PRODUCTS FOR LASER BEAM ANALYSISIN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Laser Powder Bed Fusion
This technology is cutting-edge and has initiated a revolution in production
halls. The ability to digitally reproduce shapes using 3D printing and “conjuring up” three-dimensional parts practically without tools just by building
them up layer by layer has broken the mould for traditional production
processes. The more complex a component is, the more economical it will
be to produce it using additive processes, whether a dental prosthesis, aturbine unit or replacement parts for a car.
The requirements for beam diagnostics in Laser Powder Bed Fusion(LPBF) are as diverse as the possibilities of the process itself! Single-modelasers, focused on a hair‘s diameter, fly within narrow limits over a build
chamber to produce safety-critical parts. However, especially when using
multiple laser sources to increase productivity, the dynamic interaction of
all lasers, scanners, and optics is crucial for the accuracy with which production can take place. As a result, introducing new laser sources offering
tunable beam quality is attracting more and more attention.
A solution that targets the process‘s needs and the users‘ requirements
must generate a holistic picture of the laser—measuring the actual poweror the propagation of the laser (both centrally and at an angle) whilst in
motion is, therefore, one of the main objectives.
Time is money: When developing unique solutions, our customer‘s benefit is always one of our main objectives. PRIMES products have wirelesscommunication and do not require any additional media. As a result, setup
times are reduced to a minimum.

Measuring in Confined Spaces –ScanFieldMonitor and Cube M
Two must-have tools for your Additive Manufacturing toolbox! Characterizing lasers
and scanners according to current Additive Manufacturing standards has neverbeen faster and more reliable.

The ScanFieldMonitor SFM was developed
specifically to meet the requirements of Additive Manufacturing machines (SLM or LPBF).
The SFM operates by detecting the scatteredlaser light on a structured glass plate and isindependent of the beam intensity.
The SFM does not require any physicalconnections to operate. There is no need fora supply of cooling water. No cables need tobe run into the process area. The SFM canmeasure process-oriented parameters (e.g.
focus position (x,y,z), spot diameter, scanningspeed, etc.) all across the build plate.

The Cube M is an advanced version of thewell-established Cube, designed to meetthe demands of high power densities in confined spaces. Laser power measurements atup to 2 kW, even in the corners of the build
plate or the overlap region of multiple lasers,
are the Cube M‘s strengths.
In addition, the unique optical design allows
power densities of up to 250 kW/cm² withan angle of incidence of up to ± 20° to bemeasured. With this sophisticated opticaldesign in mind, our calibration ensures you
have a highly accurate device.

CausticVector

Beam profile

PowerFocus shift

Pointing stability

Fiber anddisc laser

1 030 – 1 090 nm

SFM

CUBE M

POWER RANGE

Up to 1.5 kW

Up to 2 kW

BEAM QUALITY M2

Up to Single mode

Up to Single mode

BEAM DIAMETER

Focused 50 – 300 µm

Focused 1 – 4 mm

SPECIAL FEATURE

Marking Speed
0.1 – 10 m/s

Angle of incidence ± 20°
Power densities up to250 kW/cm²

INTERFACESWLAN, Ethernet

Bluetooth, Micro-USB

Conclusion
The SFM and Cube M combine and streamline all measurement tasks needed for a quick andcost-efficient product calibration. The combination of both devices also provides detailed analytical options for research and development. The SFM enables you to analyze various processparameters of scanner systems under actual operating conditions. It is the only device in themarket capable of measuring to the latest standards: ISO/ASTM 52941:2020.
The Cube M is a compact, robust and reliable solution for measuring laser power even at highpower densities of up to 250 kW/cm². Due to fast and easy measurements without cooling orcables, it‘s the perfect tool for your quality assurance between each build job.

Laser Metal Deposition
Laser Material Deposition (LMD) or Direct Energy Deposition (DED) canapply metal tracks with layer thicknesses between 0.01 mm and 2 mm
to almost any metallic base material quickly and at high throughput.
The process is used to create layers as well as free-form 3D structures.
The requirements for beam diagnostics are linked closely to the shapeof the additive material and the beam source used. For LMD, a multikilowatt beam source with a top-hat-like beam profile or a large numberof lower power sources focused to the point of impact can be used. InDED, a ring-shaped spot can be applied to the material, whilst wire is fed
coaxially to the subsurface.
The challenge: Long processing times at the highest optical loads andhighly divergent laser sources resulting in a small depth of focus.
It is essential to image the beam geometry in detail, as the power density
distribution is crucial for each AM process. Likewise, the performance ofthe process beam should be monitored closely.
Here, one single beam profiler or power meter should be suitable forall tasks, independent of the beam shape, laser power, beam quality orwavelength used.

Durable and Field Proven –FocusMonitor FM+ and CompactPowerMonitor CPM+Optimize your process using established standards in high-power laser beam diagnostics and power measurement.

The FocusMonitor FM+ is a versatile optomechanically scanning diagnostics system foranalyzing focused laser beams. It covers thespectral range from far infrared to blue.
In addition, it directly measures the power
density distribution of high-power lasers andallows a comprehensive evaluation of complete setups at full power.
Together with our market-leading LaserDiagnosticsSoftware LDS, user-independent measurements in accordance with ISO 11146-3 can be
performed entirely automatically.

The CompactPowerMonitors CPM+ are afamily of power meters with a capacity of up
to 30 kW. They all feature the calorimetricmeasuring principle, making the readings
independent of beam size and position –stable and precise!
When using the CPM+ with our LaserDiagnosticsSoftware LDS, data storage, processing
and analysis come at the click of your mouse.
And, of course, the parallel operation of theCPM+ with the FM+ works seamlessly, combining your power readings with your laser
profile data.
CausticVector

Beam profile

PowerFocus shift

Pointing stability

Fiber anddisc laser
Diode laser
400 – 2 100 nm

10.6 µm

CO2 laser

FM+CPM+

POWER RANGE

Up to 100 kW

Up to 30 kW

BEAM QUALITY M2

Single mode – Multi mode
1 to > 100

Single mode – Multi mode
1 to > 100

BEAM DIAMETER

Focused 100 - 5 000 µmUp to 100 mm

SPECIAL FEATURE

Auto caustic, Linescan

Calorimeter: position andbeam-size independent

INTERFACES

Ethernet

USB-C, safety interlock,
Ethernet

Conclusion
The FocusMonitor FM+ is a highly versatile toolbox with easily interchangeable measuring
tips and detectors, enabling the FM+ to determine focused laser beams from the far infrared to the blue spectral range. An essential tool for use in laser material processing.
Improve your power measurements by using the PRIMES calorimetric technology. The
CPM+ is the most reliable and precise tool to cover all requirements of a service technicianand laser user.

PRIMES – A leading company
for laser beam diagnostics.
We offer innovative and process-optimized measuring devices for focus characterizationand performance measurement of laser beams. Our broad spectrum of high-precision,
durable products is essential in many industrial applications. Researchers and developers widely recognize PRIMES tools in industry and universities. Thanks to the in-house
design of the entire hardware and software, we can offer optimal solutions for various
laser measuring tasks, system characterizations, or error analyses.

PRIMES GmbH
Max-Planck-Straße 264319 Pfungstadt
Germany
T +49 6157 98 78-0
info@primes.dewww.primes.de

Version: 3.1 EN, November 2022
Specifications subject to change without further notice.

Established in 1992 and based in the Rhine-Main region in Germany, PRIMES isrenowned as a valued partner competing on the global market, represented by awell-established subsidiary in Japan and 14 distributors worldwide.