Is your laser's focus spot where you think it is? This video shows the focal shift of a 100 Kw laser during the first four seconds of startup using BeamWatch, Ophir's non-contact high power beam analyzer.

BeamWatch™ utilizes disruptive technology to measure very high power YAG and fiber lasers. By not intercepting the beam and yet providing instantaneous measurements, you can now monitor the beam characteristic at frequent intervals without having to shut down the process or remove tooling and fixtures to get access. In addition, you can now measure focal spot location at millisecond intervals and know if there is any focal spot shift during those critical start-up moments.

The BeamWatch® industrial beam profiling system provides data that has never been seen or measured, even to laser users that have been working with high-power lasers for years. Through the dynamic measurement of beam waist location, the laser engineer can know how changes in power density affect the quality the process. For example, data is now available about the laser’s effect on the quality and consistency of laser welds, cuts, and holes drilled.

Modern production facilities must constantly increase throughput, at less cost, with less scrap, and with minimum downtime. In this video overview, you will learn how application of new, advanced technology in measurement devices, can help both designers and users of industrial laser systems to optimize and control their processes, so they can accomplish these goals and achieve consistently good results – both in quality and quantity.