Explore our technology

 

Spectrum Technologies has a rich history of innovation, consistently setting and pushing the boundaries of laser wire marking, laser wire stripping and material processing. Below are some of our most important breakthroughs that have helped shape the technological world.

UV Laser Wire Marking – Leading The World For Over 35 Years

 

Spectrum originally developed UV laser wire marking in 1989 in response to the aerospace sector’s need for a reliable and safe way to mark PTFE/Teflon and similar high-performance insulations – materials that traditional hot-stamp methods damaged or compromised. Today, UV laser marking is the approved international standard and the preferred method under SAE AS50881.

 

 

Why UV Laser Marking?

 

Unlike thermal marking processes, our UV technology delivers:

 

  • Cold processing with virtually no heat impact

 

  • No damage to mechanical or electrical wire properties

 

  • Permanent, abrasion resistant marking

 

  • Superior chemical resistance, including aggressive fluids like Skydrol

 

  • Durable in extreme environments, from -196°C liquid nitrogen immersion to >300°C high-temperature exposure

 

 

How UV Laser Marking Works?

 

Our UV lasers interact directly with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) pigment embedded in the wire insulation. Instead of burning or removing material, the laser reorganises the pigment’s crystalline structure on a microscopic level, producing a stable, high-contrast mark approximately 10-20 microns deep. The result is a clean, permanent identifier that maintains wire integrity throughout its service life.

 

 

Proven. Trusted. Industry Standard.

 

UV laser wire marking developed by Spectrum Technologies is now used at the earliest stages of electrical system manufacturing across nearly all major aerospace programmes across the world. With decades of independent testing and in-service experience, it remains the gold standard for permanent, non-destructive wire identification.

Laser Wire Stripping – A Technology Born From Aerospace

 

NASA supported the initial research into laser wire stripping in the 1970s for the Space Shuttle programme, where ultra-lightweight wires demanded damage-free stripping. Rockwell International undertook key work for NASA that identified the CO₂ laser as ideal for stripping most wire insulation types.

 

This breakthrough in wire stripping technology was brought to market in 1989 by RtMc Inc, with the world’s first commercial CO₂ laser wire stripping machine. RtMc was acquired by Spectrum Technologies in 2001 and following on from this pioneering work, we’ve developed the technology to address nearly every insulation material and wire type used today.

 

 

Precision Wire Preparation For Advanced Manufacturing

 

Laser wire stripping is the process of removing insulation from a conductor without contact or damaging the wire. Compared with mechanical, chemical or thermal stripping methods, laser technology offers unmatched precision, repeatability and quality – especially for lightweight, fine-gauge and high-performance wires used in aerospace, defence, medical and electronics applications.

 

 

Why Traditional Stripping Methods Fall Short

 

Conventional stripping techniques all introduce risks:
 

  • Mechanical blades
    Prone to conductor nicks and breakage, require constant calibration, unsuitable for irregular or twisted cables.
     
  • Chemical stripping
    Slow, hazardous, environmentally challenging, difficult to control, and subject to increasing regulatory pressure.
     
  • Thermal methods
    Heat-sensitive, require secondary cleaning, and can degrade insulation or conductor surfaces.
     

In high-reliability applications, even microscopic conductor damage is unacceptable. This is where laser technology excels.

 

 

How Laser Wire Stripping Works

 

Laser systems remove insulation by using light energy to vaporise or ablate non-metallic materials while leaving metallic conductors untouched. The key lies in the correct laser wavelength and parameter selection:

 

  • Insulation absorbs the laser energy → it vaporises cleanly

 

  • Metallic conductor reflects the laser energy → it remains completely undamaged

 

This makes the process effectively self-terminating – the laser stops at the conductor without requiring physical contact or risky depth control.

 

 

Laser Wire Stripping Today
 

Spectrum’s Sienna™ laser wire strippers are now used globally across aerospace, defence, medical, electronics and advanced manufacturing.