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23 January 2009

Prima North America, Inc. Announces Agreement With Scientific Applications And Research Associates (SARA) To Develop DAVIS Real-Time Hole Measurement

Prima North America, the world leader in precision multi-axis laser machining systems, announced the signing of a cooperative development and marketing agreement with Scientific Applications and Research Associates (SARA) of Cypress, California.

Under this agreement, SARA will work with Laserdyne Systems engineers and use a Laserdyne 795 system at the Laserdyne Systems Technology Center in the development of its proprietary product concept called Dynamic Automated Visual Inspection System (DAVIS). DAVIS is designed to capture images of laser drilled holes and shapes in real time and analyze the data on-the-fly for conformance to specification including proper hole size and projected airflow. The DAVIS system is being designed to interact with Laserdyne’s laser drilling system and the S94P Laser Process Control to provide information for dynamic hole size control and compensation for deviations in real time.

SARA reports that to date it has developed DAVIS under NAVAIR sponsorship via Phase I and Phase II SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) contracts. The prototype product development now shifts to Laserdyne Systems. Terry L. VanderWert, President of Prima North America, said this partnership represents another Laserdyne effort to advance laser hole drilling technology, particularly as it applies to the aerospace industry.

“SARA’s real-time analysis of laser drilled holes complements and, in some cases, leverages Laserdyne’s related technology designs,” reports Mr. VanderWert. “We are excited about this partnership because SARA will be utilizing the latest Laserdyne hardware and software features integrated with their proprietary DAVIS system.”

SARA’s development effort will be on the new fourth generation Laserdyne 795 with CL50k laser. This is a six axis laser system and has Laserdyne’s latest and most powerful controller, the S94P. The system includes a full complement of Laserdyne’s hardware and software features, including BreakThrough Detection and OFC Optical Focus Control.

According to SARA, its high speed Dynamic Visual Inspection System uses a coaxial camera to capture images of laser-drilled holes in real time. Its dedicated software processes the image to obtain area and calculate the expected air flow through each hole. DAVIS sends this information to the Laserdyne Systems S94P control. Detailed statistical reports on hole areas and cumulative air flow are generated for active hole adjustments and to create process records for both NADCAP reporting and internal quality control purposes.


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