Camera based system for laser beam online monitoring

Abstract

Surface hardening with high power diode lasers has been developed to an industrial accepted process in the last years. The multiple adoption of this complex process in the industrial environment makes great demands on process control, safety und simplification. To meet these demands a special camera based monitoring system has been developed. This system is able to monitor many laser beam characteristics during the hardening process online, which creates new options regarding the process quality control. Furthermore typical commercial high power diode lasers emit two different wavelengths superposed to one beam. For a proper verification of the beam characteristics the system can measure each wavelength separately in real time. It is possible to acquire and control laser beam shapes, which are generated, e.g., by a scanning system. As sensor a low cost camera is used. All parameters like accuracy, resolution and the measured spectrum are adaptable to the specific requirements. The system can be integrated very easily in existing hardening systems and is controlled by software. The state of the development of this system is demonstrated on typical applications.Surface hardening with high power diode lasers has been developed to an industrial accepted process in the last years. The multiple adoption of this complex process in the industrial environment makes great demands on process control, safety und simplification. To meet these demands a special camera based monitoring system has been developed. This system is able to monitor many laser beam characteristics during the hardening process online, which creates new options regarding the process quality control. Furthermore typical commercial high power diode lasers emit two different wavelengths superposed to one beam. For a proper verification of the beam characteristics the system can measure each wavelength separately in real time. It is possible to acquire and control laser beam shapes, which are generated, e.g., by a scanning system. As sensor a low cost camera is used. All parameters like accuracy, resolution and the measured spectrum are adaptable to the specific requirements. The system can be integrated...