Abstract: A system for deleting the edges from coated substrates (6) and for separating said substrates into individual modules along the edge-deleted strips, wherein a laser scanner (2) for edge deletion and a laser head (9) for separating the substrate are disposed on opposite surfaces of the substrate (6) and, depending on the machine direction, can be positioned relative to each other, and their movement can be jointly controlled in such a manner that the laser scanner (2), in the machine direction, is always disposed at a fixed distance in front of the laser head (9), with two directions that are perpendicular to each other, preferably each with alternating directions of movement being available as machine directions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for generating optically perceptible laser-induced cracks in brittle material, wherein a laser beam, followed by a coolant jet, is guided relative to the surface of the brittle material in order to advance a crack trail into the material starting from an initial crack, and wherein a marking agent which penetrates into the crack during the formation of the crack so as to make the latter visible is mixed with the coolant.

Abstract: A system for deleting the edges from coated substrates (6) and for separating said substrates into individual modules along the edge-deleted strips, wherein a laser scanner (2) for edge deletion and a laser head (9) for separating the substrate are disposed on opposite surfaces of the substrate (6) and, depending on the machine direction, can be positioned relative to each other, and their movement can be jointly controlled in such a manner that the laser scanner (2), in the machine direction, is always disposed at a fixed distance in front of the laser head (9), with two directions that are perpendicular to each other, preferably each with alternating directions of movement being available as machine directions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for generating optically perceptible laser-induced cracks in brittle material, wherein a laser beam, followed by a coolant jet, is guided relative to the surface of the brittle material in order to advance a crack trail into the material starting from an initial crack, and wherein a marking agent which penetrates into the crack during the formation of the crack so as to make the latter visible is mixed with the coolant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming the edges of a float glass ribbon whose thickness can vary between 0.4 mm and 24 mm in which a specific depth crack is generated for the respective thickness. The depth of the crack is actively influenced by energy introduced by means of a laser which is controlled as a function of the surface temperature of the float glass ribbon and by a subsequent cooling whose acting period is variable. To ensure a permanently reliable process, the severing crack and the thickness of the float glass ribbon are detected in order to initiate a new initial crack immediately in the event that the severing crack should break up and so that a cutting unit comprising the scribing device, the beam-shaping optics and the cooling nozzles is always at a constant vertical distance from the surface of the float glass ribbon. The method and apparatus are distinguished particularly by the fact that only a low laser power is required.

Abstract: Flat workpieces of brittle material be severed in a time-saving manner by an arrangement according to the invention by inducing thermomechanical stresses by laser radiation, particularly along severing lines in the same orientation in alternating directions, in that the arrangement has two coolant nozzles which selectively direct coolant to the workpiece and which, preferably coupled with optical means for shaping the laser beams, are mounted so as to be rotatable around the axis of the laser head.

Abstract: Flat workpieces of brittle material be severed in a time-saving manner by an arrangement according to the invention by inducing thermomechanical stresses by laser radiation particularly along severing lines in the same orientation in alternating directions, in that the arrangement has two coolant nozzles which selectively direct coolant to the workpiece and which, preferably coupled with optical means for shaping the laser beams, are mounted so as to be rotatable around the axis of the laser head.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a beam-shaping unit for generating a beam bundle which is focused in a punctiform manner, propagates in a ring shape, and has a radiationless central area, comprising a focusing lens, a first axicon and a second axicon, and to an arrangement with a beam-shaping unit of this kind for introducing radiation energy into a workpiece comprising weakly absorbent material which is arranged between a first resonator mirror and a second resonator mirror. The first resonator mirror which is arranged in front of the workpiece in the radiating direction is located in the radiationless central area. The radiation energy can be absorbed to the maximum extent by repeatedly passing through the same interaction volume in the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for splitting a flat ceramic workpiece through provocation of a separation crack due to stresses occurring as a result of temporal and local application of heat by means of laser along a desired splitting line and, following this, a temporal and local removal of heat by means of a coolant, wherein the beam spot length is calculated from the following formula l=8×d×24/WLF, where l is the length of the beam spot, WLF is the thermal conductivity of the ceramic to be split, and d is the thickness of the ceramic to be split, so that the length of the beam spot generated on the workpiece by the laser is selected depending upon the thermal conductivity of the ceramic and upon the thickness of the workpiece. Particularly with workpieces with high internal stress, process parameters such as the laser power or the forward feed speed are changed over the course of the process in order to influence the magnitude of the induced thermal stresses.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a beam-shaping unit for generating a beam bundle which is focused in a punctiform manner, propagates in a ring shape, and has a radiationless central area, comprising a focusing lens, a first axicon and a second axicon, and to an arrangement with a beam-shaping unit of this kind for introducing radiation energy into a workpiece comprising weakly absorbent material which is arranged between a first resonator mirror and a second resonator mirror. The first resonator mirror which is arranged in front of the workpiece in the radiating direction is located in the radiationless central area. The radiation energy can be absorbed to the maximum extent by repeatedly passing through the same interaction volume in the workpiece.