Laser manufacturer Luxinar has experienced a rise in orders for its CO2 lasers from customers in the food & beverage and medical device industries, which themselves have seen increases in demand for products in relation to Covid-19.
Such customers are using Luxinar's SCX 35 (350W) and OEM 65iX (650W) sealed CO2 lasers, for example for micro perforation for modified atmosphere packaging.
The firm reports that other customers are also ramping up or switching production to respond to the increased demand for coronavirus-related products. These include the 24-hour injection moulding facility of Advanced Plastics, based in Hull, UK and the manufacturing sites of a global cleaning product supplier.
The latter uses the firm's lasers for fabric and textile cutting for products such as wipes, mops and disinfectant-impregnated fabric.
In addition to supplying CO2 lasers, Luxinar has also been aiding the coronavirus effort by using its lasers to cut and engrave Perspex sheets in the manufacture of face shields for key healthcare workers.
Furthermore, in response to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) call for 3D printed parts, Luxinar is using printers that have either been borrowed or made in-house in order to help produce face masks for health workers throughout the country. The 3D printed parts are being sent to a company for assembly and sterilisation before being passed to the NHS distribution hub.
The Original Prusa i3 MK3S is one of the 3D printers being used by Luxinar to produce parts for NHS face masks
Darren Taylor, senior manufacturing engineer at Luxinar and in charge of the project said: 'I have been astounded by the response and support I have been given through this activity. It really makes it all worthwhile.'