Abstract: An apparatus for focusing a laser beam on a workpiece includes at least one transmissive optical element which is arranged at a tilting angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to a beam axis of the laser beam, the transmissive optical element comprising a first side and a second side through which the laser beam passes, a spatially-resolving detector configured to detect laser radiation reflected from the transmissive optical element, and an image evaluation device coupled to the detector, the image evaluation device configured to distinguish laser radiation reflected from the first side of the optical element from laser radiation reflected from the second side of the optical element.

Abstract: An optical element for installation in a laser processing machine has a surface that is optically unused and/or not subject to a laser beam during operation of the laser processing machine when the optical element is installed in the laser processing machine, and a transponder disposed in a region on or near the surface and containing readable information relating to the optical element.

Abstract: A beam shaping unit for focusing a divergent laser beam includes a first optical element to receive the laser beam, a second optical element to receive the beam from the first optical element, an optical focusing unit to receive the beam from the second optical element, a first focal point adjustment device coupled to the first optical element, the first focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust the beam focal point diameter by manipulating the first optical element, and a second focal point adjustment device coupled to the second optical element, the second focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust, in the beam propagation direction, the beam focal position by manipulating the second optical element, and in which the beam shaping unit is configured to image the beam from the first optical element through an intermediate focal point onto the second optical element.

Abstract: A method for orientating a focused laser cutting beam eccentrically relative to the nozzle axis of a cutting gas nozzle and a laser processing machine for performing the same, the method including: arranging a redirecting mirror in a beam path of the laser cutting beam upstream of the cutting gas nozzle, the mirror being rotated about a direction which is coaxial with the nozzle axis and/or about a direction which is perpendicular relative to the nozzle axis and which corresponds to the beam incidence direction of the laser beam on the redirecting mirror. The cutting gas nozzle and the redirecting mirror are arranged in a second structural unit of a laser processing head, for rotation about the direction corresponding to the beam incidence direction relative to a first structural unit.

Abstract: A beam shaping unit for focusing a divergent laser beam includes a first optical element to receive the laser beam, a second optical element to receive the beam from the first optical element, an optical focusing unit to receive the beam from the second optical element, a first focal point adjustment device coupled to the first optical element, the first focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust the beam focal point diameter by manipulating the first optical element, and a second focal point adjustment device coupled to the second optical element, the second focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust, in the beam propagation direction, the beam focal position by manipulating the second optical element, and in which the beam shaping unit is configured to image the beam from the first optical element through an intermediate focal point onto the second optical element.

Abstract: A beam shaping unit for focusing a divergent laser beam includes a first optical element to receive the laser beam, a second optical element to receive the beam from the first optical element, an optical focusing unit to receive the beam from the second optical element, a first focal point adjustment device coupled to the first optical element, the first focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust the beam focal point diameter by manipulating the first optical element, and a second focal point adjustment device coupled to the second optical element, the second focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust, in the beam propagation direction, the beam focal position by manipulating the second optical element, and in which the beam shaping unit is configured to image the beam from the first optical element through an intermediate focal point onto the second optical element.

Abstract: An optical element for installation in a laser processing machine has a surface that is optically unused and/or not subject to a laser beam during operation of the laser processing machine when the optical element is installed in the laser processing machine, and a transponder disposed in a region on or near the surface and containing readable information relating to the optical element.

Abstract: An apparatus for focusing a laser beam on a workpiece includes at least one transmissive optical element which is arranged at a tilting angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to a beam axis of the laser beam, the transmissive optical element comprising a first side and a second side through which the laser beam passes, a spatially-resolving detector configured to detect laser radiation reflected from the transmissive optical element, and an image evaluation device coupled to the detector, the image evaluation device configured to distinguish laser radiation reflected from the first side of the optical element from laser radiation reflected from the second side of the optical element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical element for guiding and forming a laser beam, and to a method for recording beam parameters, particularly in a laser system, comprising a carrier substrate (40) and a coating (39), which is applied to at least one side of the carrier substrate (40), and comprising at least one temperature sensor (38). The temperature sensor (38) is comprised of a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, and each respective pixel has at least one temperature-sensitive element (39). The at least one temperature-sensitive element (39) of the pixel is constructed inside the carrier substrate (40) made of silicon.

Abstract: A laser processing machine head, a laser processing machine head monitoring system, and a method of monitoring an optical element of a laser processing machine feature a light-transmissive optical element and an optical element holder defining a cavity in which the optical element is retained against rotation. A light source mounted to the holder directs a beam of light into the optical element through a peripheral surface of the optical element. A light receiver is responsive to light from the light source reflected through the optical element. Monitoring a signal from the light receiver allows a status of the optical element to be assessed.

