The Laser Combining Unit (LCU) is a flexible platform that allows combining the optical output of up to 5 laser heads of the LDH Series and the LDH-FA Series into a polarization maintaining single mode fiber. When used in conjunction with the multichannel laser driver PDL 828 "Sepia II", the LCU provides a convenient and easy-to-use solution for realizing all maner of multi-color excitaiton patterns. These patterns with varying degree of sophistication are the basis for a broad range of applications such as dual-focus time-resolved FCS, Pulsed Interleaved Excitation (PIE), duty-cycle optimized PIE, pump-probe measurements, and STED microscopy.