Abstract: To form a deeper scribed groove with less energy or to improve the scribing speed, without making the apparatus configuration complicated is intended. The present invention relates to a laser scribing method which includes: forming on a workpiece a plurality of beam spots arranged in a state being separated from one another along the scribing direction, and forming a linear scribed groove on the workpiece by moving the plurality of beam spots in the scribing direction. The plurality of beam spots are obtained from a laser beam of a single ray bundle.

Abstract: A laser beam welding device and a laser beam welding method are described. It is provided that a laser beam converted to have an annular cross-sectional area by using an optical system is deflected for the purpose of producing a radial weld.

Abstract: A method for laser beam machining of a workpiece in which a laser beam is focused by an objective, into or onto the workpiece having a boundary surface, to produce a machining effect by a two-photon process, and the position of the focal point with respect to the workpiece is shifted. To obtain a reference for the position of the focal point, an image of a luminating modulation object is projected through the objective onto the workpiece into the focal plane or so as to intersect it. Reflections of the image occurring at the boundary surface are imaged into an autofocus image plane, and are detected by a camera. The camera image plane either intersects the autofocus image plane when the image of the illuminating modulation object lies in the focal plane, or lies in the autofocus image plane when the image of the modulation object intersects the focal plane.

Abstract: A method and device (1) for laser machining vehicle bodies or body parts (2) uses a laser beam (14) that is guided from a laser source (13) to a remote laser tool (15) on a robot hand by a guiding device (16). The robot (4) maintains the laser tool (15) in a suspended manner over the tool (2), at a focal length (F) and at a contact free distance and guides it along a machining path (30). The laser beam (14) is deviated, by movement of the hand axis (IV, V, VI), about a variable deviation angle (?), and the laser source (13), whose power is variable, is controlled according to the movement of the laser beam. The beam deviation of the hand axis (IV, V, VI) can be superimposed on an offset movement of the robot (4).

Abstract: An object is to provide a method and an apparatus for improving a residual stress in a tubular body, which are enabled to improve the residual stress reliably by clearly defining controlling rage for treatment conditions without depending on an installation state and configuration of the tubular body. When an outer-circumferential surface of a welded portion of a cylindrical tubular body (2) is irradiated with a laser beam that circles around an outer circumference of the tubular body (2), a heating width W in a circumferential direction heated by the laser-beam irradiation and a laser-beam moving speed V in the circumferential direction are set so that a stress in the circumferential direction in an inner surface of the tubular body (2) produced by the heating with the laser beam is at least larger than a yielding stress of a material that the tubular body (2) is made of.

Abstract: The system comprises a buckling arm robot with a robot frame (1) and an articulated arm (2) and a fiber optic cable (5) which is connected to one end of the articulated arm (2) and through which a laser beam (11) with a beam axis (10) is coupled into the articulated arm (2) in the direction of a first axis of the articulated arm (2). The fiber optic cable (5) is indirectly connected to the stationary end of the articulated arm (2) via an alignment unit (6) which comprises a collimating lens system (13) and at least two alignment mirrors (12.1, 12.2), each of which mirrors can swivel about at least one axis of rotation and move along at least one axis of translation, with the axes of rotation and the axes of translation being disposed at right angles to each other so that the beam axis (10) of the laser beam (11) can be made to coincide with the optical axis (4).

Abstract: Apparatuses for fabricating micro patterns using a laser diode array and methods for fabricating micro patterns are presented. The apparatus includes a laser diode array having at least one laser diode wherein light emitted from each laser diode is focused by a convex lens onto a second material layer attached to a first material layer. At least one driving shaft drives motion of the first and the second material layers. An adjustment means is used for adjusting the gap and pitch between adjacent laser diodes.

Abstract: A method for the optimized movement co-ordination of measuring machines or machine tools having redundant axles having at translatory action, wherein the longer partial axles in each case permit a relatively slowly accelerated partial movement over a relatively large measuring or processing space and the shorter partial axles in each case essentially carry out the movement components of a total movement at a substantially altogether constant measuring or processing speed, which require an acceleration beyond a maximum set or stipulated for the respective longer partial axles, wherein, when approaching positions that in an undivided movement would otherwise not be attainable, the base axles correspondingly decelerate and can even come to a complete standstill, wherein by simultaneous displacement of the neutral starting point of the additional axles, the respective movement component of the base axles missing from the total movement is compensated.

