Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for distributing laser energy are disclosed herein. A system for dispensing laser energy by one or more laser energy sources in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes a laser energy credit transferring component configured to communicate with a laser energy source. The laser energy source is configured for producing and dispensing laser energy. The laser energy credit transferring component is further configured to receive a request from the laser energy source for laser energy and transfer laser energy credits to the laser energy source. The laser energy credits enable the laser energy source to dispense a corresponding amount of laser energy.

Abstract: Embodiments of multi-stage air filtration systems are disclosed herein. A filtration system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes at least a first filter and a second filter arranged in series in an exhaust stream. The first filter is arranged to hold a first active media in the exhaust stream, the second filter is arranged to hold a second active media in the exhaust stream, and the active media is selected to remove one or more contaminants known to be in the exhaust stream. The system also includes at least one sensor arranged to detect the presence of the one or more contaminants downstream of the first filter and/or the second filter.

Abstract: Embodiments of recirculating filtration and exhaust systems for material processing systems are disclosed herein. A material processing system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes an enclosure for processing a workpiece, the enclosure having an enclosure inlet and an enclosure outlet. The system also includes a first flow path fluidly coupled to the enclosure inlet and the enclosure outlet, and a first filtration assembly in the first flow path. The first filtration assembly draws airflow from the enclosure and returns the airflow to the enclosure. The system further includes a second flow path in fluid communication with the first flow path upstream from the enclosure inlet, and a second filtration assembly in the second flow path. The second filtration assembly draws airflow from the first flow path and returns airflow to the first flow path.

Abstract: Slab lasers and method for producing high power coherent laser radiation of good quality. In one embodiment, a slab laser comprises a slab laser medium, an energy source configured to deliver energy to the laser medium, and first and second optical elements. The first optical element has a first reflective surface at a first boundary of the laser medium, and the second optical element has a second reflective surface at a second boundary of the laser medium. The first and second reflective surfaces face each other across the length of the laser medium, and at least one of the first and second optical elements includes a plurality of reflective regions configured to modify the phase distribution of the incident laser radiation propagating from the reflective regions. The first and second reflective surfaces are also positioned at an angle relative to each other to form a laser resonator.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for distributing laser energy are disclosed herein. A method configured in accordance with one embodiment includes establishing communication with a laser energy source configured to dispense laser energy, and enabling the laser energy source to dispense laser energy by transferring laser energy credits to the laser energy source. The transferred laser energy credits correspond to an amount of enabled laser energy.

Abstract: Embodiments of flexible laser manufacturing systems are disclosed herein. A flexible laser manufacturing system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a plurality of laser processing stations. Each laser processing station can include a laser source configured to generate a laser beam for processing target material, and a first controller coupled to the laser source. The flexible laser manufacturing system also includes a second controller coupled to the first controller of the individual laser processing stations. The second controller is configured to monitor and instruct each of the first controllers for processing target material of each of the corresponding laser processing stations.

Abstract: Embodiments of recirculating filtration and exhaust systems for material processing systems are disclosed herein. A material processing system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes an enclosure for processing a workpiece, the enclosure having an enclosure inlet and an enclosure outlet. The system also includes a first flow path fluidly coupled to the enclosure inlet and the enclosure outlet, and a first filtration assembly in the first flow path. The first filtration assembly draws airflow from the enclosure and returns the airflow to the enclosure. The system further includes a second flow path in fluid communication with the first flow path upstream from the enclosure inlet, and a second filtration assembly in the second flow path. The second filtration assembly draws airflow from the first flow path and returns airflow to the first flow path.

Abstract: Laser-based material processing systems and methods for using such systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a laser-based material processing system includes a workpiece support, a positioning assembly over at least a portion of the workpiece support, and a laser. The system includes a laser beam director carried by the positioning assembly to direct a beam generated by the laser toward the workpiece support. The system also includes a dispensing unit carried by the positioning assembly to discharge a material toward the workpiece support. The system further includes a controller operably coupled to the positioning assembly, the laser beam director, and the dispensing unit. The controller can be configured to move the laser beam director and the dispensing unit relative to the workpiece support such that (a) the beam is directed toward a first portion of the workpiece support, and (b) the dispensing unit discharges material toward the first portion of the workpiece support.

Abstract: Laser-based material processing systems, exhaust systems, and methods for using such systems are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a laser-based material processing system can include an exhaust assembly configured to remove contaminants from a material processing area. The exhaust assembly can include a vacuum source and an exhaust plenum carried by a moveable arm of a gantry-style laser beam positioning assembly. The moveable arm can extend along a first axis and can be moveable along a second axis generally normal to the first axis. The exhaust plenum can extend lengthwise in a direction generally parallel with the first axis. The exhaust assembly can also include an intake slot extending lengthwise along the exhaust plenum across at least a portion of the material processing area. The exhaust assembly can further include one or more flexible exhaust ducts in fluid communication with the vacuum source and the exhaust plenum.

