Abstract: A mirror-based laser processing system, e.g., for laser welding, provided with manual control of movements of a laser welding spot W on an object O being treated. The system includes a laser source (10) which generates a laser beam capable of treating the object (O), a mirror-based micromanipulator (14) which consists of a concave mirror (18) and a convex mirror (16) facing each other, and a laser beam splitter (20) which is located on the path of the laser beam reflected from the concave mirror (18). The laser beam splitter (20) has a coating which reflects the laser beam onto the object (O), but is capable of passing visible and infrared light. Movements of the laser-beam splitter are manually controlled from an external terminal, which is made in the form of a joy stick (50). The joy stick is capable of moving the laser welding spot (W) in any direction over the object's surface in the X-Y coordinate system.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a metal tube covered optical fiber cable comprises an assembly of a plurality of roller pairs for forming a metal strip into a metal tube so that both side edge portions abut against each other, a laser (7) for welding the abutment portions with a laser beam to obtain a sealed metal tube (1c), an optical fiber guide for guiding an optical fiber (5) into the formed metal tube (1a), and a traction apparatus including a tension variable element for continuously drawing a sealed metal tube (id). The optical fiber guide is elastically urged against an inner wall opposite to an irradiated surface of the metal tube so that the optical fiber is protected even when the focal point of the laser beam is positioned below the abutment portions of the metal tube. In one embodiment a leaf spring mechanism is used to elastically urge the optical fiber guide.

Abstract: In the manufacture of car bodies--particularly what is called the "body-in-white" (BIW), the as-welded body without the doors, engine, transmission, etc., and major sub-assemblies thereof. or other "3-D" structures, such as planes, ships, trucks, buildings and the like there is used optically visible datums (in UV, visible, and IR wavelengths) on the part which are either functional (that is used for assembly or other purposes, such as a hole) or simply for the purpose of optically guided positioning, either manually or automatically. These datums, typically holes, painted, engraved, or retroreflective targets, either by themselves, or in combination with other features of the part such as edges, are observed by optical sensor/camera systems in and/or surrounding the work area. One or more positioning means either automatic, semi-auto, or manual, are guided by the signals from the cameras to cause the requisite parts to be positioned in the proper location. The parts are then joined, such as by laser welders.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package, and a method for forming the integrated circuit package, including a single layer or multilayer substrate in which interconnection vias are formed is described. Laser energy is swept across a surface of a mask in which holes have been formed. Laser energy passing through the holes of the mask forms vias in a substrate held in place below the mask. The laser energy is swept at such a speed and is maintained at such an energy level that the laser energy forms vias in the substrate, but does not penetrate a set of leads attached to the substrate. Vias may be formed in this way by either a mask imaging, contact mask or conformal mask technique. The laser energy is emitted from a non-thermal (e.g., excimer) laser. The substrate is formed of an organic (e.g., epoxy) resin. The resin may include reinforcing fibers (e.g., aramid fibers). Substrates may be formed on one or both sides of the set of leads.

Abstract: A process for precision control of a laser beam for machining workpieces while achieving high surface quality. The actual distance between a reference location and the workpiece surface is determined. A setpoint/actual value deviation between a predetermined setpoint distance and the actual distance measured is also determined. Control parameters are determined by a control unit in accordance with the setpoint/actual value deviation. The resulting control parameter outputs are coupled to a laser control unit to control the beam power of the laser. The disclosure also includes the apparatus for accomplishing the process.

Abstract: A laser drilling process capable of producing a plurality of holes in a pharmaceutical dosage form, at high speed, is presented. The process utilizes a digital laser marking system (DigiMark.TM. variable marking system) to produce an unlimited number of holes through the surface or coating of a dosage form, at rates up to 100,000 units or more per hour.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser cutting process which can easily obtain a fine cut surface without attaching any dross thereto. The laser cutting process comprises the steps of: applying a piercing to a workpiece by irradiating a laser beam toward a focus thereof adjusted onto an upper surface of the workpiece under as a condition as using air having a relatively low pressure; ejecting air having a high pressure toward a cutting portion of the workpiece from a nozzle main body for emitting the laser beam mounted on a laser processing machine under the condition such that the laser beam is irradiated from the nozzle main body toward a focus thereof adjusted onto a rear surface of the workpiece or the proximity thereof; and cutting the workpiece while blowing off dross generated upon the cutting operation by means of the ejected high pressure air.

Abstract: A laser head device including a nozzle supporting shaft (11) which is formed in the shape of a pipe through which laser beams (LB) pass, characterized in that the shaft is vertically movably supported in a frame of a laser processing apparatus and is rotatable about its axis so that it acts both as a protecting pipe for the laser beams (LB) and as a rotary shaft. The object is to provide a laser head device which is simple, compact and lightweight in comparison with conventional ones.

