Universal Laser Systems X2-600 - Manual (Page 27)

3-2 System Operation
NOTE: Before describing the complex functionality of the SUPERSPEED, in the following diagram,
we demonstrate how a typical single-laser system works. We will then show how the
SUPERSPEED builds upon this foundation and utilizes two Laser Cartridges to operate in a Dual
Laser Single Beam Mode or Dual Laser Dual Beam Mode.
Laser Cartridge
The laser cartridge is a very sophisticated device. It is composed of a plasma tube filled with a special
mixture of CO2 and other gases, and RF (radio frequency) electronics. The function of the entire
assembly is to turn electrical energy into concentrated light energy. The word LASER is an acronym for
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
#2 MIRROR
#1 MIRROR
#3 MIRROR
FOCUS LENS
FOCAL RANGE
MATERIAL
FOCAL LENGTH
SPOT
BEAM WINDOW
BEAM DIAMETER
LASER CARTRIDGE
RF ELECTRONICS
GAS FILLED PLASMA TUBE
ELECTRODES
The laser cartridge receives power from the 48VDC power supply and its “trigger signal” from the CPU.
When the laser system is power on and the trigger signal comes from the CPU, the RF electronics
produce a 40 MHz signal across the electrodes located inside the plasma tube. This causes
spontaneous photon emissions from the gas mixture that produces an invisible, infrared light beam at a
frequency of 10.6 microns.
The laser beam exits the laser cartridge through its output optics, reflects off the #1 mirror, passes
through the beam window, reflects off the #2 and #3 mirrors and then finally passes through the focus
lens. The #2 and #3 mirror and the focusing lens are all mounted to the motion system. The width of the
laser beam as it exits the tube, called the “Beam Diameter”, is about 4 mm. The focus lens focuses the
beam into a very small spot where the “Spot Size” is dependent on the “Focal Length” of the lens. The
“Focal Length” is the distance from about the center of the lens to the point where the beam converges
into the smallest spot possible. Using a standard 2 inch focal length lens, the spot size produced is
approximately .005 inches.