Abstract: A method for determining a position of a workpiece for a laser machining process includes the steps of: radiating a measurement beam to at least one workpiece and a support device surrounding the workpiece along at least one first and along at least one second measurement path, the first path forming a predetermined angle with the second path; acquiring a portion of the radiated measurement beam, reflected by the support device and the workpiece, along the first and along the second measurement path and generating a corresponding measurement signal, the support device and the workpiece comprising a reflectivity different from each other; and determining a position of the workpiece based on the measurement signal. A method for machining a workpiece by a laser beam includes the method for determining the position of the workpiece. An apparatus for determining a position of a workpiece is configured for conducting the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for an additive manufacture. The device (100) comprises a laser device (110) for machining material using a laser beam (112), said laser device (110) being designed to deflect the laser beam (112) onto a machining region of a workpiece (10); at least one supply device (130) for a supply material, said supply device being designed to supply the supply material to the machining region; and an interferometer (140) which is designed to measure a distance to the workpiece (10) by means of an optical measuring beam (142).

Abstract: A processing head for a laser processing device adapted for processing a workpiece using laser radiation has: adjustable focusing optics to focus laser radiation in a focal spot having an adjustable distance from the processing head; an optical coherence tomograph to measure a distance between the processing head and the workpiece by measuring an optical interference between measuring light reflected by the workpiece and measuring light not reflected by the workpiece; a path length modulator that can change, synchronously with and dependent on a change of the focal spot distance from the processing head, an optical path length in an optical path along which measuring light propagates; a scanning device, which deflects the laser radiation in different directions; and a control device, which i) controls a focal length of the focusing optics in such a way that the focal spot is situated at a desired location on the workpiece, ii) receives, from the coherence tomograph, information representing the distance betwe

Abstract: The invention pertains to measuring, adjusting and/or controlling a distance between a machining head, particularly a laser machining head, and a workpiece, comprising a measurement light source, a beam splitter that splits the light of the measurement light source into a measurement light beam and a reference light beam, a reference arm, through which the reference light beam is guided, an optical system for coupling the measurement light beam into a processing beam path featuring a focusing lens, an optical device for superimposing the measurement light beam, and a measurement and evaluation unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (100) for an additive manufacture. The device (100) comprises a laser device (110) for machining material using a laser beam (112), said laser device (110) being designed to deflect the laser beam (112) onto a machining region of a workpiece (10); at least one supply device (130) for a supply material, said supply device being designed to supply the supply material to the machining region; and an interferometer (140) which is designed to measure a distance to the workpiece (10) by means of an optical measuring beam (142).

Abstract: A processing head for a laser processing device adapted for processing a workpiece using laser radiation has: adjustable focusing optics to focus laser radiation in a focal spot having an adjustable distance from the processing head; an optical coherence tomograph to measure a distance between the processing head and the workpiece by measuring an optical interference between measuring light reflected by the workpiece and measuring light not reflected by the workpiece; a path length modulator that can change, synchronously with and dependent on a change of the focal spot distance from the processing head, an optical path length in an optical path along which measuring light propagates; a scanning device, which deflects the laser radiation in different directions; and a control device, which i) controls a focal length of the focusing optics in such a way that the focal spot is situated at a desired location on the workpiece, ii) receives, from the coherence tomograph, information representing the distance betwe

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining head for a laser machining device, which is equipped for machining a workpiece (24) using laser radiation (30). The laser machining head comprises an adjustable focusing optical unit (34), which focuses the laser radiation (30) in a focal spot (22). The distance between the focal spot (22) and a machining head can be modified by modifying the focal length of the focusing optical unit (34). A scanning apparatus (44) deflects the laser radiation (30) in different directions. An optical coherence tomography device (48) measures a distance between the treatment head and the workpiece (24). Here, measuring light (52), which was generated by a measuring light source (50) and reflected by the workpiece (24), interferes in the coherence tomography device (48) with measuring light, which traveled an optical path length in a reference arm (60).

Abstract: The invention pertains to measuring, adjusting and/or controlling a distance between a machining head, particularly a laser machining head, and a workpiece, comprising a measurement light source, a beam splitter that splits the light of the measurement light source into a measurement light beam and a reference light beam, a reference arm, through which the reference light beam is guided, an optical system for coupling the measurement light beam into a processing beam path featuring a focusing lens, an optical device for superimposing the measurement light beam, and a measurement and evaluation unit.

