Abstract: An apparatus or process supplies a controlled stream of gas in a laminar flow to provide a laser beam permeable barrier in a plane between laser material processing byproducts and a final laser focusing optical element to separate a contaminated environment and a clean environment without directing gas towards the processing point of the laser. The stream of gas may be directed towards a filter by a vacuum source such as a fan. The vacuum source may be sized to draw in more gas than the stream of gas.

Abstract: A CNC machine includes a lower body; an upper body that extends from the lower body and is movably attached to the lower body; a tool that is movably attached to the upper body; and a flexible mat that is attached to the lower body. The tool may be a laser generator with the flexible mat resistant to the laser beam. The flexible mat has at least one orientation such that an outer periphery of the flexible mat is greater than the full extent of range of motion of the tool. The upper body may be connected to the lower body by a pivot mechanism configured to allow the upper body to pivot from a first position to a second position and to rotationally fix the upper body relative to the lower body in the second position, with the first and second positions being ninety degrees apart.

Abstract: A CNC machine includes a lower body; an upper body that extends from the lower body and is movably attached to the lower body; a tool that is movably attached to the upper body; and a flexible mat that is attached to the lower body. The tool may be a laser generator with the flexible mat resistant to the laser beam. The flexible mat has at least one orientation such that an outer periphery of the flexible mat is greater than the full extent of range of motion of the tool. The upper body may be connected to the lower body by a pivot mechanism configured to allow the upper body to pivot from a first position to a second position and to rotationally fix the upper body relative to the lower body in the second position, with the first and second positions being ninety degrees apart.

Abstract: A CNC machine includes a lower body; an upper body that extends from the lower body and is movably attached to the lower body; a tool that is movably attached to the upper body; and a flexible mat that is attached to the lower body. The tool may be a laser generator with the flexible mat resistant to the laser beam. The flexible mat has at least one orientation such that an outer periphery of the flexible mat is greater than the full extent of range of motion of the tool. The upper body may be connected to the lower body by a pivot mechanism configured to allow the upper body to pivot from a first position to a second position and to rotationally fix the upper body relative to the lower body in the second position, with the first and second positions being ninety degrees apart.