David Savastano, Editor07.01.14
Processing thin films is a challenging business. OLEDs, OPVs, displays and sensors are among the applications that use thin film technology, and heat obviously is a concern when using paper or plastic substrates. Laser patterning is one approach that is being used in the printed electronics field.
LUNOVU, a recent start-up, hopes to bring its expertise into the field of laser patterning. Formed out of the Fraunhofer Institute of Laser Technology (ILT) in Aachen, Germany, LUNOVU is located in ILT’s application center, giving it access to Fraunhofer’s R&D network. LUNOVU is also a member of the Direct Photonic Production (DPP) cluster at the University of Aachen (RWTH).
LUNOVU’s strength is designing and manufacturing complex laser systems, including hardware and proprietary software, based on a modular concept. The company’s team of scientists has been developing its laser technology for more than a decade, and after many successful projects, the company was formed in 2013, with an eye on the thin film market. The company prides itself on its holistic machine solutions that are equipped with latest laser technology components and processes, as well as the ability to retrofit machines as well.
“We just formed our company recently,” said Dr. Rainer Beccard, managing director, sales and marketing for LUNOVU, “We think thin film will have high growth rates, and you have to have the right tools that put down precise, highly uniform patterns in one dimension when you produce thin films.”
LUNOVU notes that thin film technology creates a lot of challenges, requiring extreme precision level down to a few molecular layers. Lasers can ablate thin films ranging from glass and wafers to flexible materials without affecting the substrate underneath, and can modify film characteristics or generate micro structures.
To meet the needs of its customers, the company develops integrated laser systems based on a modular design; different sizes using 2 to 5 axes cartesian setups are available as standard solutions. LUNOVU also offers automated systems for laser cladding; systems for laser micro processing that include soldering, brazing or welding on a microscopic scale, as well as micro structuring through ablation, drilling and cutting or micro-functionalization.
During LOPEC 2014, LUNOVU announced a collaboration with Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH, with the companies working together to develop, produce and distribute Laser Patterning for roll-to-roll systems. Coatema manufactures deposition systems for organic electronics, battery technology, medical engineering, photovoltaics and other application areas.
“We have a unit at Fraunhofer with a laser inside, and they are working on a large range of appplications,” said Thomas Kolbusch, vice president, Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH. “They are experts on laser tools for roll-to-roll and machining processes. It’s now a very short learning curve for us.”
LUNOVU’s strength is designing and manufacturing complex laser systems, including hardware and proprietary software, based on a modular concept. The company’s team of scientists has been developing its laser technology for more than a decade, and after many successful projects, the company was formed in 2013, with an eye on the thin film market. The company prides itself on its holistic machine solutions that are equipped with latest laser technology components and processes, as well as the ability to retrofit machines as well.
“We just formed our company recently,” said Dr. Rainer Beccard, managing director, sales and marketing for LUNOVU, “We think thin film will have high growth rates, and you have to have the right tools that put down precise, highly uniform patterns in one dimension when you produce thin films.”
LUNOVU notes that thin film technology creates a lot of challenges, requiring extreme precision level down to a few molecular layers. Lasers can ablate thin films ranging from glass and wafers to flexible materials without affecting the substrate underneath, and can modify film characteristics or generate micro structures.
To meet the needs of its customers, the company develops integrated laser systems based on a modular design; different sizes using 2 to 5 axes cartesian setups are available as standard solutions. LUNOVU also offers automated systems for laser cladding; systems for laser micro processing that include soldering, brazing or welding on a microscopic scale, as well as micro structuring through ablation, drilling and cutting or micro-functionalization.
During LOPEC 2014, LUNOVU announced a collaboration with Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH, with the companies working together to develop, produce and distribute Laser Patterning for roll-to-roll systems. Coatema manufactures deposition systems for organic electronics, battery technology, medical engineering, photovoltaics and other application areas.
“We have a unit at Fraunhofer with a laser inside, and they are working on a large range of appplications,” said Thomas Kolbusch, vice president, Coatema Coating Machinery GmbH. “They are experts on laser tools for roll-to-roll and machining processes. It’s now a very short learning curve for us.”