Abstract: A laser beam irradiation apparatus irradiates a laser beam to a sealing unit disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate to seal the first substrate and the second substrate. The laser beam irradiation apparatus includes a laser head for irradiating the laser beam; and a control unit for controlling a drive-velocity and a drive-direction of the laser beam. The laser beam is controlled by the control unit which repetitively performs a backward and forward movement along a first direction, and passes a same position at least twice.

Abstract: A method of aligning a wafer when lithographically fabricating a light-emitting diode (LED). The method includes forming on the wafer at least one roughened alignment mark having a root-mean-square (RMS) surface roughness ?S. The roughened alignment mark is formed as a consequence of forming a plasma etch to roughen a LED surface on which the wafer alignment mark resides. The method also includes imaging the at least one roughened wafer alignment mark with alignment light having a wavelength ?A that is in the range from about 2?S to about 8?S. The method also includes comparing the detected image to an alignment reference to establish wafer alignment. Once wafer alignment is established, p-contacts and n-contacts can be formed on the LED upper surface in their proper locations.

Abstract: A weld zone of T-piping and its neighborhood are efficiently laser-heated to remove residual stress. For this purpose, the weld zone of a T-piping (50) is irradiated and heated with a laser beam emitted from a laser head (10) to remove residual stress. At this time, a rotating travel cart (3) travels along a ring rail (2) to adjust the position of the laser head (10) in a ?-direction, a vertical slide (4) slides to adjust the position of the laser head (10) in a Z-direction, a radial slide (5) slides to adjust the position of the laser head (10) in an L-direction, an arcuate piece slide (7) slides along an arcuate piece to adjust the ?-direction of the laser head (10), a laser head support portion (9) turns to adjust the ?-direction of the laser head (10), and oscillation adjusts the position of the laser head (10) in a ?-direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting method for a cutting device to cut the peripheral isolation lines of solar panels, having the following steps: preparing a solar panel and installing an image acquisition device at the corresponding position on the solar panel; setting the image acquisition device to move along the solar panel edge and acquire the image of the solar panel edge by means of located whole acquisition or line scan, and using an image processing device to calculate the location data of the edges of the solar panel; and setting a cutting device to cut the isolation line of the solar panel according to the edge location data. The present method can accurately judge the locations of the solar panel edges through image processing algorithm to find the parts near the margins and avoid defects, so that the solar panel can have maximum efficacy and utility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a square-wave laser seal pattern made by first directing a laser beam onto an shaft while the shaft is moving in a horizontal direction relative to a laser device so as to create a horizontal laser seal bond segment. Next, with the shaft rotating about a shaft longitudinal axis, the laser beam is directed onto the shaft so as to create a vertical laser seal bond segment. By alternately creating and coupling together a plurality of horizontal and vertical laser seal bond segments, a square-wave laser seal is formed around a circumference of the shaft. The shaft's movement in a horizontal direction relative to a laser beam may be either at a constant speed or a variable speed so as to control the amount of laser energy heat impacting the shaft material.

Abstract: An X & Y orthogonal cut apparatus for scribing a pair of parallel cuts on a planar workpiece, the workpiece plane having an X-axis and a Y-axis, where the apparatus includes a laser device generating at least two beams including a first beam and a second beam, the first beam and the second beam each having an impact point on the workpiece, the first and second impact points being positioned diagonally with respect to the X and Y axes of the workpiece, and at least one actuator to move at least one of the impact points relative to the workpiece and the workpiece relative to the impact points.

Abstract: A method of forming a via hole reaching a bonding pad in a wafer having a plurality of devices on the front surface of a substrate and bonding pads formed on each of the devices by applying a pulse laser beam from the rear surface side of the substrate, wherein when a pulse laser beam having a spot diameter which satisfies D/2?d?D?2 ?m (wherein a diameter of the via hole to be formed is represented as D and a spot diameter of the pulse laser beam is represented as d) is applied in such a manner that the periphery of the spot moves along the inner circumference of the via hole to be formed, the pulse laser beam is applied at an angle of 120 to 180° from the previous application position.

