A precisely calibrated process field is absolutely essential if the machine and laser are to work hand-in-hand and do their job perfectly. The laser system’s optical and mechanical tolerances lead to deviation between the theoretical correction file and the real process field. If high demands are placed on the laser beam’s positioning accuracy on the workpiece, these deviations need to be measured with extreme precision and the correction file needs to be updated with the precisely measured values.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
We have developed the new SCAN FIELD CALIBRATOR for the laser processing of large components that are particularly in demand in additive manufacturing and electromobility. It is making the transition from manual to automated calibration of laser process fields – even those of larger dimensions. At the same time, it offers unrivalled accuracy and enormously reduces the time and expense required previously: Agonisingly long measurements that take up staff resources become a thing of the past, at the same time quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness in laser material processing increase.
UNRIVALLED PRECISION AND QUALITY
The average correction accuracy in the 600 x600 field is in the range of ± 15 µm under the right conditions, so it’s advancing into accuracy ranges that couldn’t be achieved with previous methods. Overlapping scan fields can also be precisely aligned with one another. The average measurement accuracy is ± 4 µm with a standard deviation of 2 µm. The more accurate the measuring system, the better your end product.
EXTREME SAVINGS IN TERMS OF BOTH TIME AND EFFORT
Automation means that many steps are no longer needed in contrast to manual calibration. There’s no need to manually enter the measured values in calibration tables or to manually measure the measuring points with a magnifying glass / ruler. There’s no need to manually align overlapping scan fields to one another or further iterations. Just 1 x laser, 1 x scan, 1 x correction file update – and that’s you done. What’s more, no more measuring resources are required. And no specialists are tied up either. The duration of the complete correction process is particularly impressive: with the SFC, it’s usually only approx. 10 – 20 minutes in contrast to several hours with manual calibration.
ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS
The SFC can calibrate fields measuring up to 600 x 600 mm² with a scan field correction accuracy in the
10-20 µm range. Even overlapping scan fields are automatically aligned to each other. The complete calibration process is performed with just a few quick clicks via a user interface (SFC GUI). The data is read out digitally and transferred to the SFC software. There is no media discontinuity, eliminating the need for the staff to have specific knowledge of the interface. All the measurement results are fully reliable, and the handling is very user-friendly due to Plug & Play. With regard to sustainability, you save costs since no additional measuring equipment is needed and you avoid waste, too.