles] more sustainable and efficient.”

ATOP makes equipment for assembling electric motors, particularly those for EVs. Among other applications, ATOP uses lasers to strip the protective enamel coating on copper magnet wire.