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Our Founder & CEO, Dr. Mark Turner, was recently featured on the Making Things Fun, Cool & Sexy  podcast , hosted by Christine Holly Ngo — a respected voice in the manufacturing and innovation community. In this podcast episode, Mark opens up about his journey from academic research to entrepreneurship, and what inspired him to start Turner Laser Systems. Drawing on his experience as an applications engineer, he describes a recurring challenge in the industry: a disconnect between feasibility tests and real-world manufacturing success. “I noticed a large gap between the feasibility work... and when we are running high volume manufacturing [where we need] high quality, high yield, and high throughput and high operational efficiency.” - Mark Turner, CEO If you aren’t able to play the video, please adjust your cookie settings by clicking the ‘Cookie Preferences’ button in the bottom-left corner of this page. That realization became the foundation for TLS. Mark saw the need for a company that doesn't stop at showing that a laser process can  work, but instead takes it all the way through to a proven, high-yield manufacturing solution. That means understanding the full scope of a customer’s manufacturing ecosystem — from upstream and downstream processes to operational goals — and designing systems that fit into the bigger picture. He created Turner Laser Systems to utilize rigorous scientific methodology and design of experiments (DOE) to develop robust, scalable laser solutions. We focus on mitigating risk early, aligning with customer goals, and delivering systems that work not just once, but every day, in real production environments. “It’s not as simple as throwing a laser into a robot and calling it done. You need to understand what could go wrong, how to control it, and how it fits into the full manufacturing system.” - Mark Turner, CEO This episode offers a clear look at the values behind TLS: integrity, technical depth, and a commitment to long-term success for the client, turning real engineering into real results. To subscribe to Christine Holly Ngo's Channel : https://www.youtube.com/@christineholly Interested in seeing if you and Turner Laser Systems are the right fit for each other? Apply for a consultation.

Watch Mark Turner, CEO of Turner Laser Systems, accept the 2025 Manufacturer of the Year (Small MFG) award from AMBayArea. In this heartfelt speech, Mark reflects on the team's journey, the company's growth, and the invaluable partnership with Owens Design that helped shape our success. ( If you aren’t able to play the video, please adjust your cookie settings by clicking the ‘Cookie Preferences’ button in the bottom-left corner of this page.) Fremont, CA – April 2025 — Turner Laser Systems, a Fremont-based precision laser solutions provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2025 Manufacturer of the Year (Small MFG)  by the   Association of Manufacturers Bay Area (AMBayArea) . The award was presented on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at AMBayArea’s Annual Summit, recognizing excellence in innovation, manufacturing leadership, and regional economic contribution. "This recognition is a huge honor for our team," said Mark Turner, CEO of Turner Laser Systems. "It affirms our commitment to delivering best-in-class laser micromachining solutions while staying deeply rooted in the Bay Area’s manufacturing ecosystem. This award is just a testament to the tenacity, grit, creativity, and commitment to the vision that the team had the past 7 years." During his acceptance speech, Turner also took a moment to acknowledge key partners who have been integral to the company’s journey: "I want to give one particular special acknowledgement to Owens Design … Thank you for being a partner and ally for us from day one. Since we synergized the two companies together—thank you for believing in us. Owens Design, being both a design and build partner, built the products that we see out here today. They have just been a consistent ally to our commercial success. That type of partnership and friendship is something rare, and I also just really value." Founded and headquartered in Fremont, Turner Laser Systems serves a range of industries—from medical devices to semiconductors—providing cutting-edge, turnkey laser systems engineered to solve complex micromachining challenges. The company has earned a reputation for delivering high-performance laser micromachining solutions that address some of the most demanding manufacturing applications in the world.

