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Laser apparatus with novel beam aligning means and method of laser processing of workpieces using same

  • US 4,675,501 A
  • Filed: 10/22/1984
  • Issued: 06/23/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In laser apparatus for processing of workpieces, the combination comprising:

  • (a) a laser beam generator;

    (b) a laser cutting head movably mounted in said laser apparatus at a distance from said laser beam generator for movement along at least two axes relative to said laser beam generator;

    (c) a laser beam focusing head disposed in said laser cutting head, said focusing head including a focusing lens and a nozzle through which the focused beam is directed;

    (d) a laser beam transmission system for transmitting the laser beam exiting the generator along a laser beam pathway to said beam focusing head including;

    (i) at least one adjustable mirror for effecting a reorientation of the beam in said pathway, said at least one adjustable mirror including a beam directing mirror in said laser cutting head in alignment with said beam focusing head to direct the laser beam directly into said focusing lens; and

    (ii) means mounting said beam directing mirror in said cutting head for movement in at least one axis; and

    (e) a laser beam aligning system including;

    (i) at least one sensing means at a point in said laser beam pathway between said beam directing mirror and said focusing lens, said sensing means being disposed adjacent said focusing lens and being actuatable by a laser beam impinging thereon to provide a signal indicative of deviation of the laser beam from its optimum path at said point in said pathway, and(ii) deviation responsive means responsive to the signal from said sensing means and providing an output for use in effecting movement of said beam directing mirror in said at least one axis to move the laser beam to its optimum path to said focusing head, whereby movement of said laser beam cutting head relative to said laser beam generator producing deviation of the laser beam from its optimum path to said focusing lens is sensed by said sensing means adajcent said focusing lens and said beam directing mirror is adjusted by said deviation responsive means to align said beam in its optimum path to said focusing lens.

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