LaserNet 200

LaserNet Fines® was developed by Lockheed Martin and the Naval Research Laboratory to identify the type, rate of production and severity of mechanical faults by measuring the size distribution, rate of progression and shape of wear debris in lubricating oil. It has been successfully deployed aboard naval vessels in an oil analysis-based predictive maintenance program, and used by oil analysis labs worldwide as the best oil particle analyzer on the market.

The center piece of LaserNet Fines® technology is the combination of flow cell (100 micron path length), a high power infrared laser source and a high speed (100 frames per second) CCD camera (640X480 resolution). Oil, along with particles, flows through the flow cell, which is illuminated by the laser and the shadows of the particles are captured by the high speed camera. Image analysis produces particle size and distribution according to various standard formats.

Particle shapes are analyzed by the software with artificial intelligence (Neural Network). The Neural Network was trained by tribology experts using Ferrographic analysis of data from real life in-service oil samples. Particles larger than 20 micron maximum diameter are automatically classified into cutting wear (or abrasive wear), sliding wear (or adhesive wear), fatigue wear, fibers, or non-metallic particles (sand and dirt). Water droplets and air bubbles can be classified as well. The bubble counts are removed from final particle count and distribution. The laser is powerful enough to see through dark engine oil samples with up to 2% soot, making it the only particle analyzer on the market that can test engine oil without dilution.

Two pairs of precision balanced coils (large and small) are included in the LaserNet 230 model. The small coils count ferrous particles larger than 25 micron as they flow through the coil, producing a size distribution. The large coils measure the total ferrous content in part per million (by weight).