You can feel whether a knife is sharp.
You can see when a torch is growing dim.
Laser beams in industrial applications, whether they be CO2, Nd:YAG- diode or fibre lasers, work with invisible beams in the infra-red or near infra-red spectral range (NIR). Hence changes in beam quality or power cannot be detected visually, and only become evident from the outcome of their application. Under some circumstances, this results in very expensive rejects being produced.
If the deterioration in quality is not recognised in the manufacturing process, this usually results in the subsequent failure of the product in use, with consequences for the manufacturer of rectification, replacement and loss of image.
This is where PRIMES beam diagnostics devices for measuring beam quality, focusability and laser power come in. Process monitoring in production with laser beam diagnostics devices by PRIMES enables consistent quality assurance and allows the timely detection and elimination of malfunctions of laser beams.
PRIMES measuring devices allow the reliable recording of current beam parameters, and enable ongoing documentation of beam properties for quality assurance purposes. This is a requirement that should not be underestimated in many industrial areas, such as automotive or medical technology.
With PRIMES devices for beam diagnostics, troubleshooting of laser applications is simplified considerably. The beam intensity profile, beam diameter, beam caustic before and after focusing, and laser power to be applied are directly measured and analysed. Based on the readings and their evaluation, maintenance and servicing personnel can work in a targeted way on repair. Loss of time and system downtimes due to "trying out" possible causes of the problem are effectively avoided.
The same applies to process optimisation and approval of process windows in laser material processing. Only if the focal position and focal dimension and also the intensity profile of the laser beam are known, can processes such as laser beam cutting, welding or drilling be adjusted to the particular component geometry, materials be selected and the breadth of process windows be determined reliably.
