With Advanced Engineering 2025 fast approaching, Hamamatsu Photonics is preparing to welcome attendees to its stand. Here are reasons to visit the company this year, including a preview of its technology.

Hamamatsu Photonics’ advanced technology plays a vital role in modern manufacturing processes, transforming industries by enabling faster, more precise and highly efficient production. Photonics involves generating, manipulating and detecting light and its properties; its integration into manufacturing has driven significant advancements.

Defect detection

High-resolution cameras and advanced imaging techniques allow manufacturers to detect defects, measure dimensions, and ensure product quality during various stages of production. These systems can identify imperfections that are invisible to the human eye, improving reliability. X-ray imaging also plays a critical role in non-destructive testing (NDT) and quality control, enabling inspection of internal structures without damaging components.

For example, in food processing, high-speed imaging devices such as InGaAs and CMOS cameras can be placed strategically on a conveyor belt to optimise the food sorting inspection process. InGaAs cameras use infrared technology to reveal subsurface defects invisible to the naked eye, while CMOS cameras detect visible imperfections. All defects detected will help filter out produce that should not reach the store.

Optical sensors and LiDAR

Optical sensors fill our modern vehicles, enhancing safety and comfort through features such as interactive displays and modular lighting. They also play a critical role in advancing LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. LiDAR offers a multitude of applications for its precise measurements, detection, and monitoring ranging from autonomous driving to automated quality control.

In manufacturing, LiDAR is revolutionising automation. By utilising laser light to measure distances, map surroundings, and detect objects, LiDAR systems are extensively used in robotics, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and intelligent manufacturing systems for real-time feedback and control. This integration enhances workflow optimisation and productivity.

The rise of laser technology

Laser technology has brought significant advancements to material processing. Laser-based systems are extensively used for cutting, welding, marking, and surface treatment of various materials. Lasers provide high-energy, focused beams that can accurately and precisely process materials, resulting in enhanced productivity, improved product quality and minimal material wastage.

Laser cutting machines deliver contactless cutting of metals, plastics, and textiles. Laser welding provides an efficient, and non-contact method for joining materials, while laser marking offers permanent and high-resolution product labelling and branding. Photonics-driven 3D printing uses lasers to cure or melt materials layer by layer, enabling rapid prototyping, cost-effective small-batch production, and complex geometries unattainable with traditional methods—ideal for aerospace, automotive, and healthcare applications.

The Era of communication

Finally, efficient communication and data transfer is also crucial to the manufacturing environments. Fibre-optic communication systems are widely adopted for high-speed, long-distance data transmission between machines, control systems, and remote monitoring stations. Composed of glass or plastic strands, fibre-optic cables transmit light signals carrying large amounts of data thanks to integrated transmitters and receivers. Transmitter and receiver photo ICs, for example, support a wide variety of transmission speeds over a long distance at high speed, minimising latency and electromagnetic interference. Additionally, developments in quantum optical communication can provide ultra-secure, encrypted connections using low-noise, high-efficiency single-photon emitters and detectors.

Visit Hamamatsu Photonics at Stand J124 to explore how their extensive portfolio of components, modules, and systems provides innovative, high-performance solutions to the manufacturing industry.

hamamatsu.com