Great Place To Work® recently celebrated PHOTONIC as one of Austria‘s best employers at the „For All Stars Night“ event.

What makes an ordinary employer a “Best Place to Work”? Mutual trust, credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and team spirit. In the course of an anonymous employee survey, PHOTONIC scored particularly high approval rates in all these points, thus securing a Best Workplaces™ 2024 Austria award. At the “For All Stars Night” event in Vienna, the optical and lighting technology specialist was ranked among the top three employers. The company received a 100% approval from its staff in statements such as: “I am proud to tell others that I work here”. Of those questioned, 93% said that their work was more than a “job” for them.

For PHOTONIC Managing Director Stefan Zotter, such feedback represents a particular proof of trust. Moreover, it constitutes an acknowledgement that the company takes everyone’s needs and requests seriously, and that it goes to great lengths to fulfil them. He sincerely thanked them at the award ceremony, which he attended together with Sales Manager Annette Stampfer, Development Manager Gerold Aschinger and Quality Manager Wolfgang Hanser: “I am very pleased that our employees describe their work as meaningful and are proud of their company. The mere fact that all of them participated in the survey shows how much each and every one of them feels attached to PHOTONIC”. Such exceptional team spirit is based on the great amount of free space given to employees: “What we receive in return is tremendous solidarity and their full focus and commitment for our customers and their projects”, says Zotter.

Optical measurement methods are gaining ground in new industries. In many of these, WILD‘s in-depth optics expertise and special assembly skills are in high demand.

Vehicle assistance systems like active cruise control, lane departure warning system or parking sensors. Cameras that provide images from great distances for the navigation systems we rely on every day. Dental scanners that create 3D images of patients‘ teeth, allowing for a smoother and more efficient treatment. Or industrial processes that collect and analyse precise measurement data almost at the speed of light. Optical measurement methods are becoming increasingly indispensable in our daily lives and digitalisation is further accelerating this trend. This comes as no surprise, since all technologies – from time-of-flight (TOF) to photometry and 3D stereo vision – come with a range of benefits that transform them into powerful tools for various disciplines. They can perform contactless measurements, collect three-dimensional information and deliver results in a fraction of a second.

OPTICS AS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR
What do optical measurement methods have in common? They use light to collect data and they need optical components like lenses, mirrors, filters, detectors and light sources to generate, control and analyse this light. This is precisely where WILD comes into the picture. ”The common denominator of all these technologies is optics. We possess decades of expertise in this sector, which makes us a coveted technology partner for various different industries“, CTO Wolfgang Warum emphasises.

The list of customer projects is long. For instance, WILD has already delivered aerial cameras that can capture high-resolution images from an altitude of up to 2.5 kilometres. In the case of 3D scanners – from intra-oral scanners in dental medicine or laser scanners that can capture entire buildings despite fog or direct sunlight, to optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices – WILD is integrated in the development and production of a whole series of innovative products. The optomechatronics specialist also manufactures the optical components of an advanced hyperspectral imaging system that can work directly in the processing line (see more on page 7). WILD‘s know-how can even be found at games tables in casinos – e.g. in 3D stereo vision systems that monitor playing cards and bets to ensure a safer gaming experience.

PHOTONIC is heavily involved in fluorescence imaging. This is used for instance in flow cytometry, where it can analyse thousands of cells per second. It is therefore an efficient method in haematological diagnostics and research, and an indispensable tool in food analysis, DNA sequencing or the microbiological analysis of water quality. ”By connecting different optical measurement methods with each other, we pave the way for innovative solutions in all industries“, stresses Warum.

Join the WILD Group where the most renowned players and newcomers from the world of laboratory technology, analytics and biotechnology meet in Munich.

Visit us at our booth 504 in hall A3 and find out how we can help turn your innovative idea into a product suitable for series production.

As a technology partner for optics, mechanics, electronics, and software, we support you in the development and manufacturing of measuring instruments for analytics, laboratory technology for biotechnologies & life sciences, measuring and testing technology, spectroscopic measuring instruments and microscopes.

We support numerous customers right from the development stage, carry out industrialisation and guarantee high quality in series production. Our in-depth understanding of optical technologies and overall device design is just as much in demand as our stable processes, fast response times and knowledge of regulatory standards such as ISO, GMP or FDA.

Be inspired through our passion for optical technologies and our striving for perfection.

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy solutions allow for quick and reliable analyses across the entire value chain.

Quality control and process monitoring in the food processing industry rely on exact data regarding fat content, humidity, crude protein, or sugar content. In the pharma industry, precise control of the concentration of active substances in medicines is a must. And even in
agriculture, farmers today are monitoring their harvest and feedstuffs directly in the field or in the stables to ensure the best possible supply for their animals and to efficiently process harvested crops. In these areas, NIR spectroscopy has established itself as the most suitable analysis method, and WILD has already developed a comprehensive know-how around the technology, ranging from MEMS-based concepts to FTIR spectrometers.