Abstract: Laser conversion systems and methods for converting laser systems for operation in different laser safety classification modes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a laser system includes a laser configured to emit radiation greater than about 5 mW and an exterior housing containing the laser. The exterior housing has a section configured to be in a first arrangement in which the laser system is classified as a class I system and a second arrangement in which the laser system is classified as a class IV system. The laser system further includes a conversion module operably coupled to the laser system and the section. The conversion module is configured to enable one or more regulatory features required for class IV operation of the laser system when the section is in the second arrangement and disable the regulatory features required for class IV operation of the laser system when the section is in the first arrangement.

Abstract: A laser includes a laser source and an power source arranged such that both components have substantially the same cross-section, with cooling fins arranged axially along the length of each element. The components are arranged end-to-end in a series to form an assembly with substantially the same cross-section along the entire length of the assembly. A shroud mounted along the assembly forms a single air channel directing air from a fan along the entire length of the assembly, for cooling both the power source and the laser source with the total air flow from the at least one fan. The laser source and the power source are arranged in series such that the laser source is cooled first, and the subsequent air flow, although slightly warmer from cooling the laser source, is sufficient to cool the power source.

Abstract: Laser-based material processing systems, exhaust systems, and methods for using such systems are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a laser-based material processing system can include an exhaust assembly configured to remove contaminants from a material processing area. The exhaust assembly can include a vacuum source and an exhaust plenum carried by a moveable arm of a gantry-style laser beam positioning assembly. The moveable arm can extend along a first axis and can be moveable along a second axis generally normal to the first axis. The exhaust plenum can extend lengthwise in a direction generally parallel with the first axis. The exhaust assembly can also include an intake slot extending lengthwise along the exhaust plenum across at least a portion of the material processing area. The exhaust assembly can further include one or more flexible exhaust ducts in fluid communication with the vacuum source and the exhaust plenum.

Abstract: Laser conversion systems and methods for converting laser systems for operation in different laser safety classification modes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a laser system includes a laser configured to emit radiation greater than about 5 mW and an exterior housing containing the laser. The exterior housing has a section configured to be in a first arrangement in which the laser system is classified as a class I system and a second arrangement in which the laser system is classified as a class IV system. The laser system further includes a conversion module operably coupled to the laser system and the section. The conversion module is configured to enable one or more regulatory features required for class IV operation of the laser system when the section is in the second arrangement and disable the regulatory features required for class IV operation of the laser system when the section is in the first arrangement.

Abstract: A laser material processing system and method focus a laser beam to a smaller spot size with a high power density using a movable beam expander to provide high resolution laser beam for engraving and/or cutting. A movable beam focusing assembly containing a beam expanding optics and a beam focusing optics is a part of a motion system providing a high power density focused beam within the material processing area minimizing size and weight of the laser beam positioning optics and avoiding the problems inherent in handling and positioning a larger diameter beam.

Abstract: A laser includes a deformable tube holding an electrode assembly that includes conformable spacers. The spacers are deformed by compression of the tube into good surface contact with the electrodes and the tube walls, thereby providing the necessary path for heat removal from the plasma in order to maintain the required operating temperature for adequate performance of the laser.

Abstract: A laser includes a deformable tube holding an electrode assembly that includes conformable spacers. The spacers are deformed by compression of the tube into good surface contact with the electrodes and the tube walls, thereby providing the necessary path for heat removal from the plasma in order to maintain the required operating temperature for adequate performance of the laser.

Abstract: A laser safety enclosure structure has an outer enclosure made of a formable material with a limited ability to withstand exposure to a laser beam and an inner enclosure composed of a laser beam blocking material capable of indefinitely withstanding exposure to a laser beam of a given wavelength and power level so as to prevent such a laser beam incident on the blocking material from escaping the inner enclosure.

Abstract: A laser system 20 enables quickly releasing and replacing a laser source 41 mounted in a laser compartment 40 by interfacing engaging members 32,43 of the platform 40 and source 41, respectively to place the pre-aligned beam 42 in operative relation with the pre-aligned beam delivery system 31 and closing the compartment with a latchable 45 cover 44 without the use of any tools and without the need for any additional beam alignment.

Abstract: Each one of multiple laser sources are independently separately mounted on a laser material processing platform and their beam paths are combined by a combiner which includes one or more optical elements mounted in the laser material processing platform which make the beam paths parallel and colinear. The combined beams are then moved in X and Y planes relative to a workpiece supported in the laser material processing platform under the control of a computer in the performance of work in accordance with a work program. The beam path of each laser source and the optical axis of the beam delivery system are each pre-aligned to the same predetermined reference and automatically coincide upon installation such that these components are rapidly and interchangeably interfaceable. The beams are orthogonally polarized and the optical elements of the combiner transmit one beam while reflecting another beam. While two laser beams are shown, an infinite number of laser beams may be used.