AMULET: Accurate manipulation using laser technology

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 95.0035

Key words (English)

Micro-manipulation; laser; scanner

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: BRPR-CT96-0199

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 2.1 Industrial and materials technologies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Philips CFT (NL); Siemens AG (D); Inst. für Laser Technology, Aaachen (D); M.B.N. SRL (I); Lehrstuhl für Fertigungstechn., Erlangen (D); Sopra Lasers (F); Technical University of Denmark (DK);
Sacel (I); Lambda Physik GmbH (D); LASAG AG (CH);
EPFL-IOA (CH)

Abstract (English)

The objective of the project was the contact-free aligning of metal components down to sub-micron accuracy. By simulation of the three-dimensional laser manipulation process and development of novel alloys closed loop control aligning strategies for versatile applications have been found. For the aligning process a fast, controllable laser beam-manipulation system with integrated component manipulation has been developed.
The partner LASAG is a Swiss laser supplier operating in the field of laser processing. Its main tasks in the AMULET project were the basic development of laser optics and laser power control, and the support of the project partners in this field. In the frame of this project, LASAG worked in close collaboration with a subcontractor, the Institute of Applied Optics (IOA) of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne (EPFL).
In the first year LASAG and IOA defined in close collaboration with the partners the specifications for the highly innovative, compact, fast laser scanner and the optical components of the scanning head. In the second year a first prototyp of the scanner has been realized together with Philips. Also the requirements on a new laser with real-time controlled power which is an essential part of the closed loop aligning process has been defined. During the third year five prototypes of the compact scanner have been produced and integrated in the scanning head. The prototype version of the real-time power controlled laser and the scanning head were used successfully in the final test bed of Philips for the controlled closed loop adjustment of several samples in the sub-micron range.
For LASAG both the real-time power controlled laser and the compact scanner reached a high technical level close to industrialisation during the project. The intention of LASAG is to present the laser as a new product in 2000. There also exists a big interest from end users for the industrialisation of the compact scanner but the way of exploitation is not yet clear and has to be discussed with Philips.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 95.0035