Imagine a laser that can stay perfectly in focus even when the surface it's printing on is curved or moving fast, like a tiny magnifying glass that adjusts itself instantly. It replaces messy ink printers that leak and cost a lot to refill. This means companies can print codes on bottles or cans much faster and without using toxic chemicals.
Industrial inkjet marking is slow, expensive, and uses toxic inks that harm the environment. Conventional lasers are often too slow or cannot maintain focus on curved surfaces, leading to high waste and low production rates.
A miniaturized optical system that expands laser focus range and a production-ready laser marking machine capable of high-speed printing on curved surfaces.
If you are a packaging manufacturer dealing with slow marking speeds and ink waste on curved containers — this project developed an optical system that increases the laser focus range up to 400 times. This allows for high-speed printing on bottom cans and inside packages with less waste.
If you are a semiconductor producer dealing with precision marking requirements — this project developed a specialized beam technology that resulted in additional IP for the Semicon sector. It provides high-resolution marking suitable for high-tech components.
If you are a cap producer dealing with the difficulty of printing on small, curved plastic surfaces — this project developed a fiber laser integration that enables printing on caps. This reduces the failure rate and product waste compared to inkjet systems.
Based on available project data, the system reduces costs by eliminating the need for expensive and toxic inks and decreasing the amount of product waste caused by printing failures.
Yes, the project has established a full-scale, scalable production line and successfully integrated the beam into real-time factory settings.
The project generated new IP through internal hiring for print correction programming and additional IP specifically for the semiconductor (Semicon) sector.
The team is designing the machines to replace currently standardized machines to ensure fast scalable growth, though the technology is ground-breaking enough to require specific integration pilots.
The project period was from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-31, with pilot results already realized in 2023.
The project is led by a single Dutch SME, INPHOCAL BV, which received an EU contribution of EUR 2,499,999. The 100% industry ratio indicates a highly commercial focus, moving directly from technical development to customer pilots without academic partners in the consortium.
Contact INPHOCAL BV in the Netherlands
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for this high-speed laser marking technology.
