Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Spectrum Technologies, our laser wire processing systems, applications, support services and manufacturing capabilities.
About Spectrum Technologies
Spectrum has been operating for over 36 years since 1989. You can see more of our history here.
Yes. Spectrum Technologies has supplied customers in over 65 countries worldwide, with installations continuing to grow across global markets.
Explore our Locations page to see our local offices and distributors.
Spectrum Technologies supplies laser wire processing solutions across eight key industries: aviation, defence, medical, space, rail, automotive, telecoms & data, and electronics.
Explore our Industries page to learn more.
Yes. Spectrum Technologies is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. Our certifications can be viewed here.
Yes. Customers are welcome to visit Spectrum Technologies to discuss applications, view our technology and meet with our engineering team. Please contact us to arrange a visit.
We are currently expanding our demonstration capabilities and will soon offer a dedicated demo facility for customer evaluations, application testing and machine demonstrations.
Spectrum Technologies is a global leader in laser wire processing technology. We pioneered and commercialised both UV laser wire marking and laser wire stripping technologies, and continue to innovate with advanced solutions for high-performance wire processing applications.
Laser Wire Marking
UV laser wire marking is a non-contact process that uses ultraviolet laser energy to create permanent, high-contrast identification marks on wires and cables.
Because UV lasers operate at a shorter wavelength than many other laser types, they can produce high-quality marks with excellent precision and minimal heat impact on sensitive materials.
The process is commonly used in industries such as aerospace, defence, medical and electronics where durability, precision and traceability are critical.
You can learn more about our technology here.
UV laser wire marking offers several advantages over traditional marking methods, including:
Permanent, high-contrast identification
No inks or consumables required
Reduced maintenance and downtime
High precision marking on small wires and cables
Excellent durability in extreme environments
Suitable for demanding aerospace and defence applications
Consistent marking quality and repeatability
Laser marking systems can process a wide range of wire and cable types, including many aerospace, defence, medical and industrial cables.
Suitable materials may include PTFE, ETFE, PVC, XLPE and other specialised insulations depending on the application and laser technology used.
Contact Spectrum Technologies to discuss your specific wire or cable requirements.
Yes. Laser marking creates a permanent mark directly on the wire insulation surface, providing excellent durability.
Unlike ink-based methods, laser marks are resistant to fading, smudging, harsh chemicals, and extreme temperatures.
In many applications, yes. UV laser wire marking can provide a permanent, high-quality alternative to traditional ink printing systems.
Laser marking eliminates the need for inks and solvents, helping reduce consumable costs, maintenance requirements and production downtime while improving consistency and traceability.
Our laser wire marking systems support a wide range of aerospace and industry standards for wire and cable identification, including:
SAE AS5649B – Wire and Cable Marking Process, UV Laser
SAE ARP5607B – Legibility of Print on Aerospace Wires and Cables
SAE AIR5468 – Ultraviolet (UV) Lasers for Aerospace Wire Marking
SAE AS50881 (MIL 5088 L) – Wiring Aerospace Vehicle
EN 4650 – Aerospace series - Wire and cable marking process, UV Laser
EN 3838 – Aerospace series - Requirements and tests on user-applied markings on aircraft electrical cables
EN 3475-100 – Aerospace series. Cables, electrical, aircraft use. Test methods - General
Boeing BAC 5152 – Identification of electric wire and wire bundles
Boeing D6-36911 – Electrical wiring assembly and installation processes
Boeing HP8-28 – Wire and Cable, Electrical, Marking of
Airbus AIPS07-06-001 – Laser wire and cable marking by Ultra Violet (UV) process
Airbus AIPI07-06-001 – Laser wire and cable marking by Ultra Violet (UV) process
Sikorsky SS7333 – Identification marking of wire/cable, marker sleeves, wraparound & heat shrinkable insulation methods for
Please check the relevant product page for up to date information on industry standards, compliance and safety standards.
No. Spectrum's UV laser marking technology produces permanent, high-contrast marks without damaging the wire insulation. Unlike hot-stamping methods, the process does not burn or deform the wire and has no significant impact on its mechanical or electrical properties, making it suitable for demanding aerospace and industrial applications.
You can learn more about our technology here.
Laser wire marking machines are designed for reliable, lower maintenance operation. Routine maintenance typically involves keeping the machine and wire path clean, checking safety systems, inspecting wear parts such as drive rollers and belts, and ensuring extraction and airflow systems are operating correctly.
Regular calibration checks and periodic servicing help maintain marking accuracy and performance. The laser source itself requires minimal maintenance, although we recommend annual or six-monthly verification as part of a preventative maintenance programme.
Maintenance intervals will vary depending on usage, with machines operating across multiple shifts generally requiring more frequent attention than single-shift installations.
Laser Wire Stripping
Laser wire stripping is a non-contact process that removes wire insulation using controlled laser energy rather than mechanical blades, thermal stripping methods or chemical processes.
The process is widely used in industries such as aerospace, defence, medical and electronics where precision, repeatability and reduced conductor damage are critical.
