|
Safe and efficient optical alignment is a critical requirement for industrial laser systems used in a
high volume manufacturing environment. Of specific interest is the development of techniques to
align beam shaping optics within a beam line; having the ability to instantly verify by a
qualitative means that each element is in its proper position as the beam shaper module is being
aligned. There is a need to reduce these types of alignment techniques down to a level where
even a newbie to optical alignment will be able to complete the task. Couple this alignment need
with the fact that most laser system manufacturers ship their products worldwide and the
introduction of a new set of variables including cultural and language barriers, makes this a top
priority for manufacturers. Tools and methodologies for alignment of complex optical systems
need to be able to cross these barriers to ensure the highest degree of up time and reduce the cost
of maintenance on the production floor. Customers worldwide, who purchase production laser
equipment, understand that the majority of costs to a manufacturing facility is spent on system
maintenance and is typically the largest single controllable expenditure in a production plant.
This desire to reduce costs is driving the trend these days towards predictive and proactive, not
reactive maintenance of laser based optical beam delivery systems [10]. With proper diagnostic
tools, laser system developers can develop proactive approaches to reduce system down time,
safe guard operational performance and reduce premature or catastrophic optics failures.
Obviously analytical data will provide quantifiable performance standards which are more
precise than qualitative standards, but each have a role in determining overall optical system
performance [10]. This paper will discuss the use of film and fluorescent mirror devices as
diagnostic tools for beam shaper module alignment off line or in-situ. The paper will also
provide an overview methodology showing how it is possible to reduce complex alignment
directions into a simplified set of instructions for layman service engineers.
|
