FUTURISTIC technology being developed by the National Robotarium is set to transform the capabilities of Scottish manufacturing, after researchers secured more than £500,000 for work on 3D lasers whose shape can be changed.

The lasers being developed at the Robotarium – hosted at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University – could transform the manufacturing and healthcare technology industries by making it easier and cheaper to make products that require highly-precise manufacturing, such as medical equipment and mobile devices.

They have won £586,000 of funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, to support the research and development of the lasers for industry application, accelerating the commercialisation of the technology and benefitting businesses and the wider Scottish economy.

Lasers are a crucial component in modern manufacturing and the global laser processing market is projected to grow from $4 billion (£2.8bn) in 2020 to $5.8bn (£4.1bn) by 2025.

Industry uses them widely to produce precise incisions and mould materials into specific shapes.

However, this approach to laser-based production depends on melting or vaporising the material, which means the laser’s energy must be focussed on the right points.

The standard laser beam shape makes it difficult to tailor this for specific processes, decreasing efficiency and limiting what can be made.

However, the research to be undertaken at the National Robotarium will develop laser beams which have been specifically designed to meet the exact manufacturing requirements of various products, improving efficiency and precision.

The National Robotarium is supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4m from the Scottish Government as part of the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal – a 15-year investment programme.

Kate Forbes, the Scottish Government’s Finance and Economy Secretary, said the research would have a direct impact on Scotland’s world-leading manufacturing industries.

“This is a crucial time for business, trade and investment in Scotland,” she said. “City Region and Growth Deals have a key role to play in our economic recovery from the pandemic as we work towards a fairer and more inclusive Scotland.

“Our £300m commitment to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will enable much needed investment in transport, housing, culture, and innovation, as well as skills development for local people, to help build a future economy that benefits everyone.”

Iain Stewart, the UK Government Minister for Scotland, said: “This is cutting-edge technology in every sense of the phrase. These 3D lasers are set to unlock previously unheard of levels of precision and so transform our manufacturing and medical technology industries, boosting the UK's global reputation for innovation and attracting jobs and further investment.”

The new technique could be harnessed to improve how holes for sensors and cameras on smartphone screens are drilled and to increase the density of information on semiconductor chips, helping to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for more memory in devices.

Medical applications could include cancer surgery, where it is hoped more precise medical instruments could allow the resection of tumours without removing healthy surrounding tissue.

Project lead, Dr Richard Carter, assistant professor of Applied Optics and Photonics at Heriot-Watt University, added: “Manufacturing is of key strategic importance to the UK, with a particular focus on high-tech and high-value manufacturing. This research will address the priority area of digital manufacturing, enabling a bespoke, rapid response capability for the first time.”