See how TLS + QiOVA’s multibeam upgrade delivers up to 88% faster micromachining—without compromising precision. Turner Laser Systems and QiOVA teamed up for benchmark testing at the TLS Applications Lab in Fremont, evaluating the capabilities of advanced multibeam laser processing. At the heart of this demonstration is a powerful integration: QiOVA’s VULQ1 spatial light modulator (SLM)  paired with the TLS Kanga Laser Micromachining Workstation. This upgrade transforms a single laser beam into dozens of finely shaped and precisely positioned beamlets—enabling faster, smarter, and more flexible micromachining for high-precision applications. By using a phase mask to generate parallel beams, users can adjust and optimize beam placement, focal position, and aberrations. This enables not only a significant increase in throughput, but also more effective processing of objects at varying distances from the lens—with improved Gaussian beam profiles tailored for better performance . To make this capability both accessible and production-ready, T LS engineered the full system integration and testing workflow , ensuring the SLM upgrade delivers performance in a real-world micromachining environment.  The included BeamForge software  handles complex phase mask generation behind the scenes, giving users intuitive control over beam placement, rotation, and intensity. It even supports advanced beam profiles, offering flexibility for a wide range of material and feature types. If you aren’t able to play the video, please adjust your cookie settings by clicking the ‘Cookie Preferences’ button in the bottom-left corner of this page. In our first demo ( 00:17 in the video) , we used BeamForge to upload logos, QR codes, and data matrices—instantly generating a multibeam array. We then watched in real time as the TLS and QiOVA logos rotated at 100 ms intervals, approaching the maximum update speed for liquid crystal-based SLMs. In the second test ( 00:21 in the video) , we measured processing speed across different beam configurations on the TLS Kanga system: Single Gaussian beam: 58 seconds to raster fill the TLS logo 4-beam array: 15 seconds 10-beam array: just 6.8 seconds All setups preserved precision and process control—demonstrating that high throughput can coexist with high accuracy when engineered right. For more information Turner Laser Systems: www.turnerlasersystems.com   QiOVA:   www.qiova.com   Or contact: Mark Turner, Turner Laser Systems at:   mark@turnerlasersystems.com   Robert Braunschweig, QiOVA and Turner Laser Systems partner at: robert@b-lasers.com Guillaume Bouquet, QiOVA business Development and head of Sales: g.bouquet@qiova.fr

QiOVA’s CTO, Sébastien LANDON , carried out an intensive training phase of the installation with our applications team, quickly equipping us with expert-level proficiency in the use of the VULQ1-M multibeam optical module. This training ensures we can fully leverage their multibeam technology to accelerate performance across advanced laser micromachining processes and applications. We’re excited to celebrate a successful collaboration with our partner  QiOVA , marked by the installation of their VULQ1-M module at our applications lab.  This partnership perfectly illustrates our joined expertise and forces to bring laser micromachining to the next level by optimally deploying QiOVA's parallelized beam technology in our advanced precision laser system solutions.  With QiOVA's patented multibeam IP available now in TLS's applications lab, manufacturers can test-drive QiOVA’s VULQ1™ multibeam upgrade, prototype and pilot real parts, and then order a production-ready system built locally. Backed by TLS 360 Mastery Methodology, clients can prove ROI before committing capital, significantly reducing technical and financial risks. Many thanks to the QiOVA team for their commitment, technical leadership, and shared vision of this partnership. Together, we keep on accelerating industrial innovation by laser. For more information Turner Laser Systems: www.turnerlasersystems.com   QiOVA:   www.qiova.com   Or contact: Mark Turner, Turner Laser Systems at:   mark@turnerlasersystems.com   Robert Braunschweig, QiOVA and Turner Laser Systems partner at: robert@b-lasers.com Guillaume Bouquet, QiOVA business Development and head of Sales: g.bouquet@qiova.fr

Turner Laser Systems (TLS), a leader in precision laser machining, today announced a strategic partnership with French photonics company QiOVA  to offer the VULQ1™ programmable multibeam head  as an optional upgrade to the TLS Kanga Laser Micromachining Workstation . The collaboration creates the first—and only—U.S. site where manufacturers can test-drive a multibeam-equipped Kanga, prototype and pilot real parts, and order a production-ready system built locally in Silicon Valley. “TLS Kanga already delivers micron-level accuracy with customized solutions,” said Mark Turner, CEO of TLS.  “Add QiOVA’s VULQ1 and our clients get higher throughput and lower cost per part. Using our 360 Mastery Methodology, they can prove the ROI before they invest in a tool— it’s a win-win-win.” TLS Kanga Laser Micromachining Workstation with the VULQ1™ multibeam upgrade option splits a single laser into dozens of beamlets that stamp programmable patterns in one pulse, delivering: Up to 10× higher throughput Rapid ROI — the modest cap-ex pays for itself within months through a lower cost per part Boosted OEE  — the laser step stops throttling the line, raising factory-wide effectiveness Instant, software-driven changeovers  — jump from micro-vias to 2-D codes without re-tooling, perfect for high-mix, low-volume production “QiOVA’s mission is to maximize effectiveness in laser processing for industrial applications,” added Dr. Étienne Bourhis, CEO of QiOVA. “Partnering with TLS gives U.S. manufacturers a local path from lab validation to full-scale production, so they can capitalize on this powerful technology. We are excited to see how this will broaden the field of possibilities to our U.S. industrial customers.” “Test Drive” at the TLS Apps Lab The TLS–QiOVA partnership brings patented multibeam IP into TLS’s Silicon Valley Applications Lab in Fremont, CA—the only U.S. site where manufacturers can test-drive QiOVA’s VULQ1™ multibeam upgrade on a TLS Kanga, prototype and pilot real parts, and then order a production-ready system built locally. Backed by the 360 Mastery Methodology, customers prove ROI before committing capital, significantly reducing technical and financial risk in one move. For more information Turner Laser Systems: www.turnerlasersystems.com   QiOVA:   www.qiova.com   Or contact: Mark Turner, Turner Laser Systems at:   mark@turnerlasersystems.com   Robert Braunschweig, QiOVA and Turner Laser Systems partner at: robert@b-lasers.com Guillaume Bouquet, QiOVA business Development and head of Sales: g.bouquet@qiova.fr

Mark Turner, CEO of Turner Laser Systems featured on Laser Focus World - Executive Forum . In a recent feature by Laser Focus World , Turner Laser Systems CEO Mark Turner shared insights into his journey from academia to entrepreneurship and the lessons he’s learned in building a successful business in the photonics industry. From his early passion for laser technology to founding Turner Laser Systems, Turner’s career has been shaped by innovation, adaptability, and a deep understanding of ultrafast laser applications. He attributes his success to making key choices, building strong human connections, and learning critical lessons along the way. “Turner Laser Systems continues to grow because its work aligns with who Turner is.” The article explores his transition from academic research to industry, highlighting how his experience in Silicon Valley exposed him to the fast-paced world of laser applications and entrepreneurial thinking. Turner emphasizes the importance of mastering technical fundamentals, taking strategic risks, and building strong relationships within the industry. His holistic approach to business has positioned Turner Laser Systems as a leader in laser process development, bridging the gap between research and real-world manufacturing solutions. For a deeper look into Mark Turner’s entrepreneurial philosophy and the growth of Turner Laser Systems, read the full Executive Forum article by Jose Pozo on Laser Focus World .

The Valley of Death is a term often used by Silicon Valley insiders to describe the daunting challenges they encounter. It represents a critical phase where limited funding can impede progress, making it crucial to overcome obstacles and prove a concept before launching a product or securing additional resources. Unfortunately, many innovators face delays and misallocations of resources due to shortcuts or unchecked assumptions. When it comes to laser technology, making wrong choices can have serious consequences, potentially derailing a company's go-to-market strategy and causing significant setbacks in manufacturing, resulting in wasted time and money. Working alongside our trusted partner Owens Design , we've seen many customers veer off course and travel down paths that ultimately lead to failure. It's important to note that a large percentage of these failures could have been avoided if they had addressed critical assumptions more carefully. While we have encountered countless unchecked assumptions that could jeopardize a project, we have identified four common assumptions that are particularly detrimental for laser integration projects: Assumption 1: Integrating laser process into a tool is relatively straightforward Many people mistakenly believe that building a laser tool or integrating an existing laser into a system is a straightforward task. However, this overlooks the complexity inherent in laser processes. Successful laser integration requires a deep understanding of laser-material interaction, precision motion, metrology, CAD CAM, and debris handling. Oversimplifying the process is a serious mistake that often leads to failure and disappointment. Assumption 2: You can treat laser projects like any other automation project Another common assumption is that laser projects can be approached in the same way as other automation tasks. However, lasers have unique challenges and requirements that require a more methodical and scientific approach. To ensure a robust laser process that effectively works with automation, it's vital to embrace a comprehensive and meticulous strategy. Most importantly, understanding the way the process will work when moving from laboratory testing to actual manufacturing equipment is crucial. Determining process windows is a great way to mitigate this risk. Assumption 3: The hardware setup from the manufacturer’s lab test is the optimal choice Many people assume that the hardware setup used at a laser applications lab at the time of the feasibility study is a “golden template”. However, blindly adopting these setups without further evaluation or customization is a mistake. It's crucial to recognize that the manufacturer’s laser labs often handle a wide range of applications, leading to quick and convenient setups. Challenging this assumption and diligently determining the truly optimal setup for specific project requirements is vital for successful laser integration and maximizing ROI. Assumption 4: The automation PLC team can easily manage the integration of laser process software Another prevalent assumption is that the same team responsible