The laser industry in Taiwan has faced several challenges, including a lack of independent products, autonomy in key components, system integration skills, and talents. However, ITRI has taken a proactive approach to solving these dilemmas by initiating efforts to cultivate Taiwan’s independence in laser technologies.

In 2007, ITRI began developing laser source innovations and key component equipment. This effort was aimed at promoting self-sufficiency in the industry, which was highly dependent on foreign imports at the time. As a result of ITRI’s work, the first metal-material laser additive manufacturing equipment was introduced into Taiwan in 2012, which activated the country’s metal 3D printing technology. Furthermore, ITRI has been working on the development of customized medical materials, including artificial teeth, braces, bones, joints, and surgical instruments. These materials are difficult to mass-produce using traditional metal medical materials due to customization needs. However, ITRI’s efforts have enabled the mass production of such materials. In 2013, ITRI expanded its Laser Valley project by establishing a laser technology incubation center in ITRI’s Southern Region campus to assist firms with business incubation, small-scale production, system integration, and talent training. This initiative resulted in the creation of Taiwan’s first laser trial production plant and metal laser additive manufacturing laboratory, which eventually helped to form the Laser Valley in Southern Taiwan.

Since 2014, ITRI has been at the forefront of developing key laser technologies, including femtosecond, picosecond, and fiber laser sources, blue laser sources, high-power laser cutting/welding/heat treatment heads, the first large-scale metal additive manufacturing equipment in Taiwan, and various laser processing optical modules. ITRI’s dedication to transferring its laser source and key module technologies has helped establish Taiwan’s first domestically produced laser source company, Brimo Technology, and fostered TTGroup to become the first domestic manufacturer of laser metal 3D printing equipment.

Thanks to the Laser Valley project, the number of laser source component and product manufacturers has grown from four to more than 15 by 2021. Additionally, the project has incubated 15 startups and more than 250 industry players who have adopted these laser applications. Through laser lectures, seminars, and forums, the Laser Valley project has also contributed to the improvement of laser technologies and talent training.

Despite that Taiwan’s optoelectronic semiconductor industry was deemed pioneering worldwide, Taiwan at the time lacked a verification platform for advanced and precise laser processes. In 2021, in cooperation with the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry and Germany’s TRUMPF, ITRI established the Taiwan Semicon & Electronic Industries Laser Application Service Center, which was the country’s first semiconductor and electronics industry process rapid service center, and introduced high-end pulsed lasers from TRUMPF, the only such lasers operating in Asia. The center provides equipment manufacturers with rapid process verification services to accelerate the development of domestic semiconductor equipment.

ITRI’s expertise in high-energy laser applications has helped metal equipment manufacturers, and assisted equipment manufacturers in launching products such as laser flat cutting machines and laser pipe cutting machines. In 2019, ITRI helped heat exchanger manufacturers establish the first laser full-welding production line in Asia.
In 2022, ITRI promoted the use of high-energy laser sources for direct diode laser (DDL). After successfully developing these laser sources and processing technologies, ITRI assisted manufacturers in cultivating intelligent laser welding processes and equipment capabilities. By establishing domestic laser manufacturing production lines, ITRI also helped leading Li-ion battery module, industrial metal tubing, and screw fastener manufacturers to upgrade their technology and roll out high-end products. As a result of these efforts, the products entered the markets of electric buses, semiconductors, and automobiles, leading to an improvement in the domestic production rate, driving the manufacturing industry into the era of optics manufacturing.