Optical tooling is a way to establish a line of sight, and then taking measurements of high accuracy using targets which are position sensitive. In the past this was done by a person looking through an optical level, interpreting the results against the optical micrometer. Today, this process is done by laser, the resulting measurements are digital and require no interpretation. Laser alignment in Garland is by far, the most accurate method.
When optics is used in tooling, it is all based on the fact that light travels in a straight line. This principle allows for measurement accuracy that could never be attained by mechanical methods. Level lines can be set over long distances; every single point on the line is perpendicular to gravitational force. This allows right angles to be determined quick and accurately and plumb lines can be set to any level.
When industrial equipment or precision systems need to be installed, maintained or calibrated, four questions must be answered:
* Is it straight?
* Is it flat?
* Is it plumb?
* Is it square?
Mechanical methods that are used to provide answers to these questions are often grossly inaccurate. With the advent of laser alignment in Garland, the highest possible degree of accuracy can be attained and it is no longer a requirement for the measurements to be interpreted, the measurements are direct, precise, quick and consistent.
Straightness:
If it is necessary to align a number of points, a tight piano wire is often used as the line of reference. There are a number of drawbacks to the use of a tight wire:
* The wire has weight and over long distances the sag will be considerable
* Wire vibrates, bends and kinks
* Impedes the movement of men and equipment in the immediate area
* Wind can disturb the wire, moving it sideways as the aerodynamic drag can be substantial.
When using laser alignment in Garland, the line of sight is a light beam, not a tight wire. The light has no weight, will not sag, is not a safety hazard and cannot be disturbed by any external influence.
Flatness:
In the past a straightedge and level were used, over a large area the level must be moved and the consequence is that only the flatness of each individual area can be ascertained. The doubt lingers as to the flatness of the entire area. Flatness is very important when installing large equipment such as precision machine tools. Flatness with lasers is very accurate, a few thousandths of an inch over many hundreds of feet.
Squareness:
For something to be perfectly square implies that one plane forms a perfect 90 degree angle with another plane. A steel square has been the historic way of measuring squareness but with the limited size and accuracy testing can be very inaccurate. Laser alignment in Garland overcomes this problem by using a transparent prism which splits the beam of light into two parts, one part goes unimpeded through the prism and the other is bent exactly 90 degrees.
When huge pieces of equipment need to be installed and laser alignment in Garland are called for, factory trained technicians from Laser Precision are called in to provide the measurements that are vital for a successful installation.