A complete system for process and condition monitoring has been designed and built. This system is made up of software (CAN bus communication, data acquisition, monitoring and supervision software) and hardware components (sensors, electronic and acquisition equipment, PC, cabinet).
Regarding the process monitoring, the system analyses the signals relevant in cutting and welding processes: beam position, power and diameter, process radiation and sound, and gas pressure (for cutting). Also, it identifies deviations from the reference parameter values.
Regarding the condition monitoring, the system monitors the state of the raw laser beam (by means of the Octavo sensor that provides information about laser beam power, alignment and diameter) and the cover slide dirt (through the cover slide temperature and optical signals).
The required information for process and condition monitoring is acquired from CAN bus and sensors, then is electronically conditioned and filtered by the developed hardware, and processed by the monitoring and supervision software. Also, this information is stored and can be analysed later, by plotting them and showing statistics.
Therefore the developed system monitors the quality of the process as well as the condition of the laser machine, and allows a 100% online process quality inspection, leading to the removal of quality testing efforts after machining.