Global: Innovative product from LAP: Projector with green laser diode increases production reliability

Laser specialist LAP expands its highly successful product family of CAD-PRO laser projectors to include new models with a green laser diode: The CAD-PRO LD green has a laser source with up to 30,000 hours of operating time - three times the service life of conventional DPSS laser modules. In addition, the unit features optimal visibility of the projected laser lines especially on dark surfaces. Developed and tested by LAP, the CAD-PRO LD green is without peer in the field of industry-level laser projection.

The CAD-PRO LD green includes eight new additional versions of the highly successful CAD-PRO laser projectors marketed by LAP. LAP supplies the new CAD-PRO with green diode laser as "Precision" and "High Precision" units featuring power levels of 5mW and 10mW. The units of power class 5 mW meet the guidelines of laser class 2M. The units of power class 10mW meet the guidelines of laser class 3B. The "Precision" units attain an accuracy of ±0.2 millimeters at one meter of projection distance, whereas the accuracy of the "High Precision" units is even better at ±0.1 millimeters per meter. Moreover, the green diode laser can be used for both unicolor and multicolor projections (multicolor: red+green+yellow). CAD-PRO models with conventional DPSS technology (Diode Pumped Solid State laser) will continue to be available for purchase.

Innovative diode technology increases production reliability

The long service life of the laser diode is a major advantage of the CAD-PRO LD green. To our customers, this means even higher reliability during manufacturing. For additional safety if the laser source fails, the laser projector can be fitted with a second green laser source for unicolor projections. "The new CAD-PRO featuring a green laser diode supplements the attractive product portfolio of LAP in the field of industrial laser projection. LAP banks on sustained innovation and development as we strive to be the preferred supplier and partner of our customers throughout the world now and in the future. Our main focus is always on the economic and technical benefits to our customers," explains Ralf Müller-Polyzou, who is the head of Marketing and Product Management.

Tests confirm long service life

The new laser projector was developed and tested at the research and development department of LAP in Lüneburg, Germany, at which engineers have developed innovative laser-based projection and measuring technology for more than 30 years. "The new versions of the CAD-PRO laser projectors have an even longer service life due to the new diode technology. DPSS modules have a service life between 5,000 and 10,000 operating hours. By comparison, the green laser diode has a Long Life Time of 30,000 operating hours. This has been confirmed in long-term tests that were conducted in our cold and heat chambers at temperatures ranging from -10 to +40°C," says Matthias Lange, the product manager in charge of CAD-PRO.

Green laser color has many benefits

The green projection color also has some tremendous benefits in applications, in which laser lines or contours need to be projected onto a dark background. Green laser lines are much more readily visible than red ones on dark, wet or patterned surfaces. The green diode (520 nm wavelength) possesses comparably high electrical/optical efficiency. Compared to the DPSS module (532 nm wavelength), the lush dark green hue of the diode laser is very readily visible and is perceived as very pleasant by the human eye. Green is the first choice in projections from a great distance as well. This applies specifically to objects such as rotor blades of wind turbines, since the laser projectors are often installed at great height in the factory halls. Another benefit of the CAD-PRO LD green: The laser projector made by LAP can be focused, meaning that the focus can be adjusted by remote control as a user-friendly feature.

Positive feedback on the green diode laser already at market launch

The new CAD-PRO LD green has been developed based on the successful CAD-PRO laser projectors, which have been part of LAP's product portfolio for over ten years. The users include corporations from the aerospace industry, automotive industry and shipbuilding industry producing components from composite materials. CAD-PRO laser projectors have also been in use for many years in rotor blade manufacturing for wind turbines, production of ready-mixed concrete parts and in stone and wood processing. The demand for the new projectors is extensive already at the time of market launch: "Many repeat customers are enthusiastic about the new development and express their interest in the green diode technology," Ralf Müller-Polyzou explains. "But the new laser projector has very interesting potential uses also for new customers and branches of industry which do not yet utilize laser projection for visual support in their work. The laser projection systems digitalize the workflow and thus make a major contribution to increasing the quality and efficiency of the production process."

Trouble-free switch, compatible with all software versions

"The compact projector is very easy to install and handle. Likewise, the switch to the new CAD-PRO LD green can be made easily, since the models possess identical geometries, brackets and power supplies and can be combined into a system with existing CAD-PRO projectors," emphasizes Matthias Lange. Moreover, the new CAD-PRO models are backward-compatible with all versions of the PRO-SOFT laser projection software from LAP. Different laser colors and laser power levels can be configured individually to suit the application of interest.