Oxford Lasers, a provider of laser-based solutions for micromachining and imaging-based instrumentation, has been wholly acquired by its management team.

Oxford Lasers, a provider of laser-based solutions for micromachining and imaging-based instrumentation, has been wholly acquired by its management team. This follows a very successful period when sales have grown by over 60% in 12 months and the company has completely updated its product line. New products include the advanced PicoLase micromachining system recently installed at the Manufacturing Engineering Centre, Cardiff, UK and the industry proven ProbeDrill series.

Previously the company was majority owned by private equity backers but following the new deal, the management team now owns 100% of the equity.

John Baker, Chief Executive of Oxford Lasers said, 'We are absolutely delighted.

The company has an outstanding range of new products and services and we are ideally positioned to supply a complete range of laser solutions to our customers.

We have had one of the most successful periods in the company's history and have clear plans to continue this strong growth.' Oxford Lasers was founded in 1977 by a team of Oxford physicists in order to exploit the significant advances in laser technology made by Professor Colin Webb's research group at the university.

In recent years the company has become a world leader in using advanced laser techniques in commercial applications.

Its goal is to supply complete technical solutions to its customers in the areas of precision laser micromachining and high speed imaging of small particles.

Oxford Lasers is based in Didcot UK and Boston, USA.

It has a wide distribution network in other countries, notably Japan.

The company designs and manufactures imaging systems using a light source, usually a laser, a camera and software to give a complete package for making quantitative measurements of small particle or droplets.

The company has introduced a revolutionary solid-state laser illuminator for flow and motion analysis which, together with specially designed software packages, enables large amounts of data to be obtained and analysed quickly and efficiently.

Oxford Lasers Imaging systems produce size, velocity and acceleration data for powders and sprays of micron sized particles moving at high speed.

They also provide information on plume geometry and spray pattern.

The company offers a comprehensive range of standard qualitative and quantitative imaging systems for research and industry.

The range of systems includes: VisiSizer - which uses image analysis to measure particle and droplet size; VisiVector - a PIV (particle image velocimetry) system with 3D capability; VisiWeld - for the analysis of welding processes and Envision for characterizing spray pattern and geometry.

THE INDUSTRIAL DIVISION: Oxford Lasers has three main sectors within this Division.

Laser Systems - the company offers a comprehensive range of standard micomachining systems covering; industrial development and pilot production; continuous volume production; and advanced RandD in commercial or academic environments.

All of these are based on the company's expertise in light sources, optics, ablation processes and system integration.

As an example of an advanced RandD system, the latest PicoLase system features 532nm and 355nm output, high power picosecond pulses and 12 axis motion control.

In addition the company designs bespoke systems where there is a particular customer requirement.

Sub Contract Micro Machining.

- the company offers a micromachining service to support customers RandD and production programmes, The company's expertise can frequently dramatically accelerate these projects and allow laser micromachining to be used where volumes do not justify the capital cost of a laser system.

Field Service - with its extensive range of laser system skills the company offers a range support services to customers on their own site including, maintenance plans, training and system upgrades.