Inline monitoring of laser processing: new industrial results with the low coherence interferometry sensor approach

The introduction of inline coherent imaging technologies as a sensor for the laser materials processing is accompanied by the integration into several applications. One of these is the measurement of the depth of the vapor capillary for laser welding applications, now allowing to keep record of the welding depth with an accuracy of micrometers and a sub millisecond temporal resolution. The broader achievement is the closed-loop control of the welding depth that was not available in industrial environments till now due to the lack of an adequate sensor. Further use includes the acquisition of 3D images around the laser process itself, allowing for coaxial integration of pre- and post-process sensors. These applications are demonstrated by using the In-Process Depth Meter (IDM).