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MKS Instruments has released a fully automated, non-contact laser measurement system designed to measure critical beam parameters in industrial production environments, the Ophir BeamWatch Integrated. A rugged, compact, self-contained system, it measures parameters of the focused beam in real-time, including focus spot size, beam caustic, and absolute power readings. The system can accommodate different types of welding heads and includes a variety of interfaces, such as PROFINET and Ethernet/IP, for integration into production networks and automated manufacturing lines to facilitate direct transfer of measurement data.
The BeamWatch Integrated is a patented, non-contact profiling system that accurately captures and analyzes industrial lasers for wavelengths from 980nm - 1080nm and laser powers to 10 kW (30 kW, on request). The system provides real-time beam measurements of lasers that are typically too powerful for direct readings. Instead, it measures Rayleigh Scattering using a 1 pass-through beam measurement technique that involves no contact between the instrument and the beam.
Beam parameters measured include focus spot width and location, focal shift, centroid, M2, divergence, beam parameter product, Rayleigh length, beam tilt angle, and absolute power. Because there is no contact with the beam, there is no wear on the instrument, minimizing the need for maintenance. The BeamWatch Integrated addresses problems like large batches of defective parts, higher risk of loss, or safety issues in high-throughput production lines by providing simultaneous measurements of multiple profiles along the beam caustic, delivering the key ISO 13694 and ISO 11146 laser beam parameters in fractions of a second.
It monitors high power YAG, fiber, and diode lasers in the 980-1080nm range. It charts all beam measurements over time in industrial material processing applications, such as welding and cutting operations in automotive, heavy equipment, and appliance manufacturing, or in oil & gas drilling. High magnification optics measure beams with spot sizes down to less than 80 µm or less, allowing for smaller, more precise cuts with less waste of material. Fast measurement times allow the laser beam to be checked automatically during the loading / unloading phase, as frequently as once every unit produced. All parameters are displayed and stored; trend diagrams deliver useful insights for predictive maintenance. Tolerances and limit values can be set to trigger corrective actions.
