Abstract: A fabric cutting system and/or method can include a mandrel having a body and first and second legs, a chuck, the chuck configured to receive either one of the legs or body to rotatingly support the mandrel. The mandrel can be rotated and the fabric mounted on the mandrel can be cut about the leg at a location beyond the end of the other leg. One of the legs can include a leg extension removable from a leg base that when removed allows the other leg to be cut beyond the end of the leg base. The fabric can be cut with a cutting laser, which may be a multi-axis laser, and/or have low power.

Abstract: A fabric cutting system and/or method can include a mandrel having a body and first and second legs, a centered chuck, and an offset chuck, each chuck configured to receive either one of the legs or body to rotatingly support the mandrel between the chucks. When one of the legs is inserted into the centered chuck and the mandrel body is inserted into the offset chuck, the mandrel can be rotated and the fabric mounted on the mandrel can be cut about the leg at a location beyond the end of the other leg. One of the legs can include a leg extension removable from a leg base that when removed allows the other leg to be cut beyond the end of the leg base. The fabric can be cut with a cutting laser, which may be a multi-axis laser, and/or have low power.

Abstract: A fabric cutting system and/or method can include a mandrel having a body and first and second legs, a centered chuck, and an offset chuck, each chuck configured to receive either one of the legs or body to rotatingly support the mandrel between the chucks. When one of the legs is inserted into the centered chuck and the mandrel body is inserted into the offset chuck, the mandrel can be rotated and the fabric mounted on the mandrel can be cut about the leg at a location beyond the end of the other leg. One of the legs can include a leg extension removable from a leg base that when removed allows the other leg to be cut beyond the end of the leg base. The fabric can be cut with a cutting laser, which may be a multi-axis laser, and/or have low power.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for cutting material by means of a milling cutter and laser radiation. The apparatus comprises a milling unit, a work spindle, a milling cutter, a laser, deflecting elements, focusing optics, and a work table. According to the invention, a workpiece can be milled and lasered simultaneously or successively at the same cutting location in that the laser beam is coupled into a channel coaxial to the mill axis.

Abstract: A laser beam is shaped by eclisping it with a mask of desired shape. The shaped beam is used to drill a hole corresponding to the shape of the beam.

Abstract: Apparatus and process of laser assisted drilling includes structure and method for receiving laser energy and projecting it onto an object to produce structural changes within the object. Structure and method are also provided for mechanically abrading the structurally perturbed portions of the object. By combining laser and mechanical energy, drilling is quickly and accurately performed.

Abstract: A steel sheet (10) having a stress-relief annealed, structure with a plurality of magnetic domains (12) is made by drilling a plurality of closely spaced, small holes (15) through the entire thickness of the steel sheet, where the drilling is effective to form additional domain walls (17) and subdivide the magnetic domains.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling automatic machines such as a metal cutting tool to perform predetermined operations on a work-piece. Different means are provided for sensing the workpiece as to shape, diameter or length to determine the degree of its adjustment or wear. An inspection device or probe is provided with a transducing means operable to generate signals which are indicative of workpiece dimensions and or location. The signals are analyzed by means of computing circuits which generate control signals for performing such functions such as cycle starting, correction of tool adjustment and varying the control program to permit the performance of predetermined operations on the work by the tool.

Abstract: A method of removing the burrs at the junction of a drilled hole with a passageway previously formed in a metal part by means of a high power laser beam is disclosed. Novel steps in the control of the laser beam to avoid damage to the walls of the passageway or intersecting drilled hole are described.