Polycarbonate laser protective windows from Wamco offer variable spectral control
For use in medical and industrial applications, these 8 × 4 ft polycarbonate laser protective windows meet Department of Defense requirements for increased flammability, impact, and laser protection, as well as multiple absorption bands. The windows are available with variable spectral control and filter customization, and comply with ANSI Z136.7 and ANSI Z87.1 specifications for transmittance and optical density.
Wamco
Fountain Valley, CA
www.wamcoinc.com
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PRESS RELEASE
WAMCO Inc. Designs First 8’x 4’ Polycarbonate Laser Protective Windows
Wamco, a privately owned aerospace and lighting corporation based out of Fountain Valley, California has become the first business to successfully develop and produce an 8’x 4’ polycarbonate laser protective window.
Wamco’s current core technologies include high performance glass chemical formulations and plastic chemistries in the range of UV-Visible-NIR-SWIR with unparalleled flexibility in shapes and sizes. Wamco also specializes in proprietary thin film coatings for large glass NVIS filters, nanotechnologies, optical construction, glass shaping, plastic molding, optical bonding, and in-house optical measurements.
Due to a growing demand from the Department of Defense for increased flammability requirements, increased impact requirements, and a need for multiple absorption bands along with increased laser protection, Wamco was propelled to produce the first 8’x 4’ polycarbonate laser window.
Prior to Wamco’s new design, the current laser protective windows were standard injection molded polycarbonate 12”x 12” flats, dichroic glass filters up to a 24” diameter, cast absorbing glass, and cast acrylic windows – with 2’x3’ being standard. Wamco’s state-of-the-art polycarbonate laser protective window was created while closely monitoring optical requirements by matching absorbance to laser output following ANSIZ 136.7 and ANSIZ 87.1 specifications.
The new polymeric filters are light weight and impact resistant yet also have a lower manufacturing cost compared to absorptive glass and dichroic coatings. Variable spectral control and filter customization are also available with the new Wacmo Laser Protective Window. The benefits from the polymeric filters are derived from custom molecules such as organic near IR absorbing dyes and pigments, Tris Aminium dyes, Phthalocyanine dyes, Rylene dyes, and Inorganic nano absorbers. In compliance with ANSI Z136.7 and ANSI Z87.1, Wamco’s Laser Protective Windows meet all transmittance and optical density specifications. Surface and material quality, environmental stability, flammability, and impact resistance specifications were also met.
With increased laser use in the medical and industrial applications, larger sheets such as Wamco’s 8’x4’ will be better suited for those companies seeking a desire for higher impact resistance, increased multiple absorption bands and increased demand for higher VLT and more neutral color rendering. The continued need for custom optical manufacturing is what keeps Wamco’s niche position steady year after year.
Since 1968, Wamco’s philosophy to develop and advance light management technologies by research and development while maintaining focus on custom development oriented to specific needs is what has driven the company to optical success. By providing technological tools and strategic advantages to their customers Wamco will continue to become a trusted, leading provider of lighting solutions to the aerospace and medical markets worldwide. Please contact Ben Phipps or Meghan Flaherty at (714) 545-5560 for further inquiries.
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