for integrating other automation components can seamlessly integrate the software part of a laser process. However, laser integration poses unique challenges due to the intricate CAD CAM operations and algorithms involved, especially in precision laser processing and micromachining. Assuming that integrating laser process software can be approached with the same ease as other automation components often lead to major delays, blown budgets and undesirable results. Working with a partner that already has relevant software products is critical to success. Fostering effective communication and collaboration early on in the project between the process, the automation and the business teams is crucial. Assumption 5: The process and automation teams collaborate solely during machine prototype phase To avoid unnecessary delays and to ultimately save time, the process and automation teams should work side by side early on – even at the process specification phase. Fostering effective communication and collaboration early on in the project between the process, the automation and the business teams is crucial. A collaborative process will yield a much more desirable result than the traditional waterfall process. This will ultimately save time and money. So, how can we avoid the perils of the Valley of Death in laser integration? It all starts with taking a methodical approach instead of rushing in headfirst. We have witnessed many people diving into projects at full speed while neglecting careful consideration. They make hasty changes along the way, ultimately leading to failure and finding themselves in the Valley of Death. We strongly recommend consulting with trustworthy experts who have years of experience in the field. By clearly defining the path, and thoroughly considering project requirements, the chances of successfully navigating the project and avoiding pitfalls are significantly increased. In summary, by dispelling common assumptions, adopting a methodical and collaborative approach, and seeking expert guidance, companies can navigate the Valley of Death in laser integration. Embracing this holistic strategy that balances risk, schedule, and capital investment sets the foundation for successful laser integration. If you’re looking to get the right tool for the job, the endless options (such as choosing the right laser) in the market can be daunting. Our 360-Mastery Methodology, a process unique to TLS, was built to help you choose a hardware configuration that’s optimal for your application. By thoroughly understanding your needs, providing a technology roadmap including systematic design-of-experiments crafted for your needs, our experts can take you from research, through experimentation to manufacturing success — avoiding development-pitfalls and saving you business time and resources. About the authors Mark Turner, CEO of Turner Laser Systems Mark holds a PhD in laser machining and is the founder of Turner Laser Systems LLC with over a decade of experience working with lasers. The creator of 360-Mastery Methodology, he has enabled many new products developers and manufacturers launch with manufacturing success. Laser physicist by day and an avid coffee maker by night, he's known to be brewing the perfect cup of espresso for his friends at his home in Fremont, CA when away from work. Tony Smith, Vice President of Owens Design Tony Smith has over 27 years of experience in automation design in the semiconductor, consumer electronics, disk drive and solar industries among others. Tony has been with Owens Design for almost 25 years with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and an MS from Santa Clara University.

SECTOR EV Industry OBJECTIVE Obtain a clean precision cut on a fragile and critical “layer” in automation. Background The battery manufacturing startup company found itself at a crucial stage in their go-to-market journey. They urgently needed to scale up their manufacturing volume to meet the growing demands of their customers, which was vital for their success. The customer’s process team had conducted internal research and development in a laboratory and R&D setting, specifically focusing on laser cutting a key layer in their unique battery stack. However, the challenge they now faced was introducing this technology into a high-volume automated environment. Moreover, they recognized the importance of optimizing the process to ensure the highest quality standards and improve overall throughput. Challenges The battery manufacturing process presented several challenges related to the delicate nature of the battery material. Handling the material proved particularly difficult due to its thin and brittle composition, making it susceptible to damage. When it came to processing , standard die cutting technologies were inadequate, and conventional laser cutters caused undesirable effects such as thermal damage, micro-cracks, and sticky debris, all of which could have severe consequences during battery assembly. Adding to the complexity, the early-stage nature of the product technology meant that the battery’s form factors were subject to change, introducing further obstacles for both the process and the equipment involved. These evolving form factors required adaptability to accommodate potential modifications at any given moment. Customer's Needs The laser process required meticulous optimization to ensure impeccable cutting quality, characterized by clean and precise kerf, minimal heat-affected-zone, and the absence of micro-cracks. Simultaneously, the processes had to be efficiently executed to achieve high throughput manufacturing in line with the desired production targets. It was imperative to develop automated