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 nozzle coupling assembly for connecting a laser processing nozzle to a laser processing head includes a hollow sleeve, a laser processing nozzle adapted to be removably coupled to the sleeve, and a collar for coupling the nozzle to the sleeve. The nozzle is displaceable within the sleeve along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, and the collar is displaceable along a surface outside the sleeve. The sleeve, the nozzle, and the collar are adapted to co-operate to release the nozzle from a locked position within the sleeve when the nozzle is displaced in a first direction within the sleeve and then displaced in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Flushing gas lines of a laser processing machine, by supplying a flushing gas to the system in a series of pressure impulses greater than a residual processing gas pressure after completion of a processing sequence, and allowing the supplied flushing gas to expand and mix with any residual gas between successive pressure impulses, to substantially clear the processing gas from the system.

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 device for a laser processing head includes an optical element configured for attachment to the laser processing head, a housing for the laser processing head configured to receive the optical element, and a mechanical encoding disposed on at least one of the optical element and the housing to permit installation of a predetermined optical element at a predetermined orientation into the housing.

Abstract: A laser processing head includes a first housing region associated with a beam guidance of a laser processing machine, a second housing region associated with the laser processing head, and an aperture in a wall separating the first and second housing regions. The head is configured such that a laser beam may pass sequentially through the beam guidance, the first housing region, the aperture, and the second housing, and the first housing region includes a first gas atmosphere associated with the beam guidance and maintained at a higher pressure than a second gas atmosphere in the second housing region.

Abstract: A digital rights management (DRM) “bureau” server can be used in many different ways. In one example, a system distributes the storage of rights and/or the rights management decision making process between a DRM client and a DRM server, in order to overcome the shortcomings inherent in exclusively client-side or exclusively server-side DRM systems. In another example, a system manages rights to content on behalf of plural publishers.

Abstract: A laser processing nozzle coupling assembly for connecting a laser processing nozzle to a laser processing head includes a hollow sleeve, a laser processing nozzle adapted to be removably coupled to the sleeve, and a collar for coupling the nozzle to the sleeve. The nozzle is displaceable within the sleeve along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, and the collar is displaceable along a surface outside the sleeve. The sleeve, the nozzle, and the collar are adapted to co-operate to release the nozzle from a locked position within the sleeve when the nozzle is displaced in a first direction within the sleeve and then displaced in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A laser processing machine includes a beam guiding chamber, a gas supply for flushing the beam guiding chamber, and a pressure relief valve coupled to the beam guiding chamber for releasing the flushing gas from the beam guiding chamber.

Abstract: A process for drying phenoxymethylbenzoic acids of the general formula I where X, Y, m and n have the following meanings: X, Y halogen or a C-organic radical, m a value from 0 to 4 and n a value from 0 to 5 which comprises drying the water- and/or solvent-wet phenoxymethylbenzoic acids at a temperature in the range from 1° to 25° C. above their melting point under the reaction conditions used.

Abstract: A laser based processing machine incorporates in the path of a laser beam (7) at least one optical element (1) which has a surface (5) situated in the path of the laser beam (7) and a scavenging medium delivery device which flushes its surface in an essentially counterflow-free fashion. The device includes a delivery element with flow nozzles about a portion of the periphery of the optional element and through which the scavenging medium flows onto the surface of the element and thereacross.

Abstract: A laser based processing machine incorporates in the path of a laser beam (7) at least one optical element (1) which has a surface (5) situated in the path of the laser beam (7) and a scavenging medium delivery device which flushes its surface in an essentially counterflow-free fashion. The device includes a delivery element with flow nozzles about a portion of the periphery of the optional element and through which the scavenging medium flows onto the surface of the element and thereacross.