Abstract: Monitoring of protective glasses (8) in laser machining heads, which are exposed to dust, sputtering and/or soiling, with the aim of predicting the contamination of the protective glass. For this purpose, image sections (19) are captured by means of at least two image capture systems (16) at capture-times, computer-readable image files are stored by means of a frequency-based compression algorithm, and a file size value (kB) is determined for each image file on the basis of its file size. A signal is generated if for a majority of the image capture systems (16) the file size values (kB) decrease and/or are below one of a predefined number of threshold values (20) for a predetermined minimum number of consecutive capture-times.

Abstract: The monitoring of protective glasses in laser machining heads, which are exposed to dust, sputtering and/or soiling, with the aim of predicting the contamination of the protective glass by way of determination of its absorption rate by means of temperature monitoring. The absorption rate is determined during laser processing by using a time-resolved temperature profile of the protective glass. Either, a difference of temporal temperature gradients being present before and after switching the working laser or an amplitude arising in a frequency spectrum of the temperature profile at the switching frequency of the laser is evaluated. Upon exceeding predetermined threshold values warning and error signals, respectively, are triggered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanner device having a mirror arranged so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation, an iron core with an air gap, a coil arranged about a portion of the iron core, and two permanent magnets. The two magnets have differently directed magnetizations and are arranged inside the air gap at different angular rotation positions with respect to the axis of rotation. An armature made of a soft-magnetic material is arranged on the mirror in such a manner that the armature is residing inside the air gap and, by means of application of electric current to the coil, the armature is moved toward one of the two magnets, depending on the direction of the current, and the mirror rotates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for joining workpieces by means of a laser beam, wherein the device comprises: a scanner optics for guiding the laser beam; a press element, which, during the joining process, is pressed along a pressing direction onto at least one of the workpieces; and a housing, which houses the scanner optics and the laser beam running from the scanner optics towards the workpieces, wherein the press element forms a part of the housing and is movable relative to the rest of the housing by at least one degree of movement freedom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for guiding a laser beam along a target path, particularly a joint. It has a laser beam input module that guides an incident laser beam onto a swiveling beam guiding device downstream from the laser beam input module. The beam guiding device projects the laser beam onto the target path. Said beam guiding device comprises a tactile sensor connected to the swiveling optic that is designed to perform a tactile scan of the target path and to deflect the swiveling optic appropriately. According to the invention, an intermediate focal point is located in the beam path of the laser beam between laser beam input module and swiveling optic. Moreover, the swivel axis of the swiveling optic runs through the intermediate focal point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to an associated method for joining sheet metal parts, each with a flange, by laser, wherein the flanges of the sheet metal parts (2) are joined into one connecting flange. The device has a clamping device (5) for clamping the sheet metal parts (2) to be joined in a main clamping direction running transversely to the connecting flange and a beam guidance system for a laser beam (1). Moreover, the device has a compensation shaft (9) which tracks the laser beam (1) according to a relative movement between the connecting flange and a guidance apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for guiding a laser beam along a target path, particularly a joint. It has a laser beam input module that guides an incident laser beam onto a swiveling beam guiding device downstream from the laser beam input module. The beam guiding device projects the laser beam onto the target path. Said beam guiding device comprises a tactile sensor connected to the swiveling optic that is designed to perform a tactile scan of the target path and to deflect the swiveling optic appropriately. According to the invention, an intermediate focal point is located in the beam path of the laser beam between laser beam input module and swiveling optic. Moreover, the swivel axis of the swiveling optic runs through the intermediate focal point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to an associated method for joining sheet metal parts, each with a flange, by laser, wherein the flanges of the sheet metal parts (2) are joined into one connecting flange. The device has a clamping device (5) for clamping the sheet metal parts (2) to be joined in a main clamping direction running transversely to the connecting flange and a beam guidance system for a laser beam (1). Moreover, the device has a compensation shaft (9) which tracks the laser beam (1) according to a relative movement between the connecting flange and a guidance apparatus.

Abstract: A joining device for a bonded connection by means of a filler material has a feeding device for a wire as the filler material, which is configured to feed the wire during operation of the joining device at a predetermined speed of advance, and a guiding device for an energy beam with at least two partial beams for the melting of the wire. The joining device has a first measuring sensor for detecting a lateral deflection of the wire and a second measuring sensor for detecting a quantity related to the advancement of the wire, wherein the guiding device for the energy beam is connected to the first and the second measuring sensor and configured such that the energy beam is deflected and/or focused in dependence on the output signals of the first and second measuring sensor.

Abstract: The invention is a device for guiding a laser tool for processing a workpiece and includes a scanner optic, an image sensor that is optically integrated into a portion of the beam path of a workpiece processing beam, and at least one projector that is mounted externally to the scanner optics. Scanner optic, projector, and image sensor move together. The projector projects a second laser beam onto the workpiece. A semi-permeable deflection unit in the scanner optic is permeable to the second laser beam and impermeable to the workpiece processing beam. The image sensor is arranged on the side of the semi-permeable deflection unit facing away from the path of the workpiece processing beam. The measuring light is reflected from the workpiece into the scanner optic, through the semi-permeable deflection unit and then detected by the image sensor. The device enables mass production of fine fillet welds and flange welds.