Abstract: An optical cutting method includes a step of detecting a center position on a sheet film with a position-detecting light flux; and a step of cutting out a disk film from the sheet film by projecting a cutting laser beam along circumference of a substantially circular form around the detected center position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal mask type laser marking system for transferring a pattern information onto an object to be worked. A laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator is applied to a liquid crystal mask having a pattern mask. The laser beam outgoing from the liquid crystal mask is applied to a wavelength converter, which converts the laser beam to one having a wavelength to which the object to be worked is sensitive. The converted laser beam is applied to the object to be worked.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a metal tube covered optical fiber cable, including an assembly (2) having a plurality of roller pairs, for causing both side edges of a metal strip (1) to abut against each other to form the metal strip into a metal tube, a laser welding means (7) for radiating a laser beam to abutment portions of the metal tube to bond the abutment portions to obtain a sealed metal tube (1c), and an optical fiber guiding means (6) for guiding an optical fiber (5) in a formed metal tube (1a) comprisesan extra length control means comprisinga tension adjusting means (15) for the metal strip (1) arranged in the upstream of the assembly (2) and a tension adjusting means (14) for the optical fiber (5) arranged in the upstream of the optical fiber guide means (6), anda traction means (11, 13) including tension variable means (11) for the metal tube covered optical fiber cable (1d).

Abstract: A laser machining apparatus comprises a first, a second and a third mirror for turning the direction of a laser beam, which are provided in between a machining head for irradiating a workpiece with the laser beam and a vertical Z-axis drive for moving the machining head in the vertical direction. The laser machining apparatus further comprises first drive means for varying the relative position between the first mirror, and the second and third mirrors by moving the relative position in the direction in which the laser beam proceeds from the first mirror to the second mirror, and second drive means for varying the relative position between the second and third mirrors by moving the relative position in the direction in which the laser beam proceeds from the second mirror to the third mirror.

Abstract: Laser marker apparatus for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length, a plurality of lasers, a plurality of turning mirrors, and at least one directing mirror. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The plurality of lasers is arranged so that their energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The plurality of turning mirrors are positioned along the beam path of each respective laser and are oriented to reflect the output beams at predetermined angles. The directing mirrors redirect the output beams to form a column of spaced apart spots on the substrate. One of the directing mirrors is then moved in a first direction so as to form another column of spots on the substrate. Movement in another direction forms a third column of spots on the substrate. The columns are interleaved to create a composite column of higher resolution for marking Alpha-numeric characters.

Abstract: A laser machining apparatus includes a laser beam source, such as of excimer laser, which produces a laser beam to be projected on a work piece or a sample, first and second illumination light sources which have wavelengths substantially equal to the wavelength of the laser beam and illuminate the entire image and the laser beam, respectively, a first beam splitter which guides the image produced by the illumination light to an observation unit, a second beam splitter which guides the laser beam from the laser beam source to an objective lens, and a controller which controls the machining condition including the relative positioning between the sample and the laser beam depending on the result of observation. The laser beam guide path structure from the laser beam source to the sample has its interior wall made of laser-transparent material such as glass, and the transparent material is enclosed by a laser blocking material such as a metal or water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser processing apparatus. This laser processing apparatus has plural processing nozzles such as a cutting nozzle and a welding nozzle which are held by a processing nozzle holder. The processing nozzle holder can be rotated with respect to a processing head with a condenser lens disposed therein. Therefore, substitution can be performed easily to a processing nozzle best suited for a desired thermal processing out of various thermal processings, and efficient processings can be executed.

Abstract: Laser marker apparatus for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length, a plurality of lasers, a plurality of turning mirrors, and at least one directing mirror. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The plurality of lasers is arranged so that their energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The plurality of turning mirrors are positioned along the beam path of each respective laser and are oriented to reflect the output beams at predetermined angles. The directing mirrors redirect the output beams to form a column of spaced apart spots on the substrate. One of the directing mirrors is then moved in a first direction so as to form another column of spots on the substrate. Movement in another direction forms a third column of spots on the substrate. The columns are interleaved to create a composite column of higher resolution for marking Alpha-numeric characters.

Abstract: During the guiding and centering of an electron beam by means of a magnet field arranged orthogonally to the axis of the electron beam in a vacuum coating plant the signals which are decisive regarding the configuration and control of the magnet field or its axis of rotation, resp., are supplied by a detecting of the burning spot of the electron beam on the surface of the evaporation source by means of a video system, i.e. by means of a video camera resp. and a corresponding picture evaluated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a YAG laser working machine, and an object thereof is to enable highly precise processing such as one required for processing of a photomask which is used at, for example, a step of manufacturing semiconductors. The YAG laser working machine according to this invention is such that a machine body is provided with restriction means for reducing a beam diameter of a laser beam, is provided with shutter means for executing ON.multidot.OFF control of application of the laser beam at a location on the outside of the oscillator, and is provided with highly harmonizing means for the laser beam. A base disk on which the machine body is mounted is formed of solid stone, and is mounted on a plurality of legs through interposition of respective pneumatic springs. Pulse signals regarding the X-movement and the Y-movement of an XY-table are processed by an OR circuit. Pulse application of the laser beam is controlled on the basis of the signals processed by the OR circuit.

