SCANLAB's iDRIVE® technology redefines the industry standard for galvanometer scan head control and is used in the intelliSCAN®, intellicube®, intelliWELD®, intelliDRILL®, powerSCAN i and varioSCANde i series. iDRIVE® introduces a completely digital control concept encompassing scan systems with fully digital servo electronics and the RTC®5 control board from SCANLAB. The RTC®5 communicates with the scan systems via a new data transfer protocol that presents numerous new opportunities to boost scan system productivity − e.g. via tailoring of status, servo and reset behaviors.

The system information provided by iDRIVE® allows processing to be simulated. This significantly reduces process development time as software optimization occurs with little or no need to process and manually inspect sample workpieces. Another iDRIVE® control feature is speed-dependent laser control, where speed feedback from the galvanometer is used to modulate the laser, ensuring consistent energy deposition.

Multiple dynamics settings can be stored in the scan system. These are derived from mathematical models and can also be selected on a per-vector basis for optimal results. Dynamics settings tailored to application-specific requirements enable faster and more precise positioning. The scan system's digital output stages dissipate significantly less power, resulting in enhanced temperature stability.

iDRIVE® advantages include simultaneous monitoring of multiple galvanometer parameters and system status parameters. Real-time position and speed values can be queried, too. Such capability is indispensable for tracking or logging of processes and remote monitoring of systems.