Upgrading an Older Laser Interferometer

We are often asked whether options are available to update older fringe analysis and phase-shifting interferometers to a more modern state of operation. The good news is that there are, in fact, several upgrade options for improving, or even reviving, older instruments to stretch their useful life.

Visual fringe analysis (or inspection) systems are mechanically simple, but they rely on an operator, or external software, to analyze the interferograms and estimate the shape errors in the test part.  Upgrading the analysis software is an excellent ways to add power to these systems. In many cases converting a system to temporal phase shifting is an option; adding a piezo driven phase-shifter can significantly improving measurement quality and enabling a wider array of data analysis options.

Older phase-shifting laser interferometers greatly benefit from modern software and a computer upgrade. In some cases, a newer, lower noise camera can be added to improve resolution and repeatability.

Depending on the model and vintage, upgrade kits are available to address some or all of these improvements. Contact 4D to learn which upgrade options are available for your laser interferometer system.

Instruments from Buccini, ADE Phase Shift and Kugler with upgrades from 4D Technology.