Abstract: A method for machining workpieces (6) uses a moving laser beam (4), whereby the laser tool (3) is held at a separation above the workpiece (6) by means of a multi-axis mechanical manipulator (2) with a manipulator hand (8) and moved along a given track in an offset movement. During the machining process an at least partly opposing compensation movement of the laser beam (4) is superimposed on the offset movement. A device is provided for machining workpieces (6) with a moving laser beam (4). The laser tool (3) is held by means of a multi-axis mechanical manipulator (2) and a device for generation of a opposing compensation movement of the laser beam (4) is superimposed on the offset movement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve having a housing with a valve seat for a two-piece flap which is rotatably mounted on a drive shaft. An annular piston seal and an adjacent cover disk are disposed between the first part and the second part of the two-piece flap so as to revolve therearound. The diameter of the cover disk is smaller than the diameter of the annular piston seal which is embodied as a metal ring that is provided with a gap. The invention also relates to the use of the valve as a gas recirculation valve.

Abstract: A high, energy, high repetition rate workpiece surface heating apparatus is disclosed which comprise a XeF laser producing a laser output light pulse beam, an optical system narrowing the laser output light pulse beam in the short axis of the laser output light pulse beam and expanding the laser output light pulse beam to form in a long axis of the beam a workpiece covering extent of the long axis, the optical system focuses the laser output light pulse beam at a field stop with a magnification sufficient to maintain an intensity profile that has sufficiently steep sidewalls to allow the field stop to maintain a sufficiently steep beam profile at the workpiece.

Abstract: A laser irradiation apparatus includes a plurality of laser heads from which a laser is irradiated, can adjust arranged intervals of the laser heads, and moves freely to irradiate the laser along a shape of a subject. A laser oscillator oscillates a laser. A plurality of laser heads linearly irradiate the laser oscillated by the laser oscillator. A first driving means adjusts arranged intervals of the laser heads, and moves the laser heads in an X direction. A second driving means moves the laser heads in a Y direction different from the X direction.

Abstract: An active laser energy delivery system includes a relay imaging system. Input optics arranged to receive the laser energy, a transmitting mirror having adjustable angle of incidence relative to the input optics, and a robot mounted processing head including an optical assembly are configured to direct laser energy toward the movable target image plane. The laser energy follows an optical path including an essentially straight segment from the transmitting mirror to the receiving mirror, having a variable length and a variable angle relative to the input optics. Diagnostics on the processing head facilitate operation.

Abstract: A device for drilling and for removing material using a laser beam comprises: a rotating image rotator (2); a beam manipulator (1) which, when viewed in the beam direction, is arranged in front of the image rotator and which serves to adjust the angle and position of the beam relative to the rotation axis of the image rotator; and a focusing device (3) located on the output side of the image rotator. A compensating device (3, 13, 14, 15) is placed between the image rotator and the focusing device and rotates with the image rotator in the same direction of rotation and with the same rotational frequency. The compensating device has a parallel displacement unit (15) and an angle changing unit (13, 14), and the compensating device, in a basic setting, is adjustable in its rotating position relative to the image rotator.

Abstract: Aims are to provide a tubular-body residual-stress improving apparatus and an adjustment method thereof capable of adjusting irradiation position with favorable reproducibility, even when an optical fiber is eccentric. In the tubular-body residual-stress improving apparatus, an optical control unit (5) includes a rotational hold mechanism (9) for holding an optical fiber (6) in a manner that the optical fiber (6) is rotatable in a circumferential direction of the optical fiber (6), and, if a position of an intensity peak of the laser beam from the optical fiber (6) in an axial direction of the tubular body (2) is offset from the center of an irradiation profile, a position at which the optical fiber (6) is held in the circumferential direction is adjusted by the rotational hold mechanism (9) so as to eliminate the offset or to minimize an influence of the offset.

Abstract: A laser energy delivery system includes a relay imaging system. Input optics arranged to receive the laser energy, a transmitting mirror having adjustable angle of incidence relative to the input optics, and a robot mounted optical assembly are configured to direct laser energy toward the movable target image plane. The laser energy follows an optical path including an essentially straight segment from the transmitting mirror to the receiving mirror, having a variable length and a variable angle relative to the input optics through air. Diagnostics on the processing head facilitate operation.

Abstract: In a laser micro-machining system including a simple focusing lens located between a laser source and a beam steering mechanism along the path of a laser beam pulse. The focusing lens being a simple single-element spherical lens with an optical axis of the focusing lens located inline with a laser beam input from the laser source. The focusing lens located further away from a work piece than the beam steering mechanism. An active beam path management system moves the simple focusing lens in concert with and relative to the beam steering mechanism to maintain a focal point coincident with a surface of the work piece at all deflection angles affected by the beam steering mechanism. The focusing lens is rapidly moveable in concert with the beam steering mechanism to maintain a constant beam path length from the lens output to the work piece at all times.

