Abstract: Machine tools are known, for forming workpieces, such as sheet metal, with tooling made of two tool halves arranged on opposite sides of the workpiece to be formed. One half of the tooling has at least one pressure element that can move against the workpiece and act on it and the other half of the tooling has at least one counter-pressure element that works with the pressure element to form the workpiece, and it is also movable against the workpiece. The movement of the pressure element against the workpiece activates the drive of the counter-pressure element in the direction opposite to the movement of the pressure element against the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine tool for cutting workpieces includes a cutting head with at least two cutting units each providing cutting beams directed at the workpiece so as to impinge thereon closely adjacent each other to cooperate in the cutting action. The machine tool includes a worktable to support the workpiece, and the workpiece and cutting head are relatively movable to provide a cutting line in the workpiece. At least one of the cutting units is movable relative to the other so that the angular relationship of the cutting beams may be varied, and the supply of the cutting medium is separately controlled for the cutting units. In one embodiment the cutting beams are high speed water jets which may contain abrasive and the cutting characteristics of the jets may be varied.

Abstract: On laser cutting machines the laser cutting head is movable relative to the laser generator, respectively relative to the workpiece to be cut, in a plane parallel to the workpiece by means of a drive controlled by a numerical control. The laser cutting head also has an adjusting device for adjusting the focal position of the laser beam, by means of which the focus can be shifted with respect to the laser cutting head perpendicular to the workpiece. The position of the laser beam focus perpendicular to the workpiece influences the cutting quality obtained, respectively the resulting cutting characteristics. A laser cutting machine which is functionally efficient under workshop conditions and suitable for automatic operation, for which a sure optical adjustment of the focal position is possible, has not been available up to now. The new laser cutting machine should eliminate this problem.

Abstract: A machine tool for cutting workpieces includes a cutting head with at least two cutting units each providing cutting beams directed at the workpiece so as to impinge thereon closely adjacent each other to cooperate in the cutting action. The machine tool includes a worktable to support the workpiece, and the workpiece and cutting head are relatively movable to provide a cutting line in the workpiece. At least one of the cutting units is movable relative to the other so that the angular relationship of the cutting beams may be varied, and the supply of the cutting medium is separately controlled for the cutting units. In one embodiment the cutting beams are high speed water jets which may contain abrasive and the cutting characteristics of the jets may be varied.

Abstract: A ski has better guide properties the sharper the corner areas of the steel edge profiles. Using a laser beam, the corner areas of the steel edge profiles are hardened on the ski.

Abstract: A ski or the like has better guide properties the sharper the corner areas of the steel edge profiles. Using a laser beam, the corner areas of the steel edge profiles are hardened on the ski or the like.

Abstract: A laser work station has a pair of spaced, parallel extending elongated base members defining a work station therebetween, a laser head support carriage extending between and mounted on the base members for movement along their length, a laser head mounting assembly on the laser support carriage movable therealong between the base members, and a laser head on the mounting assembly for movement vertically relative to the support carriage, so that the laser head is movable in X, Y and Z axes. At least one cart is movable in a path from a point of entry at one end of the base members to the opposite end thereof, and cart positioning elements locate the cart in a predetermined position between the base members. A guidance system is connected to the several movable elements to effect precision movement of the laser head over the workpiece supported on the cart(s) over substantially the entire length of the movement of the laser head support carriage, and fume may be withdrawn through one of the base members.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a laser cutting head has a receptacle of insulating material of generally annular cross section with a central passage therethrough. A conductive insert has a body portion of generally annular cross section seated in the receptacle passage and it has a central passage which is threaded. Threadably engaged in the threaded passage of the insert is the threaded neck of a conductive nozzle which has a central passage extending therethrough, and a conductor extends through the insulating receptacle from the insert.

Abstract: A machine for the simultaneous maching of a stack of plate-like workpieces has a frame with an overhead arm portion, a worktable below the arm portion, and a workpiece guidance assembly for moving the workpiece stack on the worktable. A rotary tool drive assembly and a riveting assembly are provided in the arm portion, and a tool storage assembly is spaced from the arm. A tool changer assembly has a pair of carrier rails extending from the tool storage assembly to adjacent the rotary tool drive assembly, and they are spaced to opposite sides thereof. A pair of tool carriers are reciprocatable on the rails for transporting tools between the tool storage assembly and the rotary tool drive assembly to effect insertion into and removal from said tool assembly of such tools.

Abstract: A combination punch press and laser cutting machine has a C-shaped frame with a platform extending rearwardly from the web of the frame. Supported on the platform is a laser beam generator with vibration isolating fluid mounting elements disposed therebetween to support the generator on a fluid medium during operation as a punching machine. A laser beam transport system extends forwardly along the side of the frame and has a beam redirection component to effect angular and planar reorientation of the beam at the front of the frame. A cutting head is mounted on the front of the head of the frame and has a nozzle and internal optics to focus the beam through the nozzle onto the workpiece, and the cutting head is movable from an operative position in which the nozzle is located on the axis of reciprocation of the punch ram to an inoperative position in which it is spaced therefrom.

Abstract: The invention is based on the knowledge that a laser can be used as a basic component and that the energy can be doubled by coupling together two basic components according to the invention and that the energy can be tripled by using three basic units, and so on. The power laser constitutes one module with corners, at least two modules that are at least substantially the same are connected to each other, and the modules are connected at corners of the modules by means of a connecting flange having an interior that is impermeable to laser beams, the connecting flange establishing a rectilinear joint between two gas pipelines of different modules.