It is above all the combination of precise, quick measurements with powerful databases that make NIR spectroscopy solutions so essential as decision-making tools. There is currently a trend toward mobile solutions in this field. ”Near-infrared light can penetrate deep into the material, making it ideal for heterogeneous sampling. In addition, it allows for real-time analysis without the need for elaborate sample preparation and it also delivers results with laboratory accuracy even under demanding environmental conditions. All this helps cut costs, save time and reduce both material and energy consumption“, explains Stephan Payer, Head of Business Unit WILD Electronics.

WILD has demonstrated on several occasions that the demand for stability, compact size and mobility can be compatible with utmost precision. For instance, the technology partner currently supplies the NIR spectrograph for an innovative hyperspectral imaging system, consisting of the diffraction grating, imaging optics for the camera and custom-made mechanical components. Thanks to its stable optomechanical design, it can be used directly in the process line – in this particular case, in sorting facilities. ”Our optical components are so stable that they can withstand dust, vibrations and temperature variations of up to 50 degrees,“ stresses Stefan Werkl, Head of Business Unit Optical Technologies at WILD GmbH.

As a technology partner for NIR spectroscopy, WILD supports its customers according to their respective requirements, from system integration and risk assessment to CE conformity or compliance with requirements for placing their products on the market, e.g. in the US.

The recently received Great Place To Work® award confirms the outstanding workplace culture of the specialist for optical technologies and lighting technology.

A sense of community, an open mistakes culture, an excellent corporate image, a modern working environment, and lots of collaborative support. These are just a few examples of why employees at PHOTONIC describe their company as a “Great Place To Work”. Based on a survey in which all 28 “PHOTONICers” took part at the beginning of the year, the specialist for optical technologies and lighting solutions is now authorised to use this official certificate.

“The Great Place To Work® award is a visible sign that we are creating an environment in which our team can perform excellently. We give our employees the freedom to realise their ideas. They are given a lot of responsibility, which they return in the form of an extra portion of motivation. I am particularly pleased that they are all proud of their company and describe their work as meaningful. This in turn guarantees a full focus on our customers and great commitment towards their projects,” says Managing Director Stefan Zotter, delighted with the extraordinary positive ratings.

The employees particularly emphasised the open work atmosphere, clear communication, and positive error culture. This creates an environment in which they feel valued and listened to. The promotion of a cooperative working environment in which ideas can be exchanged and innovative solutions can be developed together was also praised. This not only contributes to everyone’s personal development, but also strengthens the company’s success. Furthermore, targeted training programmes and a wide range of career opportunities also give employees the chance to realise their full potential and continuously develop their skills.

Would you also like to start working in a company that puts people first? Then visit our career page: www.photonic.at/unternehmen/karriere

As a specialist for light and its applications in medical science, PHOTONIC is the right partner for developing and manufacturing innovative surgery lights.

Although they are not considered an actual instrument in operating theatres, they are indispensable for effective diagnosis and treatment: modern surgery lights. They no longer stand out because of higher brightness but for a light quality precisely adjusted to the operating theatre requirements, so that surgeons can detect even the slightest colour changes and structures in the wound area. PHOTONIC Managing Director Stefan Zotter knows how this quality can be achieved: ”Surgery lights must meet very specific requirements with regard to light intensity, light field size and colour temperature to guarantee a minimum of fatigue for those working in the theatre. They must produce a neutral white light that provides in-depth illumination, casts almost no shadows, and is easy to use and clean. As a specialist for light and its applications in medical science, we have the necessary experience in the development and manufacturing of these medical light sources.“

PHOTONIC currently manufactures two latest-generation LED surgery lights. ATO ML 1000B and ATO ML 600B are practical, compact and yield an outstanding light quality for both examinations and surgical interventions. Thanks to a specially developed optic design, the two provide the ideal illumination of the examined area. Both when surgeons have the surgery area directly under their eyes and when they navigate via monitor to perform minimally invasive interventions. In ENDO mode, light is reduced to a minimum to minimise disturbing reflections on the screen and place the focus on the video signal of the endoscopic camera. Nevertheless, the intervention site remains well visible for the assisting staff. ”In other words, the minimum adjustment in products by other manufacturers in this market is at 50% brightness, while ours already begins at 10%“, Zotter explains.

In the case of invasive interventions, the high colour rendering index and optimum in-depth illumination of these innovative surgery lights guarantees the best possible view of the wound area. Very few manufacturers can meet both of these requirements with a single device. In addition, the innovative anti-ageing technology for LEDs provides for maintenance-free use over several years. ”Even in high-power use scenarios, they guarantee a lifetime of 50,000 hours,“ Zotter assures.