Abstract: To better address these problems, one or more characteristics are measured from a work piece (28). The measurement information is used to select a preferred predetermined laser processing recipe from a lookup table. The laser processing recipe is then used to process the work piece (28). The lookup table of laser processing recipes can be established from theoretical calculations, from trial an error by an operator, from an automated systematic recipe variation process with post process testing, or from some combination of these or other methods. An automated process can also reduce operator errors and may store measurement values for convenient tracking of work piece characteristics.

Abstract: A device and method for steering a laser beam to a focal point in target tissue requires generating a laser beam. Diversions of the laser beam from a central beam path are minimized by a sequential arrangement of optical steering components. In order, the beam is first directed to the center of a z-scanning apparatus which will move the focal point in the medium in a z-direction. The beam is then passed to the center of a first galvanometric mirror which introduces focal point movements in the x-direction. A second galvanometric mirror then compensates for the x-direction movement by redirecting the beam to the center of a third galvanometric mirror where focal point movements in the y-direction are introduced.

Abstract: device for remote laser welding of metal sheet structures comprises an anthropomorphous robot onto whose wrist is mounted an accessory device carrying a focusing head for the laser beam coming from a laser source, as well as means for oscillating the pointing direction of the focused laser beam around one oscillation axis. During welding the robot shifts the accessory device along a given trajectory and at a given speed, while the pointing direction of the focused beam is oscillated to as to allow the area of structure that is lighted by the laser beam to shift at a speed and/or along a trajectory not depending directly on the shifting trajectory and speed of the accessory device carried by the robot.

Abstract: Laser beam positioning systems for material processing and methods for using such systems are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a laser-based material processing system, for example, can include (a) a radiation source configured to produce a laser beam and direct the beam along a beam path toward a material processing area, and (b) a laser beam positioning assembly in the beam path. The laser beam positioning assembly can include a first focusing element, first and second reflective optical elements (e.g., movable mirrors), and a second focusing element. The first focusing element can focus the laser beam to a first focal point between the first and second reflective optical elements. The first and second reflective optical elements can direct the laser beam toward the material processing area while the laser beam has a decreasing or increasing cross-sectional dimension (e.g., diameter).

Abstract: A laser machining apparatus that excels in precision in terms of machining position and shape is provided with an optical axis adjusting unit disposed on a basal optical axis of a laser beam outputted from a laser oscillator so as to adjust the laser beam outputted from the laser oscillator onto a workpiece. The laser machining apparatus is provided further with mirrors, disposed between the laser oscillator and the optical axis adjusting unit, for freely deflecting the optical axis of the laser beam. The laser machining apparatus also includes an optical axis position detecting means, disposed between the optical axis adjusting unit and the optical axis deflecting means, for detecting the position of the optical axis of the laser beam. The apparatus aligns the optical axis of the laser beam incident on the optical axis adjusting unit with the basal optical axis by means of the mirrors based on a result detected by the optical axis position detecting means.

Abstract: A laser scanning mechanism and multiple processing stations are circumferentially disposed around a central axis. The laser scanning mechanism includes a rotating member driven by a motor to rotate around the central axis, and an optical system fixedly mounted on the rotating member and arranged to redirect input laser beam pulses from the central axis along a circular scan path. Each station including a mechanism for moving a corresponding target object radially across the circular scan path. The laser beam pulses output from the scanning mechanism can be used to process (e.g., ablate material from) multiple target objects simultaneously. The laser scanning mechanism redirects the input laser beam pulses such that the laser beams remain on-axis and in focus as they are scanned along the circular (curved) scan path. A system for producing photovoltaic devices utilizes the laser ablation apparatus and a direct-write metallization apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser working apparatus including: a laser emitting apparatus provided with a reflector which changes the direction of any one of a laser beam and a visible light; a robot which moves the laser emitting apparatus; and a robot control apparatus which, when laser working is performed, controls the laser emitting apparatus so that the laser beam can draw a predetermined working pattern on the basis of a predetermined working position on a workpiece, and, when an operation checking work is performed, controls the laser emitting apparatus so that the visible light beam can be emitted only to a reference position of the working pattern.

