Affordable, sustainable laser welding and cutting

Manufacturers are turning to just-in-time production to meet the needs of complex, ever-changing supply chains. This means the production process has to be extremely efficient – and smooth – with every component coming out just right.

For processes using laser cutting and welding, this involves using laser measurements to make sure the laser is interacting correctly with the materials being processed. For an efficient system, automated measurements are ideal – but these are often costly.

Let’s take a look at Ophir’s article, which highlights how laser cutting and welding processes can be kept running at maximum performance, while still being both affordable, and sustainable.

Quality problems are often the heart of component failure – slowing down production lines. Sadly, in many cases, quality control lags behind the advanced laser technologies. If systems are rarely tested, and outdated measurement systems are used – there’s a real risk of creating subpar products which would slow down the production lines and cause many unhappy customers.

Especially when it comes to the high power lasers used in industrial processes, tight tolerances must be met – and that can only be done if continuous beam profiling  is performed.

If thermal changes occur, early awareness and preventative maintenance is key to making sure the finished components are not affected.

So, how can this be done without going over budget?

Ophir brings hope with its BeamWatch contactless measurement system, based on Rayleigh scattering – the scattering of electromagnetic waves by particles smaller than the radiation’s wavelength, such as oxygen or nitrogen molecules in the air. It can take real-time laser profiling measurements without touching the laser beam.

The BeamWatch Integrated takes this once step further, as it can be integrated into automated production lines, for super efficient and high quality processes.

Not only are these systems affordable in themselves – but laser monitoring also saves money down the line – as any quality problems can be detected as early as possible, leading towards zero-defect production – perfect for efficient, just-in-time production lines.

And – as contactless measurement systems don’t touch the laser beams, they don’t degrade over time – – making them sustainable too, with no need for maintenance.

See the article to find out more about this incredible technology.