[ Reverse Order ]
1988
•
 Universal Laser Systems was founded as Applied Laser Technology, Inc. to develop laser technology for a wide variety of industrial and decorative applications
1989
•
 Introduction of the ALT-2010, the first large field, computer-controlled laser system designed for ease of use, high performance and versatility. Cost of unit was well below competing laser technology.
•
 First sale to a well known industrial company for stripping insulation from flat computer ribbon cable.
1990
•
 Formal introduction of ALT machines to the awards market.
1991
•
 Change of company name to Universal Laser Systems, Inc. in order to more accurately reflect the range of applications possible with laser systems produced by ULS.
1992
•
 Introduction of combined raster/vector functions during same job.
•
 Introduction of buffer memory to machines.
•
 Introduction of rotary fixture for engraving around cylindrical objects.
1993
•
 Introduction of the ULS-25 - a major breakthrough in ease of use and maintenance.
•
 Development and introduction of the technology to allow professional rubber stamp engraving with a Universal laser system.
•
 Development and public introduction of a process to engrave embossing seal dies and counters from plastic.
1994
•
 Introduction of the ULS Performance Series Systems - a dramatic breakthrough in mechanical performance.
1995
•
 Introduction of the ULS-25E - an upsized version of the popular ULS-25, sharing some Performance Series mechanical advantages.
•
 Winner of the AZTech 95 Award for being one of the fastest growing high technology companies in Arizona.
•
 Winner of Best New Technology Award from ARA for the Performance Series.
1996
•
 Dramatic increase in staffing for customer support to ensure an extremely high level of support to customer base - expanded worldwide customer support network.
•
 Winner of the AZTech 96 Award for being one of the fastest growing high technology companies in Arizona (second year in a row).
•
 Winner of Best New Technology Award from ARA for the ULS-25E.
1997
•
 Introduction of the new ULS M25 laser engraving and cutting system. This new system incorporated a new laser manufactured by ULS along with several new innovations. It featured a 24" x 12" engraving and cutting area and a 25 watt CO2 laser.
•
 Introduction of the new X Class laser processing systems. These systems featured 25, 50 and 100 watt CO2 lasers and a 32" x 18" engraving and cutting area. The machines were designated the X25, X50 and X100 with the number being equal to the rated laser output power. The X Class systems were designed to accept a variety of heavy duty industrial options including Air Assist and Honeycomb Cutting Table.
•
 Winner of AZTech 97 Award (third year in a row).
1998
•
 Winner of AZTech 98 Award (fourth year in a row).
•
 Universal celebrated its 10 year anniversary.
•
 M35e introduced, hosting 35 watts of air-cooled power.
•
 Introduction of new X30, X35 and X40 high power air-cooled engraving and cutting systems into product line.
1999
•
 Introduction of 45 & 50 watt, air-cooled laser systems.
•
 Introduction of patented Slab/Free-Space designed CO2 laser modules for OEM integration. Available in laser powers of 30, 40 and 50 watts.
•
 Introduction of the new V Class laser engraving and cutting system. Featuring a 24" x 18" work area, this model offered an excellent blend of speed and power.
•
 Winner of AZTech 99 Award (fifth year in a row)
•
 Design News Magazine readers' survey named Universal Laser Systems' CO2 lasers as Product of the Year Runner-Up.
2000
•
 Introduction of "Integrated Family of Laser Products" which includes the C-200, compact "desktop" unit, M-300, V-400, X-600, and the X2-600, the first laser platform to offer 100 watts (air cooled) laser power.
•
 Introduction of Quick Change Laser Cartridges™ that are cross-platform compatible with ULS laser platforms (patented).
•
 Introduction of Rapid Reconfiguration technology that allows users to quickly change the configuration of their system's laser power without the use of tools (patented).
•
 Completion of 20,000 sq. ft. expansion of main headquarters facility. Total square footage is 40,000+ sq ft.
•
 Introduction of web-based technical support feature which allows customers to submit questions about their laser systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere around the world.
