Technology

The Luma Technology Group

”Add OUR Know How to YOUR Excellence!”

Plating Technology and electrochemical processes have become key competences of Luma during the last years along with the dynamic development of high tech application areas such as satelllite antennas in space or medical applications, among others.

The demands of these application areas are high and often postulate a zero defect performance.

In conclusion Luma Metall put a lot of effort into the development of appropriate processes and control mechanisms.

Technology

The Luma Technology Group

Business by Innovation: Our Technology group is at your disposal!

Build QUALITY into every function, role and person

We invite you for open discussions with our Tech Group Team in order to find solutions for your markets and projects.

The Luma Technology Group

The Luma Technology Group currently consists of: 

  • Dr. Ulrik Palmqvist: PhD in inorganic chemistry; CEO And Head of Production and Technology
  • Peter Olofsson: Technician, Machines
  • Dr. Kerstin Golker – PhD in chemistry; Senior Development Engineer & Purchasing Strategist
  • Sanna Johansen – Quality- and Environmental Coordinator
  • Alzbeta Durikova – Research and Development

Every member of the Technology Group has dedicated tasks that are part of a control chain and of constant process improvement.

Main Fields:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Precious metal chemistry
  • Materials Process Science
  • Material Physics
  • Electrical Engineering

We work according to ”Lean Management” work principles of which the most important to us are:

  • be your own manager and understand obstacles as possibilities which one can overcome and learn from
  • share your experiences / best practice with your group members and others
  • Improve processes
  • Focus on soft human values motivating leadership
  • Build QUALITY into every function, role and person

The Luma Excellence Center

We constantly widen our network of contacts with universities, research institutes and industry partners. We are willing to share our contact-pool with others who are interested. We call it the Luma Excellence Center. The Excellence Center is supposed to be kind of a ”Think Tank” where everybody can share their ideas. You are very welcome to become part of it. We will of course always ask for your consent before giving your contact to third parties.

Project Work and Case Studies

A Combination of Theoretical and Practical Competences

For Project work please refer to the extra section under this chapter: Internal and External TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS.

The Luma Technology Group can perform CASE STUDIES, in order to investigate samples or processes.

In general, a combination of methods are used:

  • Literature survey
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)
  • Theoretical considerations, corrosion
  • Stress – strain considerations
    – Hypothetical explanation of the failure
    – Verification of the theoretical considerations for example by climatic chamber exposure

A typical case study related to a corrosion issue could be performed as follows:

  • Theoretical study
  • Experimental corrosion study by SEM and EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy)
  • Stress tests and theoretical calculations
  • Spray chamber study to verify theoretical considerations
  • Countermeasure

After corrosion failure analysis root causes can often be explained. Luma has high field competence and extensive experience in coatings and protection against corrosion.

Process- and Machine Development

Process Development
(Quality and productivity)

  • Developing new electrolytical plating processes to produce Au coated Tungsten and Molybdenum thin wires with enhanced quality. Parameters, a.o.: furnace, process speeds, currents, concentrations, temperatures affecting surface roughness, defects, porosity, hardness etc.
  • Develop a new digital vision system for in–line quality control during production. Enhanced fundamental knowledge is a good base for further process optimization and an increased competitiveness.
  • Luma actively work with LEAN and continuous improvements where SPC (statistical production control) is a part, this means that we have control over our ability and know where we should focus in order to improve.

Machine Development
(Quality, metrologies and productivity)

  • A highly customized vision system has been innovated for the ultra-thin wires. The enhanced fundamental knowledge established will be a base for further development of Luma. The project is still on-going and an implementation project will be executed.
  • Luma has coordinated a project aimed to increase the knowledge about pulsed current – plating. The quality and the productivity of the gold coating may improve.

iChemistry Process Control

Using iChemistry software by Intersolia in Luma´s chemical processes, particularly for plating on fine metal wires, offers several significant advantages. This kind of software typically integrates process control, monitoring, and automation, which is critical in high-precision applications like fine wire plating.

Regulations and Requirements from authorities and industry partners are getting more and more complex in environmental and safety aspects.

The strongest Features of iChemistry for Luma besides ensuring competitiveness and a forefront position in plating technology are:

  • Managing chemical inventories and ensuring the availability of necessary chemicals.
  • Maintaining compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
  • Providing training and safety information to personnel.
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More in detail iChemistry helps for process optimization and monitoring of bath chemistry and allows for precise control of metal ion concentration, pH, temperature, and additives. Especially a consistent plating thickness and adhesion quality are strong sales arguments in respect to our high-tech customers in industries like Space, Medical or Research.

It also helps reducing scrap in increasing the yield resulting in more a competitive cost structure and potential market pricing. Plus, it helps minimizing chemical waste through predictive replenishment and drag-out reduction and thus reducing the environmental impact – a must for the future of plating technology