SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SPI Lasers is entering the plastics welding and medical aesthetics markets. The manufacturer of fiber lasers says it has already won initial orders in these markets, and based on feedback from its customers estimates that together the two new opportunities could lead to sales of US$1 million to US$2 million over the next 12 to 18 months.
In the micro-machining sector, where lasers are increasingly being used in plastics welding to replace ultra-sonic welding in the manufacture of sensitive electronic parts, SPI says that two companies have purchased their fiber lasers for plastic welding. In addition, SPI has received multiple orders for trials of its fiber lasers for facial treatments in the medical aesthetics arena. According to SPI, this sector of the cosmetic surgery industry showed rapid growth in 2005, with fiber lasers deployed in volume for the first time.
“We have developed a laser that is a flexible tool for end users and integrators,” said chief executive David Parker. “These new market verticals further demonstrate this and build on the sales momentum in the medical device arena gained last year.”