Abstract: An apparatus includes a focusing element arranged to focus a high-energy beam on a workpiece, an image detector for recording at least one image of an area to be monitored on the surface of the workpiece and/or the reference contour; imaging optics arranged to (a) receive process radiation radiation through the focusing element, from an area of the workpiece and/or the reference contour to be monitored, in the form of a first monitoring beam that is non-coaxial with the high-energy beam between the workpiece and the imaging optics and (b) redirect the first monitoring beam to the image detector to provide the at least one image of the area to be monitored and/or the reference contour; and an evaluation device operable to determine the focus position of the high-energy beam based on the at least one recorded image.

Abstract: Described is a laser machining nozzle for a laser machining device having a detection device for detecting radiation from a process zone defined by the laser machining nozzle. The surface of the laser machining nozzle has at least one contrast section which has a scattering and/or absorbing effect at least for radiation at an observation wavelength. Also described are a laser machining device and a method for implementing a laser machining nozzle in a laser machining device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for establishing a wear state of a cutting nozzle of a laser processing machine. An actual state of the cutting nozzle shape is established by a three-dimensional evaluation performed by a nozzle shape sensor and an associated controller. The established actual state of the cutting nozzle shape is compared to a desired state of the cutting nozzle shape, and the wear state of the cutting nozzle is established based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for establishing a wear state of a cutting nozzle of a laser processing machine. An actual state of the cutting nozzle shape is established by a three-dimensional evaluation performed by a nozzle shape sensor and an associated controller. The established actual state of the cutting nozzle shape is compared to a desired state of the cutting nozzle shape, and the wear state of the cutting nozzle is established based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for detecting an incomplete cutting action when cutting a workpiece with a high-energy beam are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes taking an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, the region including an interaction region of the high-energy beam with the workpiece, evaluating the image taken in order to detect pooled slag at an end of the interaction region opposite a cutting front, and detecting whether a related cutting action is incomplete based on an occurrence of detection of pooled slag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for the machining of an object using a tool, in which the tool (2) or the object (18) is guided using a handling apparatus, which has multiple movement axes for the coarse positioning of the tool (2) or object (18), which form a kinematic chain. In the method, an additional actuator (3), which has a higher positioning precision in at least one dimension or axis than the other movement axes, is inserted between a terminal link (1) of the kinematic chain and the tool (2) or object (18). A relative movement of the tool (2) or terminal link (1) of the kinematic chain to the object (18) is detected using at least one sensor (5) and a deviation from a target movement path is compensated for using the additional actuator (3). The method and the associated device allow the use of robots or other handling apparatuses having lower path precision for applications which require a high precision during the guiding of the tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring phase boundaries of a material during the machining of a workpiece (12) with a machining beam, more preferably with a laser beam, and a device that is embodied in such a way as to carry out the method. According to said method, during the machining, a machining region (13) containing the impact point of the machining beam (1) on the workpiece (12) is illuminated at least approximately coaxially to the machining beam (1) by means of additional optical radiation (2). Radiation (3) reflected by the machining region (13) is detected, parallel to an incidence direction of the optical radiation (2) or at small angle thereto, by means of an optical detector with local resolution, in order to obtain an optical reflection pattern of the machining region (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a lateral relative movement between a processing head and a workpiece during processing the workpiece as well as a device to carry it out. In the method a surface of the workpiece (12) is illuminated in the region of the processing head with an optical radiation (2). The optical radiation (3) reflected from the surface of the workpiece (12) in the region of the processing head is repeatedly detected in a locally resolved manner by an optical detector (9), which is firmly fixed mechanically to the processing head, to obtain optical reflection patterns. The repeated detection occurs in temporal intervals in which the temporally successive reflection patterns of overlapping surface regions of the workpiece (12) are obtained. The lateral relative movement is determined by comparing the temporally successive reflection patterns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for the machining of an object using a tool, in which the tool (2) or the object (18) is guided using a handling apparatus, which has multiple movement axes for the coarse positioning of the tool (2) or object (18), which form a kinematic chain. In the method, an additional actuator (3), which has a higher positioning precision in at least one dimension or axis than the other movement axes, is inserted between a terminal link (1) of the kinematic chain and the tool (2) or object (18). A relative movement of the tool (2) or terminal link (1) of the kinematic chain to the object (18) is detected using at least one sensor (5) and a deviation from a target movement path is compensated for using the additional actuator (3). The method and the associated device allow the use of robots or other handling apparatuses having lower path precision for applications which require a high precision during the guiding of the tool.

Abstract: Array comprising high power laser diode comprising laser light emitters, each defining, in a direction perpendicular to direction of propagation of an output laser beam, a fast axis and a slow axis; fast axis collimating means for collimating output laser beams in fast axis direction; and slow axis beam shaping means for collimating or focussing output laser beams in slow axis direction, said slow axis beam shaping means disposed external to said high power laser diode; wherein said laser light emitters are displaced relative to each other in fast axis direction or in fast and slow axis direction by equidistant spacings, respectively; and including optical means for forming output laser beam profile in far field of all laser light emitters consisting of said fast and slow axis collimated or focussed output laser beams arranged adjacently in seamless manner in one or two dimensions with optical fill factor of about 100%.

Abstract: Array comprising high power laser diode comprising laser light emitters, each defining, in a direction perpendicular to direction of propagation of an output laser beam, a fast axis and a slow axis; fast axis collimating means for collimating output laser beams in fast axis direction; and slow axis beam shaping means for collimating or focussing output laser beams in slow axis direction, said slow axis beam shaping means disposed external to said high power laser diode; wherein said laser light emitters are displaced relative to each other in fast axis direction or in fast and slow axis direction by equidistant spacings, respectively; and including optical means for forming output laser beam profile in far field of all laser light emitters consisting of said fast and slow axis collimated or focussed output laser beams arranged adjacently in seamless manner in one or two dimensions with optical fill factor of about 100%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring phase boundaries of a material during the machining of a workpiece (12) with a machining beam, more preferably with a laser beam, and a device that is embodied in such a way as to carry out the method. According to said method, during the machining, a machining region (13) containing the impact point of the machining beam (1) on the workpiece (12) is illuminated at least approximately coaxially to the machining beam (1) by means of additional optical radiation (2). Radiation (3) reflected by the machining region (13) is detected, parallel to an incidence direction of the optical radiation (2) or at small angle thereto, by means of an optical detector with local resolution, in order to obtain an optical reflection pattern of the machining region (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a lateral relative movement between a processing head and a workpiece during processing the workpiece as well as a device to carry it out. In the method a surface of the workpiece (12) is illuminated in the region of the processing head with an optical radiation (2). The optical radiation (3) reflected from the surface of the workpiece (12) in the region of the processing head is repeatedly detected in a locally resolved manner by an optical detector (9), which is firmly fixed mechanically to the processing head, to obtain optical reflection patterns. The repeated detection occurs in temporal intervals in which the temporally successive reflection patterns of overlapping surface regions of the workpiece (12) are obtained. The lateral relative movement is determined by comparing the temporally successive reflection patterns.