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Fiber lasers in modern industry
The high-powered fiber lasers have a wide list of applications in many industries. And as more applications of these fiber lasers are developed, more manufacturers think that industrial fiber laser systems are reliable and cost-effective.
As it happened with any other industrial instrument, fiber laser technology has advanced significantly in the last few decades. However, there are still several myths relating to their operation, maintenance, etc. Let’s see the most common myths.
Common myths in fiber laser maintenance
Myth 1: Fiber lasers don’t require a lot of monitoring
The first myth is that fiber lasers don’t require a lot of monitoring. From the very beginning, CO2 lasers were used as an industrial tool. CO2 lasers have relatively inexpensive operating costs and are easy to maintain. Nowadays, they are still applied. However, the appearance of fiber lasers changed the whole industry. Fiber lasers have more advantages in comparison with CO2 lasers such as improved beam quality and decreased maintenance. As high-quality and reliable as today’s fiber laser systems have become, the whole laser module is still made of physical components that can fail after long-term use. Especially when fiber lasers are used in severe industrial environments. It increases the chances of failure of components, resulting in decreased efficiency and increased operational costs. That is why periodic maintenance on the fiber laser systems is necessary.
Myth 2: Turn up the power if performance drops
The second myth is that you should turn up the power when the fiber laser isn’t performing as needed. In fact, there are different reasons for fiber lasers‘ and CO2 lasers‘ losing effectiveness. The most common is an increased thermal effect on the fiber laser system because of an aged, damaged, or contaminated optic. This effect causes decreased power density. Modern fiber laser measurement tools can help in performing and optimizing such systems.
Myth 3: Measurements are expensive and time-consuming
The third myth is that measurements on a fiber laser system are expensive and time-consuming. However, with the progress in optical components, and computing power, fiber laser measurement products became smaller, faster, and more cost-effective. They have developed into useful maintenance instruments that can be embedded into different other systems. Moreover, fiber laser systems became easier in operation and were adapted to harsher production environments.
Myth 4: Performance management doesn’t require measurement
The fourth myth is that the fiber laser processes can be managed just fine with or without fiber laser measurement. In this situation, specialists hope that the performance remains constant until something goes wrong. To be sure that fiber lasers will perform consistently over time, there should be key performance measurements. When these fiber laser options are not known, it can lead to scrapped parts. A properly maintained fiber laser system consumes less power and maximizes profit.
Myth 5: Old measurement technologies provide sufficient data
And the fifth myth is that old fiber laser measurement technologies were tested by time, so they provide us with enough data about the fiber lasers. Specialists who follow this rule still use very simple instruments for fiber laser maintenance. In contrast, modern fiber laser measurement products allow conducting short or long analyses of fiber laser performance and can offer more data.
In conclusion, we should say that more data about fiber laser performance means industry process improvement.
About Optromix Inc.
Optromix Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, MA, USA, is a manufacturer of laser technologies, optical fiber sensors, and optical monitoring systems. We develop and manufacture a broad variety of Fiber lasers, СО 2 lasers, Ti: Sapphire lasers, Dye lasers, and Excimer Lasers. We offer simple Erbium laser and Ytterbium laser products, as well as sophisticated laser systems with unique characteristics, based on the client’s inquiry.
Manufacturing expertise
We manufacture laser modules using our technologies based on the advanced research work and patents of the international R&D team. Laser processes are high-quality, high-precision, easily-automated manufacturing solutions that provide repeatability and flexibility.
If you are interested in Optromix fiber laser systems or Optromix CO2 lasers, please contact us at info@optromix.com