BeamMonitor BM+
Deconstructing the Collimated Beam.
Leveraging high-speed scanning technology and intelligent algorithms, the PRIMES BM+ offers comprehensive analysis of unfocused laser beams. From conventional round beams to complex, custom shapes, it delivers a precise profile every time, making it an indispensable visualization tool for your industrial and research applications.
In many high-power laser applications, the beam is in an unfocused or "collimated" state before it reaches the processing zone. A precise understanding of this beam's shape, size, position, and power density distribution is crucial for ensuring process stability and final product quality. The PRIMES BM+ Collimated Beam Monitoring System is the advanced instrument designed specifically to meet this critical need.
The BM+ is an opto-mechanical scanning measurement system designed specifically for diagnosing unfocused, continuous wave (CW) lasers, with a wavelength range extending from the visible spectrum to the mid-infrared. It can quickly and reliably measure basic beam parameters such as beam position, beam dimensions, beam symmetry, and power density distribution.
What makes the BM+ so special?
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Beam Scanning and Sampling
The BM+ scans the laser beam using a special high-speed rotating measuring probe. This probe typically has a tiny pinhole and a mirror to collect a small portion of the laser beam's light.
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Light Signal Guidance and Detection
The collected light is guided by another mirror to a detector, the choice and configuration of which is selected based on the laser wavelength being used.
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Power Density Distribution Reconstruction
By moving the rotating disk (orthogonal to the laser beam's propagation direction), the BM+ can record the power density distribution of the laser beam. The high orbital speed of the probe helps in analyzing high power density beams.
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High Dynamic Range and Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Thanks to its high-dynamic-range analog-to-digital converter, the BM+ can achieve a very high signal-to-noise ratio, meaning it can display very low intensities and high peak intensities with the same precision.
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Intelligent Analysis Algorithms
The BM+ is equipped with newly developed algorithms that can automatically identify and analyze rectangular laser beams, which is particularly important for heat treatment or other applications requiring specific spot shapes. In addition to transverse lengths, it can also accurately calculate parameters such as the beam's azimuth, edge steepness, flatness, and uniformity.
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Automated Measurement and Data Tracking
Through the LaserDiagnosticsSoftware (LDS), the BM+ can be set to repeat measurements automatically at preset intervals. This allows users to accumulate measurement data indefinitely to track changes in beam shape or position over long periods. For analysis over shorter intervals, the Linescan function can provide a measurement frequency of up to 25 Hz.
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Robust and Easy to Integrate
The BM+ has a compact and robust design, making it ideal for harsh industrial environments. It supports Ethernet and RS485 interfaces, making it easy to integrate into various production systems.
Who is the BM+ suitable for?
The PRIMES BM+ Collimated Laser Beam Monitoring System is the ideal tool for professionals in the following fields:
- Laser Manufacturers: For comprehensive quality verification of their unfocused beam characteristics before the laser leaves the factory.
- Automotive Industry: For monitoring the stability of collimated lasers in processes such as heat treatment and surface modification.
- Additive Manufacturing: For ensuring the uniformity of collimated beams in certain pre-processing or post-processing stages.
- R&D and Process Optimization: For in-depth research into the interaction between unfocused lasers and materials, developing new laser applications, and optimizing existing processes.
- Quality Management: For establishing standardized inspection procedures for collimated laser beams to ensure production consistency and reliability.
- Scientific Research: For precise and detailed characterization of various laser beams in a laboratory environment.
Detailed Specifications
| MEASUREMENT PARAMETERS | BM+ 60 | BM+ 100S |
|---|---|---|
| Power range | 50 – 25000 W | |
| Wavelength range | 450 – 1090 or 10600 nm | |
| Beam diameter | 5 – 42 mm (450 – 1090 nm) 10 – 42 mm (CO2) |
10 – 70 mm |
| Min. power density (CO2 only) 1) | 0.1 kW/cm² | 0.2 kW/cm² |
| Max. power density 1) | 10 kW /cm² | |
| Max. beam divergence | 100 mrad | |
| Irradiation time | 2 s – infinity | |
| A/D conversion | 16 bit | |
| Nominal measuring frequency | Linescan 25 Hz | Linescan 30 Hz |
| DETERMINED PARAMETERS | ||
| Beam position x, y | Yes | |
| Beam dimensions x, y | Yes | |
| Power density distribution | 2D, 3D | |
| Linescan | Yes | |
| DEVICE PARAMETERS | ||
| Working Range x-y | 60 x 60 mm | 100 x 100 mm |
| Measurement window sizes | 0.1 x 0.1 mm – 60 x 60 mm | 0.1 x 0.1 mm – 100 x 100 mm |
| Resolution | 32 x 32 – 1024 x 1024 px | |
| Rotation speed of the measuring tip | 1562 min-1 | |
| Accuracy | ± 5 % | |
| Reproducibility | ± 3 % | |
| SUPPLY DATA | ||
| Power supply | 24V DC ± 5 %, max. 1.8 A | |
| COMMUNICATION | ||
| Interfaces | Ethernet, RS485 | |
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | ||
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 316 × 212 × 83 mm | 436 × 292 × 83 mm |
| Weight (approx.) | 9 kg | 10 kg |
| 1) Lower/higher powers and power densities on request | ||
In summary, with its precise measurement capabilities, analysis of complex beam shapes, robust industrial design, and automated measurement functions, the PRIMES BM+ is an indispensable tool in the field of high-power unfocused laser diagnostics.
