IPG Photonics Acquires Laser Depth Dynamics

IPG Photonics Corporation (Oxford, MA) has acquired Laser Depth Dynamics Inc. (LDD; Kingston, ON), an innovative provider of in-process quality monitoring and control systems for laser-based welding applications. LDD’s proprietary inline coherent imaging (ICI) technology is the first industrial system to enable direct measurement of weld penetration depth with high precision and in real time by adding a near-infrared measurement beam to the welding head. ICI technology offers superior accuracy, speed, and cost-performance, compared with today’s commonly-used indirect measurement techniques, such as destructive sectioning. Their systems also support advanced monitoring features, including seam tracking, height following and 3D volume imaging in a single tool. LDD’s flagship imaging systems can be integrated with leading welding head technologies, including IPG’s revolutionary wobble welding heads, which provide unmatched process consistency and ultra-high-power welding heads for deep penetration welding.

“Their weld monitoring systems and accessories significantly enhance our portfolio of industry-leading beam delivery products and laser welding systems,” said Felix Stukalin, the  senior vice president of North American operations at IPG. “Their ability to monitor weld quality in real time and ensure process consistency is increasingly important within automated production environments. We believe this technology, when combined with our expanding portfolio of welding systems, will help drive adoption of laser-based welding within the automotive, medical, consumer products and aerospace industries.”

LDD was founded in 2012 by chief technology officer Paul Webster, who initially developed ICI technology as a PhD candidate in engineering physics at Queen’s University in Ontario. LDD has 16 employees, and their operation in Kingston will become IPG’s new center of product development for weld monitoring solutions. While intending to expand the market for LDD’s products through IPG’s worldwide sales and support channels, IPG will support and honor all existing customer commitments. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

www.ipgphotonics.com