Abstract: Methods, machines, and computer-readable mediums for determining distance correction values of a desired distance between a laser processing nozzle on a laser processing head and a workpiece during laser processing of the workpiece are provided. In some implementations, the workpiece is scanned along a desired path of a surface of the workpiece separately by the laser processing nozzle and a measurement head arranged in place of the laser processing nozzle on the laser processing head, with a capacitively measured distance identical to the desired distance. The measurement head has a lower lateral sensitivity of a capacitance measurement than the laser processing nozzle. Respective scanned movement paths of the laser processing nozzle and the measurement head are determined. The distance correction values for the desired distance of the laser processing nozzle are then determined from the scanned movement paths determined with the laser processing nozzle and the measurement head.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a beam profile of a laser beam, which is positioned by a scanner device in a processing field. The method includes: arranging at least one retroreflector in the processing field for irradiating powder layers of the scanner device; detecting laser radiation reflected back into the scanner device while the laser beam is scanned over the retroreflector; and determining the beam profile of the laser beam by using the laser radiation detected during the scanning travel over the retroreflector.

Abstract: A laser machining head includes a focusing optical unit for focusing a laser beam in a direction of a machining zone of a workpiece and includes a cross-jet nozzle for producing a cross flow that passes through the focused laser beam transversely (e.g., at a right angle to) a beam axis of the focused laser beam. The distance of the cross-jet nozzle from the workpiece is less than 20 mm (e.g., between 8 mm and 12 mm). A nozzle body having a bottom opening that faces downward toward the workpiece is provided laterally adjacent to the focused laser beam. A protective gas flows out of the bottom opening, which is arranged below the cross-jet nozzle in order to entrain the protective gas flowing between the nozzle body and the workpiece due to the cross flow of the cross-jet nozzle so that the protective gas flows over the machining zone.

Abstract: A diffractive optical beam shaping element for imposing a phase distribution on a laser beam that is intended for laser processing of a material includes a phase mask that is shaped as an area and is configured for imposing a plurality of beam shaping phase distributions on the laser beam incident on to the phase mask. A virtual optical image is attributed to at least one of the plurality of beam shaping phase distributions, wherein the virtual image can be imaged into an elongated focus zone for creating a modification in the material to be processed. Multiple such elongated focus zones can spatially add up and interfere with each other, to modify an intensity distribution in the material and, for example, generate an asymmetric modification zone.

Abstract: A method for machine processing, in particular for machine welding processing of workpieces, in particular of plate-like workpieces, tubes and/or profiles, by means of a thermal processing beam, in particular by means of a processing beam is described, wherein the processing of the workpiece is carried out with a relative movement between the processing beam and the workpiece, wherein a process gas is fed to a processing zone in a settable quantity of process gas per unit of time. After a stored stabilization time, in which the processing of a workpiece is continued with a relative movement between the processing beam and the workpiece, a quantity of process gas per unit of time is automatically reduced. Further a control apparatus of a setting device for process gas feed according to such a method is described.

Abstract: An impedance matching circuit for a gas-laser excitation system includes a high-frequency connection line configured to be connected at a first connection point to a power source and at a second connection point to a gas-laser electrode. The impedance matching circuit is characterized in that an impedance of at least one section of the high-frequency connection line changes by a change to a configuration of the high-frequency connection line, in particular to at least one parameter of the high-frequency connection line in the at least one section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for generating a laser beam (3) with different beam profile characteristics, whereby a laser beam (2) is coupled into one fiber end (1a) of a multi-clad fiber (1), in particular a double-clad fiber, and emitted from the other fiber end (1b) of the multi-clad fiber (1) and whereby, to generate different beam profile characteristics of the output laser beam (3), the input laser beam (2) is electively coupled either at least into the inner fiber core (4) of the multi-clad fiber (1) or at least into at least one outer ring core (6) of the multi-clad fiber (1), as well as a corresponding arrangement (10).

Abstract: In a machine tool, in particular a laser machine tool, a workpiece slide or tool slide is movable along a guide rail and has at least two guide carriages that are guided on the guide rail. The machine tool has a covering hood that is moved along with the slide, for covering that rail section of the guide rail that is located between the two guide carriages. The covering hood is a part that is not connected to the slide. The covering hood is guided on the guide rail in a displaceable manner between the two guide carriages and is entrained in the displacement direction by the rear guide carriage when the slide is displaced.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for laser decoating of coated metal sheets, in particular for removing a metal protective layer from a metal sheet by a laser beam. The laser beam is directed onto a surface of a metal sheet coated with a metal protective layer, such that the laser beam strikes the surface of the metal sheet at a laser spot and melts material of the metal protective layer. A gas is directed by a plurality of nozzles at a pressure of at least 3 bar and at an acute angle with respect to the laser beam onto the laser spot. The nozzles are arranged around the laser beam such that the gas directed from the nozzles blows away the melted material of the metal protective layer from the metal sheet.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and computer-readable storage mediums for determining a deviation between an actual position and a desired position of a laser machining head of a laser machining machine. Implementations include actions of selecting at least two different machining positions of the laser machining head, in which a laser beam emitted by the laser machining head is directed onto a desired position of a workpiece, moving the laser machining head into a first selected machining position and forming a through-opening into the workpiece at or around the desired position by operation of the laser beam, moving the laser machining head into a second selected machining position and detecting radiation generated by an interaction between the laser beam and the workpiece, and determining whether there is a deviation between an actual position of the laser machining head and the desired position based on the detected radiation.

