Founded in 1975 in Banbury, Oxfordshire, the company began its life as a distributor of lasers, predominantly serving universities and research facilities. Over time, Laser Lines strategically expanded its focus to become a total solutions provider, evolving to include additive manufacturing laser processing systems, and laser for photonics, and representing various overseas companies in the UK market.
As one might imagine, with 50 years in the market, Laser Lines has witnessed the evolution of the laser industry from some of its earliest days. Dan Cort, Technical Sales Engineer at Laser Lines explains: "We still have customers running lasers we provided more than 20 years ago.” This longevity is demonstrative of both the company's heritage and its commitment to reliable, long-lasting laser solutions.
Strategic focus drives expertise depth
Recent structural changes have reshaped Laser Lines' approach to the market. The company has become more deliberately laser-focused (no pun intended) to industrial materials processing applications, creating a more cohesive and expert team. "We're a smaller team, and we work more closely together," Cort explains. "We all know what each other is doing much better, we all share information, and we talk about different applications."
This strategic focus extends to the company’s product portfolio. Instead of pursuing a very broad catalogue approach, Laser Lines concentrates on fewer, complementary products where they can offer genuine expertise. "The products we sell can still go into a wide range of applications and products, but we don't sell any lasers that are just for a quantum application, for example, they have to fit to our core model of being predominantly designed for materials processing applications," Cort explains.
The company offers a wide range of pulsed laser systems, from nanosecond to high-power femtosecond lasers. These systems cover a variety of wavelengths and processing requirements while maintaining a strong focus on materials processing.
Consultative approach sets companies apart
Where Laser Lines is able to differentiate itself is in its consultative capabilities. "We go through a consultative process that can start with a material and an idea, and end with a complete laser solution." Cort explains. "You don't have to know what you need. You can come to us."
This approach may surprise those who still perceive the company as a supplier alone. Cort acknowledges that whilst many companies offer consultative services, "people might see us more towards the box shifting end, but we're not that. If you want laser expertise, you can come to us. We know the laser market landscape well.”
In line with this, the company's service extends beyond product selection. The entire team brings deep product knowledge to custom requirements and application challenges. "Our service team gets really involved when there's custom requirements. They know the products well," Cort says.
Comprehensive testing capabilities
Laser Lines' consultative approach is backed by substantial testing facilities. The company operates its own applications laboratory, focused on nanosecond lasers for marking, engraving, and welding, plus laser cleaning systems. Additionally, it maintains access to world-class micro-machining labs through their supplier partnerships.
"We have access to multi-axis scan head solutions and processing heads that can come in from all sorts of angles," Cort explains. "It's not just the processing, it's also the analysis and reporting. Our partners have a full suite of industrial metrology tools, including advanced microscopes, to prove the quality of the process."
This comprehensive approach recently won the firm a competitive tender. "We were up against four other competitors, and the customer complimented us and chose us for our thorough approach to an application," Cort recalls. "We diligently researched to make sure we had the right solution."
Laser measurement expertise
A sometimes-overlooked aspect of Laser Lines' business is its laser measurement capabilities. But as Cort points out: "This is relevant to everyone who uses lasers!” The company offers solutions for measuring the power or energy of virtually any laser system, with customisation available for more unique specifications.
This measurement expertise exemplifies the firm’s consultative approach, particularly for organisations building lasers with unique specifications for government-scale research applications. "We have the capabilities to offer measurement and beam dumping solutions for the most extreme lasers in the country. This is a consultative process to ensure we meet the highest standards in accuracy and reliability.” Cort explains.
Unexpected applications drive innovation
One of the most intriguing developments has been the company's ability to adapt into new and emerging applications. Cort describes a recent project involving quantum microscopy based on fundamental interference, a fluorescence lifetime microscopy application he'd never encountered before.
"It’s an application based on an effect I was not familiar with previously, and whilst these lasers are focused on industrial applications, if the specs are right, then they're always going to be great for scientific applications because they're built for reliability and stability," he explains.
The key advantage in this quantum application was pulse rate flexibility. Traditional compact scientific femtosecond lasers typically operate at fixed repetition rates, whereas the industrial-focused laser could adjust its internal repetition rate from the usual 20 megahertz down to the required one megahertz.
Compact advantages
Microvias in glass created at Fluence Technology’s Ultrafast Laser Application Laboratory (Credit: Laser Lines)
The trend towards compact, air-cooled femtosecond lasers offers significant integration advantages. "It's not just compact, it's the lack of water cooling as well that means they're much easier to integrate into systems," Cort notes. "If you are trying to commercialise a laser system that will ship around the world, it’s much simpler to use a passively cooled laser with a tiny footprint. Some of our lasers can even be mounted vertically, to reduce that footprint further!"
Future vision
Looking ahead at the developing UK market, Cort says: "There’s lots of incredible research in the UK, and I think commercialising some of that research is always the way to grow things. This country is good at taking a great piece of research from a university and turning that into a small company. If we partner with those sorts of companies when they're small, then if and when they do grow, we can grow with them."
In terms of the future of the business, Laser Lines will likely only enhance its industry visibility, thanks to its strong credentials as laser solution experts. "We’d love to see more people come to us with projects that others may find really challenging, to see what is possible with some of the exceptional laser solutions we offer and test the limits of the applications labs.”
With its combination of decades of experience, strategic focus, and a truly consultative approach, Laser Lines is positioned as the go-to partner for customers seeking laser expertise rather than laser products alone. This shift is what allows them to thrive alongside global competitors, proving that a deep, focused knowledge base and a commitment to customer needs can be just as powerful as scale. As the UK's photonics sector continues to grow, Laser Lines is ready to supply the technology, but also to empower the innovators behind it.