Abstract: A laser ablation apparatus includes a laser beam source for ablation for emitting a first laser beam, a lens for focusing the first laser beam, a vacuum chamber having a window on its wall through which the first laser beam is injected into the vacuum chamber, a target holder arranged in the vacuum chamber to hold a target onto which the first laser beam is irradiated, a substrate holder arranged opposing to the target holder in the vacuum chamber to hold a substrate, and a laser beam source for particle decomposition for emitting a second laser beam in the vacuum chamber to decompose particles turned out from the target by the first laser beam in the vacuum chamber. The apparatus can further include a pair of mirrors, arranged on both sides of the target holder, for multiply reflecting the second laser beam over the target holder.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure gaseous flux-assisted laser reflow soldering system provides a means of finely controlled soldering while eliminating post-soldering cleanup with environmentally damaging cleaning agents.

Abstract: For laser welding in tubes of small diameter, protective gas is passed into the working zone by two currents originating from points situated on either side of this zone and converging towards it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser cutting of multiple stacked metal worksheets is disclosed wherein the tendency of the sheets to separate during the cutting operation is restrained. In one embodiment the laser head is pressed downwardly against the stacked worksheets which are supported on a ball-transfer work table. In other embodiments where it is not possible to press the laser head against the stacked worksheets because of the construction of the work table, the worksheets are coated with a viscous fluid so as to increase surface tension effects and thereby generate adhesive forces between adjacent sheets sufficient to resist the pressure of cutting assist gases which would otherwise cause separation of the sheets.

Abstract: An industrial robot provided with a cable arrangement system in which a hollow shaft (3) is arranged to extend vertically from a robot base (1) into a rotational trunk (2) about a rotational axis thereof, and a plurality of cables (7) are arranged to be spaced from one another around the outer periphery of the hollow shaft (3) by cable clamps (4) mounted on the outer periphery of the hollow shaft (3) and having a plurality of cable receiving grooves (41).

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device for the manufacture of relatively deep cavities in massive workpieces through a laser beam, whereby the material is removed by the laser beam (7) in close guide paths. According to the invention, during each linear ablation process the laser beam (7) deviated vertically is rotated by a predetermined angle while the workpiece (12) is moved back and forth synchronously on a circular path (14) around the rotating axis (4) of the laser beam (7). Upon ablation of a material layer, these linear ablation processes are repeated until the predetermined depth of the cavity has been reached. According to the invention, pocket-like or chamber-like cavities (13) with vertical or undercut walls can be produced with considerable ablation performance in often inappropriate materials such as ceramics, titanium, etc.

Abstract: A device for cutting a strip fed continuously on a roller through a cutting station where a series of at least partial transverse cuts are made successively in the strip by a cutting unit. On the cutting unit, a hollow rotary drum receives a laser beam emitted by a laser source, and focuses the beam at at least one point which, as the drum rotates, moves along an annular trajectory, the plane of which intersects the route of the strip at the cutting station and forms a given angle with a line intersecting the route of the strip.

Abstract: An optical machining apparatus for irradiating light from a light source onto a source to be machined to form a grooves in the surface. The apparatus uses a mask disposed in the path of light from the light source. The mask includes reflective parts for reflecting the light from the light source. The reflective parts are on a first surface of the mask. The mask also includes a reflection member for returning the light reflected at the reflective parts of the mask toward the mask.

Abstract: Small cooling holes, e.g. 0.25-0.9 mm diameter, in cast hollow turbine blades are provided by delivering successive pulses of laser energy to the surface of the blade until penetration of the blade is complete. By leaving the ceramic casting core in situ within the blade during drilling, the laser beam is prevented from striking through to the far wall of the cavity defined by the ceramic core within the blade. The ceramic core is subsequently removed by leaching techniques common to the art.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for laser trepanning a passage through a workpiece, gas turbine engine component or the like includes the method steps of: providing a linearly polarized beam of laser energy; focusing the laser beam on a selected location on the component; moving one of the laser beam or the workpiece relative to one another along a first selected trepanning path and along a second selected trepanning path, which is substantially opposite in direction to the first selected path, to compensate for the linear polarization of the laser beam and to reduce the processing time. The steps of moving one of the laser beam or the workpiece along the first and second trepanning paths are repeated until a passage is cut to a desired depth into the surface of the component or the passage is cut entirely through the component.