What is a laser technology?
Principle of the laser technology
There is generated laser (coherent and monochromatic) wave in an excited laser source and its gradual accumulation leads to a significant energetic power. After its amplification comes to its exit out of the laser source in the laser beam form. Laser beam properties are edited by the passing through special optical components. This modified laser beam, additionally focused through the lens, enters the workspace.
Laser technology advantages:
top quality and accuracy- reproducibility
- speed
- high flexibility
- use for almost any material
- contactless and clean processing
easy integration into line- process precision
- reduction of production costs
- minimal environment effect
- no consumables
- long life
The verb laser is from english (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation). It comes to the light amplification by the repeated photon passings through the medium with specific opportunities.
Laser is an optical source of electromagnetic radiation (light), when the laser light is emitted in the form of a narrow beam, and unlike natural light sources has substantially specific properties - consistency (the same frequency waves, the direction of oscillation and phase) and monochromaticity (single wavelength).
Laser technology was considered to be hardly achievable as a technology for routine industrial use. However, it gradually gains wider posibillity of use in almost all areas of industrial production. Using the unique properties of laser radiation can further streamline a number of applications to achieve top quality and reduce production costs. Today's laser systems are practically trouble-free, they can be considered the most stable elements of the production lines. Each system has due to its parameters different strengths and assumptions for use.
Oveerview of the industrial laser use:
Use of laser in Lintech:
Laser technology according to application:
| Laser marking | metal, aluminum, plastics (also composite), glass, wood, leather, ceramics |
| Laser welding | metals, plastics |
| Laser engraving | steel, structural steel, copper, brass, two-layer plastics, dual-layer self-adhesive foil, wood, glass, anodized aluminum |
| Laser welding with additive materials | metals, plastics |
| Laser cutting | metals, plastics |
| Laser drilling | metals, plastics |
Lasers safety
Class 1
Lasers safed by operating conditions, that can be expected with sufficiently high probability, including the conditions for beam monitoring using optical devices. There is not specified the time of radiation exposure in this case. This class also includes highly-performance lasers, which have a shielded radiation from its surroundings, and when you open this cover the laser system automatically shuts down.
Class 1M
Lasers emitting in the wavelength range from 302.5 nm to 4000 nm, which are safe by operating conditions, that can be expected with sufficiently high probability, but can be dangerous by using optical devices for tracking inside the beam. Lasers classified as Class 1M have total output power under the class 3B but its power, which is able to pass through the retina, belongs to the Class 1.
Class 2
Lasers emitting in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 700 nm. An eye protection is normally provided as physiological reaction involving winking reflex, which does not expose the human eye to bright light for longer than 0.25 seconds (deliberated winking suppression may in this case result to the eyesight damage. This reaction can be regarded as sufficient to ensure an adequate protection by operating conditions, that can be expected with sufficiently high probability, including the use of optical devices for tracking inside the beam. Class 2 lasers are limited by the output value 1 mW in continuous mode. The output power value can be increased if the radiation time is not longer than 0.25 seconds or radiation is not spatially coherent. This class includes for example most laser pointers.
Class 2M
Lasers emitting visible radiation in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 700 nm. An eye protection is normally provided as physiological reaction involving winking reflex. However, the laser output monitoring can be more dangerous in case of use optical devices for tracking inside the beam. Lasers with a large beam cross-section or a large divergence belong to this class. Light passing through the eye pupil must not exceed Class 2 performance.
Class 3R
Lasers emitting in the wavelength range from 302.5 nm to 106 nm. The direct tracking inside the beam is potentially dangerous, but the risk is lower than with Class 3B lasers. There is required fewer manufacturing requirements and control values for users than for Class 3B lasers. The permissible radiation limit (AEL) is five times more than the acceptable radiation AEL limit for Class 2 in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 700 nm, and five times more than the acceptable AEL radiation limit for Class 1 for other wavelengths. Maximum Class 3R lasers power operating in the visible wavelength and in a continuous mode is 5mW. There are used different limit values for pulse modes and other wavelengths.
Class 3B
Lasers normally dangerous if there is a direct beam radiation (in a distance of eye injury hazard). Diffuse reflection monitoring is safe under normal conditions. The limit power value is up to 0.5 W for lasers operating in continuous mode and in the wavelength range from 315nm to the far infrared. the limit value is set by pulse energy 30mJ for pulsed lasers with wavelength 400-700nm (visible light).
Class 4
The direct laser radiation causes severe eye injuries with permanent and severe eyesight impairments. Diffuse reflection is also dangerous in case of nonobservance of the minimum safe distance. Class 4 lasers are severely able to cut and burn the skin. It is imminent an ignition by the interaction with combustible materials. Lasers with higher performance or higher pulse energy than Class 3B lasers are all included into class 4.