LASER-PRO at ROBUSTA 2025: Industrial laser applications, real industry needs and a dedicated round-table

A significant part of this year’s programme was linked to the European project LASER-PRO, which aims to strengthen the collaboration between research organisations, industrial companies, integrators and innovation agencies across Czechia, Lithuania and Ukraine.

LASER-PRO focuses on:

• accelerating the transfer of laser technologies from research labs into industrial practice,
• identifying concrete industrial needs in laser applications,
• building a connected cross-border ecosystem of companies and research centres.

ROBUSTA 2025 provided an ideal platform where these goals could be explored through real industrial examples and open technical discussion.

Industrial presentations: real use cases and technologies from the field

Throughout the two-day programme, several talks highlighted the state of industrial laser applications, and the challenges companies face when deploying these systems in demanding environments.

Industry-oriented contributions included:

• Laser Machining – MIT, Martin Moser
• Industrial Applications at ELI Beamlines – Aleš Hála
• LIBS Diagnostics for Industry – Lightigo, Pavel Pořízka
• TVAC Compressor Systems – Streicher, Pavel Kubovec
• Positioning Systems for Precision Applications – Hikade, David Chalupa
• Custom Laser Systems Designed for Industry – SQS, Zdeněk Zach
• Robots for Laser Cleaning – Narran, Ondřej Schreiber
• Particle Tracking Camera: Particle identification and time-of-flight measurement - Advacam, Pavel Spíšek

These talks showcased practical experience with robust system design, long-term stability, integration into automated manufacturing lines and the importance of modular, adaptable solutions.

LASER-PRO Round Table: Industrial Applications of Fiber Lasers

The industrial programme culminated in the Round Table – Industrial Applications of Fiber Lasers, moderated by Roman Švábek (IPG Photonics).

The round table on industrial applications of fiber lasers offered an open and honest discussion among companies, integrators and researchers. Participants shared their day to day experience with laser systems on the factory floor – what works well, what still needs improvement and where the biggest bottlenecks lie.
The discussion brought valuable insight into several key themes aligned with LASER-PRO’s objectives:

1. Growing demand for robustness and long-term reliability

Industrial users emphasised the need for laser systems capable of stable, continuous operation with minimal downtime. Beam stability, consistent power output and resilience to production environments remain critical.

2. Integration into automated production lines

As lasers become standard tools in automation, companies face challenges related to interoperability, software compatibility, process control and serviceability. There is clear demand for systems that can be seamlessly integrated into existing robotic and automated platforms.

3. Modular and flexible system architectures

Modern manufacturing requires solutions that can be adjusted for different materials, speeds, geometries and production steps. Flexibility and modularity are increasingly seen as essential design parameters.

4. Collaboration with research centres as a driver of innovation

Companies highlighted the importance of partnering with research infrastructures such as the HiLASE Centre and ELI Beamlines. These collaborations support testing, prototyping and the development of next-generation laser technologies.

5. Skills and workforce development

A recurring theme was the need for qualified specialists in laser technologies, system integration and automation – an area that LASER-PRO actively addresses through training, workshops and ecosystem development.

Why ROBUSTA matters for the LASER-PRO mission

This year’s ROBUSTA clearly demonstrated that industry requires:

• reliable and modular laser systems ready for long-term operation,
• quick technical support and qualified people,
• better interoperability between laser systems and automation platforms,
• and a collaborative environment where industrial problems can be discussed openly.

These needs directly align with the mission of LASER-PRO, which:

• maps industrial requirements,
• connects companies with research organisations,
• strengthens international cooperation,
• and supports the adoption of advanced laser technologies across the value chain.

ROBUSTA 2025 proved how important such a platform is for aligning expectations and accelerating innovation.

Partners of the event

The third edition of ROBUSTA was made possible thanks to the support of the main partners:
IPG Photonics (Czech Republic) s.r.o. and MIT s.r.o.
Special thanks goes to CRYTUR, spol. s r.o. for Crytur Café.

We also appreciate all innovative companies who presented their technologies at the partner booths.

Conclusion

ROBUSTA 2025 highlighted the strong position of laser technologies in today’s industry and their even greater future potential. Through the LASER-PRO project, we will continue to support the development, integration and adoption of advanced laser systems – together with industrial partners, integrators and research institutions.

Together, we are bringing laser innovation closer to industry – and industry closer to the future.