MDL in laser technology breakthrough

The Micro Laser Module (MLM), which weighs only 43 grammes, could help engineers and surveyors to work more efficiently in remote places.

MLM has been devised by York-based Measurement Devices (MDL), which is active in markets ranging from quarrying to car-making.

MDL founder and chairman Steve Ball said MLM could be used in hi-tech mobile phone cameras.

He added: “While mobile phone cameras are proportionally correct, the next stage would be to enable them to give users the ability to calculate the size of an object and deliver the data on screen.

“Incorporating a micro laser such as ours could add an important facility which would mean that people working in many industries, such as civil engineering, construction and surveying, would no longer need some types of hand-held laser technology as they would be able to use their mobile phone.

“We are still in the early stages but the potential is huge.”

Mr Ball said laser technology was undergoing sweeping changes.

He added: “Twenty years ago it needed a box the size of a biscuit tin to accommodate the laser technology which could measure objects within 100 metres every few seconds.”

MDL has around 80 staff at its UK offices in York and Aberdeen. It also has operations in Canada, the US and Australia.