Travel speed measurement and motion analysis of high-speed laser motion systems

A system for analyzing laser beam characteristics in high-speed laser motion systems, wherein the characteristics include laser travel speed, velocity, and acceleration, wherein the high-speed laser motion systems comprise a laser for generating a laser beam, comprising:

• (a) a first pin-hole sensor positioned within a predetermined field of view of the laser, wherein the first pin-hole sensor has a determined location within the predetermined field of view;
• and
• (b) a second pin-hole sensor positioned within the predetermined field of view of the laser, wherein the second pin-hole sensor has a determined location within the predetermined field of view,
• wherein the determined locations of the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor are used to define a travel distance of the laser beam,
• wherein the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the second pin-hole sensor is measured,
• wherein the travel distance is divided by the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the second pin-hole sensor to calculate the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor, and
• wherein the calculated velocity of the laser beam is divided by the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the second pin-hole sensor to calculate the acceleration of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor.

A system for analyzing laser beam characteristics in high-speed laser motion systems, wherein the characteristics include laser travel speed, velocity, and acceleration, wherein the high-speed laser motion systems comprise a laser for generating a laser beam, the system comprising:

• (a) positioning a portable testing apparatus within a predetermined field of view of the laser, wherein the portable testing apparatus includes:
• (i) a first pin-hole sensor mounted at a determined location in the portable testing apparatus, wherein the first pin-hole sensor is elevated at a predetermined height above an upper surface of the portable testing apparatus;
• and
• (ii) a second pin-hole sensor mounted at a determined location in the portable testing apparatus, wherein the second pin-hole sensor is elevated at a predetermined height above the upper surface of the portable testing apparatus;
• (b) using the determined locations of the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor to define a travel distance of the laser beam;
• (c) measuring the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the second pin-hole sensor;
• (d) dividing the travel distance by the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the second pin-hole sensor to calculate the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor;
• and
• (e) dividing the calculated velocity of the laser beam by the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the second pin-hole sensor to calculate the acceleration of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor.