There are lots of reasons why you might need a new industrial laser. Maybe your current laser system uses outdated technology or you’re opening up a new facility. Maybe you have a new product that requires laser marking, cutting, drilling or another application.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
Whatever the reason, there are certain questions you should ask yourself during the evaluation process. Industrial lasers are a significant investment, and you need to make sure your laser will solve your manufacturing challenges.
These first few questions will help you determine the right laser for your application.
This question might seem obvious, but it does need to be asked. Technology changes fast, and the range of laser options has increased substantially in the last few years. To figure out your best laser solution, consider the type, range and power. This question is a good starting point and will help you narrow down your choices.
No matter the application—marking, etching, drilling or welding—your industrial laser needs to meet the quality standards set by your company.
You’ll likely have to integrate the laser into a larger system, so it’s important to determine the acceptable speed at which it must perform its function. You may need to consider different options.
After narrowing down your laser choices, you’ll need to verify the laser will be able to complete the required task consistently and within your time constraints.
This question is about quality control. You should review all aspects of the laser’s performance as it relates to the specific product and material to be processed. It’s also important to validate the following areas for quality:
The validation process often requires a well-equipped laser applications lab with vision systems, IR detection and other validation equipment, such as high-powered microscopes and imaging systems.
In addition, it’s helpful to be able to experiment with wavelengths—a process that requires access to different optics and accessories to ensure you’re getting the best results for your application.
An industrial laser rarely works on its own and is part of a larger manufacturing process that often involves automation, material handling, operators and robotics. Considering the greater scope—and how the laser will work best in that system—is essential.
Bear in mind, you may need to do some experimentation to find the right combination of automated elements to meet your business’s needs.
By making such a significant purchase, you’re investing in the future. While growth is not certain, it is the goal. You want to be sure your capital investment will not only handle current production needs, but also support future production goals.
At the end of the day, you need to know your investment is going to fulfill your manufacturing requirements and integrate well into your existing systems. Not all laser manufacturers offer these assurances—leaving you to use your best judgement and analysis.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Yinglai.
As a laser integrator, we’ll work with you to develop customized laser solutions that are built and designed according to your application and integration requirements. We call this process Laser-Focused Engineering, which combines best-of-class lasers, application knowledge, cutting-edge machine vision technologies and automated part-handling capabilities.
Find out more about our Laser-Focused Engineering, including how it can help you choose the right laser for your operation. And check out our additional Industrial Laser Buying Guide resource, which examines five key differences when selecting a laser integrator versus a laser manufacturer.
How long will my glasses protect me?
There is no simple answer to this question. Some glasses are worn-out after only one year, while others look like new after four years. This depends on several factors such as careful treatment, proper care, and environmental factors. A pair of glasses that are treated with care, cleaned according to instructions and used in a laboratory setting will certainly outlast a pair of glasses that are treated carelessly and perhaps even worn by several different people in a rough production environment.
Glasses that show any damage whatsoever (e.g. a damaged or scratched filter, colour changes in the filter, damaged metal enforcement of the frames) should not be used. If you are in doubt, please contact our technical support for a safety inspection of your glasses.
Instructions for cleaning and disinfecting laservision laser safety eyewear to download
Can you repair laser safety glasses?
Of course laservision repairs its own frames and replaces damaged filters. Please contact laservision or one of our customer representatives by , fax or mail for details.
Why is the beam diameter so important for the calculation of the protection level?
This has to do with the resistance time the filter will withstand a direct hit. It is necessary to calculate the damage threshold – which is the highest value that the material can withstand. The unit is power or energy density, i.e. the power or energy per square metre. For this calculation the pulse energy or average power of the laser and the beam area is needed. Without the diameter it is neither possible to calculate the beam area nor the energy or power density. Therefore it is impossible to know what the filter has to withstand in case of a direct laser hit.
Can I see the laser beam with the glasses?
The laser beam itself cannot be seen; what might be seen by visible laser wavelength is mostly the spot where the laser beam hits an object or some scattered light from dust in the air. Laser safety eyewear is usually designed as full protection eyewear (EN 207). Such filters protect against laser radiation of the specified wavelength or wavelengths ranges and absorb or reflect the beam completely. So the beam spot even of visible laser radiation is not visible anymore. If it is still visible, this would mean that the protection level of the glasses is not high enough, or that secondary radiation (at a different wavelength) is generated. Please check carefully whether the marking of the lasersafety
eyewear matches the requirements of the laser.
The protection of carefully selected eyewear will remain stable when hit by the laser throughout a minimum period of 10 seconds and 100 pulses under standardised conditions. Nevertheless, it is under no circumstances advisable to look into the beam directly.
What can I do when I have to align my visible laser? Do I have to put down my glasses?
Never put down your laser safety glasses when working with lasers above class II. There are so called alignment glasses available for this purpose, (acc. to EN 208 for 400 – 700 nm only). These filters are suitable for aligning lasers which emit dangerous radiation in the visible spectral range. Alignment filters do not absorb or reflect the laser radiation completely. The radiation is only reduced to values below 1mW for continuous wave lasers (see laser class 2). It must be taken care, that the average power of the laser does not exceed the power (R – protection level) given on the glasses.
Can I look right into the laser beam with my laser safety glasses?
Laser safety glasses are designed to protect your eyes against an accidental direct hit of the laser beam. They are not designed for long-term or intra beam laser viewing conditions. A properly selected pair of glasses will protect you under standardised conditions against a direct look into the laser, but only for minimum 10 seconds/100 pulses.
You have quoted red filters. Can I have the glasses with a different colour?
The colour of absorption filters cannot be chosen at random, but depends on the wavelength the filters protect against. To protect against wavelengths in the UV-region or the lower visible (blue radiation), a yellow or orange filter is usually offered. A red filter is usually used to protect against wavelengths in the green region. Please take into consideration that you may not select glasses by the colour. Always make sure that the quoted or available pair of glasses matches the requirements of your laser.
Pure coated filters (interference structure on clear substrates), do not affect the colour recognition and possess a high daylight transmission additionally.
I have a pair of glasses (e.g. for a Nd:YAG Laser). Can I use them for my new laser as well?
Before this question can be answered you must determine the specific requirements of your new laser (wavelength, operational parameters, viewing conditions, etc) and calculate the protection level according to the EN 207/208 standard. When these parameters are known, verify that the marking on your existing pair of glasses matches these requirements. If you are not sure, please call us. We will carry out the calculation and check for you.
Please note: The thoughtless use of a pair of laser safety glasses for a different application (different wavelength or different power/energy than calculated before) may cause the loss of your eyesight.
Why is there no pair of glasses covering all my lasers?
The radiation that is visible to humans lies between 380–780 nm (the exact limits are different in each person). In order to cover all lasers you would need a material that does not transmit any radiation for visible radiation, which means it is completely black. When you block all visible radiation, the only wavelengths left are invisible to the human eye. If you have several lasers in this area, then it is necessary to use several pairs of glasses.
But even if you do not want to completely block all wavelengths or have ’just a few wavelengths‘ to cover, the glasses may be too dark. Usually the protection within a material slowly increases spectrally until it reaches the required protection level at a given wavelength. This means that it not only covers the required wavelength but also areas below and above it (with lower Optical Density). Therefore, if you want to cover several wavelengths in the visible spectrum the Optical Density curves will overlap resulting in dark filters or glasses.
Do you have laser safety glasses with “Class 4”?
For more Laser Vision Sensor for Special Welding Machineinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.