Herbert W. Liaunig, majority owner of the WILD Group, passed away on 29 September 2023 at the age of 78. The staff of WILD and PHOTONIC mourn their founding father, an extraordinary visionary and esteemed art collector.

Under the leadership of Herbert W. Liaunig the WILD Group developed from an initial “extended workbench” of the Leica Group to an internationally sought-after technology partner possessing enormous development potentials. This extraordinary transformation is not least attributable to the entrepreneurial acumen, the sharp mind and the immense efforts of the industrialist Herbert Liaunig. He decisively contributed to shaping the group of companies and systematically worked to make it more financially successful than ever before. As a collector he also shared his passion for art with the staff. After all, his private collection of Austrian and modern art, which has grown to comprise more than 2,000 works since his days as a student in Vienna, is not only accessible in Museum Liaunig in Neuhaus. Numerous works, including by Markus Prachensky, Max Weiler and Bruno Gironcoli, bestow a dinstinct character on the WILD locations in Völkermarkt and Wernberg.

“The WILD Group bears his signature. Personally, I have learnt an unbelievable amount from Herbert Liaunig in our 25 years of working together. We will always uphold his fundamental rules of corporate governance”, says WILD Group CFO Michael Wratschko.

A success story, his success story

By purchasing WILD Carinthia in 1995 Herbert Liaunig, together with Dieter Feger, prevented the establishment from being closed, turned it into an independent enterprise and implemented a strict recovery programme in record time. The jigsaw pieces of know-how were reorganised and have been decisive for the company’s success to this day. The unique combination of knowledge in the areas of optics, precision mechanics, electronics, software and assembly technology is the USP of the WILD Group, whose customers include international market leaders from the areas of medical and industrial engineering, as well as optical technologies. Even after he handed over the management of the WILD Group to his son Alexander in 2013, for him to be able to exclusively dedicate himself to art, Herbert Liaunig constantly remained close to the company.

Thank you.
We bow in gratitude before Herbert Liaunig, our boss. A virtuoso entrepreneur, a strong personality and an impressive human being. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family.

The WILD Group management on behalf of the entire staff.
Arthur Primus, Wolfgang Warum, Michael Wratschko

Thanks to its close collaboration with Luminus, PHOTONIC is one of the first partners worldwide to have access to the latest developments in LED light sources.

Today, surgeons can monitor tissue blood circulation in real time during operations and thus make more precise decisions. As a result, they can more easily determine lymphatic tissues, boundary lines when removing tumours or blood supply to the organs. These deep insights into the human body are made possible by fluorescence imaging, an area in which PHOTONIC has long years of experience and abundant expertise.

ADDED VALUE THANKS TO THE COLLABORATION WITH LUMINUS
PHOTONIC‘s collaboration with high-tech company Luminus delivers real added value for its customers. Luminus specialises in the manufacturing of powerful LEDs for different wavelengths, which stand out through their excellent light qualities. PHOTONIC Business Developer Stefan Preißer explains where these qualities lie by using the example of the CFT90-WDH LED: ”The compact, monolithic VIS LED stands out through its high light output and very good colour specifications, which remain constant throughout the active illuminated area, the solid angle and the lifetime of the LED. This is decisive when tissue needs to be illuminated as orthrochromatically as possible over a large visual field. Thanks to PHOTONIC‘s robust light module design, including a customised cooling solution, the device has an average lifetime (L70) of well over 30,000 hours. ”As a result of the cooperation with Luminus, we were one of the first companies worldwide to test these new LEDs and promptly integrate them into a newly developed module for serial production“, says Preißer. PHOTONIC also wants to be a step ahead with the new CFT50-X LED. ”The product is not yet available on the market but is already being tested by us for the first prototypes. In future, it will be used to illuminate smaller surfaces directly or through small endoscope diameters using a very powerful high-quality VIS light at an affordable price“, Preißer explains. At 5 mm2, the LED has a small active illuminated area and is therefore suitable for optical systems that require a high luminous flux with a smaller etendue. For higher requirements with regard to etendue or for very specific wavelengths with a narrow band, diode laser sources are used and incorporated in a system-integrated design.

Examples like these demonstrate that, from the system to optical design, mechanics and electronics through to thermal management, PHOTONIC implements the best possible solutions for the development and manufacturing of high-power light modules. Moreover, it achieves this quickly, with a focus on individual customer requirements and, on request, with end-of-line testing.

It takes the right high-end optics to turn lasers into the key technology that opens new paths towards more efficiency, flexibility and precision. An enormous array of laser applications by the WILD Group demonstrates what is already possible today.

When lasers were invented in the early 1960s, the word was that this would be a tool in search of an application. Some colleagues of inventor Theodore Maiman even joked that he had found the solution to a problem that did not even exist. Today, lasers are often referred to as the ”smartphone“ of industrial tools. Like a master key, lasers open doors to ever more applications.

