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).

Abstract: Beam guides for guiding a laser beam from a driver laser device in the direction of a target position for generating extreme ultraviolet (“EUV”) radiation are disclosed. The beam guides include a device for increasing or decreasing the beam diameter of the laser beam. The device includes a first off-axis parabolic mirror having a first convex curved reflecting surface and a second off-axis parabolic mirror having a second concave curved reflecting surface. The beam guides also include a moving device arranged to change a distance between the first and the second reflecting surfaces to change the opening angle (?), e.g., the convergence or divergence angle, of the laser beam. Methods for adjusting an opening angle (?) of a laser beam using such beam guides are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining misalignment of a powder feed nozzle and a laser beam. The method includes forming a test structure on a workpiece in at least two different directions by deposition laser welding with powder at substantially constant deposition parameters without relative rotation between a powder feed nozzle and a laser beam, measuring heights and/or wall thicknesses of the test structure along the test structure, and determining a direction and/or an amount of misalignment of the powder feed nozzle relative to the laser beam based on the measured heights and/or wall thicknesses.

Abstract: A device for laser processing, in which the device includes: a laser including a resonator, the resonator being configured to generate a laser beam with a predetermined caustic during operation of the device; and an optical element to transform a laser beam generated by the resonator into a transformed laser beam having an annular intensity distribution in a plane perpendicular to a propagation direction of the transformed laser beam during operation of the device, in which the annular intensity distribution extends along the propagation direction of the transformed laser beam, and has, at a minimum diameter of a caustic of the transformed laser beam, a beam radius and a ring width corresponding to 50% of a maximum beam intensity in a radial direction of the transformed laser beam, and a ratio of the ring width to the beam radius is less than 0.6.

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 laser protection cabin separates a working space for laser processing from a working space environment and includes a first wall area, in particular a ceiling area, and a second wall area, in particular a lateral wall area. The second wall area, on its interior side facing the working area, in particular in a sub-area adjacent to the first wall area, has a laser beam reflector in order to reflect laser radiation, created during laser processing, onto the first wall area. The first wall area has a surface, on its interior side facing the working area, which absorbs and/or diffusely scatters the laser radiation.

Abstract: A gas laser includes discharge tubes connected to together by corner housings, each corner housing including a first cooling channel configured to allow flow of a first coolant. A heat exchanger circuit includes a plurality of second cooling channels configured to allow flow of a second coolant. Each second cooling channel is operable to cool laser gas prior to the laser gas entering into one of the corner housings. The gas laser further includes a temperature control device, in which the temperature control device is selected from the group consisting of a laser gas cooling device, a coolant temperature control assembly, and combinations thereof. The temperature control device is operable to maintain a temperature difference of less than approximately 5 K between the first coolant flowing through the first cooling channel of the corner housing and the laser gas entering into the corner housing.

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: 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 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: A method for forming a carbon-metal composite material for a heat sink, comprising the following steps: applying at least one layer comprising carbon particles and at least one layer comprising metal particles on top of one another; and fusing of the layers by irradiating the layers with laser radiation to form the carbon-metal composite material. The invention also relates to a heat sink having a shaped body that comprises a plurality of layers, each layer containing carbon particles in a metal matrix.

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: The invention relates to extreme ultraviolet “EUV” radiation generating systems that include a vacuum chamber where a target material can be positioned at a target position for generation of EUV radiation, and a beam guiding chamber for guiding a laser beam from a driver laser device towards the target position. The EUV radiation generating apparatus includes an intermediate chamber which is arranged between the vacuum chamber and the beam guiding chamber, a first window which seals the intermediate chamber in a gas-tight manner for entry of the laser beam from the beam guiding chamber and a second window which seals the intermediate chamber in a gas-tight manner for exit of the laser beam into the vacuum chamber. The invention also relates to a method for operating the EUV radiation generating apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical arrangement comprising an optical module having a first carrier body to which there are attached at least one optical element and a plurality of first mounting elements, and a housing having a second carrier body for at least one further optical element, wherein a plurality of second mounting elements is attached to the carrier body. Also comprised is a movement device for displacing the first carrier body relative to the second carrier body in a movement direction between a removal position from which the optical module can be removed from the housing and a mounting position in which the movement device presses the first mounting elements against the second mounting elements. The invention relates also to an optical module and to a method for correctly positioning an optical module in a housing.