Abstract: According to a method for measuring the distance between a workpiece and a machining head of a laser machining apparatus, a machining head is provided, which has a housing that has an interior and an opening for emergence of the laser radiation from the machining head. The laser radiation is directed on to the workpiece, after it has passed through the interior and the opening. An object beam is directed on to the workpiece by a light source of an optical coherence tomograph in such a manner that the object beam passes through the interior and the opening before being incident upon the workpiece. In addition to the object beam, a measuring beam passes through the interior. The measuring beam is used to compensate falsifications of the measured distance that have been caused by pressure fluctuations in the interior. The measuring beam in this case may be reflected at a reflective face that is formed on an inner face of an outlet nozzle that comprises the opening, which inner face delimits the interior.

Abstract: A method for measuring the penetration depth of a laser beam into a work-piece. A focusing optical unit arranged in a machining head focuses the laser beam in a focal spot. The focal spot produces a vapor capillary in the workpiece. An optical coherence tomograph produces a first and a second measurement beam. The first measurement beam is directed at a first measurement point at the base of the vapor capillary in order to thereby measure a first distance between a reference point and the first measurement point. At the same time, the second measurement beam is directed at a second measurement point on a surface of the workpiece which faces the machining head and which is outside of the vapor capillary measuring a second distance between the reference point and the second measurement point. The depth of penetration of the laser beam is the difference between the second and the first distances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining head for a laser machining device, which is equipped for machining a workpiece (24) using laser radiation (30). The laser machining head comprises an adjustable focusing optical unit (34), which focuses the laser radiation (30) in a focal spot (22). The distance between the focal spot (22) and a machining head can be modified by modifying the focal length of the focusing optical unit (34). A scanning apparatus (44) deflects the laser radiation (30) in different directions. An optical coherence tomography device (48) measures a distance between the treatment head and the workpiece (24). Here, measuring light (52), which was generated by a measuring light source (50) and reflected by the workpiece (24), interferes in the coherence tomography device (48) with measuring light, which traveled an optical path length in a reference arm (60).

Abstract: According to a method for measuring the distance between a workpiece and a machining head of a laser machining apparatus, a machining head is provided, which has a housing that has an interior and an opening for emergence of the laser radiation from the machining head. The laser radiation is directed on to the workpiece, after it has passed through the interior and the opening. An object beam is directed on to the workpiece by a light source of an optical coherence tomograph in such a manner that the object beam passes through the interior and the opening before being incident upon the workpiece. In addition to the object beam, a measuring beam passes through the interior. The measuring beam is used to compensate falsifications of the measured distance that have been caused by pressure fluctuations in the interior. The measuring beam in this case may be reflected at a reflective face that is formed on an inner face of an outlet nozzle that comprises the opening, which inner face delimits the interior.

Abstract: A material-working device with working beams of a beam generator and with in-situ measurement of a working distance between the beam generator and a workpiece, the material-working device including a working laser; a laser scanner for the working laser, the laser scanner including a two-dimensional deflecting device with scanner mirrors and a variable refocusing device at varying working distances; and a sensor device including a spectrometer and at least one sensor light source, wherein measuring beams together scan a working area of the workpiece by the laser scanner and an objective lens while gathering the working distance, and the measuring beams of at least two of the light sources of the sensor device being linearly polarized and being coupled into a working beam path of the laser scanner of the material-working device by an optical coupling element in a collimated state with crossed polarization directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining device (10) comprising at least one machining head (16) designed to provide at least one high-energy machining beam (22), especially an electron or laser beam. Such a machining device is used to remove material from workpieces (28) or for connecting workpieces (28) by bonding, especially by means of welding. According to the invention, at least one scanning device (32) designed as an optical coherence tomograph and provided for surface scanning is associated with the machining head (16). The invention also relates to a method for machining material using a high-energy machining beam for scanning surface areas of a workpiece which is machined, not yet machined, or being machined, by means of an optical coherence tomograph.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining device (10) comprising at least one machining head (16) designed to provide at least one high-energy machining beam (22), especially an electron or laser beam. Such a machining device is used to remove material from workpieces (28) or for connecting workpieces (28) by bonding, especially by means of welding. According to the invention, at least one scanning device (32) designed as an optical coherence tomograph and provided for surface scanning is associated with the machining head (16). The invention also relates to a method for machining material using a high-energy machining beam for scanning surface areas of a workpiece which is machined, not yet machined, or being machined, by means of an optical coherence tomograph.