Abstract: A method of determining a contact point of a laser beam on an edge of a body and a system for performing the same, in which the method includes a) moving the laser beam relative to the edge in a spatial direction until the laser beam touches the edge, in which the spatial direction is at a right angle relative to an axis of the laser beam and in which the edge is formed at an opening, b) measuring acoustic oscillations produced photoacoustically during the movement of the laser beam, and c) determining the laser beam point of contact with the edge based on the measured acoustic oscillations.

Abstract: An insulator for a sensor arrangement of a laser processing machine comprises an outer insulating part of plastics material for electrical shielding and an inner shielding part of a non-conductive heat-resistant material for shielding against laser irradiation and/or heat.

Abstract: A method for orientating a focused laser cutting beam eccentrically relative to the nozzle axis of a cutting gas nozzle and a laser processing machine for performing the same, the method including: arranging a redirecting mirror in a beam path of the laser cutting beam upstream of the cutting gas nozzle, the mirror being rotated about a direction which is coaxial with the nozzle axis and/or about a direction which is perpendicular relative to the nozzle axis and which corresponds to the beam incidence direction of the laser beam on the redirecting mirror. The cutting gas nozzle and the redirecting mirror are arranged in a second structural unit of a laser processing head, for rotation about the direction corresponding to the beam incidence direction relative to a first structural unit.

Abstract: A laser processing machine head, a laser processing machine head monitoring system, and a method of monitoring an optical element of a laser processing machine feature a light-transmissive optical element and an optical element holder defining a cavity in which the optical element is retained against rotation. A light source mounted to the holder directs a beam of light into the optical element through a peripheral surface of the optical element. A light receiver is responsive to light from the light source reflected through the optical element. Monitoring a signal from the light receiver allows a status of the optical element to be assessed.

Abstract: A laser processing machine head, a laser processing machine head monitoring system, and a method of monitoring an optical element of a laser processing machine feature a light-transmissive optical element and an optical element holder defining a cavity in which the optical element is retained against rotation. A light source mounted to the holder directs a beam of light into the optical element through a peripheral surface of the optical element. A light receiver is responsive to light from the light source reflected through the optical element. Monitoring a signal from the light receiver allows a status of the optical element to be assessed.

Abstract: An optical module adjusts an output of a laser of a laser processing machine. The optical module consists essentially of includes an adaptive spherical mirror configured to receive a laser beam from the laser, and a spherical mirror configured to receive a laser beam reflected from the adaptive mirror. Both the adaptive mirror and the spherical mirror have a phase-shifting coating such that the laser beam reflected from the spherical mirror has a circular polarization.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical element for guiding and forming a laser beam, and to a method for recording beam parameters, particularly in a laser system, comprising a carrier substrate (40) and a coating (39), which is applied to at least one side of the carrier substrate (40), and comprising at least one temperature sensor (38). The temperature sensor (38) is comprised of a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, and each respective pixel has at least one temperature-sensitive element (39). The at least one temperature-sensitive element (39) of the pixel is constructed inside the carrier substrate (40) made of silicon.

Abstract: A material processing machine configured to process a workpiece with a processing head movable with respect to the workpiece, including a workpiece support, a processing head carrier movable with respect to the workpiece support, the carrier including a first half of a releasable head coupling, and a processing head carried by the head carrier and positioned to operably engage a workpiece supported by the support to process the workpiece, the processing head including a second half of the releasable head coupling. The releasable head coupling defines an adjustable head release force.

Abstract: A method of determining a contact point of a laser beam on an edge of a body and a system for performing the same, in which the method includes a) moving the laser beam relative to the edge in a spatial direction until the laser beam touches the edge, in which the spatial direction is at a right angle relative to an axis of the laser beam and in which the edge is formed at an opening, b) measuring acoustic oscillations produced photoacoustically during the movement of the laser beam, and c) determining the laser beam point of contact with the edge based on the measured acoustic oscillations.

Abstract: A laser processing machine includes a laser that outputs a laser beam, a laser processing head including a nozzle that defines a nozzle bore, a beam guidance and focusing system for directing the laser beam through the nozzle bore of the laser processing head, an illumination system that produces a light beam that is directed at the nozzle bore of the nozzle such that the light beam completely illuminates the nozzle bore, a light detector at the nozzle bore that views light that exits the nozzle bore, and an evaluation system that receives the output of the light detector and automatically determines the separation between a center of the laser beam when the laser beam is focused at the nozzle and a center of the nozzle based on the light detector output.