News: Optoelectronics
17 May 2023
TRUMPF expanding laser production site in Ulm
TRUMPF Photonic Components GmbH of Ulm, Germany (part of the TRUMPF Group) has been highlighted by Apple as a key supplier for its work supporting the proximity sensor in iPhone, which turns off the screen when it detects an object that is close by (e.g. when a user holds iPhone up to their ear), saving power and preventing inadvertent touches.
“We have already shipped over 1 billion of our vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) to Apple,” notes CEO Berthold Schmidt.
TRUMPF’s components have long been used for a number of Apple products. “This success points out the huge potential of our VCSEL technology. Therefore, we plan to further expand our production site in Ulm with about 750m2 within the next year, to guarantee high-volume, high-end manufacturing of laser components for our customers,” Schmidt says.
TRUMPF has already invested more than €40m into the high-end facility since it took over the business in 2019. With the manufacturing equipment, TRUMPF implemented a new technology platform, to yield a highly reliable process and high-performance laser components. Further investments to be made within the next five years will amount to tens of millions of euros, depending on project developments.
