30 Aug 2007 CO2 lasers are very powerful and reliable laser sources. However, the 10 µm wavelength has the disadvantage that it cannot be seen with the naked human eye nor can it be measured with simple and inexpensive detectors such as cameras or diodes. RayTools AG was the first company to develop a simple, inexpensive CO2 laser beam positioning sensor with the BeamTool on a commercial basis.
The positioning sensor features a robust display. Bright, highly visible LEDs indicate the beam position in a crosshair. The maximum accuracy is 0.25 mm in the center.
Using a serial interface, the display can be connected to a PC. The software provided shows the position of the beam center (more precisely: the center of gravity of the beam) both graphically and digitally. It also contains information on medium output power.
In order to measure in real time, i.e. without a pause between single pulses (as is done with paper burning), the sensor is cooled with compressed air of approximately 1.5 bars. The position of the center of gravity of the beam can be determined by the absorbed heat, which results in reaction times of approximately one second.
The sensor has very compact dimensions. The diameter of the detector surface is 50 mm. The sensor can, therefore, fit almost anywhere in place of a mirror in a typical mirror mount.
In summary, it can be said that the BeamTool from RayTools is a simple, compact, and inexpensive measuring system, with which the position of a CO2 laser beam can be measured. Laser systems can be adjusted in real time and guaranteed without contaminating the mirror surfaces.
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