Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for laser-supported plasma cutting or plasma welding of a workpiece. In one aspect, a method includes producing a plasma beam which extends in an expansion direction between an electrode and a processing location on the workpiece, the plasma beam having, with respect to a center axis of the plasma beam that extends in the expansion direction, an inner central region and an outer edge region, and supplying laser radiation to the outer edge region of the plasma beam. The laser radiation supplied to the outer edge region extends parallel with the center axis of the plasma beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for monitoring and for controlling a laser cutting process on a workpiece, and a method of using the same. The device includes an image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, in which the region of the workpiece to be monitored includes a region of interaction of a laser beam with the workpiece, and an evaluation apparatus for detecting material boundaries of the workpiece using the captured image. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine at least one characteristic value of the laser cutting process based on a geometric relationship between at least two of the detected material boundaries, the region of interaction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for determining a material type and/or a surface condition of a workpiece. A surface of the workpiece is illuminated with illuminating radiation. At least one image of the illuminated surface is recorded. The material type and/or the surface condition of the workpiece is determined on the basis of a statistical analysis of the at least one image converted into a spatial frequency domain.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for detecting an incomplete cutting action when cutting a workpiece with a high-energy beam are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes taking an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, the region including an interaction region of the high-energy beam with the workpiece, evaluating the image taken in order to detect pooled slag at an end of the interaction region opposite a cutting front, and detecting whether a related cutting action is incomplete based on an occurrence of detection of pooled slag.

Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.

Abstract: A laser cutting machine for cutting a workpiece having a first thickness (using a first processing laser beam having a first laser beam characteristic and a workpiece having a different second thickness using at least a second processing laser beam having a different second laser beam characteristic includes a laser source for producing a unprocessed laser beam having a laser wavelength of less than 4 ?m, a device which forms from the unprocessed laser beam the processing laser beams, and a control unit which controls the device in dependence on the thickness of the workpiece to be cut.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a processing region of a workpiece on which laser processing is being carried out, in which method the radiation emitted by the processing region is detected by a detector system in a space-resolved manner, wherein the radiation of the processing region is detected for each elemental area of the processing region imaged onto the detector system at least two wavelengths simultaneously. Accurate process monitoring may thereby be carried out.

Abstract: Cutting a workpiece with a laser beam includes using the laser beam to melt and/or vaporize at least a portion of the workpiece, and moving at least one of the workpiece and the laser beam relative to one another to form a cutting front on the workpiece, in which the laser beam includes either at least two different radially polarized beam portions offset relative to each along an advancing direction of the laser beam, or multiple laser beam strips extending along the advancing direction of the laser beam. Each laser beam strip has a different linear polarization direction, and the advancing direction corresponds to a direction along which the workpiece is cut by the laser beam.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for laser-supported plasma cutting or plasma welding of a workpiece. In one aspect, a method includes producing a plasma beam which extends in an expansion direction between an electrode and a processing location on the workpiece, the plasma beam having, with respect to a center axis of the plasma beam that extends in the expansion direction, an inner central region and an outer edge region, and supplying laser radiation to the outer edge region of the plasma beam. The laser radiation supplied to the outer edge region extends parallel with the center axis of the plasma beam.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for detecting an incomplete cutting action when cutting a workpiece with a high-energy beam are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes taking an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, the region including an interaction region of the high-energy beam with the workpiece, evaluating the image taken in order to detect pooled slag at an end of the interaction region opposite a cutting front, and detecting whether a related cutting action is incomplete based on an occurrence of detection of pooled slag.

Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.

Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for monitoring and for controlling a laser cutting process on a workpiece, and a method of using the same. The device includes an image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, in which the region of the workpiece to be monitored includes a region of interaction of a laser beam with the workpiece, and an evaluation apparatus for detecting material boundaries of the workpiece using the captured image. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine at least one characteristic value of the laser cutting process based on a geometric relationship between at least two of the detected material boundaries, the region of interaction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A course of a position of a positioning device is determined as a laser beam welds a workpiece at a focus area of the laser beam. The positioning device is configured to position the focus area of a laser beam on a workpiece such that a joint is formed on the workpiece. A course of the joint on the workpiece from the determined course of the position of the positioning device is estimated, and a deviation between the determined course of the position of the positioning device and the estimated course of the joint on the workpiece is calculated. The deviation represents a parameter related to the precision of the seam position control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a processing region of a workpiece (10) on which laser processing is being carried out, in which method the radiation emitted by the processing region (11) is detected by a detector system (22) in a space-resolved manner, wherein the radiation of the processing region (11) is detected for each elemental area of the processing region (11) imaged onto the detector system at least two wavelengths simultaneously. Accurate process monitoring may thereby be carried out.

Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.

Abstract: A first position of a joint site on a workpiece is detected with a sensor device. The first position is in a first measurement zone in front of a laser beam incident on the workpiece. The second position is in a second measurement zone at the position of the laser beam, and the third position is in a third measurement zone behind the position of the laser beam. One or more of a second position and a third position of the joint site is detected. The position of the laser beam incident on the workpiece is detected. The first, and one or more of the second and third positions are compared to the position of the laser beam, and, based on the comparison, one or more of a laser machining head configured to direct the laser beam onto the workpiece and the sensor device are adjusted relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: A course of a position of a positioning device is determined as a laser beam welds a workpiece at a focus area of the laser beam. The positioning device is configured to position the focus area of a laser beam on a workpiece such that a joint is formed on the workpiece. A course of the joint on the workpiece from the determined course of the position of the positioning device is estimated, and a deviation between the determined course of the position of the positioning device and the estimated course of the joint on the workpiece is calculated. The deviation represents a parameter related to the precision of the seam position control.