Abstract: A golf ball is marked by directing laser light to a selected surface portion of the ball, thereby causing the exposed surface layer portion to change its color. The discolored portion forms an identification mark on the ball surface. The mark is durable and aesthetically attractive while the ball maintains dimensional precision.

Abstract: To make an elongate cut (1) in a diamond (2) using a laser radiation, a cylindrical optical system (5, 6) is used which converges the radiation at a greater angle of convergence in the plane of the cut (1) than in the transverse plane. In this way, the focal spot energy density is increased and cutting at depth is made more effective.

Abstract: The surface of an optical element, such as the taking lens in semiconductor photolithographic apparatus, is deformed, in situ, by applying heat to the surface. A recipe for applying the heat to a selected area of the lens surface is developed by either measuring the image projected by the lens and comparing the measured image to the specified (mask) image, or by measuring the contour of the surface of the lens and comparing the measured contour to the lens' specified contour. The heat is applied by a laser, the output of which is focussed and scanned onto the surface of the lens. Method and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding together a plurality of portions of a workpiece with a complex geometric surface includes a laser source for generating a laser beam; the laser source is positioned at a predetermined distance from the workpiece portions to form a weld bead of a selected width. The apparatus also includes a powder feed mechanism with a nozzle for depositing a chosen volume of powder per unit of time onto the workpiece surface. The powder feed nozzle includes a structure for preventing a reflected laser beam from the workpiece surface and the weld bead from being incident upon an orifice of the nozzle and thereby preventing the powder from melting and clogging the nozzle orifice. Either the workpiece or the laser source in combination with the powder feed mechanism may be mounted on a manipulator arrangement for moving either the workpiece portions or the combination of the laser source and powder feed mechanism relative to one another to deposit the weld bead along a predetermined weld path.

Abstract: Metal sheets having different thicknesses are abutted and laser-welded. During laser welding, the laser beam weaves from side to side with respect to a weld line. As a result, the width of the weld bead is increased and the gradient of the weld bead surface is decreased whereby no sharp edge remains at the weld line. The resulting one-piece sheet can be used as a press material without any pre-pressing processing, such as grinding.

Abstract: An electron beam irradiating apparatus continuously irradiates a running metal strip with an electron beam. An electron beam source can deflect the electron beam. At least one standby target is provided to receive the electron beam from the electron beam gun in a standby period in which the metal strip is not intended to be irradiated.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a metal tube covered optical fiber cable, comprises an assembly (2) consisting of a plurality of roller pairs for forming a metal strip (1) subjected to traction and causing both side edges of the metal strip to abut against each other to form a metal tube, a laser welding means (7) for radiating a laser beam on abutment portions of the metal tube to bond the abutment portions, thereby obtaining a sealed metal tube (1c), and an optical fiber guide means (6) for guiding an optical fiber (5) into the formed metal tube (1a), wherein the laser welding means (7) determines a focal point shift amount so that a rear bead width determined by an outer diameter and a wall thickness of the metal tube falls within a predetermined range, and laser welding is performed at a welding rate corresponding to the determined focal point shift amount.

Abstract: A method is provided for marking a molded hand grip such as a golf grip (100) with specialized information such as a personalized signature. The method utilizes a laser marking device (50) that is operative to provide an optical beam (8) having power and optical wave length characteristics effective to vaporize a continuous groove or trench and/or adjacently positioned dots in a target region ("R") on the hand grip to which beam (8) is exposed. The marked grip is then removed from device (50) and a selected colorant (16) such as paint or ink of desired color is then deposited in the marking that is preferably bondable to the desired extent to the material from which the hand grip is molded after which any excess colorant is then removed to provide the finished hand grip having the specialized information marked thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nozzle movement system for a laser machining equipment for moving the nozzle of a CNC laser machining equipment when carrying out a three-dimensional machining of a machining surface of a workpiece. A hand coordinate system composed of the axial direction of the nozzle and the plane perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle is provided, and a movement command on the hand coordinate system is output by using a machine operation panel (31). A matrix creation means (38) creates a conversion matrix from the hand coordinate system to a basic coordinate system, based on the rotational position data stored in registers (39a, 39b) of an .alpha.-axis and .beta.-axis exhibiting the attitude of the nozzle. A coordinate conversion means (37) converts movement commands (.DELTA.xh, .DELTA.yh and .DELTA.zh) on the hand coordinate system to amounts of movement (.DELTA.x, .DELTA.y and .DELTA.z) on the basic coordinate system, by using the conversion matrix, and moves the nozzle.

Abstract: In a laser beam machine tool, the problems of power losses, misalignment, high cost, and other problems associated with moving laser heads are eliminated by using a five-axis table in which a biaxial work holder, capable of rotating and tilting a workpiece is mounted on a three-axis table mechanism. In the three-axis table mechanism, an X-axis table is supported on linear motion bearings in overlapping relationship on a Y-axis table, which is, in turn, supported on linear motion bearings on a vertically movable Z-axis table, which is also supported in linear motion bearings. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis tables are driven by servo motors through ball screws so that backlash is avoided.

