Basingstoke – When the international electronics manufacturing industry gathers at Productronica in Munich from 18 to 21 November 2025, Aerotech will once again be exhibiting. The manufacturer of motion control solutions and positioning systems will be showcasing its latest developments for demanding laser processes in Hall B2, Stand 348. The focus will be on the DrillOptimizer for reducing cycle times in laser drilling and an IGM positioning system for dynamic high-precision applications.
With the DrillOptimizer, Aerotech is introducing an addition to the Automation1-iSMC control configuration, which was developed specifically for the highly dynamic drilling of large quantities of through-hole connections with AGV galvo scanners. The function is part of the AeroScriptPlus library and is available both as an intuitive user interface in Automation1 Studio and as a .NET DLL for integration into existing HMIs.
“Especially in drilling applications with several million points, it is crucial that the machine not only works quickly but also with repeatable accuracy,” says Simon Smith, European Director at Aerotech. “With the DrillOptimizer, motion paths and control parameters can be coordinated in such a way that throughput and precision are increased in equal measure.”
The DrillOptimizer uses a two-stage optimisation approach: First, the shortest path through the drilling pattern is calculated – both within a single field of view and with an extended field of view. Then, control parameters are dynamically determined for each drilling position, enabling precise laser activation within a predefined stabilisation window.
Technically sophisticated – implemented in practice
This system not only results in shorter cycle times, but also allows the performance limits of the galvo scanners used – such as the Aerotech AGV-HPO and AGV-XPO models – to be fully exploited without compromising machining accuracy. This avoids unwanted downtime between individual drilling steps.
Additional advantages are:
– Optimised material throughput thanks to intelligent path planning
– Dynamic adjustment of setting parameters without manual calibration
– Reduction of error sources during laser triggering
– Compatibility with existing machine architectures
“The DrillOptimizer is an important tool for machine builders and process developers that can be flexibly integrated into existing systems and achieves noticeable efficiency gains,” summarises Stephan Schech.
IGM system for high rigidity and precision
Another focus at the trade fair is an integrated gantry module (IGM), which Aerotech is presenting in combination with the high-precision AGV-20HP galvo scanner. The IGM design combines a granite structure with specially selected bearing types to create a particularly rigid platform. Configured with the IFOV (Infinite Field of View) function of the controller, this results in a continuous positioning system in which the scanner and axis movements are precisely synchronised.
The aim is to avoid stitching errors and improve processing accuracy over large areas. At the same time, the increased rigidity increases the scanning speed, which is reflected in higher throughput.
“Thanks to the modular design, we can tailor our IGM systems specifically to the requirements of each customer, both in terms of dynamics and precision,” explains Simon Smith. “This flexibility is a key success factor, particularly in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, and is therefore also of interest to many trade visitors at productronica.”
Solutions for complex laser processes
Whether micro material processing, LED manufacturing or the processing of the finest structures on printed circuit boards: laser processes in electronics manufacturing require maximum accuracy at high speeds. For over five decades, Aerotech has been developing positioning and control systems for this purpose that are characterised by their sub-micrometre accuracy and integration capability.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh (USA), the company operates a full-service branch in Fürth, Germany, and in Basingstoke, UK, and supplies machine builders and system integrators worldwide in industries such as semiconductor technology, medical technology and photonics.
