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Scanlab acquires Next Scan Technology, increases polygon scanner market share

Scanlab has acquired Dutch company Next Scan Technology to further increase its stake in the polygon scanner market.

Ultra-short-pulse (USP) lasers are popular for ultra-precise micro-machining of diverse materials through cold ablation, allowing for particularly fine, targeted material removal. To achieve industrial-scale productivity, USP lasers are best combined with ultra-fast scanners – for example a polygon scanner. In 2014, Scanlab introduced its hybrid polygon scan system.

Next Scan technology is well known as the manufacturer of the Line Scan Engine (LSE) product family, a group of high-speed polygon scanners containing patent-pending one dimensional large field f-Theta optics that keep the spot focused on the substrate.

Together, the two firms create a team with differing, yet integrable polygon system approaches to USP laser processing. It is anticipated that the acquisition will lead to smart cross-over designs using galvo, polygon and mirror F-theta technology, and therefore a comprehensive line of systems for diverse applications.

Under the new agreement, Next Scan Technology and its 10 employees will retain its operational site in Evergem, near Ghent, Belgium.

‘We see great potential in the polygon scanner market, so it's natural to position ourselves here accordingly. Next Scan Technology's expertise suits our approach well and our products complement each other superbly,’ said Scanlab CEO Georg Hofner.

Polygon scanners are particularly advantageous for line-oriented full-surface processing of workpieces – at fine resolutions and with freely definable patterns and structures. Thanks to the high speed, these systems can considerably slash material processing times.

Further information

Scanlab

Next Scan Technology

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