In mid-March 2015, Jenoptik—an integrated photonics group—received the "Yanfeng Supplier Quality Award" from its Chinese customer Yanfeng Automotive Trim Systems (YF). The award recognizes the delivery reliability and quality of the delivered high-tech machines, as well as the longstanding good cooperation of both companies.
As China's largest automotive supplier, YF specializes in the manufacture of dashboards for cars and uses Jenoptik laser systems to create predetermined breaking points for airbags. Since 2002, YF has purchased several of Jenoptik's JENOPTIK-VOTAN A series large laser systems. At the end of 2013, Jenoptik delivered the worldwide 200th laser system of this type to the Chinese partner.
With these laser systems, the predetermined breaking points are created by a patented laser perforation process in airbag flaps. On the back of the material, the laser generates a tear line along the desired shape of the airbag flap. A specially developed sensor system prevents the laser from completely severing the material. However, the perforation line weakens the material in a way that allows the airbag to break through this line and open up during a collision.