This is also the case at WILD. For almost 30 years now, the technology partner has been exploiting the potential of laser technology to meet its customer requirements. Whether for removing, applying, marking, scanning or measuring – in every intensity, direction or form – no other tool is as flexible and quick as laser light. Provided, however, that you know how to form the laser beam accordingly and choose the suitable wavelength and laser performance. This is exactly where the WILD Group‘s core competence lies. Beam-shaping and the right optics design allow for a huge spectrum of applications. ”Only after one guides a laser beam through an optical system will it eventually obtain the characteristics required for the respective task. That is why our work begins where the laser beam leaves the source“, explains Stefan Werkl, Head of Optical Technologies at WILD GmbH. However, the Group‘s development and manufacturing expertise goes far beyond that and has expanded over the decades, as have the specialised fields of laser technology where WILD and PHOTONIC operate: from optics for laser cutting, ultrashort pulse lasers for material processing and laser modules for medical technology or particle analysis to laser distance measurement.

SCAN INSTEAD OF MEASURING
WILD manufactures the optics module of a 3D laser scanner series on behalf of a leading supplier of 3D measurement technology which allows for quick, easy and precise measurements up to 350 m indoors and outdoors. Compared to other systems available on the market, this series offers extremely high stability to temperature and humidity variations. In addition, the devices are significantly more compact and inexpensive, and they play off their advantages especially when scanning shiny and dark objects. In ophthalmology, too, laser scans have become an indispensable part of modern diagnostics and follow-up monitoring. The ever-increasing pixel density of the 3D images in particular guarantees that the diagnosis and the subsequent surgical interventions are done more precisely than ever before. This has been rendered possible by an ever-higher scanning speed, which has risen dramatically in recent years. As an FDA-certified development and manufacturing partner, WILD is capable of quickly transitioning such quality leaps to serial status. This is a skill that is highly appreciated by a leading company specialising in ophthalmology, for whom WILD has been manufacturing several product groups for decades.

LASERS ARE A DOOR OPENER IN 3D PRINTING
The NanoOne 3D printer impressively demonstrates the exciting possibilities offered by high-resolution laser lithography systems. The device was developed by UpNano, optimised together with WILD and is now being manufactured by the technology partner. The device can print objects from sub-micrometre to centimetre scale with unprecedented speed and precision. This 3D printer‘s secret to success lies in the laser power of up to one watt, which is several times more powerful than in comparable systems. As a result, it can print highly precise 3D structures in black and, thanks to a combination with a new transparent material, even complete optical systems.

A MIXTURE OF LASER AND LIGHT
As an expert in illumination solutions, PHOTONIC is also heavily involved in the latest laser applications. ”The unique properties of laser light are increasingly finding their way into medical lighting optics. We concentrate on the development of innovative light sources, especially where increasingly thinner light guides are advantageous“, emphasises Fabian Lücking, Optics Project Manager at PHOTONIC. The latest customer example is a multi-colour light source for fluorescence microscopy with a light spectrum from the visible range (VIS) to NIR and UV. To achieve this, the several LEDs are optically mixed and coupled together again in a light guide. Alternatively, individual colour channels can be fitted with a laser instead of an LED. ”We have accompanied this project in all phases, from the search for suitable LEDs, laser diodes and dielectric filters through the design of the light path, the sensitivity and tolerance analysis of the optical system, to prototype development and transition to production. Today, the customer has a light source of unique modularity. It can be easily adapted to new applications, yet still manufactured at scale“, says Lücking.

A highly precise optical sensor that records and detects ultra-fine dust particles smaller than 0.2 micrometres. This is another in a series of laser applications realised by WILD. ”To achieve this, we had to redesign the laser module, develop an optics design for the available prototypes and also create the necessary measuring environment“, Stefan Werkl summarises.

Examples like these demonstrate that WILD ticks all the boxes when it comes to qualifying as a strategic partner for laser technology. This begins with optics design, covers all areas of manufacturing of precision parts and extends into the assembly and adjustment of laser modules, including the alignment turning of optics with arcsecond precision. In terms of laser sources, WILD has built up expertise in various areas for the wavelength range from 380 nm to 1700 nm: Nd:YAG lasers for drilling, welding and cutting, diode lasers for measuring and scanning applications, fibre lasers for data transfers and medical applications and gas lasers for cutting and engraving. When it comes to power classes, the technology partner’s experience extends from milliwatts to kilowatts of optical power. To meet the extremely high standards with respect to the production environment, WILD applies a closed process chain and uses all corresponding opportunities available in component and precision cleaning and cleanroom manufacturing. This guarantees that all components are free from particles and film contamination, a prerequisite for the long-term stability of laser optics.