Two-axis scan head expands laser micromachining options
Aerotech Inc. introduces the AGV-CPO 2-axis laser scan head to extend high-performance galvo scanning to a broader range of laser micromachining applications.
www.aerotech.com
The new AGV-CPO laser scan head perfectly balances performance and value for the widest range of laser applications. As the entry point for our high-performance 2-axis laser scan heads, the AGV-CPO includes all the CORE performance capabilities of our AGV-HPO and AGV-XPO scanners – plus 22-bit resolution, excellent dynamics and ultra-low thermal drift.
Aerotech Inc. has launched the AGV-CPO CORE Performance 2-axis laser scan head, expanding its AGV scanner portfolio with a solution designed to balance precision, dynamic performance, and system cost. The new scan head targets laser micromachining applications that require high accuracy and scalability without the complexity or expense associated with higher-end configurations.
Positioning within laser micromachining systems
Two-axis galvo scan heads are widely used in laser-based manufacturing for tasks such as cutting, drilling, welding, and additive processes. Performance requirements vary significantly depending on application scale, material, and throughput targets. The AGV-CPO is positioned as the entry point to Aerotech’s high-performance AGV platform, sharing core capabilities and control architecture with the AGV-HPO and AGV-XPO models.
This common architecture allows system builders and end users to scale performance or reconfigure systems without changing controllers or software environments, reducing integration effort and long-term system costs.
Technical architecture and control integration
The AGV-CPO features 22-bit resolution, digital optical encoders, and a mechanical design optimized for dynamic response and stability. Like other AGV scanners, it operates within Aerotech’s single-controller architecture, enabling coordinated control of up to 32 galvo and servo axes through the Automation1 platform.
Automation1 supports RS-274 G-code programming, motion lookahead, and advanced kinematic transformations, allowing synchronized motion between scan heads and mechanical stages. This architecture simplifies integration in complex laser systems and supports advanced process development.
Process accuracy and stability mechanisms
To extend the effective working area, the AGV-CPO supports Infinite Field of View (IFOV), which synchronizes galvo motion with servo-driven stages. This approach eliminates stitching errors and reduces the need for part repositioning, improving both dimensional accuracy and cycle time.
Position Synchronized Output (PSO) enables precise laser triggering based on real-time feedback from scanner mirrors and coordinated axes. This capability supports consistent energy delivery in applications where pulse timing and placement directly affect process quality.
Thermal stability is addressed through integrated motor water cooling and scanner mirror air cooling. These measures minimize thermal drift over time, supporting stable, repeatable processes during extended production runs.
Application scope
The AGV-CPO is suited to a wide range of laser micromachining use cases, including ultrafast laser research and development, medical device micromachining, electronics and display cutting, printed circuit board drilling, semiconductor processes such as through-glass via drilling and wafer dicing, and additive manufacturing techniques including two-photon polymerization.
By combining shared control infrastructure with high-resolution scanning and thermal stability, the AGV-CPO extends Aerotech’s galvo scanning performance to applications that previously faced trade-offs between capability and system cost.
www.aerotech.com