Abstract: A method for cutting off an edge portion of a workpiece includes applying a laser to the workpiece to form multiple individual severing cuts in the edge portion such that the edge portion is cut off from the workpiece, the multiple individual severing cuts being arranged together along the edge portion. Applying the laser to the workpiece to form the multiple individual severing cuts includes, for each individual severing cut, translating a laser cutting head and/or the workpiece relative to one another, and detecting, at an end of each severing cut, an edge of the workpiece, in which the translation of the laser cutting head or the workpiece continues at least until the edge is detected.

Abstract: A diffusion-cooled gas laser system that includes a first and a second electrode and a discharge gap arranged between the electrodes, wherein a dielectric is arranged on at least one of the electrodes on the discharge-gap side. The system is characterized in that the dielectric thickness d/?res the dielectric for influencing the discharge ?res of distribution in the discharge gap varies along at least one dimension of the electrode on which the dielectric is arranged, wherein d is the thickness of the dielectric, and ?res is the resultant constant of the dielectric, and, at its thickest point, has a thickness of at least 1 mm or is greater than one hundredth of the length of the electrode or is greater than one thousandth of a wavelength determined by the frequency of a radiofrequency electrical power to be coupled into the system.

Abstract: A method of processing structurally identical workpieces using a numerically controlled workpiece processing apparatus includes processing a first workpiece according to a first desired tool path specified for a tool of the numerically controlled workpiece processing apparatus by closed-loop controlling a working distance between the tool and the workpiece to achieve a defined desired distance, such that when processing the first workpiece, the tool is moved along a distance-controlled actual tool path. The method further includes optimizing the first desired tool path for a second workpiece based on the distance-controlled actual tool path of the first workpiece to provide a second desired tool path and processing the second workpiece according to the second desired tool path.

Abstract: Detection of defects during a machining process includes: moving a laser beam along a predefined path over multiple workpieces to be machined so as to generate a weld seam or a cutting gap in the workpieces; detecting, in a two-dimensional spatially resolved detector field of a detector, radiation emitted and/or reflected by the multiple workpieces; selecting at least one detection field section in the detection field of the detector based on laser beam control data defining movement of the laser beam along the predefined path or based on a previously determined actual-position data of the laser beam along the predefined path, wherein each detection field section comprises a region encompassing less than the entire detection field; evaluating the radiation detected in the selected detection field section; and determining whether a defect exists at the weld seam or the cutting gap based on the evaluated radiation.

Abstract: There is proposed a laser machining device (10) for a laser workpiece machining operation, having a laser (14) for producing laser radiation (50), and having at least two laser tools (18, 18?), to which the laser radiation (50) can be supplied by means of an optical-fiber cable (16). According to the invention, the optical-fiber cable (16) has an input-side end (20) having at least two optical fiber cores (22, 22?) and a plurality of output-side ends (26, 26?) each having one of the optical fiber cores (22, 22?), the optical fiber cores (22, 22?) each being connected to one of the laser tools (18, 18?). A switching device (28) is preferably provided for selectively coupling the laser radiation (50) in one or more of the optical fiber cores (22, 22?) of the optical-fiber cable (16).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for generating a laser beam (3) with different beam profile characteristics, whereby a laser beam (2) is coupled into one fiber end (1a) of a multi-clad fiber (1), in particular a double-clad fiber, and emitted from the other fiber end (1b) of the multi-clad fiber (1) and whereby, to generate different beam profile characteristics of the output laser beam (3), the input laser beam (2) is electively coupled either at least into the inner fiber core (4) of the multi-clad fiber (1) or at least into at least one outer ring core (6) of the multi-clad fiber (1), as well as a corresponding arrangement (10).

Abstract: A cooling arrangement for cooling laser gas for a gas laser includes a first cooling circuit having a first cooling assembly and a first heat exchanger for cooling laser gas which flows from a fan to a resonator of the gas laser, and a second cooling circuit which is independent of the first and which has a second cooling assembly and a second heat exchanger for cooling laser gas which flows from the resonator to the fan. The second cooling circuit has at least one additional heat exchanger for additionally cooling the laser gas which flows from the fan to the resonator.

Abstract: A gas laser includes a fan for producing a flow of a laser gas and a heat exchanger including multiple heat exchanger pipes. The heat exchanger further includes two end plates to which the multiple heat exchanger pipes are secured at the opposing ends thereof. The two end plates include openings for supplying a heat exchanger fluid to the multiple heat exchanger pipes. The multiple heat exchanger pipes extend substantially transversely relative to a flow direction of the flow of laser gas.

Abstract: A processing machine for workpiece processing has a sliding member which can be moved relative to a machine body along a travel channel from a first position into a second position and vice versa. The sliding member is connected to the machine body by at least one energy guiding chain that is at least partially disposed within the travel channel. The energy guiding chain has a plurality of chain members coupled in a flexible manner and the chain members have edge projections supported on shoulders on either side of the travel channel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for generating a laser beam (3) with different beam profile characteristics, whereby a laser beam (2) is coupled into one fibre end (1a) of a multi-clad fibre (1), in particular a double-clad fibre, and emitted from the other fibre end (1b) of the multi-clad fibre (1) and whereby, to generate different beam profile characteristics of the output laser beam (3), the input laser beam (2) is electively coupled either at least into the inner fibre core (4) of the multi-clad fibre (1) or at least into at least one outer ring core (6) of the multi-clad fibre (1), as well as a corresponding arrangement (10).