思创激光 launches 1000W ultra-thin fiber laser for metal AM, targeting high-reflectivity materials

思创激光 (Strong Laser) has released a 1000W ultra-thin fiber laser purpose-built for metal powder bed fusion (LPBF) systems, with a specific focus on processing high-reflectivity materials such as copper, gold, silver, and aluminum. The laser features a proprietary "3+1" multi-layer anti-back-reflection design that the company claims can isolate and dissipate over 99% of harmful reflected light, with microsecond-level response to anomalous reflections. Other specifications include a focused spot radius control precision of ±1 μm, long-term power instability below 0.5% (versus the industry standard of <1%), and an annual power degradation rate of less than 1% (versus 2–5% for comparable products). The unit is housed in a 1U ultra-thin form factor, designed to fit into multi-laser SLM systems with tight spatial constraints. Strong Laser states the product has undergone over 10,000 hours of laboratory aging testing and is backed by five years of field validation from a previous-generation laser platform.

This launch fits squarely into the Chinese localization arc pattern, where a domestic supplier moves beyond matching Western specifications to integrating materials, service capacity, and customer references into a coherent production-grade offering. The laser addresses a persistent bottleneck in metal AM: the reliable, long-term processing of high-reflectivity alloys, which are critical for consumer electronics (copper heat sinks, gold connectors) and aerospace (aluminum alloys). By targeting the laser source - the most capital-intensive and performance-sensitive component in an LPBF system - Strong Laser is positioning itself as a key enabler for Chinese OEMs like BLT, Farsoon, and Eplus3D, which are increasingly competing on production throughput and material breadth rather than just machine footprint. The 1U form factor is particularly relevant as multi-laser architectures scale toward 8, 12, or even 16 lasers per system, where thermal management and spatial efficiency become decisive.

From a practical standpoint, the most significant claim here is the <0.5% long-term power instability and <1% annual degradation. If independently verified, these figures would meaningfully reduce the qualification burden for production users, who currently must recalibrate process parameters as laser output drifts over time. The anti-back-reflection technology is also non-trivial: copper and gold processing has been a persistent pain point, and a reliable solution would open up higher-value applications in electronics and thermal management. However, the article lacks independent third-party test data or named customer references. The real test will be whether Strong Laser can embed this laser into qualified production workflows at scale, not just into demo machines. The company must now demonstrate that its laser can sustain these performance claims across thousands of hours in real factory environments, not just in controlled lab conditions.