Beam attenuation is critical because lasers designed for cutting sheet steel will have no trouble cutting through a beam profiler if the beam power isn't attenuated.
Beam profiling characterizes the size, shape, quality, and focal position of a laser beam. Whether the application is a few milliWatts in power or several kWatts, beam profiling is used to test optical designs, verify laser performance, or monitor the performance of laser systems.
...Introduction
Since cavemen first figured out how to throw rocks and shoot arrows, our ability to precisely deliver power has come a long way.
High-power laser beams, by delivering a lot of power into a small and precisely controlled space, now help us manufacture components that would have been difficult - if not impossible - using purely mechanical means. Automotive and aircraft manufacture, shipbuilding, and similar heavy-industry applications have been dramatically changed...
When purchasing a laser, learning how to apply, troubleshoot, and evaluate that device is very important.
Given the pace at which technology advances, there always seems to be a learning curve. With the abundance of consumer electronics available, there typically is no right or wrong way to use these devices — the choice usually comes down to the method that best suits the end user. However, when purchasing a highly advanced device for use in the workplace, such as a laser,...
The importance of precisely measuring LiDAR parameters and its impact on the performance and construction of LiDAR systems
Many experts believe LiDAR is one of the pivotal sensing technologies required to make partial to full autonomous vehicles possible. The most promising way seems to be combining LiDAR with other detection/ranging systems like cameras and radar products into a suite of detection & ranging systems allowing autonomous vehicles to use at least two independent...
Measurement considerations of disinfection methods based on UV radiation for fighting COVID-19 in the current pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on disinfection technology. UV radiation is a promising approach to prevent airborne infections and infections caused by exposure to contaminated surfaces. It has long been known as an option to inactivate pathogenic microorganisms, especially for water disinfection. Today, it is increasingly used in surface disinfection...
Luminous surface of the luminaire close to parallel with the top surface of FluxGage.
The FluxGage system was designed for testing LED luminaires. FluxGage provides the same functionality as an integrating sphere system in a compact form factor. This application note explains basic setup and usage of FluxGage.
The FluxGage system measures total flux using photovoltaic cells. An array of pinholes covering the photovoltaic cells creates an effect of having many radiometers which sample the flux from the light source. Color is measured using a calibrated spectrometer connected via fiber to a diffuser located at the bottom of the system. The accuracy of color measurement using FluxGage depends therefore on how well colors are mixed in the measured light source. Because FluxGage uses a different approach than used in the integrating sphere, a...
The demand for LED luminaires is growing exponentially. For example, a major Midwest city recently ordered several hundred thousand LED luminaires to replace street lights. Lower operating costs of LED luminaires is driving both commercial and consumer demand. Other attributes of LED luminaires include better and more uniform illumination and the ability to tailor the color of the LED’s to the correct mixture for the individual applications. All of these are major advantages over the use of sodium vapor lamps or traditional...
The new photometric system called ‘FluxGage’ measures the light properties of LED luminaires. A diffuser and a black pinhole array placed over a solar panel form a detection surface which is also a black absorber. The FluxGage, which has a cuboid shape, has this detection surface on five of its six faces, which enables capturing all the light from forward emitting luminaires. Insensitive to reflections, thanks to the black detection surfaces, the system can be at the same size as the DUT (Device Under Test), as opposed to an...
We present a novel photometric test system for LED luminaires. The new photometric system called „FluxGage“ uses solar panels to detect and measure light. By placing a diffuser and a black pinhole array over a solar panels we achieve a detection surface which is also an absorber. This enables the system to be the same size as the DUT (Device Under Test), as opposed to an integrating sphere which is at least 3 times larger than the DUT. Simulations and experimental results show that this system can measure total flux with an...
LED technology has opened up completely new perspectives in recent years: Energy-efficient and compact new lighting scenarios are now a reality for private and public spaces alike. The world leader in LED lighting, Signify – formerly Philips Lighting – has played a major role in this progress. Signify‘s track record of innovation is impressive, but to ensure that it maintains its edge in the future, the company continuously invests in research and development. Thanks to an innovative measuring system, development times in...
The authorities in Wallonia have decreed: All standard HID lamps will be replaced with LED technology by 2030. ORES, a regional provider of distribution networks that serves over 75% of the municipalities throughout Wallonia, faces the challenge of switching out all 443,164 lights in public spaces by then. In order to ensure the quality of the LED lights before installation, ORES relies on Ophir FluxGage technology for measuring LED luminaires. In just seconds, the compact light measurement device delivers all relevant parameters for...
The laser seam welding of sheets of zinc-coated steel – a combination of metals with disparate melting and evaporation properties – used to be a major challenge for the automotive industry. But Volkswagen AG is pursuing a promising approach with multi-focal laser welding: A newly developed process enables significantly higher welding speeds than is otherwise possible with conventional mono-focal laser beam welding systems. After a development period of just three years, the process was registered for a patent. The development of...
Ophir's new IS1.5-VIS-FPD800 offers several advantages for measuring VCSEL's in a single instrument:
Ophir's Centauri display can be used to log and analyze measurements at 10KHz either as a standalone meter, or using the StarLab PC software...
Five crucial questions to ask when developing a measurement strategy
Is additive manufacturing ready for mass-production? The answer really boils down to reproducibility. When it comes to selective laser melting, both the manufacturers of the laser systems and the users thereof have recognized that the constancy of the laser parameters is of great importance in the production process. But is it possible to test this quickly and cost-effectively during operation? Learn how measuring the laser power is a good indicator of changes...
IR laser technology from Scanovis revolutionizes forensics; Ophir measurement technology simplifies adjustment of the optics.
According to the developers at Scanovis – a start-up company based in Koblenz – brushes, powder and chemicals will soon be tools of the past for securing evidence at crime scenes. The company has developed a laser-based solution that, among other things, uses IR laser radiation to detect fingerprints at the scene of a crime, quickly making them visible...
Optimizing and controlling laser processes right from the start
Automakers are investing heavily in electric cars: major investments that come with major challenges. But those who plan strategically and integrate the latest technologies directly into their production processes will not only save in the long term but also ensure both battery quality and safe vehicle operation. New manufacturing concepts and the technologies of e-...
There is little debate about how Additive Manufacturing is adding benefits and changing the face of manufacturing in our modern age. Additive Manufacturing allows for the manufacturing of more customized parts, using more specialized materials, and will eventually create a more localized, rapid, and agile distribution network than what have been used to.
But use of the technology associated with Additive Manufacturing does not come without challenges. The investment into Additive...
Background
High power laser application has significantly increased in recent years due to new production techniques that enable cheaper manufacturing and operating costs. Applications of high-power lasers that seemed exotic a few years ago are now considered routine in material processing and micromachining.
Such material processing applications as welding, cutting, additive manufacturing, marking, and engraving are now performed using lasers, enabling higher precision, faster rates, and increased variability....
Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies IAPT relies on BeamWatch AM in laser beam melting (LBM) processes
The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Additive Manufacturing Technologies IAPT has set a goal for itself to automate additive production and use this technology to manufacture the products of tomorrow in a resource-efficient manner. A consistently high level of quality in the manufactured components is decisive for whether the laser-based...
To select the Ophir FluxGage model that will best suit your needs, first consider two questions: What size are the luminaires that you plan to measure (what is their light emitting surface size), and what is their expected luminous flux? The answers to these questions will help you find the right solution. The following table lists the specifications for each of the different FluxGage models:
| Model name | FluxGage 600 | ... |
