Plymouth, MN–based LSA Laser has installed a Class 100,000 cleanroom as the company continues to expand its medical device manufacturing facilities. The company cited growing demand for precision laser-processed medical components and assemblies as the impetus for the expansion.

“Our unique facilities and processes, together with our partner relationships with customers, drive this growth,” says Tom Noll, president of LSA Laser. “By teaming with customer development engineers during the product development process, we work through design iterations utilizing our laser machines and engineers to refine a design and an appropriate manufacturing process.”

Noll expects the new cleanroom to enable the company to expand its partnerships with medical OEMs. As its name states, LSA specializes in laser processes, so the new cleanroom will include a CO₂ laser system with an additional five systems in the works. The laser systems are used for the precision processing of Teflon, thermoplastic elastomers, silicone, and other polymers, as well as a range of medical-grade metal materials. For example, many processes include materials such as nitinol, platinum, titanium, and nichrome in sizes as small as 0.001 in.

The company recently moved into new digs—a 26,000-sq-ft manufacturing and office space. It currently uses computer-aided manufacturing systems as well as 26 laser welding and cutting systems with up to six axes of motion control.

Services provided by LSA include laser cutting, laser welding, laser ablation, and laser marking. These offerings are useful for a range of medical device applications, including defibrillation leads, stents, catheters, and surgical instruments.