Jan 11, 2017

Panasonic Corp of Osaka, Japan has signed a contract to acquire TeraDiode Inc (TDI) of Wilmington, MA, USA, which was founded in 2009 and supplies high-brightness direct-diode lasers (DDL) for industrial use. Panasonic notes that, recently, high-precision and high-quality laser processing technology has become increasingly important to meet the demand for light-weight and high-rigidity characteristics along with high design flexibility and high productivity in the automobile and other industries. Due to its proprietary wavelength beam combining (WBC) technology, TDI's high-brightness DDL has attracted attention as a next-generation laser that meets such demands from a wide range of industrial markets, the firm adds. Panasonic and TDI began a strategic alliance in 2013, and in 2014 launched LAPRISS, the first laser welding robot system using TDI's high-brightness DDL technology. Also in 2014, Panasonic obtained from TDI exclusive sales rights for DDL used for welding in major countries in the Asian region. The firms have since collaborated closely on product development, manufacturing, sales and service in order to expand the use of DDL technology worldwide. Panasonic and TDI have agreed to make TDI a 100% subsidiary of Panasonic, so that Panasonic will be able to drive further growth of both companies' laser processing business by integrating TDI's DDL technology and expertise with Panasonic's own technology. Panasonic and TDI target further join development of DDL technology, and aim to strengthen laser processing as a new core business of Panasonic in the factory solutions field. See related items: