What ACunity does

ACunity GmbH is a privately held German industrial laser systems company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Aachen within the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) Photonics Cluster. The company is a high-tech incubator of Fraunhofer ILT and develops, manufactures, and services two principal technology platforms: (1) EHLA (Extreme High-Speed Laser Metal Deposition) systems, sold as the modular EHLA flexi, EHLA pro, and EHLA max machine variants, supplemented by proprietary powder feeders and processing optics, and (2) Helical Drilling Optics (HDO v7) precision laser micro-machining systems, including the ACMicro Series of integrated machine tools. ACunity's core differentiator is patented EHLA technology (co-developed with Fraunhofer ILT and RWTH Aachen, 2013-2017), which delivers 40-100x faster coating speeds (20-200 m/min vs. 0.5-2.0 m/min conventional), thinner coatings (0.05-1mm), and sub-1µm drilling precision, displacing hard chrome plating and EDM in wear/corrosion protection and precision micro-drilling applications.

The company operates a three-location footprint: Aachen (HQ), Baesweiler (German factory), and Tianjin (ACunity (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., established 2018, with R&D and production facilities serving Asia-Pacific). ACunity generates revenue through a mix of one-time machine sales (customized EHLA and HDO systems), professional services (contract manufacturing, system integration, on-site consulting, training, and applied research), and consumables (powder materials). Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts; no public pricing exists. Customers are industrial enterprises across at least eight verticals: industrial manufacturing (primary), e-mobility, offshore and shipbuilding, mining, tool and die, aviation, microelectronics, and automotive. ACunity sells primarily through direct enterprise sales, supplemented by a distribution partnership with Suzhou Ealiy Laser Technology Co., Ltd. for micromachining products in Asia-Pacific.

The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, no named customers, and no disclosed revenue or headcount. It maintains active R&D partnerships with Fraunhofer ILT, Fraunhofer IPT, RWTH Aachen University, and ACAM, and partners with laser specialist firms including EdgeWave, Pulsar Photonics, HD-Sonderoptiken, and IXUN Lasertechnik for system integration.

Name

ACunity

Legal name

ACunity GmbH

Website

https://acunity.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACunity GmbH is a privately held German industrial laser company (founded 2016, Aachen) that develops and manufactures EHLA high-speed laser metal deposition systems and HDO precision laser drilling systems for industrial manufacturing, e-mobility, aviation, mining, and offshore customers across Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Laser Manufacturing Equipment

NAICS

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332), All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (333248)

SIC

Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470), Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Surface Treatment & Finishing Equipment (Coating, Plating, Deburring, Shot Blasting) (IMAHADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment (Production AM Parts) (IMAAAEAC), Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD)

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. EHLA Machine Systems: Sale of modular EHLA machine systems (EHLA flexi, EHLA pro, EHLA max) for external and internal coating of metallic components. Machines are customizable and can be integrated as in-house solutions.
2. Contract Manufacturing: Series contract manufacturing services performed in German and Chinese factories, including on-site manufacturing at customer premises. Covers laser metal deposition, EHLA, internal LMD, laser repair, additive manufacturing, laser welding, and laser hardening.
3. System Integration: Integration of high-tech systems and components into customer infrastructure, including Helical Drilling Optics systems, on-site training, commissioning, and technical support.
4. Research Services: Applied research and feasibility analysis for laser processing applications, including R&D resource evaluation, milestone setting, and industrialization support.
5. Material Supply: Supply of powder materials for coatings including high-alloy steel, stainless steel, structural steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, nickel, and specialized metallic alloys with tungsten carbide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ACunity designs, manufactures, and sells modular laser-based EHLA (Extreme High-Speed Laser Metal Deposition) machine systems and Helical Drilling Optics (HDO) for industrial surface coating, repair, additive manufacturing, and precision micro-machining. The company complements its equipment portfolio with contract manufacturing services, applied research cooperation, system integration, and powder material supply across facilities in Germany and China.

Product overview

ACunity offers a comprehensive portfolio of laser-based manufacturing solutions centered around two main technology platforms: the EHLA (Extreme High-Speed Laser Metal Deposition) system family and the Helical Drilling Optics (HDO) system. The EHLA product line includes three main machine variants: EHLA flexi (robot-guided for flexible 2D/3D repairs), EHLA pro (versatile for internal/external coating up to 5000mm), and EHLA max (large component processing up to 18000mm), supported by powder feeders, optics, and powder nozzles as components. The HDO product line features the HDO v7 helical drilling optics and ACM Series integrated machine tools for precision laser micro-machining. ACunity also provides comprehensive services including mechanical engineering, contract manufacturing, research cooperation, and material provision (powder materials). The company is a high-tech incubator of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen, Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EHLA System: Extreme High-Speed Laser Metal Deposition system for wear and corrosion protection of metallic components
• HDO (Helical Drilling Optics)
• EHLA flexi
• EHLA pro
• EHLA max
• ACM Series
• Powder Feeder
• EHLA Optics and Powder Nozzles