2001
•
 Introduction of the X2-SuperSpeed™ laser platform which can provide up to a 500% increase in productivity (application/laser configuration dependent) by utilizing patented multi-beam/multi-laser technology.
•
 Introduction of materials kits that offer customers the ability to easily expand their existing business.
•
 Introduction of "Laser Products Source." Laser system owners can order laser processing materials from a convenient consolidated source on-line.
2002
•
 Introduction of VersaLaser™, the first affordable, compact and stylish desktop laser system to break into the PC peripheral market.
•
 In addition to being granted more patents, ULS introduced new high performance professional series platforms, including the M-360, V-460, X2-660 and the X2-660 SuperSpeed. ULS also introduced a new YAG metal marking system, the X-650Y.
2003
•
 VersaLaser is featured on TechTV.
•
 VersaLaser is featured on CBSNews Up to the Minute.
•
 PC Magazine selects VersaLaser as a Technical Excellence Awards Finalist in the Digital Output Devices category.
2004
•
 Introduction of the fast and powerful XL Series large field laser systems with laser power up to 300 watts.  The XL Series features a host of added benefits, such as a new print preview function, color display on the control panel, automatic detection and setup of installed options.
•
 Introduction of High Power Density Focusing Optics™ – a new option for the Professional Series and XL Series laser systems.  HPDF Optics dramatically improves the resolution of detailed engraving and photographs.  
•
 Introduction of smallest air-cooled 10-watt CO2 laser. The OEM 10-watt laser is available in five configurations, including air and water cooled OEM options and air and water cooled Class IV versions.
2005
•
 Introduction of new low-cost VersaLaser 10-watt. Ideal for engraving on organic materials (plastics, wood, Mylar®, leather), etching on anodized aluminum and coated brass and cutting paper and fabric.
•
 Introduction of High Power Density Focusing Optics™ for VersaLaser. HPDFO makes it possible to create small, high-resolution marks, engrave smaller text and produce higher-resolution graphics and photographs. Also appealing is the ability to scribe and/or etch directly on some uncoated metals, such as stainless steel, without using marking compounds.
•
 Introduction of a new line of flexible OEM lasers optimized for easy and convenient integration into all types of OEM system configurations. With a wide range of power levels, including a new 75-watt laser, the new CO2 lasers have air cooling or water cooling options, plus Class IV versions.
2006
• Introduction of XL Series now available with revolutionary 400 watts of air-cooled laser power.
• Universal Laser Systems GmbH completes a major expansion of its Vienna operating office. The office doubles in size from 300 square meters to 605 square meters and includes an 80 square meter demonstration and training area and more than 80 square meters of warehouse space.
• VersaLaser is awarded U.S. Design Patent No. D517,474 for the unique industrial design aesthetic of its external cabinet, which also serves as a Class 1 laser safety enclosure.
• Introduction of RoHS compliant OEM lasers in air- and water-cooled configurations, plus Class IV versions, in a wide range of power levels.
2007
• Introduction of second-generation VersaLaser® VLS Value Laser Series.
• Introduction of Professional Laser Series incorporates evolutionary design improvements to the laser cartridge, platform chassis, system electronics, and software interface.
• Introduction of Industrial Laser Series. Featuring opening side doors for convertible pass-through capability, the ILS is the world s only laser system that can legally operate between CDRH Class 1 and CDRH Class 4 (patent-pending).
• Universal Laser Systems, Inc. nearly doubles its operating size from 38,589 square feet to 75,542 square feet by expanding into a second company-owned building. The new building measures 36,953 square feet and includes specially state-of-the-art laser training, applications and demonstration rooms.
• Introduction of Laser Interface+!" materials-based print driver which allows users to choose between automatic or manual control over power, speed, pulses per inch and other system settings while a job is running.
• Introduction of Smart Laser Cartridge Technology which provides real-time two-way communication between the laser cartridge and the ULS system in which it is installed.
• Introduction of RoHS compliant system electronics. RoHS guidelines restrict the use of certain hazardous materials, such as lead, in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment.
• Introduction of Job Time Estimator which provides a reliable estimate of the time necessary to process single file jobs with raster, vector and combined raster/vector operations.
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