SCALAB – Scalable Automation for Emerging Lab Production

In the context of increasing competitive pressure in the production of complex and highly integrated microsystems, the SCALAB project aimed at the development of novel solutions for the automation of assembly processes with highest demands on accuracy. The solutions support the development and optimization of automated processes during prototype production as well as an easy transfer and scaling up for series production. By providing methods to successively increase the degree of automation, SCALAB tries to pave the way for a fully automated assembly of miniaturized optical systems.

As a scenario for demonstration, the project has applied desktop robots for lab environments to develop prototype processes for the automated assembly of miniaturized laser systems. 

Process experiments validated the viability of the underlying concept. On the desktop station it was possible to successfully implement and investigate the automated:

•   Camera-guided pick and place of micro optics

•   Passive alignment of pump optics

•   Active alignment of resonator mirrors

Together with suitable bonding technologies, these three process types allow for a fully automated assembly of basic diode-pumped laser systems.