Abstract: A CO2 power laser has beam paths in gas pipelines disposed in a rectangle with a plurality of corner flanges, and an end flange, and through flange that subdivide each gas pipeline. Partial paths of a gas supply device and partial paths of a gas drain device are situated in a star-shaped device between a turbo radial blower and the corner, end and through flanges. The star-shaped device has cavities in which the gas supply and gas drain paths extend.

Abstract: A punch press has a ram assembly with a lower portion which is rotatable and reciprocatable about a vertical axis and, a die holder which is rotatable about the same axis. A gear mechanism is coupled between a drive motor and the lower portion of the ram assembly and the die holder to effect simultaneous rotation thereof, which effects reorientation of the tooling relative to the X and Y axes of the punch press. In this fashion, rotation of the tooling will enable a single set of tooling to effect cutouts of different orientation in a workpiece relative to the X and Y axes, and movement of the sheet material along the X and Y axes together with such rotation of the tooling enables complex configurations to be nibbled or cutout with a limited number of sets of tools.

Abstract: A longitudinal flow CO.sub.2 laser with an output of at least several hundred Watts has a rectilinear tube device for dielectric material containing CO.sub.2 and high frequency electrodes in a plurality of pairs arranged diametrically opposed to each other. Each pair of opposed high frequency electrodes has a central plane offset at an angle relative to the central plane of an adjacent pair of high frequency electrodes. The angle is approximately 360 degrees divided by the number of pairs of high frequency electrodes. The high frequency electrodes contact the rectilinear tube device over a significant lateral distance.

Abstract: A bending press includes a work support table comprised of a pair of support elements, at least one of which is mounted on the frame for movement generally vertically relative to the work support plane. Workpiece positioning elements are located on opposite sides of the work station defined by the upper and lower dies and are movable horizontally of the work support plane defined by the work support table. A drive motor effects horizontal movement of at least one of the workpiece positioning elements relative to the other positioning elements so as to move the workpiece on the work support table and effect its precise positioning in desired positions relative to the work station. The machine includes a computer control for operating the various drive motors and may include a rotatable work support table for effecting rotation of the workpiece to reorient it relative to the work station.

Abstract: A tool storage and transfer mechanism for a tool changer punch press includes a magazine with at least two tool carrying elements located in spaced positions about its periphery adapted to releasably seat punch tooling. The magazine is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis which is spaced below the plane of the work support surface of the punch press with the distance being dimensioned to locate the tool carrying elements in horizontal alignment with the tool mounting receptacles of the punch press when the magazine is rotated to locate them in the uppermost position. A peripheral portion of the magazine is of reduced radial dimension so that it will not extend above the plane of the workpiece support surface of the press when rotated into the uppermost position. A transfer mechanism effects the transfer of tooling between the uppermost tool carrying element of the magazine and the tool mounting receptacle of the punch press.

Abstract: A computer controlled machine performs punching and thermal cutting of workpieces at the same work station in the machine. First tool mounting means is provided on the ram assembly of the punch head and supports a punch for reciprocation by the ram member. Second tool mounting means is provided on the base of the machine for supporting a die in coaxial alignment with the punch. The machine includes thermal cutting means including power generating means, a thermal cutting head mountable in one of the tool mounting means with its cutting axis aligned with the axis of reciprocation of the ram member, and conduit means for coupling the head to the power generating means. Waste removal means is provided for mounting in the other of the tool mounting means. Computer control means will selectively and alternately operate the drive means for the ram member and the thermal cutting means, as well as move the workpiece along X and Y axes relative to the work station at which both are selectively operable.

Abstract: A folded longitudinal flow CO.sub.2 laser with an output of at least several hundred Watts, having a rectilinear tube device of dielectric material containing CO.sub.2, comprising a plurality of individual tubes between end flange devices, disposed serially per fold path. At least one intermediate flange device supports the individual tubes and is aligned with the end flange devices. The intermediate flange device has a gas connecting aperture and a cavity aligned with the individual tubes and the gas connecting aperture, and there is a gas tight sealing device between the intermediate flange device and the individual tubes. A supporting device, which is flexurally-resistant, extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the laser and has two end zones which are rigidly fixed in the end flange devices in a flexurally-resistant fashion and without clearance.

Abstract: A laser beam apparatus for processing workpieces includes a beam transmission system providing a beam pathway therethrough from the laser beam generator to a laser focusing head, and this system has at least one mirror which reorients the direction of the beam in the pathway and which is adjustable in at least one axis relative to the pathway. At a point downstream of the mirror is a laser beam sensing means which senses deviation of the beam from its optimum path and generates a signal which is transmitted to deviation responsive means to provide an output. This output may include a visual indicator which enables the operator to effect manually the necessary adjustment of the mirror or an automatic operating means for effecting corrective movement of the mirror. The apparatus has a laser cutting head containing a beam directing mirror and the focusing lens with a deviation sensing means therebetween.

Abstract: A machine tool for flat workpieces such as sheet material includes at least one work station, a first guidance assembly with a workpiece holding device movable in at least one direction relative to the work station and a second guidance assembly with a workpiece holding device independently operable in addition to, or alternatively with, the first workpiece holding device and adapted to be engaged with the workpiece so as to effect its movement independently of or concurrently with the first workpiece holding device. The machine tool desirably includes a computer control for operating the tool work station and the workpiece holding devices, and each of such workpiece holding devices includes at least a pair of workpiece clamping elements with adjustable spacing therebetween. The machine tool may include a pair of machine frames with cantilevered portions extending oppositely of each other and each providing at least one work station or a portion thereof.