Abstract: A novelty item is disclosed comprising a solid block of material having an slug having a first and second finger. The slug is surrounded by the block and adapted to be retained by the block. The first finger has divergent walls cut at a first angle to the top surface of the block. The second finger has convergent walls cut at a second angle to the top surface of the block and the remainder of the slug has walls cut at substantially right angles to the top surface freeing the slug from the block, whereby the thickness of the cut is less than the ratio of the thickness of the block to the tangent of the greater of the first and second angle.

Abstract: A method is provided for marking a molded hand grip such as a golf grip (100) with specialized information such as a personalized signature. The method utilizes a laser marking device (50) that is operative to provide an optical beam (8) having power and optical wave length characteristics effective to vaporize a continuous groove or trench and/or adjacently positioned dots in a target region ("R") on the hand grip to which beam (8) is exposed, The marked grip is then removed from device (50) and a selected colorant (16) such as paint or ink of desired color is then deposited in the marking that is preferably bondable to the desired extent to the material from which the hand grip is molded after which any excess colorant is then removed to provide the finished hand grip having the specialized information marked thereon.

Abstract: The cutting head is displaceable along a cutting bridge which is in turn displaceable along transversal guidings, so as to be longitudinally and transversally displaceable over a working table in order to cut pieces from flat stock. Said material, or said pieces, respectively, lie on a supporting grate, and a second supporting grate can be discharged and charged with a new plate during the machining operation. Both of said supporting grates can selectively be brought to a desired position. More particularly, both supporting grates can be removed from said working table in order to render its interior accessible and free. By means of a turning axle which is journalled on the table mount, a tube or a profile can then be inserted in said turning axle by a charging device in order to be machined. The machining installation is thus very versatile, allows a rational processing and due to a good accessibility, a comfortable operation when retooling from one to the other processing mode.

Abstract: A system for cleaning molds within presses is disclosed wherein the system utilizes a light source including a laser to clean surfaces within the mold. The light source is aligned with an opening in the mold and light from the laser is directed onto the mold surfaces to vaporize residual material thereon to thereby clean the surfaces. The light source may be formed as a portable unit movable between different presses, or the light source may be in the form of a single laser with a plurality of light paths leading from the laser to individual presses such that light may be selectively conveyed along the light paths to clean the molds within the presses.

Abstract: A process for treating workpieces by means of laser radiation, particularly or the cutting, hole burning and material removal with respect to metallic workpieces, in which the treated site of the workpiece is monitored by a radiation detector which contributes to reducing the intensity of the laser radiation when an upper limit value is reached and to increasing it when a lower limit value is reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode for electrolysis, whose front side comprises a plurality of substantially parallel channels (2) defined by substantially parallel threads (1) of electrically conducting material, which are attached to and in electric contact with the underlying electrode structure (10, 11, 12).Moreover, the invention relates to a method of producing an electrode, an electrolytic cell comprising an electrode according to the invention, and the use of such an electrode in electrolysis.

Abstract: A laser writing apparatus includes a laser light source which directs an expanded beam of laser light onto a two-dimensional phase grating. The phase grating splits the beam into a two-dimensional array of individual bundles of collimated light or beamlets. Each individual row of beamlets is reflected by a single strip mirror toward the surface on which a pattern is to be written. By moving the surface under the beams at a selected angle, multiple parallel lines can be written simultaneously on the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a fixture for positioning a first sheet metal part in proximity of a second sheet metal part so that each sheet metal part has one surface facing the other sheet metal part across a gap and one surface facing away from the other sheet metal part, wherein at least one of the sheet metal parts comprises galvanized steel. A laser beam delivery device applies a laser beam to one of the facing away surfaces. A feed wire source provides a feed wire comprising a supplemental wire and a reactive agent at an intersection of the laser beam and the one facing away surface. The apparatus affects relative movement between the one facing away surface and the laser beam to provide a laser weld between the two sheet metal parts.

Abstract: A needle machining apparatus which presents a stock needle to a device for boring a hole in the needle. The apparatus also includes a needle feeding apparatus which provides high speed feeding of blank needles for the needle machining apparatus. A method for high speed feeding of needles for subsequent laser drilling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for performing laser welding comprises an optical lens for receiving an incoming laser beam and for dividing the laser beam into a number of different beam segments. The top surface is defined by a number of different surfaces for respectively dividing the laser beam into the number of beam segments. The optical lens has a convex bottom surface for focusing and directing the beam segments onto a respective number of welding locations. Preferably, the laser welding system is used to simultaneously perform five welds on an improved spacer grid assembly which has a cylindrical member located at each intersection of the spacer strips. By simultaneously performing the five requisite welds, the welding time is significantly reduced. Also, the welding process is simplified since the system only has to be in one position to perform all of the welds at each intersection.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is used to control the relative positions of a laser and optical fiber during laser welding of components to a base.

Abstract: A multi-beam drilling apparatus for selectively removing material from a substrate, at least one radiation source producing at least one beam of coherent radiation switchable between an energized and a deenergized state, a mask fixedly position relative to a substrate and provided with a preselected pattern of passages for machining beam passage whereby each passage is larger than the applied beam passing therethrough, the coherent source and substrate with the mask are relatively positionable.