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 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.

Abstract: The beam path [80] of a laser source [10] is first pre-aligned to a predetermined reference, and then the optical axis [90] of the beam delivery system [40, 50] of a laser material processing platform [20] is pre-aligned to the pre-aligned beam path of the laser source such that the two coincide. If the laser beam [80] is invisible, a laser simulator [72] having a visible pre-aligned beam may be used instead.

Abstract: A computer controlled laser material processing system has a plurality of laser sources the beams of which are selectively operable between two modes. In a first raster engraving mode the beams are separated and independently controllable in synchronism with the motions of a beam delivery system to form plural, parallel, spaced apart scan lines on the surface of the workpiece for affecting the surface at high speed. In a second vector cutting mode the beams are combined such that they are collinear and have a power approximately equal to the sum of the powers of each individual laser source for cutting the surface at high power.