Cutting Edge Technology Increases Laser Profiling Accuracy

The team at Queen’s University believe that the start of the art laser profiling device could allow laser machines to be more accurate and have a range of uses in both the medical and engineering sectors.
Professor James Fraser, who is in charge of the development, believes that his team are looking into a number of industrial applications for the device.
At the moment, they are putting together an advanced laser processing station which opens up a number of exciting opportunities in different industries.
"In addition to the surgical application, depth control can significantly improve laser welding," doctoral student Paul Webster, who is part of the team, further added, "Improvements to our advanced manufacturing capabilities ultimately lead to cheaper and more fuel efficient aircraft, cars and ships."
The researchers stated that a laser which has a new direct sensor installed could be implemented in the process of inspecting parts as they are welded, which will help to reduce the amount of waste and improve safety.
Once the new laser processing station is finished, testing will start with leading member of Ontario’s car producing industry.
The cutting edge technology could also be put into practice in surgeries and hospitals, where cutting too much could lead to serious problems."The issue of depth control has always been a problem in laser surgery," professor Fraser stated.
"There are many surgical procedures where we would like to use lasers but we can’t because they are too difficult to control. Our technology may enable new laser surgeries that weren’t possible before."
Furthermore, Canada.com states that the Queen’s University team has proved that they can control the laser by stopping in within 50 microns.The laser is partly based on an imaging method which is known as “optical coherence tomography”, which is a fundamental part of giving 3-D images of human retinas.
The technique gives the user the ability to see along the light beam that complements the cutting laser.
While it is hoped that the laser profiling method is used specifically in the medical world. Professor Fraser said to Canada.com the team is “very excited” about its potential use in a number of industries."In a few weeks, we’ll be running industrially relevant processes," he added.