GSI Group Laser Division History

For over thirty years, the GSI Group Laser Division has innovated in the field of laser development and in the application of lasers to solve real-world problems – efficiently, accurately, and cost effectively. Highlights from our history include:
2005:
 GSI Lumonics becomes GSI Group.
2005:
 Launch of JK HP and P Series of pulsed Nd:YAG lasers.
2004:
 Launch of Spectron Mini-DPSS Series.
2003:
 Launch of Luminator series of welding and cutting end effectors for industrial use.

GSI Lumonics acquires Spectron Laser Systems.
2002:
 Launch of Luminator fiber-optics with back reflection protection.

Launch of JK series of next generation CW Nd:YAG lasers.

Launch of JK700TR series; an enhanced version of the JK700 line with Twin Rod technology.
2001:
 Spectron launches RF CO2 laser line.
2000:
 Delivery of 3000th industrial solid-state laser system.
1999:

GSI Lumonics formed through the merger of Lumonics with General Scanning Inc.

GSI Lumonics wins the single largest laser contract to date: $13+ Million for truck frame cutting applications at Tower Automotive of Milwaukee, WI and Metalsa, Monterrey, Mexico.

Launch of auto-focus Robotic Cutting Head for industrial cutting applications.

Spectron launches DC CO2 laser line.

Spectron launches diode-pumped solid-state laser line.

1998:
 Delivery of 4000th LaserMark laser.

JK700 series undergoes major upgrade — specification upgraded by 15%.
1997:

Launch of the JK704TR, a twin rod 30kW peak power, 60 Joule drilling system.

Delivery of the 2000th industrial solid-state laser system.

Launch of world’s first pre-aligned multiple kilowatt laser.

Launch of the Sigma-400 diode-pumped solid-state-laser for advanced marking and drilling applications.
1995:
 Delivery of the 100th JK704.
1994:
 Launch of the Sigma-100 diode-pumped solid-state laser for silicon wafer marking.

JK700 series undergoes major upgrade — specification upgraded by 25%.

Delivery of 1000th JK700 laser.

Launch of the second-generation industrial excimer lasers, the INDEX-800 and IPEX-800.
1993:

Delivery of 1000th industrial laser system.

Launch of LuxStar product line — world’s first pulse-on-demand industrial laser.

Spectron launches OEM Ruby medical laser line.
1992:
 Launch of world’s first multiple kilowatt CW and modulated CW lasers.

Launch of the LaserMark SSM Series for ultra reliable, low cost-of-ownership, on-line date coding and product marking.
1991:
 Launch of the Impact-2000 series of industrial TEA CO2 lasers for non-metallic materials processing.
1990:
 Spectron launches CW Q-switched Nd:YAG industrial laser line.
1987:

Launch of the JK704, an optimized high peak power laser system, capable of fine focus and ideally suited to such industrial processes as drilling.

Launch of the JK706, the first industrial 1kW pulsed Nd:YAG laser system. Followed by the JK707, a 600W high beam quality system, and the JK708, a 600W high beam quality with 40kW peak power laser.

Launch of the Index-200, the world’s first industrial excimer laser.
1986:
 Launch of the world’s first industrial pulsed, solid-state laser, the JK700 Series.
1984:
 Delivery of 100th industrial solid-state laser system and 1000th LaserMark system.

Spectron launches pulsed solid-state scientific laser line.
1982:

JK Lasers acquired by Lumonics Inc.

Spectron Lasers founded to provide medical OEM lasers.
1981:
 JK Lasers develops and installs the world’s first fiber-optic delivery system on a solid-state laser.
1980:

Lumonics Research completes successful IPO and changes name to Lumonics Inc.
1979:
 Lumonics Research introduces the world’s first high repetition rate ultraviolet excimer laser.
1978:
 JK Lasers launches the MS-series lasers, the first Nd:YAG laser system with breakthrough wattage and tailored resonators for industrial use.
1975:
 Lumonics Research launches the LaserMark series of industrial marking and coding lasers.
1973:
 JK Lasers founded in Rugby, UK, to pioneer the development of industrial solid-state lasers.
1971:
   Lumonics Research Ltd founded in Ottawa, Canada, to pioneer the development of TEA CO2 and other pulsed gas lasers.