Abstract: Laser beam focusing head having an unfocused-beam input, a focused-beam output and a lens located between the said input and the said output; the said head comprising a reflecting mirror between the said lens and the said output, and the said lens being located in such a position as to be directly invisible by the said output.

Abstract: A laser-assisted machining process for the machining of materials which are normally difficult to work employs a laser source and associated reflecting means which focus the laser beam onto two distinct areas of the workpiece material to effect localized heating thereof and assist the formation of shavings by a cutting tool: one area is immediately in front of the cutting edge of the tool and the other is adjacent the leading face of the tool, in part of the workpiece material which is deformed plastically by the tool in the formation of a shaving.