IMR Secures €1.3M Funding To Advance Laser Manufacturing Capabilities

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) has been awarded €1.28M in funding under the 2025 Capital Equipment Call, announced by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD. The investment will enable IMR to acquire a state-of-the-art, production-ready 5-axis CNC machining system integrated with nanosecond and femtosecond laser sources, significantly strengthening Ireland’s advanced manufacturing research and development infrastructure.

The funding, managed and issued by Enterprise Ireland, forms part of a wider €5.74M national investment supporting seven projects across Ireland’s Technology Gateways and Technology Centres. The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between existing capabilities and next-generation technologies, ensuring Irish enterprises, particularly SMEs, can access world-class research equipment to accelerate innovation and competitiveness.

Enabling Advanced Laser Micromachining and Surface Functionalisation
At IMR, the new equipment will serve as a shared test bed for manufacturers across Ireland and the EU, supporting applied research and near-to-market development in laser-driven micromachining and surface functionalisation. The integration of femtosecond and nanosecond laser sources with a 5-axis CNC platform will enable highly precise material processing, opening new possibilities for sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, electronics, energy, and advanced materials.

This capability will allow companies to derisk product development, explore novel surface properties, and transition more rapidly from concept to scalable manufacturing solutions, aligning closely with IMR’s mission to support industry-led innovation through applied research.

Strengthening Ireland’s Innovation Ecosystem
Announcing the awards, Minister Burke highlighted the strategic importance of sustained investment in research infrastructure, noting that advanced equipment is critical to turning ideas into market-ready solutions and building long-term economic resilience through innovation.

Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia added that access to cutting-edge equipment is often the catalyst that enables companies to move from early-stage research to commercial outcomes, particularly for SMEs seeking to compete globally.

Call to action:
Manufacturers interested in collaborating with IMR or accessing the new laser micromachining test bed are encouraged to contact the IMR team to explore research, development, and pilot-scale opportunities.