cleaning mechanisms capable of handling the debris generated by the process while maintaining matching throughput. To meet the dynamic needs of the manufacturing operation, the process and equipment had to be versatile and modular. This was crucial to accommodate various form factors, which were likely to change over time. Additionally, the cleaning process had to effectively remove debris generated during cutting at the same throughput of the rest of the manufacturing equipment. The delicate and fragile layers required swift and reliable movement throughout the tool to ensure seamless operations. To meet the diverse needs of the manufacturing operation, the process and equipment had to be versatile and modular. This was crucial to accommodate various form factors, which were likely to change over time. Why It's Critical Meeting these requirements was paramount to the battery company’s go-to-market strategy. Failure to meet the quality standards would result in lower yields or subpar battery performance, and in the worst case, even lead to catastrophic battery failures. Considering the highly competitive market landscape, establishing a reputation for delivering high-quality products was essential for the success of this new offering. Simultaneously, achieving optimal throughput was a crucial factor in determining the cost of the batteries and the ability to meet production volume targets. Falling short of these targets could instill doubt in the market regarding the scalability of the technology, leading to hesitancy in adopting the product. Therefore, balancing both quality and throughput was vital in ensuring customer confidence, market adoption, and the overall success of the battery company in a fiercely competitive market. Our Solution Turner Laser Systems and Owens Design partnered together to develop and incorporate a manufacturing-ready process into a production ready laser system. This semi-custom laser platform was integrated quickly into a custom, fully automated system to handle and clean the delicate parts. The laser expertise of Turner Laser Systems and the manufacturing equipment experience of Owens Design delivered a complete solution to guarantee both the process and the automation worked together out of the box. Want more details on how the 360 Mastery Methodology can help? Contact us for more information or on the availability of a comprehensive case study.

Fremont, CA – February 2025 – PI (Physik Instrumente) and Turner Laser Systems (TLS) proudly showcased a highly successful live demonstration of their XL SCAN system at SPIE Photonics West 2025, highlighting the power of precision motion and advanced laser processing. The XL SCAN system, designed for high-speed, high-precision laser machining, integrates PI’s X-417 flexible multi-axis motion system, ACS motion controllers, and SCANLAB galvo scanners. This cutting-edge combination, integrated by TLS, enables seamless coordination between linear stages and galvo scanners, optimizing large-area laser processing with exceptional accuracy and speed.  XL SCAN  eliminates stitching errors and maintains precision in feature dimensions, even on large surfaces, while boosting throughput by reducing process time without sacrificing quality. “We were thrilled to partner with Turner Laser Systems at Photonics West to demonstrate the capabilities of the XL SCAN system,” said Stefan Vorndran, VP marketing at PI Americas. “The integration of our X-417 motion system and ACS controllers with Turner’s laser processing expertise and SCANLAB’s galvo scanners showcases the next generation of precision manufacturing solutions.” The live demonstration at PI’s booth attracted strong industry interest, illustrating how XL SCAN technology enhances laser processing efficiency by dynamically synchronizing galvo scanners with multi-axis motion platforms. This innovation is set to revolutionize industrial applications in semiconductor and display manufacturing, PCB and electronics processing, medical device production, and other high-precision industries. “Our collaboration with PI brings unprecedented precision and scalability to laser processing,” said Mark Turner, CEO of Turner Laser Systems. “The successful demonstration at Photonics West reaffirms our commitment to delivering advanced solutions that meet the evolving demands of modern manufacturing.” With this successful showcase, PI and Turner Laser Systems continue to push the boundaries of precision motion control and laser processing, offering solutions that redefine efficiency, accuracy, and throughput for the photonics industry. For more information, please visit PI’s website  and Turner Laser Systems .

Fremont, CA – Turner Laser Systems is honored to be named a finalist for the AMBayArea MFG Awards , which recognize excellence and innovation in Bay Area manufacturing. Winners will be announced at the  AMBayArea Summit 2025  at Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.  As a leader in precision laser solutions, Turner Laser Systems is committed to providing reliable, production-grade, and customized laser processing solutions while helping customers mitigate critical risks. By working closely with suppliers and manufacturers, the company continues to support the industry in overcoming complex challenges and achieving long-term success. “Being recognized among top manufacturers in the Bay Area is an honor and a testament to our team’s dedication,” said Mark Turner, CEO of Turner Laser Systems. “We take pride in helping our customers navigate complex manufacturing challenges with precision and innovation.” Turner Laser Systems thanks  AMBayArea  for this recognition and looks forward to celebrating with fellow nominees at the Summit.

