Controllers
Did You Know?
Most modern laser machines come with sophisticated laser controllers that consist of software, design architecture, control card(s) and electronics. The term “controller” can be used in different contexts to indicate the specific control card (e.g. motion control card), the remote control unit console that drives the laser parameters or the entire system that controls the mechanical movement of various axes and the laser parameters. In this category you can find many different types of laser controllers including: motion control cards, combined laser and galvo controllers, integrated laser control systems, control board drivers, interfaces and multi-axis synchronization units. In a typical laser material processing system, there is a laser source and mechanical motion control set up (e.g. XY linear scan or a galvanometer scanning head) both of which require active control through a human interface. As an example, in a flatbed laser engraver, a graphical interface allows uploading a 2D raster image into system, and setting the laser engraving parameters (power, speed, repetition rate, etc.). The system is then able to convert that information into electrical signals that drive the laser pulse firing and the linear XY stages that steer the laser beam along X and Y axes. This entire control architecture is comprised of motion control units, laser units, central CPU and software that bring the entire system together to work in unison.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Laser controller” or “laser machine controller” can refer to a motion control system, the remote control console unit that drives the laser parameters or the part of the system (hardware and software) that is responsible for driving and controlling the laser machine, including the output of the laser, the steering of the laser beam and the positioning of the sample on the workbench (if automated).
The primary purpose of a laser controller is to provide an interface and control over certain aspect of or over all functioning areas of a laser system. In the context of laser machines this includes the laser output, (power, speed, repetition rate, etc.) and the motion control parameters (speed, resolution).
Integrated controllers combine various components of the control architecture into one. They typically include both the laser control and motion control units and come included with cables and a software system. Such integrated laser controllers may eliminate the need for an external PC. Some of them are also capable of communicating simultaneously with several laser marking systems and offer streamlining of production lines.
Many, if not most, laser systems come with a remote control unit that is wired to the main unit. It usually has an LCD screen and some navigation buttons for the menu. It allows changing the key parameters of the laser, including average power, pulse energy, repetition rate, etc. For laser material processing machines it might also allow controlling the motion of the axes, e.g. moving the flatbed in a laser engraver up or down or selecting the start position on the XY plane. These remote control units can also perform more complicated tasks such as initial set up, service and calibration. Usually, laser systems also provide computer connection protocol (RS232, USB 2.0, etc.) that allows controlling the same parameters through computer software.
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