Through our “Spotlight on CLP Members” series, discover the companies that contribute to and drive the development of the industrial laser sector. In this new interview, we speak with OPTEC Industries, a member of the Investronic Group, which specializes in the design and manufacture of custom assembly machines for demanding industrial sectors.
Industrial vision, small-part handling, automation and laser technologies: the Group brings together complementary expertise to address complex industrial challenges, from high-power lasers to femtosecond laser micromachining applications. Laurent Menuat, Business Development Director of the Investronic Group, discusses the challenges facing manufacturers, the growing role of artificial intelligence, and the importance of developing solutions that are innovative, simple and robust.
Could you introduce your company, its activities and areas of expertise?
I am Laurent Menuat, Business Development Director of the Investronic Group, of which OPTEC Industries is a member.
The Group brings together several complementary entities: VL Machines, VOH, AUREA, AMIDEC, XENIA, AM Automation, Sandmann and CEVILOG. Our core business is the manufacture of custom assembly machines for demanding sectors such as medical technology, the luxury industry, automotive, defense and aerospace.
We have developed strong expertise in industrial vision and small-part handling, as well as long-standing know-how in industrial laser technologies, ranging from high-power lasers to femtosecond micromachining applications.
What are the main technological challenges currently facing your customers and your industry?
The main challenge, for both our customers and us, is to remain profitable without giving in to the temptation to relocate production to low-cost countries.
From a technological standpoint, the key challenge today is directly related to artificial intelligence, a topic considered strategic enough for the Group to dedicate two laboratories to actively working on these technologies.
However, the real challenge is not necessarily to add greater sophistication. Quite often, it is the opposite: finding simpler, more robust solutions. This requires us to think outside the box to avoid solutions that are either too expensive or technologically unstable.
This approach also requires us to remain open-minded and adapt to each individual project. The experience of our teams allows us not to restrict ourselves to just a few markets, but instead to respond to a wide variety of industrial requirements.
Could you tell us about a recent laser project, innovation or application that you are particularly proud of?
More than any project, what makes me especially proud is the way some projects develop when we support a customer from start to finish, from the very first laboratory trials through to the final solution.
One example that comes to mind is a recent evaluation carried out for a customer whose quality requirements were among the highest we have ever encountered. Several comparative tests were conducted in the laboratory before we were able to propose a suitable solution.
This kind of collaboration turns a project into a genuine, shared adventure, where ideas gradually emerge through exchanges between the teams, to the point where it can sometimes become difficult to remember whether the original idea came from the customer or from us.
It does not happen every time, but when this kind of dynamic develops and both teams come away from the project having learned and grown, that is what gives our work its full meaning.
What does your membership of the Club Laser et Procédés bring you on a day-to-day basis?
Above all, the Club Laser et Procédés allows us to stay connected to a network of peers who face the same technical challenges as we do, which is particularly valuable in a field that is evolving so rapidly.
On a day-to-day basis, this provides us with enhanced technology monitoring through exchanges within the network, as well as through our participation in the PLI Conferences organized by the Club. These events provide opportunities to meet other industrial players, compare approaches and share experiences.
In your view, why is it important today to be part of a network such as the Club Laser et Procédés?
In a sector where technology is evolving just as rapidly as international competitive pressure, no player can move forward alone.
A network such as the Club Laser et Procédés makes it possible to pool technology monitoring efforts, share practical feedback between manufacturers facing similar challenges, and collectively contribute to the competitiveness of the French laser industry.
It is also a way to stay up to date on strategic topics such as artificial intelligence, where developments are moving quickly and exchanges between peers enable everyone to progress more effectively than they could on their own.
How do you see laser technologies and their industrial applications evolving over the next few years?
Laser technology is evolving rapidly, and I have personally witnessed several major technological shifts in recent years.
When it comes to applications, I am not concerned: there are always new ones to discover. This gives us an opportunity to take our solutions further, explore new fields and address new industrial challenges.
Among laser technology suppliers, we are seeing genuine competition to deliver solutions that are increasingly innovative while also being easier to implement, with a strong focus on product quality and reliability.
This is one of the most significant changes we have seen in recent years: lasers are now more reliable and easier to integrate into industrial equipment and production environments.
From custom machines and laser technologies to industrial vision, automation and now artificial intelligence, OPTEC Industries and the Investronic Group illustrate the complementary expertise required to address the emerging challenges facing industry.
Many thanks to Laurent Menuat for sharing his experience, his perspective on technological developments, and his views on the importance of collaboration between industrial players in advancing the laser sector.
>> Want to find out more? Find OPTEC Industries in our member directory and discover their full range of expertise and solutions.
