North Caucasus Federal University is developing a technology for the production of a laser CNC machine with simultaneous operation on two lasers for the parallel manufacture of identical parts.

A technology for the production of a laser CNC machine with two Co₂ lasers for the parallel manufacture of identical parts, which will help establish small-scale production for further replication to organizations and individuals, is being developed as part of a student startup. The Fund for the Promotion of Innovation allocated one million rubles for its implementation.

Over 30% of graduate students attend NCFU through various formats of entrepreneurial skills development events. Last year, 51 of them won the Student Startup competition and received 1 million rubles for the implementation of their business project. This year, over 400 applications have already been submitted to the competition.

— For NCFU, student innovation projects and start-ups are the drivers of technological entrepreneurial activity of students. It is through such initiatives that young people learn to turn their engineering ideas into real products that are in demand by the market. The guys remain in the region and are forming a new generation of technological leaders capable of developing the economy of Stavropol and the whole country," said Professor Tatiana Shebzukhova, Acting Rector of NCFU.

The machine, which is being developed as part of the project, will make it possible to simultaneously produce the main part on one printing field, and its exact copy on the second. This will be available thanks to a single computer control unit. The advantages are that the time for mass production of products will be reduced by half, and the proposed laser CNC machine with two printheads can be used as an independent production unit, for example, for processing plywood, wood, fabric, and with other production equipment, such as lathes or milling equipment. The development is being carried out by Angelina Rozhko, a student of Graphic Design, under the guidance of Roman Salenko, mentor, head of the Department for organizing project and grant Activities at the Pyatigorsk Institute (branch) NCFU.

— It all started when I launched the production of coasters for glasses and mugs, for hot food. A CO2 laser machine was purchased for this purpose, but in the process it became necessary to expand and purchase another CO2 laser machine. And during the market analysis, it was decided to purchase a machine with two lasers in order to reduce the operating time, but it turned out that there are no machines of this type on the Russian market. In this regard, it was decided to start producing our own prototype, and this working prototype is still working today. We also decided to refine it and start mass production of machines with two CO2 lasers," said Angelina Rozhko.

In addition to reducing production time, the machine will have a backup source and will be able to process heterogeneous materials in one cycle. For example, you can place blanks made of materials that require the same processing parameters on one sheet and assign each zone its own laser with optimal settings. In addition, despite the high cost of a machine with two lasers, its specific productivity will be 100% higher, which will make it possible to recoup equipment faster and reduce unit cost by increasing output without buying a second machine, as well as saving on space, personnel and energy consumption.

At the moment, the startup is at the stage of assembling the frame structure, and the project will be implemented in October 2026.