Laser Beam Monitoring System features non-contact design.
Press Release Summary:
With BeamWatch, users can accurately measure parameters of lasers up to 100 KW. System makes set of complete measurements at camera update rates, measuring Rayleigh scatter caused by beam. This provides instant readings of focus spot size and beam position, as well as dynamic measurements of focal plane locations during process start-up. Suitable for YAG, disc, fiber, and diode lasers in 980–1,080 nm range, BeamWatch takes measurements without shutting down process.
Original Press Release:
Ophir Photonics' BeamWatch(TM), Industry's First Non-Contact Industrial Beam Monitoring System for Very High Power YAG and Fiber Lasers
BeamWatch Video: http://youtu.be/bsgWRUzQjJ4
San Francisco, CA - Ophir Photonics, global leader in precision laser measurement equipment and a Newport Corporation brand, today announced the newest version of BeamWatch(TM) at Photonics West 2014. BeamWatch is a non-contact, focus spot size and position monitor for very high power YAG and fiber lasers used in material processing applications, such as automotive and aerospace manufacturing. Because there is no contact with the laser beam, the system has no power restriction and has been successfully tested on high power lasers up to 100kW. BeamWatch now features an algorithm that optimizes the measurement window. This removes imprecise, manual judgments from the process and improves the overall precision of measurements.
Conventional measurement systems place a probe in the beam, causing potential damage and slowing the measurement process. It could take up to two minutes to gather data and characterize the beam. BeamWatch is the industry's first laser monitoring system to instantly and accurately measure laser parameters without requiring contact with the laser beam. The system makes a set of complete measurements at camera update rates, measuring the Rayleigh scatter caused by the beam. This provides instant readings of focus spot size and beam position, as well as dynamic measurements of focal plane location during process start-up.
BeamWatch monitors high power YAG, disc, fiber and diode lasers in the 980-1080nm range. The system takes measurements of the beam at frequent intervals without having to shut down the process or remove extensive tooling and fixtures. BeamWatch measures focal spot location at 60ms intervals to indicate whether focal spot shifts are occurring during critical start-up moments.
BeamWatch includes both Technician and Operator Mode interfaces. In Technician Mode, access is provided to the tools needed for start-up and advanced beam diagnostics, such as optimizing measurement parameters or establishing pass/fail criteria. In Operator Mode, the run-time interface displays measurements at video rates. Graphic displays help operators quickly understand the status of the laser’s performance without having to interact with the laser or the monitoring system.
The system can be set up to compare initial process validation measurements and can be run in automated pass/fail mode. An Automation Server can be implemented using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), C/C++, or an ActiveX application such as Microsoft(R) Excel, Microsoft Word, or National Instruments LabVIEW(R).
Availability & Pricing
BeamWatch is available now. Pricing is available on request. The BeamWatch data sheet can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/1afBdQF
About Ophir Photonics
With over 30 years of experience, Ophir Photonics, a Newport Corporation brand, provides a complete line of instrumentation including power and energy meters, beam profilers, spectrum analyzers, and goniometric radiometers. Dedicated to continuous innovation in laser measurement, the company holds a number of patents, including the award-winning BeamTrack power/position/size meters and Spiricon's Ultracal(TM), the baseline correction algorithm that helped establish the ISO 11146-3 standard for beam measurement accuracy. The Photon family of products includes NanoScan scanning-slit technology, which is capable of measuring beam size and position to sub-micron resolution. The company is ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited for calibration of laser measurement instruments. Their modular, customizable solutions serve manufacturing, medical, military, and research industries throughout the world. For more information, visit http://www.ophiropt.com/photonics
Sales Inquiries: sales@us.ophiropt.com
For more information, contact:
Gary Wagner, General Manager
Ophir Photonics (U.S.)
3050 North 300 West
North Logan, UT 84341
Tel: 435-753-3729
E-mail: gary.wagner@us.ophiropt.com
Web: http://www.ophiropt.com/photonics
(c) 2014. BeamGage is a registered trademark and BeamWatch, BeamMaker, BeamMic, and Ultracal are trademarks of Ophir-Spiricon. All other trademarks are the registered property of their respective owners.
