New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization

The University of Tokyo

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Spectronics Corporation

Osaka University

Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.

Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic Smart Factory Solutions Co.

Kinmon Kouha Corporation

Chiba Institute of Technology

Laser Technology Institute

Gigaphoton Inc.

Shimadzu Corporation

Overview

In the field of manufacturing, there is an increasing demand for high-quality, fine processing such as drilling fine through-holes in glass for electronic circuit boards, micro-processing of components for information and telecommunications equipment and medical equipment parts, and processing of difficult-to-process materials such as carbon fiber-reinforced plastics. As a result, laser processing is becoming increasingly important because of its ability to perform microfabrication that was not possible with conventional machining. However, laser processing systems are currently not widely used in the manufacturing field.

However, laser processing technologies widely used in manufacturing today, such as cutting, drilling, welding, and joining, have low electrical efficiency and processing efficiency, and many improvements are needed in terms of processing accuracy. In addition, the optimal processing conditions, which vary depending on the workpiece to be processed, are selected based on the experience and intuition of skilled workers. In order for Japan to maintain its high competitiveness in manufacturing in the future, there is a need to develop highly practical laser equipment and processing machines with high brightness and high efficiency, and to establish a system that enables all users to select optimal processing conditions according to their processing objectives.

Under these circumstances, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), in its project "Development of High-Brightness and High-Efficiency Next-Generation Laser Technology," which is being implemented from FY2016 to FY2020, is developing high-definition laser processing machines capable of fine processing, high-quality lasers capable of surface modification, and short-wavelength lasers capable of efficient metal processing. We have also been developing laser light sources and processing machines, such as short-wavelength lasers that enable efficient metal processing. In addition, we have been working with the TACMI consortium to evaluate processing characteristics under various processing conditions and to acquire data and compile a database, with the aim of extracting the conditions that enable efficient processing through a combination of experimental methods and theoretical considerations.

And now, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo National University Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Spectronics Corporation, Osaka University National University Corporation, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Smart Factory Solutions Corporation, Kinmon Kouwa Co. Ltd., Chiba Institute of Technology, Laser Technology Institute, Gigaphoton Inc., and Shimadzu Corporation, based on one of the R&D themes of the project, "Establishment of a laser processing platform that leads to optimal conditions," will integrate the most advanced laser light sources, processing machines, and processing technologies to develop a common platform for each of the laser processing technologies, including quality evaluation and measurement technologies. The Kashiwa II Platform, a platform for industry-academia-government collaboration on laser processing, was established by combining common basic technologies such as quality evaluation and measurement technologies for each device, as well as development results based on a database of actual processing cases. Users can not only easily use the state-of-the-art laser light sources and laser processing machines developed in this project, but also verify the effectiveness and applicability of the laser technologies, common basic technologies, and databases that have been integrated.

For more information, please visit the website of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).