Abstract: A waveguide gas laser having a laser resonator cavity of a variable length is subjected to cyclical varying of the length of the cavity during generation of a laser beam a length variation amount sufficient to force a laser beam generated in the resonator cavity though a substantially complete optical longitudinal cavity mode at a rate operable to smooth at least one laser beam parameter variation. In this manner variation in the laser beam parameter is averaged by moving through at least a portion of an optical longitudinal cavity mode.

Abstract: A slab gas laser has a live slab electrode and a ground slab electrode with the live slab electrode and the ground slab electrode defining a primary gas discharge chamber therebetween. The live electrode is in electrical communication with a first AC power supply to provide a first excitation signal. A pre-ionizing cell comprises a live electrode and a ground electrode defining a pre-ionizing gas discharge chamber therebetween. The live electrode is in electrical communication with a second AC power supply distinct from the first AC power supply to provide a second excitation signal delivering a discharge of electrons from the pre-ionizing gas discharge chamber. The pre-ionizing and the primary gas discharge chambers are aligned such that the pre-ionizing cell is oriented with the edges of its live and ground electrodes adjacent and substantially parallel to edges of the ground slab and live slab electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: A slab gas laser has a live slab electrode and a ground slab electrode with the live slab electrode and the ground slab electrode defining a primary gas discharge chamber therebetween. The live electrode is in electrical communication with a first AC power supply to provide a first excitation signal. A pre-ionizing cell comprises a live electrode and a ground electrode defining a pre-ionizing gas discharge chamber therebetween. The live electrode is in electrical communication with a second AC power supply distinct from the first AC power supply to provide a second excitation signal delivering a discharge of electrons from the pre-ionizing gas discharge chamber. The pre-ionizing and the primary gas discharge chambers are aligned such that the pre-ionizing cell is oriented with the edges of its live and ground electrodes adjacent and substantially parallel to edges of the ground slab and live slab electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: An engraving laser assembly comprises a tubular rail defining a plenum in an interior of the rail. A carriage is operatively associated with to the tubular rail for axial movement along the rail. A focusing optic is mounted to the carriage for focusing a laser beam to a focal point on an engraving plane operatively with the carriage. A gas inlet is operatively associated with the tubular rail and the inlet is configured for attachment to a source of pressurized gas to provide pressurized gas to the plenum. A plurality of holes are provided in the tubular rail in fluid communication with the plenum. The holes are configured so that, with a source of pressurized gas attached to the gas inlet, a stream of pressurized gas is directed from each hole toward the engraving plane.

Abstract: An RF-excited waveguide laser module comprises a first electrode having a first elongate surface defining in part a waveguide laser channel extending along an optical axis, the first elongate surface having a substantially linear cross-section normal to the optical axis. A second electrode has a second elongate surface defining in part the waveguide laser channel extending along the optical axis. The second elongate surface has a non-linear cross-section normal to the optical axis. A dielectric insert may be provided between the electrodes defining in part the waveguide laser channel. A lengthwise gap may extend essentially an entire length of the waveguide laser channel between one of the first and second electrodes and the dielectric insert. The gap provides fluid communication between the waveguide laser channel and a volume outside the waveguide laser channel.

Abstract: A chuck for a laser cutting/engraving rotary fixture comprises a chuck plate having a chuck plate axis of rotation and at least two mount brackets spaced symmetrically radially with respect to one another about the chuck plate axis of rotation. Each mount bracket comprises an inclined contact surface and each mount bracket is rotatably attached to the chuck plate about the mount bracket axis of rotation. The inclined contact surface can be selectively rotated between a first position with the inclined contact surface inclined toward the mount plate axis of rotation and a second position with the inclined contact surface inclined away from the mount plate axis of rotation. An effectively concave contact surface is defined with each of the inclined contact surfaces in the first position. An effectively convex contact surface is defined with each of the mount brackets in the second position for engaging an inner diameter of a work piece.

Abstract: An engraving laser assembly comprises a tubular rail defining a plenum in an interior of the rail. A carriage is operatively associated with to the tubular rail for axial movement along the rail. A focusing optic is mounted to the carriage for focusing a laser beam to a focal point on an engraving plane operatively with the carriage. A gas inlet is operatively associated with the tubular rail and the inlet is configured for attachment to a source of pressurized gas to provide pressurized gas to the plenum. A plurality of holes are provided in the tubular rail in fluid communication with the plenum. The holes are configured so that, with a source of pressurized gas attached to the gas inlet, a stream of pressurized gas is directed from each hole toward the engraving plane.

Abstract: An RF-excited waveguide laser module comprises a first electrode having a first elongate surface defining in part a waveguide laser channel extending along an optical axis, the first elongate surface having a substantially linear cross-section normal to the optical axis. A second electrode has a second elongate surface defining in part the waveguide laser channel extending along the optical axis. The second elongate surface has a non-linear cross-section normal to the optical axis. A dielectric insert may be provided between the electrodes defining in part the waveguide laser channel. A lengthwise gap may extend essentially an entire length of the waveguide laser channel between one of the first and second electrodes and the dielectric insert. The gap provides fluid communication between the waveguide laser channel and a volume outside the waveguide laser channel.

Abstract: A chuck for a laser cutting/engraving rotary fixture comprises a chuck plate having a chuck plate axis of rotation and at least two mount brackets spaced symmetrically radially with respect to one another about the chuck plate axis of rotation. Each mount bracket comprises an inclined contact surface and each mount bracket is rotateably attached to the chuck plate about the mount bracket axis of rotation. The inclined contact surface can be selectively rotated between a first position with the inclined contact surface inclined toward the mount plate axis of rotation and a second position with the inclined contact surface inclined away from the mount plate axis of rotation. An effectively concave contact surface is defined with each of the inclined contact surfaces in the first position. An effectively convex contact surface is defined with each of the mount brackets in the second position for engaging an inner diameter of a work piece.

Abstract: A laser assembly includes a removable work table defining a planar work surface. A frame is configured for supporting the removable work table with the work surface in a work surface plane. An X-Y beam transport is operatively associated with the frame and is configured to direct a laser beam from a laser beam source to X-Y coordinates relative to the frame. At least one clamp is operatively associated between the frame and the removable work table with each clamp having a clamping position for clamping the work table to the frame with the work surface in the work surface plane in a release position or removing the work table from the frame. A void underlies the removable work table and is operatively associated with the X-Y beam transport with the removable work surface removed. A X axis control member moves the work table along a Z axis normal to the work surface plane between a proximal position near the X-Y beam transport and a distal position away from the X-Y beam transport.