This section provides an overview for galvanometer scanners as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 galvanometer scanner manufacturers and their company rankings.
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A galvanometer scanner is a method for scanning lasers and other devices.
An optical element (mirror or lens) mounted on a rotating shaft is rotated at high speed by an electromagnetic motor, etc. Based on the output from the position sensor, a servo driver controls the motor at high speed and with high precision to achieve the scanning function.
By using two galvanometer scanners, one for X and the other for Y, laser scanning can be performed in a two-dimensional flat plane. There is also a 3D galvanometer scanner that can scan in three dimensions by adding a galvanometer scanner in the Z direction.
They are used for high-speed, high-precision laser drilling, laser marking, welding, and other processing, as well as laser scanning for 3D printers using trendy photo-curable resins. It is used for parts processing that requires micron-level accuracy.
They are also used in optical coherence tomography (OCT), which visualizes the internal structure of minute tissues by taking advantage of its features that can be controlled even on a nanometer scale, for high-precision, high-speed, and wide-area scanning.
Galvanometer scanners are characterized by good scanning accuracy, high speed capability, high resolution, easy operation, and excellent cost performance. They are used in many applications such as laser scanning because they can operate at high speed for long periods of time and maintain high repetitive positioning accuracy even when the temperature changes.
The mirror size (inertia) determines the galvanometer scanners configuration. Since the scanner is selected to suit the inertia, it may not work well when replaced with a mirror of a different weight or center of gravity.
Selecting a galvanometer scanner is based on scanning method (step, raster, or vector scanning), required speed, and accuracy as well as mirror size. care must be taken when selecting galvanometer scanners.
Mirrors are available in a variety of coatings depending on the wavelength of the laser or other device used.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Citizen Chiba Precision was established in Chiba, Japan in 1979. Citizen is a leader of miniaturized precision motors and customized products which custom-made to meet specific customer requirements for among others, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, medical equipment, and laser application products. Examples of Citizen’s products include optical scanners, linear actuators, servomotors, gear heads, and control drivers.
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