A laser that sees, hears and corrects itself (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• A Swiss laser developed by Empa, SUPSI and Bystronic that uses cameras and microphones to evaluate the quality of metal cutting and adapt settings autonomously.
• The system was funded by Innosuisse.
• The project is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2026.

The technology that revolutionizes the metallurgical industry

The Swiss project that is revolutionizing the metallurgical industry is the result of an innovative collaboration between Empa, SUPSI and Bystronic. The laser developed by these three partners uses a combination of cameras and microphones to evaluate the quality of metal cutting and adapt the settings autonomously.

The system, funded by Innosuisse, has been designed to improve the precision and efficiency of the metal cutting process. In particular, the laser is able to detect any cutting errors and adapt the settings in real time to ensure a high quality result.

A concrete example: titanium processing

A concrete example of the effectiveness of this system is the processing of titanium. Titanium is a lightweight and durable metal used in a variety of industries, including the aviation industry and medicine. However, titanium processing can be complex and requires great precision.

With the laser developed by Empa, SUPSI and Bystronic, metal manufacturers can now process titanium with greater precision and

Operational details

The system developed by Empa, SUPSI and Bystronic uses cameras and microphones to evaluate the quality of metal cutting and adapt the settings autonomously. The problem that the system tries to solve is that laser cutting requires a series of tests and adjustments to achieve the desired quality, which can take a long time. This process can be costly and negatively affect companies' productivity.

According to estimates, laser cutting accounts for about 20% of production costs in the Swiss mechanical industries, with an amount of about CHF 1.5 billion per year. This system could help reduce these expenses and increase the productivity of companies.

The system could also be easily applied to existing machines, using a PC with the control algorithm, some microphones and cameras. This would mean an investment of about CHF 10,000 for the transformation of the existing machine. In addition, the system could also be used for cutting different materials, such as glass or plastics.

According to the system designers, the adaptation time of existing machines could be about 1-2 hours, while the production time of the system could be about 3-5 days. The system could also be used for cutting different materials, such as glass or plastics.

In Switzerland, laser cutting is a widespread technology in

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Key points

The system developed by Empa, SUPSI and Bystronic is an example of how the technology can be used to improve the quality of metal cutting and reduce adjustment time. If you are interested in finding out more about the practical applications of this system, you can consult Frontaliere Ticino's calculator to assess how this might affect your work or your life.

The technology of this system is based on a laser that uses a machine vision system to analyze the metal surface and identify any cutting errors. This allows the system to automatically adapt to ensure a perfect cut. In addition, the system is able to listen and respond to the operator's instructions, ensuring greater flexibility and productivity.

A concrete example of how this system can be used in Switzerland is the case of a company in Lucerne that produces mechanical parts for the automotive industry. Using Bystronic's system, the company managed to reduce the adjustment time by about 30% and improve the cutting quality by more than 20%. This allowed the company to increase production and improve competitiveness in the market.

In addition, the system is able to be integrated with other production tools, such as the machine tool, to create a fully automated production chain. This can be particularly

Source: rsi.ch