Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: RSTI) the industrial laser maker with dual headquarters in Plymouth and Hamburg, Germany, Thursday announced a strategic alliance with Manz Automation AG of Reutlingen, Germany to develop a new machine concept for the production of thin-film solar modules.

The strategic alliance aims to develop a new type of manufacturing equipment for the photovoltaic industry that combines laser edge ablation and laser cutting of thin-film solar modules within production. The innovative machine concept will allow two successive processes to be integrated into a single production line:

The laser edge ablation process Manz Automation developed in the past and the new process in the photovoltaic sector to cut glass using the Rofin-Sinar protected MLBA laser process.

The combination of both process technologies using Rofin-Sinar laser technology within an innovative machine concept shall result in cost savings in production and far-reaching improvements in the quality of the solar modules.

Manz Automation as the engineering partner will develop the production system and integrate the laser technology. Rofin-Sinar will be responsible for developing the laser cutting technology, which will be used exclusively by Manz Automation in the photovoltaic sector.

After the joint project starts in September 2008, the project is expected to take approximately 12 months until the new machines will be market-ready.

More at www.rofin.com or www.manz-automation.com.