Solutions for Industrial Alignment

Laser modules provide a clear visual tool for easy alignment, using spot, lines or cross optics

Precision alignment is fundamental for many industrial applications. It is used to align textiles, to automatically position saw blades in a timber mill and to align wheels in assembly and servicing in the automotive industry. There can be a wide range of requirements for industrial alignment applications, depending on what must be aligned and how the laser is visualized.

If the laser is designed to form a visual guide, a highly visible laser is required, normally 635nm, providing a bright red laser beam, or 532nm providing a very clear green laser. In other applications, where the alignment laser is monitored with a camera or similar detector, a higher wavelength is preferable to maximize the signal-to-noise of the sensor. Typically these applications will use a red laser at 650nm or wavelengths in the near infra-red.

Optics need be incorporated into a laser module to give the clearest output to ease the alignment process. For many applications, such as sawing timber or aligning paper in a mill, this will be a line output. Lenses are selected from a range of fan angles to give the best line length for your set-up and design. In other applications a cross is preferable, to align textiles for example. This allows an extra dimension in the alignment, giving more precision and improved accuracy. Alternatively a spot output may be preferable. ProPhotonix solutions are well suited to drilling applications and others that are similar. In these type of applications, you must be able to see exactly where you are drilling, and then ensure that you continue to follow a straight path. A laser module provides a clear guide throughout the process.

At ProPhotonix we can work with you to provide you with a module of the wavelength, power and optical configuration most suited to your requirements. Our experience helps us to design compact, low power modules for high volume OEM systems, or high precision modules to work in hostile environments and everything in between.