Products and services

• EHLA flexi A robot-guided EHLA laser unit providing a nearly unrestricted working area for flexible 2D surface coating and 3D additive repairs. Designed for industrial customers needing in-house flexible coating and repair capability.
• EHLA pro A versatile EHLA machine for external and internal coating of workpieces up to 3,000mm (PRO-3000/5) or 5,000mm (PRO-5000/5) in length, with modular conversion capability between configurations. For industrial customers requiring both external and internal coating operations.
• EHLA max An EHLA machine system for processing large, heavy components exceeding 10 meters in length. Available in MAX-13500/10 (13,500mm) and MAX-18000/10 (18,000mm) variants with up to 10,000kg load capacity and an open design for easy loading and unloading. For heavy-industrial customers coating large shafts, cylinders, and rollers.
• HDO v7 - Helical Drilling Optics A high-precision helical drilling optics system for laser micro-machining, achieving aspect ratios up to 1:30, bore diameters from 5–1000 µm, rotation speeds up to 30,000 rpm, and conicity control of ±15°. Uses Dove prism technology for round drilling independent of laser beam profile. For manufacturers requiring precision micro-holes in demanding applications.
• ACM Series A series of four integrated high-end machine tools (ACMicro-Serie) for universal laser macro and laser micro machining. Enables high flexibility and cost-effectiveness for manufacturers needing combined macro and micro machining capabilities.
• ACunity Powder Feeders Modular powder feeders designed for EHLA systems providing stable high performance and high-precision micro-powder delivery. Feature special seals saving 10–20% gas consumption, powder level sensors, and configurable bottle sizes (0.75L, 1.5L, 5L). For industrial customers needing precise powder feeding in laser metal deposition.
• EHLA Optics and Powder Nozzles Processing heads (optics and powder nozzles) for external and internal EHLA coating. Internal coating nozzles integrate laser, powder, gas, and cooling water in a compact structure and reach immersion depths up to 4.5 meters with CFRP construction. For industrial customers requiring deep internal coating capability.
• Mechanical and Plant Engineering Custom mechanical and plant engineering service for designing EHLA systems based on a modular concept tailored to the application, length, and weight of customer parts, using 4-axis machines or robots with customized laser metal deposition (LMD) heads. Includes on-site consulting, conception, setup, transportation, and material consulting.
• Contract Manufacturing Series contract manufacturing services delivered at ACunity factories in Germany and China as well as on-site at customer premises. Covers laser metal deposition, EHLA, internal laser metal deposition, laser repair, additive manufacturing, laser welding, laser hardening, and laser drilling.
• Research Services Applied research and feasibility analysis services for laser processing applications, covering R&D resource evaluation, milestone setting, industrialization of advanced laser technologies, digital laser remanufacturing, and development of new materials and material combinations.
• Material Provision Supply of powder materials for EHLA coatings, including metals (high-alloy steel, stainless steel, structural steel), light metals (aluminum, titanium), non-ferrous metals (copper, nickel), and specialized metallic alloys with tungsten carbide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Coating speed increased 40-100x (20-200 m/min vs conventional 0.5-2.0 m/min)
• +5 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Suzhou Ealiy Laser Technology Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Distribution partner for micromachining products in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Yichen Huang serves as contact. Provides local sales and support for HDO and ACM Series products in China and wider APAC.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACunity GmbH is a high-tech incubator of Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen. The headquarters is located in the Photonics Cluster of Fraunhofer ILT, benefiting from access to cutting-edge research and a network of recognized laser technology experts.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Fraunhofer network providing additional research and development capabilities in production technology.
• RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development partner for EHLA technology (2013-2017) and ongoing research into laser processing applications and additive manufacturing.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Optomec: US-based provider of directed energy deposition (DED) and aerosol jet printing systems, including laser metal deposition machines used for coating, repair, and additive manufacturing. Directly comparable to ACunity's EHLA platform in application and customer base (industrial component repair and coating).
• Prima Additive (Prima Industrie): Italian-based manufacturer of laser metal deposition and additive manufacturing systems, including DED machines for industrial coating, repair, and AM. Directly competes with ACunity's EHLA offering in European industrial markets.
• 3D-Micromac: German provider of laser micromachining systems and services, including precision laser drilling and cutting for semiconductors, electronics, and medical devices. Directly comparable to ACunity's HDO helical drilling optics business for micro-hole applications.
• SLM Solutions: German metal additive manufacturing company focused on selective laser melting (LPBF) systems for industrial serial production. Comparable to ACunity as a German-headquartered laser AM specialist serving aerospace, automotive, and energy customers, though focused on powder-bed fusion rather than DED.
• Additive Industries: Dutch company developing large-format metal additive manufacturing systems, including laser-based DED machines for industrial production parts. Comparable to ACunity in offering modular, industrial-grade laser metal deposition platforms targeting aerospace, automotive, and energy customers.

Broad incumbents

• Oerlikon: Swiss surface solutions and additive manufacturing group offering thermal spray coatings and metal AM services. Overlaps with ACunity's EHLA coating and AM applications for industrial components, particularly in aerospace and energy markets.
• DMG MORI: Global machine tool and additive manufacturing OEM with its LASERTEC line of laser metal deposition and hybrid additive systems. Comparable to ACunity's EHLA machines for industrial coating and AM, though DMG MORI serves a much broader customer base across machining and AM.
• TRUMPF: Global market leader in industrial laser machines and laser-based manufacturing systems. TRUMPF offers broad laser metal deposition and welding solutions across automotive, aerospace, and general industry, overlapping with ACunity's EHLA systems but at a vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acunity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACunity