The Laser Technology
The word "LASER" reads "Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation".
That is, when
particular electrons are stimulated they release a beam of light often
referred to as laser light or a laser beam.
Laser
levels use a diode(LED) to emit just such a stimulated, cascading beam
of light. Mirrors or prisms then refine and reflect this light in one
direction resulting in a laser beamβ¦Lasers are used in everyday devices
from medical scalpels to industrial cutting, from digital clocks to
remote controls, to televisions and cd's.
Indoors Construction laser applications:
Use indoors wherever fast, accurate layout and level reference is required
Alignment of walls and partitions.
Level and align shelves, cabinets and trim.
Level floors, benches and plumb walls
Drop ceiling installation.
Align door and window heights
Install chair rails and wainscoting.
Match slope
Outdoors Construction laser applications:
Use outdoors for fast, accurate layout, level and grade (slope) reference
Basic survey and land elevation.
Site layout.
Grade for roads, culverts and driveways.
Drainage and irrigation.
Align and level masonry, brickwork, pre-fab.
Level posts and beams.
Level and align patios and decks.
Align fences.
Lay pipe for sewer, water.
Landscaping.
Contour farming.
It
generally pays to price up rather than price down. Less expensive laser
levels have limits. List your needs and planned uses before buying.
Manual versus Electronic Self Levelling Lasers
Manual Levelling Lasers β Hand level the unit by using inbuilt bubble vial.
Self and partial Automatic Levelling Lasers β Models combine manual and limited self levelling features.
Full
Automatic Self Levelling Lasers β Set the unit to within 6% of level.
The electronic servo motor then levels the unit. Some models feature
automatic shut-
off if bumped or jarred too far off level to then accurately re-level automatically.
Avoids costly delays.
Horizontal Lasers
These lasers emit a horizontal plane beam.
Dual-Beam Lasers (Split Beam Lasers)
Dual-Beam
Lasers (Split Beam Lasers) generally emit a horizontal plane beam or
vertical plane beam at a time. They can also emit a horizontal plane
beam with a vertical plumb up or plum down points.
Fixed versus Variable Speed Rotary Lasers
RPM (Rotation Per Minute) reveals the number of times a Rotary Laser rotates each minute.
Fixed RPM Rotary Lasers have limits.
Faster RPM is best outdoors. Itβs dimmer but travels further.
Slower RPM is best indoors. It travels less but is brighter.
For a solid dot reference set the laser at 0 RPM.
Laser Detectors require a minimum 600 RPM.
Laser Detectors (Laser Receivers)
Laser Detectors are essential to using Line and Rotary Lasers outside, or inside under particularly bright conditions.
Mounted
to lightweight Level (Detector, Receiver) Rods (Staffs) they detect the
laser beam when bright light renders the laser beam invisible to the
naked eye.
Detectors significantly increase the distance of beam detection.
Most Laser Detectors have an LCD screen and or audible alarm to advise when close to and when on level.
If using a Rotary Laser with variable speed capability, know your Laser Detector requires a minimum RPM of 600.