{"id":4481,"date":"2020-10-27T19:55:22","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T23:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aerotechinc.wpengine.com\/?p=4481"},"modified":"2024-05-09T10:45:41","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T14:45:41","slug":"advanced-laser-controls-features-to-improve-your-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aerotech.com\/advanced-laser-controls-features-to-improve-your-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Advanced Laser Controls – Features to Improve Your Process"},"content":{"rendered":"

Untangle Your Parameters for Consistent, High-Quality Processing<\/h2>

Eliminating laser processing parameters\u2019 dependency on motion trajectories generates more consistent laser-material interaction and improves part yields. Aerotech\u2019s patented laser control features allow users to untangle the process parameters forcing critical design compromises in many laser machining centers. Aerotech\u2019s Automation1 PC-based motion controller<\/a> enables a single controller architecture for galvanometer-based laser scan heads and traditional linear\/rotary servo control with laser processes. Automation1 contains powerful features for combining these motion types with calibrated laser triggering for position and power density. This means a process can be consistent and reproducible without any dependency on process speed or scanner field of view (FOV).<\/p>

Infinite Field of View<\/h2>
\"\"
Figure 1. <\/strong>A visual representation of Aerotech\u2019s Infinite Field of View (IFOV) function that coordinates precision stage and laser scan head motion.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Aerotech\u2019s Infinite Field of View (IFOV)<\/a> controller feature improves laser machining systems\u2019 throughput, quality and precision. With IFOV, there are no limits on a laser scanner-based system\u2019s working area. This allows for using optimized optical components to minimize spot size and keep the working area flexible. In most contemporary laser processing systems with a galvo scan head, the field size and focused spot diameter are connected through the f-theta lens selection. If users want a large field size to process larger parts and improve throughput, they have to compromise with a larger spot size. A larger spot size can hinder the ability to make quality cuts or fine features. If the process demands a small spot size, users are limited to a small working area and cannot achieve high-throughput. IFOV eliminates these constraints, so users don\u2019t have to settle for a compromised solution.<\/p>

\"\"
Figure 2. <\/strong>Description of the relationship between size of field of view and laser spot size.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Position Synchronized Output<\/h2>
\"\"
Figure 3.<\/strong> Spatial domain pulsing eliminates the bunching up of laser energy during periods of acceleration and ensures laser pulses are in the correct location based on the physical axis encoder feedback.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Aerotech\u2019s  Position Synchronized Output (PSO)<\/a> feature controls laser delivery in the spatial domain, allowing for pulse rate modulation as a function of the true tool-on-part velocity and laser spot position. This alleviates process parameter entanglement that would result from the laser control system\u2019s interaction with the motion subsystem. <\/p>

Most modern laser systems can trigger at rates between several 100 kHz to several MHz, which is commonly referred to as the laser’s repetition rate. These rates are constant but allow for an external trigger signal (such as PSO) to dictate when the laser pulse is commanded. In many control solutions that implement a scanner only or a scanner with linear\/rotary servo motion, the trigger command comes from time domain spacing alone. PSO leverages the scanner axis and linear\/rotary servo axis digital encoder feedback to trigger the laser in real time based on the beam\u2019s calibrated position on the working surface or at the work point.<\/p>

Using PSO keeps spot overlap consistent throughout the motion profile, regardless of which axis is contributing to the beam\u2019s velocity at any given point on its intended path. This stabilizes the laser fluence (or energy\/unit area) along the path and allows the motion system to speed up and slow down without any inconsistencies. As a result, applications can take full advantage of the laser scan head\u2019s dynamic performance capabilities without suffering dynamic accuracy losses. Constant and programmably variable spot overlap via PSO gives users explicit control of laser energy density delivered to the part independent of the system dynamics, enabling better process quality control. In addition to throttling the motion system from its full capability, traditional laser control that demands constant velocity makes the programming and motion path more complex. A constant velocity constraint often adds length to the overall motion path via splines added to fine features, again reducing throughput.<\/p>

Power Correction Mapping<\/h2>

Power correction mapping ensures high-quality material processing and enables higher throughput. As discussed in the IFOV and PSO sections, quality cutting of many modern materials is very sensitive to fluency. Users want to take advantage of their laser delivery system\u2019s entire available working area, as long as doing so doesn\u2019t degrade quality. Even in scanner-based systems using IFOV, using the full working area of the scanner increases system throughput because it allows the scanner to do the most work during combined motion. Many optical systems, especially field flattening optics, cause spot distortion throughout the field \u2013 particularly when approaching the edges. Aerotech\u2019s Automation1 controller allows for the creation of power correction maps to account for the distortion of the laser spot as a function of position in the field. As the system moves through travel, the controller automatically manages the laser source\u2019s power output through analog outputs to maintain a more constant fluency at the part. This results in better quality control.<\/p>

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Figure 4.<\/strong> Power correction mapping allows for the calibration of laser power output to account for known laser spot size distortion from the optical system.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Power Throttling<\/h2>

Power throttling is another tool that ensures users achieve the highest processing quality and consistency. As the power mapping function modulates laser power as a function of position, the Automation1 controller allows the user to automatically scale the power output as a function of combined vector velocity of the laser spot. The faster the laser spot moves, the more power required to maintain average fluency across the cutting path. Power throttling is achieved through Analog Vector Tracking, which works jointly with PSO and Power Mapping to take all aspects of the motion into account during laser control. Like PSO, IFOV and Power Mapping, this tool gives users maximum control over their process parameters without demanding any compromises.<\/p>

\"\"
Figure 5.<\/strong> Power throttling allows for the modulation of laser power output as a function of laser spot velocity to achieve constant average path fluency.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Untangle Your Parameters for Consistent, High-Quality Processing Eliminating laser processing…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[941,963,934,948,955,946,936,935,945,952,944],"tags":[],"content_type":[969],"industry":[973,975,976,977],"topic":[983,994,986,987,990,991],"class_list":["post-4481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aerospace-defense","category-capability-overview","category-electronics","category-gantries","category-integrated-automation-systems","category-laser-scan-heads","category-laser-systems","category-medical","category-motion-control-platforms","category-process-specific-products","category-stages-actuators","content_type-capability-overview","industry-aerospace-defense","industry-electronics","industry-laser-systems","industry-medical-device-manufacturing","topic-gantries","topic-integrated-automation-systems","topic-laser-scan-heads","topic-motion-control-platforms","topic-process-specific-products","topic-stages-actuators"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAdvanced Laser Controls | Aerotech<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our laser control features allow users to untangle the process parameters forcing critical design compromises in many laser machining centers. 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