Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for forming a pattern including one or more markings on a substrate. The method includes the step of forming each marking by locally heating the substrate, for example using a fibre laser. A step is also performed of monitoring the temperature of the substrate, e.g. using a temperature sensor, whilst each marking is being formed. The method may be used to form a magnetic encoder scale on a stainless steel substrate having a high content of martensitic material. The local heating causes the martensitic material to be transformed into austenitic material. An encoder scale made using the method is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of adaptive laser joining of stator and rotor laminations allowing individual laminations to be joined with a lower expenditure of energy. For detecting the joining point a sensor (4) is used, which transmits the signal through a filter (5) to a first microcontroller (7), where the signal is processed and transmitted, in turn, to the second microcontroller (8), which then provides for the correct triggering, delaying, or modulation of the laser beam. The software in the microcontrollers allows arbitrarily modulating the continuous beam with adjustable parameters, or triggering an arbitrary number of pulses per gap. The system allows pulse as well as continuous laser sources (11) to be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for forming a pattern including one or more markings on a substrate. The method includes the step of forming each marking by locally heating the substrate, for example using a fibre laser. A step is also performed of monitoring the temperature of the substrate, e.g. using a temperature sensor, whilst each marking is being formed. The method may be used to form a magnetic encoder scale on a stainless steel substrate having a high content of martensitic material. The local heating causes the martensitic material to be transformed into austenitic material. An encoder scale made using the method is also described.