Altus Supports Ei Electronics with LPKF Laser Depaneling Technology

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Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, has supported Ei Electronics, Ireland’s largest manufacturer of home life-safety devices, with the installation of an LPKF CuttingMaster 2240 laser depaneling system to enhance PCB singulation and support growing production volumes.

From its integrated manufacturing facility in Shannon, Ei designs and produces smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms supplied to markets worldwide. With new product variants progressing through NPI and increasing demand across several lines, the company reviewed opportunities to strengthen its depaneling process as part of wider investments in automation and advanced manufacturing.

David Keating, Group COO Ei said: “As part of its ongoing drive toward advanced manufacturing and product excellence, Ei Electronics is transitioning from manual PCB breakout to laser singulation across its production lines. This strategic move is designed to enhance precision, consistency, and product reliability.”

Following evaluation, the LPKF CuttingMaster 2240 was selected for its non-contact, high-precision cutting process and clean, stress-free PCB separation. “Laser singulation eliminates these risks by using a non-contact, high-precision cutting process, ensuring cleaner edges, minimal debris, and significantly reduced mechanical strain,” said David.

Although Ei’s new system is the standard CuttingMaster 2240, the company played a role in LPKF’s early development of the Cx platform concept after placing its first order in 2022. That collaboration helped inform the inline, fixture-free handling approach now widely adopted across the market.

The system now acts as the first stage in Ei’s backend assembly and test flow, supporting stable cycle times and consistent throughput as production ramps up across multiple alarm variants.

David continued: “The adoption of laser technology supports greater automation and scalability. By integrating laser singulation into its state-of-the-art SMT environment, the company achieves higher yields, improved quality assurance, and enhanced throughput.”

Gareth Fenton, Sales Manager at Altus Group, said: “It has been a pleasure to be part of this exciting project. Ei Electronics is an impressive organisation, and it’s a source of great pride to see a semi-automated production line now in operation.”

With further systems scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026, the investment marks the next phase in Ei’s long-term manufacturing strategy.