I am launching a new blog series to guide you through the key steps and challenges in laser process development -- from idea concept all the way to manufacturing success. And in particular, we've recently published a video stepping through a phased-methodology that helps you through the “valley of death”, minimizing risks and getting to an optimum solution. This article focuses on the very early phase where you’ve just discovered laser as a potential solution for your product development and manufacturing needs. At this stage, you may be talking with your team to determine what’s the best first step. How do I evaluate whether or not laser is the right solution? What type of laser technology works best for what I want to achieve? How can I avoid going down the wrong path and causing unnecessary costs and delays? Whether you are requiring a process for drilling, welding, cutting, dicing, marking or scribing, it’s important to know how to choose the right partner to support your process and integration needs. Laser processing enables a wide variety of applications, form factors and materials leading to a confusing mix of solution providers in the marketplace. For this article, I will focus on the four primary options to support your needs: laser manufacturers, contract manufacturers, laser integrators, and a trusted advisor who is also a laser integrator. Laser Manufacturer Most customers begin with an online search. They often end up reaching out to a laser manufacturer to determine if one of the manufacturer’s lasers would be suitable for their needs. Laser manufacturers are a great resource and repository for generally pairing the types of lasers to the types of materials and processes. It is important to understand that laser manufacturers don’t give you that complete vision and foresight to how a particular laser will be integrated into a manufacturing solution. Without that foresight, customers are left uncertain in the practicality, viability and return-on-investment of the lasers in the product development stage as well as the turnkey manufacturing phase. Also, depending on the complexity of the process required, they may not be able to make your complete test part with the features you require. For example, laser manufacturers are excellent at producing one beautiful laser drilled hole, but may struggle to provide you a full size wafer with an array of accurately positioned holes. That type of work requires a lot more development time, custom fixtures and automation capability. Contract Manufacturer / Job Shop Some customers are not initially concerned how the products are made but just getting the product made. In this case, customers might provide a part drawing and the material spec to a contract manufacturer to make those parts. The nice thing about contract manufacturers is that they are very well versed in manufacturing to design spec, and will do everything from laser cutting to post processing. They’ll work out the nitty-gritty behind the scene so you are presented with (hopefully) a good part. They can be an excellent solution to get a processed part into your hands quickly, so you can prototype your product and see if laser processing can be possible. Keep in mind that just because a CM says “no bid” (i.e. they won’t do it) doesn’t mean it can’t be done! A downside of going to a contract manufacturer, however, is that you can end up with a beautiful part but have no idea how that part was made. Without that knowledge, you can’t determine if the process and the technology behind making that part is scalable, and how to integrate this technology into your manufacturing if you want to internalize that production within your company. This may become a black-box solution where you lose control on pricing and schedule. And if you're in the medical industry, it can become even more troublesome to have additional documentation from a third-party supplier. So there are definitely pros and cons of going to laser manufacturers and contract manufacturers. And there's definitely a time and place for it. A Quality Laser Integrator The right solution also needs to meet your manufacturing requirements. We often recommend our customers to work with highly knowledgeable laser systems integrators – someone who thoroughly understands how to pair a variety of lasers to your processes and materials, while possessing depth of knowledge on precision motion and factory automation. Such integrators, like Owens Design with whom I partner, provide a big-picture perspective, and can work out a right solution for your application from a product development and a business standpoint. An experienced laser integrator will not only bring you the right laser and beam delivery for the process, but provide part alignment, material handling and robotic automation. They will additionally deliver controls and software which is critical to the success of the technology integration. The need for intuitive and effective software for controls is sometimes overlooked, and can be a significant cause of unexpected delays and costs. This overall solution should enable a seamless and smooth transition between all the stages of your product development: Early R&D phase Testing out several batches of products to evaluate quality, repeatability and yield Integration of a first laser machine into your facility (i.e. pilot line) Scaling up with more systems (if required) A Trusted Advisor More importantly, ask your supplier if they are willing to educate you throughout this process. Frequently, lasers are seen as a black-box mystery in the world of laser physicists, causing customers to believe they have to just trust the information on the datasheet or a laser sales rep. To me, that is a very risky approach! If I were a product manufacturer, I’d want to work with a supplier that I can treat as a trusted advisor and build a collaborative relationship . Such a partner will seek to understand your various challenges and your end goals in order to develop a solution that