Laser excitation and control
February 2004
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
In the past 25 to 30 years, many laser applications have moved from the laboratory to the workplace, and their use in industry has been steadily increasing ever since. e2v technologies' triodes and tetrodes are used in the power supplies of industrial CO2 lasers, either to control or pulse the HV DC supply, or to generate RF power.
Industrial laser processing, particularly using medium and high power CO2 lasers, has replaced many traditional manufacturing methods such as punching, rubbing, drilling and milling. It is also used for welding and a variety of materials processing, such as surface hardening.
e2v technologies makes a range of devices used in both DC and RF excited lasers. In DC excitation, the laser gas is excited by a high DC voltage, controlled by a suitable vacuum device, capable of working at voltages of up to 35 kV. In RF excitation, the laser gas is excited by an RF field generated by a suitable amplifier or oscillator device.
In both cases, electrical energy is converted to a very powerful and small diameter beam of coherent light, its wavelength is 10,6 microns, thus it is able to deliver a large amount of energy onto a very small area.
e2v also manufactures the BW1661J2, a high-mu RF triode suitable for RF excitation in high power CO2 lasers. The company is in the process of developing further triodes and tetrodes suitable for similar applications. e2v technologies is represented locally by OEN Enterprises.
For more information contact Neil Berry, OEN Enterprises, 011 675 4447, [email protected], www.oenenterprises.co.za
Further reading:
Oils don’t die, they degrade
Wearcheck
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
WearCheck explores the main ways lubricants degrade in service and how these degradation modes affect oil performance and machine reliability.
Read more...
Real-time spectrum analyser
Vepac Electronics
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
The PXE series real-time spectrum analyser covers frequencies up to 20 GHz with a 100 MHz analytical bandwidth and ultra-fast sweep speed, supporting spectrum monitoring, interference finding and RF test and measurement functions.
Read more...
Preserving a French heritage landmark
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Omniflex supplied a remotely monitored impressed current cathodic protection system for the Perret Tower in Grenoble, a protected French heritage site, combining 24/7 corrosion protection with integrated surge protection against lightning strikes.
Read more...
Operational efficiencies and safety compliance with preventive maintenance programmes
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Konecranes explains how its Lifecycle Care Preventive Maintenance programme reduces unexpected downtime, improves safety compliance and delivers measurable financial benefits for operators of cranes and lifting equipment across any make or sector.
Read more...
Portable appliance tester
Vepac Electronics
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Vepac Electronics’ new portable appliance tester enables precise safety testing of electrical appliances in accordance with DGUV regulation 3 and BetrSichV, with simple three-button operation and battery-powered mobility.
Read more...
Why lubrication fails in mining and what to do about it
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Lubrication Engineers explains the recurring failure points behind mining lubrication problems and how the right product, storage and application practices can improve equipment reliability.
Read more...
When digital twins move from concept to critical tool
IT in Manufacturing System Integration & Control Systems Design Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Digital twins are moving out of the lab and onto the mine, the factory floor and the transport network where they predict failures before they happen. Amritesh Anand looks at where they earn their keep, the data and integration work behind them, and the security questions every organisation should ask before switching one on.
Read more...
Why asset level intelligence is now essential for resilient wastewater plants
Schneider Electric South Africa
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Sub-Saharan Africa’s wastewater operators face mounting pressure to keep ageing plants running smoothly and meet tougher environmental standards, all while lacking visibility into the health of their medium-voltage (MV) drives and other critical rotating assets. Adding predictive analytics, digital twins and enterprise dashboards enables optimisation across multiple sites, ensuring every drop moves safely and efficiently through the water cycle.
Read more...
How multiple boilers can minimise costly downtime
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Associated Energy Services explains how multi-boiler systems reduce downtime risk for South African manufacturers, covering redundancy planning, fuel source diversification and the strategic management of backup boiler capacity.
Read more...
Field calibration made easy
Instrotech
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Instrotech’s locally designed and manufactured Calog calibrator range feature a rugged IP54-rated housing, backlit display with data logging via SD card, and a lithium-ion battery with approximately eight hours of run time.
Read more...
printer friendly version