Laser wire stripping offers several advantages over conventional stripping methods, including:
Reduced risk of conductor damage
High process repeatability
Precise strip length control
Non-contact processing
Suitable for delicate and fine wires
Consistent quality across production runs
Ability to process challenging insulation materials
Reduced tooling wear compared to mechanical systems
Laser wire stripping systems can process a wide range of wire and cable types used across aerospace, defence, medical, automotive and industrial applications.
Suitable materials may include PTFE, ETFE, PVC, PUR, PI, PET, PE, SI, Fibreglass, Nylon and many other specialised wire constructions depending on the application requirements.
Spectrum Technologies systems are designed to process a broad range of wire sizes, from fine gauge wires, down to 54 AWG, through to larger cable constructions.
Suitable wire range depends on the material, insulation type and application requirements. Please contact us to discuss your specific wire processing needs.
Yes. When operated correctly and with appropriate safety systems in place, laser wire stripping is a safe industrial process.
Spectrum Technologies systems are designed with integrated safety features and are intended to operate alongside suitable extraction and operator protection measures.
Laser wire stripping is designed to minimise the risk of conductor damage by using a non-contact process rather than mechanical blades.
Unlike mechanical stripping methods, laser processing can help reduce nicking, scraping and deformation of delicate conductors while maintaining high stripping accuracy and repeatability.
Many laser wire stripping processes are also self-terminating, meaning the laser energy interacts differently with the conductor material than the surrounding insulation. This helps minimise the risk of damage to the underlying conductor during processing.
Fume extraction is recommended for laser wire processing systems to safely remove process fumes and airborne particles generated during operation.
Suitable extraction helps maintain operator safety, system cleanliness and long-term machine performance.
Our laser wire stripping systems support a range of aerospace and industry standards, including:
SAE AIR6894A – Laser Wire Stripping Tools, General Understanding
EN 2812 – Aerospace series - Stripping of electric cables
Please check the relevant product page for up to date information on industry standards, compliance and safety standards.
Laser wire stripping systems are designed to be highly reliable and require relatively little routine maintenance. Regular upkeep typically includes cleaning the tooling area, inspecting and cleaning optical components such as lenses, and replacing air pump and extraction filters to maintain performance and fume extraction efficiency.
We generally recommend filter replacement every six months, along with periodic internal cleaning and optical inspections. Maintenance frequency may vary depending on production volumes, materials being processed, and the operating environment. Regular preventative maintenance helps ensure consistent stripping quality, maximises uptime, and extends the life of the system.
Service & Support
Contact the Spectrum Service Team for your region:
- Europe, Middle East and Africa: [email protected]
- North, Central and South America: [email protected]
- China: [email protected]
- Asia-Pacific: [email protected]
Please provide the machine serial number and a brief description of the issue so we can direct your request to the correct person.
Please provide:
- Machine model and serial number
- Company name and site location
- A clear description of the fault
- Any alarm messages or error codes
- Photographs or videos showing the problem
- Details of any recent changes, maintenance or parts replaced
- Whether the machine is operational or production has stopped
- Your contact details and availability
Providing this information at the outset helps us diagnose the problem and respond more quickly.
Our Service Team can provide support by telephone, email and, where the machine and customer network allow, remote access.
We will initially review the information provided and advise on the appropriate next steps. Support may be covered by the machine warranty or an existing service agreement. Where support is chargeable, we will advise you and provide a quotation before carrying out any chargeable work.
Yes. Spectrum can provide on-site fault diagnosis, repairs, servicing and machine verification.
Once the problem and location have been reviewed, we will provide a quotation and arrange a suitable date for an engineer to attend. Engineer availability, travel requirements, site access and the availability of any required spare parts will be confirmed before the visit.
Smaller machines, including Sienna laser wire strippers, Nova Mini-Max machines and CMS systems, can normally be returned to our facilities in Bridgend, UK, or Texas, USA, for assessment and repair.
Larger machines are normally assessed and repaired at the customer’s site by one of our field service engineers.
All returns must be agreed with the Service Team in advance. We will provide the appropriate return instructions and reference details. Equipment should not be returned without prior authorisation.
Yes. We offer preventative maintenance visits to inspect the machine, check its operation, identify developing problems and replace recommended service items where required.
The work completed will depend on the machine model, age and condition. Any additional repairs or parts identified during the visit will be reported and quoted separately unless agreed beforehand.
You can book a service visit here.
Yes. Spectrum can provide operator and maintenance training for supported machines. Training can be provided at the customer’s site or, where appropriate, at a Spectrum facility.
Training can be tailored to the machine and customer requirements, covering areas such as safe operation, machine setup, routine checks, preventative maintenance and basic fault-finding.
Yes. Spectrum supports customers worldwide through our UK, US and Asia-Pacific service teams and our network of trained regional engineers.
For assistance, contact:
- Europe, Middle East and Africa: [email protected]
- North, Central and South America: [email protected]
- China: [email protected]
- Asia-Pacific: [email protected]
Support may be provided remotely or through an on-site visit, depending on the machine, its location and the nature of the issue. Engineer availability, travel costs, local access requirements and spare-part availability will be confirmed before attendance.