Galvo Mirror Is Not a Mirror, But a Light Controller

What is a Galvao Mirror?

A galvao mirror is a special type of oscillating motor. Unlike a rotary motor, its rotor cannot rotate like an ordinary motor; it can only deflect. The deflection angle is proportional to the current, similar to that of an ammeter, hence it is also called an ammeter scanner. It is utilized in some dual-beam spectrophotometers for light path switching at extremely high speeds. The stepping action during operation appears as high-speed vibration, thus it is named a galvao mirror.

A more mature application of the galvao mirror is laser scanning (galvo scanner laser). A galvo scanner laser consists of an optical scanning head, an electronic drive amplifier, and optical mirrors. Two galvao mirrors reflect the laser, creating movement on the XY plane (XY galvo scanner), which is a special motion device used exclusively in the field of laser processing.

A galvo scanning system comprises a processor, power amplifier, galvao mirror motor, photoelectric sensor, and signal demodulator, forming a closed-loop control system. Together, they form a high-precision, high-speed servo control system. In the galvo scanning system, two galvao mirrors rotate or oscillate, coordinated with a galvao mirror control system, thereby allowing the laser beam to move and focus in different directions, enabling precise marking, cutting, or engraving.

The laser galvao mirror and control system can achieve the positioning of the laser beam on the surface of the workpiece and guide it along a predetermined path. This allows the laser beam to move at very high speeds on the workpiece surface while also precisely controlling the path and speed of the laser beam, achieving complex pattern, text, or graphic marking.

The laser galvao mirror can also be used to adjust the focal length of the laser beam to ensure clear marking on workpiece surfaces of different heights. By using multiple laser galvao mirrors, it is possible to achieve marking on different shapes and surfaces of three-dimensional objects.

Applications and Industry Chain of Laser Galvao Mirrors

Galvao mirror has a simple structure, small size, high positioning accuracy, extremely fast scanning speed, and relatively low cost. They are used in many places, most commonly in stage laser pattern displays. In the industrial field, laser marking, cutting, welding, and other processing applications have also been widely adopted. 

In the field of laser processing, servo motor control is mainly applied in large-format metal cutting, emphasizing cutting thickness and speed, and is primarily used in the cutting of metal sheets or tubes. Compared to servo systems, laser galvao mirror control systems are particularly suitable for precision processing in small-format machining, developed around the characteristics of high speed and high precision.

Laser galvao mirrors are critical components in the midstream of the laser processing industry chain, working in coordination with lasers, mechanical systems, and other components. Upstream includes light source materials, optical components, capacitors, resistors, and other materials, requiring connections with chip manufacturers, PCB manufacturers, and related wire suppliers. Downstream are laser equipment companies, applying to consumer electronics, automotive manufacturing, mechanical manufacturing, lithium battery production, aerospace, rail transport, medical, and other fields.