Abstract: The performance of a high power laser machining system is improved by the inclusion of a spacial filter which is between the laser and the work piece. A preferred embodiment of the spacial filter uses line foci and slit apertures.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nozzle includes a step to change a spot diameter of a laser beam on a plate in which an orifice hole is formed. A device for manufacturing a nozzle includes a laser beam generating device for generating a laser beam, a work head comprising a lens to focus the laser beam on a plate, a driving device to move the work head upward and downward, a position detecting device for sending a signal indicating a position of the work head, and a controlling device for controlling an amount of the laser beam to be applied according to the signal from the position detecting device. The device for manufacturing a nozzle of the present invention changes the spot diameter of the laser beam on the plate. Therefore, the time period for forming an orifice hole in the nozzle can be shortened.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus is disclosed for use in cutting or welding relatively thick plates. The apparatus utilizes a laser beam applied to a plate in conjunction with a jet of gas to effect the cutting or welding action, and a movable mirror system is provided in the path of the laser beam. The mirror system is controlled so that as a device for applying the laser beam to the workpiece is moved with relation to the remainder of the apparatus, the mirror system is also moved to maintain constant the travelling distance for the laser beam. Therefore, a laser light distance between the laser oscillator and a plate can be maintained at a fixed length so that a laser spot diameter on the plate is constant as the laser light heats the plate in the thickness-direction.

Abstract: A thick workpiece is cut by a laser beam of high output power. A laser beam dominantly in a ring mode, with a central region thereof being hollow, is applied to the workpiece to cut the workpiece. The laser beam dominantly in the ring mode is effective to reduce optical distortion due to laser beam absorption in a central region of a focussing optical system, e.g., a focussing lens, thereby preventing focussing characteristics from being degraded. The focussing optical system may system may be cooled by a gas applied to its surface. Alternatively, a KCL (potassium chloride) lens may be used as the focussing optical system.

Abstract: Disbonded two-level (bimetal) metal interconnections are removed by first vaporizing metal in the lower level that is exposed by the narrower metal on the upper level using a pulsed laser beam having an energy density above a vaporization threshold in a first beam width and then vaporizing the remaining portion of the metal in both levels using the laser beam with a narrower beam width that covers only the narrower width of the upper level metal.

Abstract: A cylindrical glass blank (10) has one end received within a rotatable fixture (22) supporting the blank with its axis extending vertically. While rotating the fixture and glass blank at a given rate, a laser beam (54) is directed onto the upper blank end face (12) until the glass softens. The combination of the glass softening, glass surface tension and centrifugal force experienced from the rotation, the glass bank is formed into a convex lens (20).

Abstract: A fine line electrical circuit having precise rectangular conductor cross-sections (70) is electroformed on a patterned laser ablated mandrel (32,34). The mandrel comprises a stainless steel substrate (32) coated with a layer of Teflon (34). An eximer laser (44,56) is caused to project a fine spot (54) upon the Teflon (34) with a power sufficient to ablate the Teflon (34) entirely through to the stainless steel substrate (32). A software program drives the coated mandrel beneath the laser beam in an X-Y pattern that defines the pattern of a circuit to be produced, thereby exposing the conductive surface of the mandrel in the selected pattern. A pattern of conductors (70) is then plated upon the mandrel, a dielectric substrate (76) is laminated upon the mandrel and upon the pattern of conductors and then the dielectric substrate (76), together with the conductors (70) adhering thereto, is separated from the mandrel.

Abstract: A robotic laser soldering apparatus for automated assembly of microscopic components which is capable of acquiring, orienting, and soldering very small electrical components, such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) beam lead diodes, to a circuit board having a soft substrate. The apparatus includes a vacuum pickup means for picking up and holding the diode, pattern recognition means for determining the proper positioning of the diode on the circuit board, and a laser for soldering the diode leads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reacting on articles of manufacture with radiation such as generated by an electron gun, laser or other means directed against a substrate wherein controlled movement of the substrate and/or the radiation is effected under the control of a computer. Controlled operation of the radiation and its movement against the substrate or the movement of the substrate during processing is effected by operating an automatic computer or master controller. An automatic article manipulator is also controlled in its operation to move the substrate prior to and after operation thereon with such radiation. A single computer or master controller may be employed to control the operation of the manipulator for removing the substrate from the vicinity of the radiation and replacing it with a new article to be operated on during the next cycle of operation of the radiation generating means.

Abstract: This equipment comprises a housing (6) rigidly fixed to the welding enclosure (5) and in which are rigidly mounted the various optical components necessary for focusing the laser beam transported by means of an optical fiber (20) to the joint (1) to be welded. The reflecting mirror (16) allows a small fraction of the laser beam, which is measured by a detector of luminous energy (8), to pass. The present invention is applicable to the manufacture of fuel rods, guide tubes and attached rods used in nuclear reactors.