Oxfordshire-based ES Precision, which undertakes conventional machining plus laser processing, has enjoyed a profitable start, with turnover ahead of expectations in its first year.

The company has customers in many industry sectors — including medical, Formula One, aerospace, electronics and general engineering — and the profits generated so far have been re-invested in the business, in the form of new UV laser technology from Coherent-Rofin UK (www.rofin.co.uk).

ES now has eight laser systems with various power sources. This keeps the company at the forefront of laser marking and fine drilling/cutting.

The UV laser in particular opens up opportunities that conventional lasers miss, because the shorter wavelength is absorbed by plastics, organics and many ceramics.

Pure surface absorption on many plastics usually produces a superior mark to the partial transmission of IR wavelengths from other lasers.

Furthermore, the shorter wavelength of the frequency-tripled laser allows it to be focused down to a smaller spot size than most other technologies, resulting in finer detail or better resolution.

ES Precision (www.esprecision.co.uk) is happy to mark sample parts in order to find the best solution for any company that needs permanent product identification, decoration or functional marking/engraving/surface modification.