PORTLAND (AP) – A pair of southern Maine companies hope to create a $20 million-$50 million manufacturing facility to turn out laser-welded steel panels that could be used in construction, freight, shipbuilding and other industries.

Thermal Sciences of Sanford and Technology Systems Inc. of Wiscasset have worked together on the laser-welding technology for several years. They envision a plant that would work like a modern-day lumber mill, making high-tech metal plates rather than plywood.

The new plant could boost Maine’s sagging manufacturing sector.

The 160,000 square-foot plant would employ 30-50 people in high-tech manufacturing jobs while supporting jobs in related industries, as well as research-and-development positions.

“They’re very knowledgeable people,” said James Urban, vice president and general manager of Metals USA, a major steel supplier to shipyards.

“They’re experts in their fields, they understand the (Navy) approval process that needs to take place, they are doing their homework and all preliminary indications are that they’ve got a better mousetrap,” Urban said.

In the process, a laser beam speeds down two pieces of metal, fusing them together in seconds, seven times faster than would be possible with conventional human welders.

The technology has drawn nearly $7 million in federal and state grants. The companies envision a joint venture to commercialize the technology and develop different markets.

In shipbuilding, strong, lightweight support beams produced through the laser-welding process for the next-generation aircraft carrier could cut 190 tons of weight from the 70,000-ton vessel.

Precision-made safety-line tracks could be used in submarines that are refitted at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.

AP-ES-07-18-04 1301EDT