The Challenge

HighWater Designs Ltd, a UK SME, has developed a novel blue semiconductor laser for use in the printing industry whereby computer images are transferred directly onto the printing plate by means of a laser. The company wished to accredit their product to international safety standards to expand their market abroad but no standard test service existed in the UK at the time.

Image courtesy of Highwater Designs Ltd

The Solution

HighWater Designs initially approached NPL for help because of NPL's position on the relevant standards bodies, and a four-day consultancy project was set up to determine how to assess the safety of the system. It was a particularly awkward problem as there are two safety issues associated with accidental exposure to the laser beam: the normal thermal effect of the beam and a photochemical effect on the eye due to the operational wavelength of the laser, leading to a cumulative chemical change in the retina over time. As a result of the consultancy, a test was developed at NPL to confirm compliance with international standards which can now potentially be applied to a range of other systems.

The Impact

Subsequently, sales of the laser system have risen and profit margin for the company has substantially increased. HighWater Designs are in the process of developing a new larger product which will also require certification for worldwide sale. The tests made on the HighWater system have fed back into the national and international standards development process through NPL's presence on the standards committees.

"NPL conducted the necessary safety tests and competently provided the UKAS accreditation essential for HighWater to comply with international laser safety requirements."

For further information, please contact Simon Hall

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