maximizes your ROI. I have found that sharing relevant information in a collaborative way that educates on both parties delivers the best outcomes. We look at what’s important from a technical, manufacturing and business perspective. Using this perspective, we collaboratively develop the most valuable solution and guide our customers to manufacturing success. To ensure a holistic solution, we actively educate our customers on how these technologies work—why we've chosen specific lasers or beam delivery systems, lenses and all these sorts of things; how we can scale up from manually loaded systems to robotic loading in fully automated systems. The goal is to provide you (the end-users) the knowledge you need to confidently adopt the technology, and can, in turn, educate your own technical teams on the new technology being onboarded. Each solution provider has its own benefits and disadvantages. Below is a general comparison chart for your reference. I hope you find the information presented here useful in determining your best laser processing partner for your manufacturing needs during that very early stage of product development. I highly recommend reaching out to a quality laser integrator who can become your trusted advisor. If you've confided in one such advisor already, you’re in good hands. Otherwise, note that searching for and establishing a trusted advisor to support you early on is going to pay dividends. If you’re completely new to laser technology and the search feels daunting, here are some good indicators you’re talking to a potential trusted advisor: They are an expert in the field of laser technology They are a knowledgeable laser integrator with a good understanding of precision automation and manufacturing They have the ability to listen and understand your needs (including your return-on-investment) and challenges They provide unbiased feedback They communicate openly and welcome feedback They collaborate -- willing to educate and share knowledge Please feel free to reach out to me (mark@turnerlasersystems.com) on questions about laser systems, laser processes, or anything related to laser manufacturing. We’d be happy to educate, share information, and point you in the right direction. In the next blog, we will share tips and info in determining the right laser for the job. Please follow us on LinkedIn for our next blog update. For other Turner Laser Systems or laser processes videos, visit our YouTube channel. About Mark Turner Mark Turner holds a PhD in laser machining and is the founder of Turner Laser Systems LLC with over a decade of experience working with lasers. Laser physicist by day and an avid coffee maker by night, he's known to be brewing the perfect cup of espresso for his friends at his home in Fremont, CA when away from work.

At Turner Laser Systems, we prioritize practicing our values consistently. As part of this effort, I have the pleasure of sending out our Strive and Thrive Weekly Practice email to our entire company at the start of each week. Since we are a small company, I’m also able to write these reminders on our white boards in each office. These reminders are intended to promote the behavioral and mindset practices that align with our values and culture. They often are about things we've learned from the books we've gone through together or training on our values in the past. Then during our weekly company meeting on Fridays, we dedicate the last five to ten minutes to sharing our challenges or triumphs from our practice, on a voluntary basis. Everyone including the CEO get to share as they see fit. This practice helps us reinforce our company's values, which include Quality, Mastery, Integrity, Creativity, and Humility. For example, this week's exercise focuses on reflecting on how to stay within our integrity when faced with an undesirable outcome. Instead of blaming others, we practice accountability by asking ourselves questions such as: What could I have done differently? What could I have done to improve the situation? What can I take responsibility for? If you also want to give this a try, it is essential to note the importance of fostering a psychologically safe space during these practices. We find the following ways effective in such an effort: We emphasize keeping a student-mindset, focusing on learning rather than judging, and acknowledging that practice is about progress, not perfection. For example, we may be asked how we would do things differently next time, and sometimes the answer is, “I don’t know. I gotta think on it.” That is totally acceptable because we understand we learn through practicing, and it takes time. We keep the share short and sweet, preventing overthinking and lessening the fear of dominating one person's share for too long. We deliberately keep this to the end of the meeting so that we can keep it concise. Leading by example is another critical element of our culture, as people pay attention to what leaders say and do. Our CEO models authenticity and humility, setting the tone for the rest of the team. It’s not uncommon to hear him admit how he has not done something well, and then commits to how he is going to do better. These consistent weekly practice also helps create a safe and supportive environment where people can openly ask for suggestions, leading to a culture of continuous improvement. I'm deeply encouraged by the transparency and vulnerability of our team, which builds trust and synergy within the company. I have immense admiration and respect for everyone here and am proud of the work we do to uphold our values and cultivate a positive work culture. About Christina Lim With over 15 years of management, Christina leads with integrity, humility and compassion as the Chief of Staff at Turner Laser Systems. Beyond her passion in culture building & storytelling, she pursues other art forms such dancing, competing at dance battles, and painting pet portraits at her home in Milpitas, CA. *This blog contains some stylistic editing from ChatGPT