Abstract: An arrangement for measuring characteristic properties of a plasma beam in a thermal spray process, including a device for introducing spray materials into the plasma, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array including first optical waveguides for receiving the light radiation emitted by the plasma, and other optical waveguides for distributing the light radiation emitted by the plasma. A device is provided for splitting the light guided in the first optical waveguides into the other optical wave guides, one optical waveguide being connected to the opening diaphragm of a particle flow arrangement, and the other optical waveguide being connected to the opening diaphragm of a spectrometer. A device is also provided for determining the current state of the spray process.

Abstract: A method for coating a workpiece, whereby a coating material and an aggregate material are applied to the workpiece by thermal spraying. In addition to the coating material, an aggregate material in which or to which a fluorescent marker material is firmly fixed is applied to the workpiece. The spraying process is monitored online by detecting and evaluating at least the particles of the fluorescent marker material present in the spray jet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a workpiece is disclosed. A material is applied to the workpiece by thermal spray coating. The spraying process is monitored on-line by detecting properties of the particles in the spray jet and supplying them as actual values, where the actual values are compared directly with target values, or characteristic quantities derived from the actual values are compared with the target values and, when a deviation is found between the actual values or characteristic quantities and the pre-specified target values, the process parameters for thermal spray coating are automatically adjusted by a regulator on the basis of a neuronal network.