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

1 . A method 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) positioning a first pin-hole sensor within a predetermined field of view of the laser, and determining a location of the first pin-hole sensor within the predetermined field of view;

(b) positioning a second pin-hole sensor within the predetermined field of view, and determining a location of the second pin-hole sensor within the predetermined field of view;

(c) 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;

(d) 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;

(e) 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

(f) 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.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning a third pin-hole sensor within the predetermined field of view and determining a location of the third pin-hole sensor within the predetermined field of view.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising using the determined locations of the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor to define a second travel distance for the laser beam.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising measuring the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the third pin-hole sensor.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

(a) dividing the second travel distance by the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the third pin-hole sensor to calculate the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor, and

(b) subtracting the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor from the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor to calculate a change in velocity of the laser beam.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising summing the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the second pin-hole sensor plus the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the third pin-hole sensor to calculate a total measured time.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising dividing the change in velocity of the laser beam by the total measured time to calculate the acceleration of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor.

8 . 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.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor are mounted in a portable testing apparatus, wherein each pin-hole is positioned to receive the laser light generated by the non-stationary laser beam, and wherein each pin-hole sensor is elevated at a predetermined height above an upper surface of the portable testing apparatus.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the system further comprises a third pin-hole sensor positioned within the predetermined field of view, wherein the third pin-hole sensor has a determined location within the predetermined field of view.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the determined locations of the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor are used to define a second travel distance for the laser beam, and wherein the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the third pin-hole sensor is measured.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the second 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 third pin-hole sensor to calculate the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor, and wherein the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor is subtracted from the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor to calculate a change in velocity of the laser beam.

13 . The system of claim 12 , 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 added with the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the third pin-hole sensor to calculate a total measured time.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the change in velocity of the laser beam is divided by the total measured time to calculate the acceleration of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor.

15 . 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.

16 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising a third 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.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the determined locations of the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor are used to define a second travel distance for the laser beam, and wherein the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the third pin-hole sensor is measured.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the second 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 third pin-hole sensor to calculate the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor, and wherein the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the second pin-hole sensor is subtracted from the velocity of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor to calculate a change in velocity of the laser beam.

19 . The system of claim 18 , 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 added with the amount of time to travel from the location of the first pin-hole sensor to the location of the third pin-hole sensor to calculate a total measured time.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the change in velocity of the laser beam is divided by the total measured time to calculate the acceleration of the laser beam between the first pin-hole sensor and the third pin-hole sensor.