Main Features of LaserBee 5 
- LaserBee Version 5 is written in Java so that it can be run on any platform
supporting the Java runtime environment - Windows, Mac, Linux etc. It is
compatible with all recent versions of Windows - XP, Vista and 7.
- LaserBee's main functionalities are as follows:
- it complies with EN 60825-1, EN 60825-2, EN 60825-14, EN 207, EN 208
and IEC or BS equivalents;
- it deals with CW, single pulse or repetitively pulsed freespace laser
or fibre-optic sources over the complete range of wavelengths and
times specified in the standards listed above;
- it calculates Accessible Emission Limits (AEL), Maximum Permissible Exposures
(MPE), Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD); Extended Nominal
Ocular Hazard Distance (ENOHD) and performs laser classification
;
- it determines the scale number required for Eye Protectors (EN
207) and Alignment Goggles (EN 208) and also performs MPE based optical
density calculations;
- it can performs extended source calculations of AELs, MPEs and NOHDs;
- and it has a wide range of tools for beam geometry and radiometric calculations.
- Click
here for a video showing a short overview of LaserBee's functionality.
- The new graphical interface keeps your laser parameters clearly in
view while you navigate between your different tasks using the intuitive
tabbed-pane interface.
- On-line help is now incorporated at three different levels:
- the familiar 'honeycomb' from the previous versions gives the backround
information required for a good understanding of laser safety issues;
- the main laser safety tabs have a task-specific help panel explaining
how to perform the task in hand; and
- input boxes, radio buttons etc. have 'tool tips' giving specific
help for that component. Video
demonstration of GUI and help.
- A one-click report generator produces on-screen printable reports which
can be saved and loaded into a word processing program if required. Video
demonstration.
- An easy-to-use laser database facility replaces the 'active record'
concept from earlier version of LaserBee. This uses a comma separated
values format (.csv) file which is compatible with most database programs
such as Access or Excel etc..
- Access to calculation parameters has been improved by adding 'explanation'
panels which give specific details of calculations with parameters such
as CF5, T1 etc. clearly listed for comparison with the standard documentation.
- The type of divergence calculation, linear or Gaussian Beam, can now
be selected by the user.
- Many more tools have been included including Gaussian Beam calculations,
mW to dBm interconversions etc.
- User preferences allow the user to select the default angular units,
default divergence calculation type, etc.
News Update - LaserBee Version 5.2 released with an ACE up its sleeve
Version 5.2 introduces 'Adaptive Computation Entry' (ACE) which significantly
enhance the usability and flexibility of LaserBee. With ACE, there are no
set inputs or outputs, fields can be either inputs or outputs depending
upon what the user chooses to enter. For example, on a previous LaserBee
Pulse tab the pulse energy and pulse rate were user inputs and the average
power was a calculated output. Now, with ACE, any two of these parameters
can be given and the third wil be deduced. This is a simple example but
the new 'aperture calculations' tab is so powerful that it has to be seen
to be fully appreciated.
- Click
here for a demonstration of ACE and the aperture calculations tab.
- Click here to
request a demonstration copy of LaserBee.
Why should I buy LaserBee?
LaserBee
has been purchased by many prestigious laser laboratories and high-technology
clients, and is fast becoming the market leader in laser safety calculation
software. Its interface is friendly and approachable to new users and experts
alike.
LaserBee has established an envable track record as being a laser safety
software package that is not only use friendly, but can also be relied
upon. Extensive testing throughout its development and careful attention
to detail have resulted in a reputation for reliability that we believe
is second-to-none. Where standards are unclear or lacking, experts have
been consulted and LaserBee clearly states its interpretation and approach.
What makes LaserBee so good?
Many
factors, but chief amongst them must be the graphical user interface that
is intuitive to use, and the illustrations and graphs that help to explain,
and guide the user through, the laser safety process.
Laser safety experts like LaserBee because it can be asked to 'explain'
its calculations. Explanations are given with reference to standards documentation
saying what has been done and why. Values of calculation parameters such
as C6, T1 etc. are shown so that the laser safety expert who has previously
done a calculation by hand can see where he has gone wrong when things
don't agree.
Novices like LaserBee because informative advice is always on hand and
helpful warnings are given when situations arise where particular care
and attention is needed..
Keeping the best of the old
We
hope that we have retained the best of the earlier versions of LaserBee.
This is illustrated by the 'Laser Product Classifier' feature that was
developed for LaserBee Pro. This allows the user to adjust beam divergence
and laser power or pulse energy by way of slide controls, and see graphically,
in real-time, how the adjustment affects the product classification. The
possible classes and boundaries between tham are changed in real-time too,
so that user can see exactly what combination of parameters will achieve
a desired classification.
This feature proved popular with others not involved with the development
of laser products, as it is helpful in explaining the classification system.
It is also a very useful feature for training and one we now use onour
own laser safety training courses.
European distribution?
in the UK, LaserBee is sold through our distributor Laser
Physics (UK) Ltd.
LaserBee is sold through GMP
SA Laser & Photonics in
Switzerland, through Te
Lintelo Systems BV in the
Netherlands, and direct from Lucid everywhere else.
If you are based outside of UK and would like to sell or represent LaserBee
in your area, then please contact us at Lucid. LaserBee is a world-class
product with a modern, innovative interface. We are very proud of LaserBee
and are looking for enthusiastic sales people to help us reach a wider
market with this exciting software product.
Applicable Standards
LaserBee is based on the IEC 60825 series of standards. In Europe the
equivalent European versions of these international standards are known
as EN 60825, with the British versions, for example, coming under the BS
EN 60825 banner. More on laser safety standards...
The above standards are the International standards used by the majority
of countries except for the USA. We regret that we do not yet have a US
version of LaserBee, but we can supply LaserBee in the USA for companies
exporting to Europe or other countries outside the USA. There is now a
US directive that enables some lasers imported into the USA to be classified
and labelled according to the international (IEC 60825) laser safety standard. Information
on the US requirements for laser classification and labelling can be found
under the CDRH FDA laser notice 50 document which details conformance with
IEC 60825 and can be down loaded from http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/comp/guidance/1346.pdf .