Functional description
Chapter 4
MN025 / v2.1.0
3-Axis Subsystems for Laser Beam Deflection
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4
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
4.1
Laser beam subsystem
The laser beam subsystem consists of the deflection unit and the linear translator module.
The deflection unit can be used to deflect a laser beam in X and Y directions. This results in a
two-dimensional plane, within which a laser can be directed at any position. This area is
known as the "operating field" and is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Deflection is performed by
two mirrors, each of which is moved by a galvanometer scanner. RAYLASE provides the ap-
propriate deflection unit for the deflection properties required. The laser beam subsystem can
therefore be fitted with different deflection units. Refer to the rating plate to identify the deflec-
tion unit used (
The focusing properties of the laser beam subsystem are determined by the linear translator
module and, on some versions, also by an F-Theta lens on the deflection unit. The linear
translator module is fitted with one or two focusing lenses. An additional lens with linear
movement allows the focusing length to be adjusted.
Because of their different focusing properties, the subsystems are divided into four groups:
AXIALSCAN (standard)
In these systems, the lens with linear movement is moved within a small range by a galva-
nometer unit. This so-called linear translator allows the focusing length to be adjusted to the
relevant deflection angle of the deflection unit. Compared to an F-Theta lens, this provides a
relatively large operating field, in which the laser beam can be optimally focused at every
point. The size of the operating field is set manually during installation (
adjusting the field size). The optical system and the electronic components of the deflection
unit can be protected against contamination by installing a protection window over the beam
output (
AXIALSCAN (water cooled)
Like the standard AXIALSCAN, the water cooled version is also fitted with a motorized adjust-
able lens. Unlike the standard version, the lens is moved using two galvanometer units to
increase the speed.
As well as this version designed for high speed, a version designed for a high laser power is
available.
AXIALSCAN (motorized)
On this version of the AXIALSCAN, the entire linear translator can be moved by a motor. This
enables motorized adjustment of the size of the operating field (
page 5, Motorized field size
FOCUSSHIFTER (standard)
On the FOCUSSHIFTER, an F-Theta lens on the deflection unit is used for focusing and to
set the size of the operating field. With this configuration, the linear translator module can be
used to change the focusing plane. This allows almost three-dimensional operations to be
performed. For example, this is useful when creating a 3D image in a glass block or for deep
processing of materials.
Subsystems are available as analog or digital versions. Refer to the following functional prin-
ciples.
