Abstract: A method for laser welding a first and an at least partially overlapping second workpiece sheet along a machining path includes: detecting a distance from a reference to the first and to the second sheet at a plurality of positions; determining a gap width between the sheets based on the distances; and welding together the sheets by radiating the beam along the path and forming a weld seam. The laser beam power is adapted to the respective gap width along the path. A laser machining system for welding sheets using a machining laser beam includes: a distance measuring device detecting a distance to a first and second sheet at a plurality of positions; deflection optics guiding the beam along a machining path; and a control device determining a gap width between the sheets based on the distances. The control device adapts the laser beam power to the respective gap width.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a workpiece for a laser machining process includes the steps of: radiating a measurement beam to at least one workpiece and a support device surrounding the workpiece along at least one first and along at least one second measurement path, the first path forming a predetermined angle with the second path; acquiring a portion of the radiated measurement beam, reflected by the support device and the workpiece, along the first and along the second measurement path and generating a corresponding measurement signal, the support device and the workpiece comprising a reflectivity different from each other; and determining a position of the workpiece based on the measurement signal. A method for machining a workpiece by a laser beam includes the method for determining the position of the workpiece. An apparatus for determining a position of a workpiece is configured for conducting the methods.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a welded connection during laser welding of workpieces includes acquiring a first measurement signal for a process radiation generated during laser welding, acquiring a second measurement signal for a laser radiation reflected by the workpieces, determining whether there is a gap between the workpieces based on the first measurement signal, and when it is determined that there is a gap, determining based on the second measurement signal whether there is a welded connection.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing a weld seam formed by a laser welding process, said method including thermally exciting the weld seam by radiating at least one laser pulse onto the weld seam, acquiring a decay characteristic of a thermal radiation emitted by the weld seam, and determining whether a welding defect is present based on an evaluation of the acquired decay characteristic. Furthermore, a laser machining system for analyzing a weld seam formed by a laser welding process between at least two workpieces is provided.