Abstract: A laser peening apparatus is available for laser peening a hidden surface of a workpiece, the hidden surface not being line-of-sight accessible to laser energy for treatment thereof. The apparatus includes a pulsed laser system and a laser directing unit. The pulsed laser system is configured for generating the laser energy used for laser peening. The laser directing unit operatively receives and channels the laser energy generated by the pulsed laser system. The laser directing unit includes a laser transmission end and is capable of variably and selectively positioning that laser transmission end. The laser directing unit is thereby configured for variably and selectively directing laser energy upon the hidden surface via the laser transmission end.

Abstract: A multi-axis laser machine in which the working efficiency can be improved even when machining positions in respective systems are different from each other. The positioning operation of a laser positioning unit for positioning an optical path of a laser beam in an axis and the positioning operation of another laser positioning unit for positioning another optical path of the laser beam in another axis are performed independently of each other. An arbitration unit monitors the laser positioning units as to whether they have finished positioning or not. The arbitration unit operates a deflection unit (AOM) so as to supply the laser beam to one of the laser positioning units which has finished positioning. Incidentally, when the laser positioning units finish positioning simultaneously, the arbitration unit supplies the laser beam to the laser positioning units in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for perforating, cutting, or engraving a workpiece using a focused laser system to produce a focused laser. The apparatus includes a workpiece former having a complex shape to which the workpiece substantially conforms. The apparatus also includes a positioner that makes an adjustment to keep the focused laser substantially focused on the workpiece as the positional relationship between the workpiece former and the focused laser system changes to an operating position that changes the distance between the workpiece and the focused laser system due to the complex shape of the workpiece former.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for removing particles from the surface of a substrate include determining respective position coordinates of the particles on the surface. A beam of electromagnetic energy is directed via an optical cleaning arm at the coordinates of each of the particles in turn, such that absorption of the electromagnetic energy at the surface causes the particles to be dislodged from the surface substantially without damage to the surface itself.

Abstract: This optical arm applicable to robots is comprised of: some bent tubular parts (1, 6, 16, 18), a straight tubular length (21) and an outlet part (23), coupled together with the possibility of rotation; also including some means (7) to secure the optical arm to a robot (5). The bent tubular part (1) is mounted with the possibility of rotation on the outlet (2) of a laser generator (3) secured to the third arm (4) of the robot (5). Parts (1, 6, 16 and 18) have a window (28), in each bend, equipped with some inner lugs (28) which a mirror (29) is pressed on to by means of some springs (33) foreseen with a removable part (32).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing fluid flow into a wellbore in which an apparatus having at least one laser energy output is lowered into the wellbore and the at least one laser energy output is directed at a wall of the wellbore. At least a portion of the wall is heated using the at least one laser energy output, whereby flow of a fluid into the wellbore is initiated and/or- enhanced.

Abstract: A tool for machining workpieces by motion of the machining tool relative to the workpiece has a support extending in the X-axis over a work support table and movable in the Y-axis. A machining tool housing is movable on the support in the Y-axis. A portion of the housing containing the machining tool is movable with respect to the mounted portion in the Y-axis within a limited range of motion. A computer control effects operation of drive motors to move the housing along the support and the support along the machining tool table to machine a workpiece supported on said worktable in X and Y axes, and the computer control can also effect operation of another drive motor to rapidly move of the housing portion and machining tool in the Y-axis when the desired length of motion in the Y-axis is within its range of motion.

Abstract: When holes are being drilled in an electric circuit substrate, a laser beam is moved on concentric circular tracks in the region of the hole to be drilled. The transition from one circular track to the next takes place in each case on an arc that departs approximately tangentially from the circular track last traversed and nestles approximately tangentially against the circular track newly to be described in such a way that in each case the starting point of a new circular track is offset by a prescribed angle from the starting point of the preceding circular track.

Abstract: In a laser processing apparatus including a laser oscillator for emitting laser light onto a workpiece through an f&thgr; lens for drilling a hole in the workpiece, a wavelength selector for passing only a light ray having a specific wavelength is disposed between the laser oscillator and the workpiece.

Abstract: A sharp corner judgment means judges as to whether a corner of cut shape in a workpiece is a sharp corner is not on the basis of a machining program. When the corner is regarded as the sharp corner, an additional locus producing means for producing sharp corner produces an additional locus for producing sharp corner when machining on the corner regarded as the sharp corner, and a sharp corner machining execution means executes machining on the corner on the basis of the produced additional locus for producing sharp corner. Then, the additional locus for producing sharp corner can be automatically produced for the sharp corner so as to execute machining.

Abstract: A nozzle system for laser machining capable of maintaining an interference region of a robot in a teaching operation to be substantially the same as that in a laser machining operation. An optical fiber supporting unit is attached to a nozzle body unit having laser beam converging lens for performing a laser machining operation. An optical fiber for supplying a laser beam is connected to an optical fiber connector on the optical fiber supporting unit. A laser machining is performed by combination of the nozzle body unit and the optical fiber supporting member attached to a distal end of a robot arm. In a teaching operation, a camera supporting unit (dummy nozzle) having substantially the same dimension as the nozzle body unit and supporting a camera at a predetermined position is used in place of the optical fiber supporting unit and the nozzle body unit.

Abstract: A method of removing substance from the surface of a workpiece in which the removal of substance is effected layer-wise by irradiating a working site on the workpiece surface with a laser beam from a working head, the layer-wise removal of substance being carried out with the aid of a laser guidance guiding the laser across the surface of the workpiece within a working area predetermined by the apparatus, comprises positioning steps in which, after the start of the substance removal, the relative position of the workpiece and the working head are changed in accordance with a first and/or second criterion and adjusted so that a boundary of the working area comes to be disposed on different sections of the workpiece surface for identical working sites.

Abstract: A tool for machining workpieces by motion of the machining tool relative to the workpiece has a support extending in the X-axis over a work support table and movable in the Y-axis. A machining tool housing is movable on the support in the Y-axis. A portion of the housing containing the machining tool is movable with respect to the mounted portion in the Y-axis within a limited range of motion. A computer control effects operation of drive motors to move the housing along the support and the support along the machining tool table to machine a workpiece supported on said worktable in X and Y axes, and the computer control can also effect operation of another drive motor to rapidly move of the housing portion and machining tool in the Y-axis when the desired length of motion in the Y-axis is within its range of motion.

Abstract: The control apparatus for a three dimensional laser working machine teaches a tip position and an attitude of a nozzle and carries out working based on the teaching in a three-dimensional laser working machine having a head structure that a working point does not change when a rotational axis and an attitude axis are rotated. A nozzle direction vector is calculated from current angles of a rotational axis (14) and an attitude axis (16). An angle that the attitude axis (16) changes for constant time is calculated. An angle through which the rotational axis (14) is to be rotated is calculated so that X and Y directions of the nozzle direction vector are kept constant according to an angle change amount of the attitude axis (16), and the rotation of the rotational axis (14) is controlled by the calculated angle.

Abstract: An fast steering mirror (30), such as a PMN actuated mirror, is positioned in a beam path (18) of a stage-based positioning system (40) to continuously move a laser beam (46) in a high speed prescribed pattern about a nominal target position (60) to spatially separate focused laser spots (48) generated at a high laser repetition rate and thereby create geometric features having dimensions greater than those of the focused laser spot (48). A series of laser spots (48) at a given repetition rate appear as a series of larger diameter laser spots at a lower pulse rate without beam quality problems associated with working out of focus.

Abstract: A method for hardening the grooves of steel pistons of steel piston heads whereby hardening of the bottom of the grooves is avoided. The laser beam is directed onto the sides of the groove in an approximately tangential direction in relation to the outer diameter of the piston.

Abstract: In an apparatus for making and inspecting a multi-component cigarettes, each cigarette including two or more different components arranged relative to one another, the apparatus includes a device for advancing a web in a first direction. The apparatus further includes a device for positioning at least two different components of a cigarette relative to one another on the web as the web advances in the first direction. The apparatus further includes a garniture device for wrapping the web around the at least two different components by moving opposite edges of the web transversely to the first direction such that, at a closure point in the garniture device, the opposite edges overlap each other. The apparatus further includes an imaging device disposed upstream of the closure point for generating an image of the at least two different components.

Abstract: A method of coating an inner surface of a weapon barrel includes the following steps: directing a laser beam against the inner barrel surface to cause melting of regions thereof; introducing a coating material in one of powder, wire and ribbon form into the laser beam for melting the coating material to produce in the surface regions a molten bath composed of the molten coating material and a material of the weapon barrel; and moving the laser beam inside the weapon barrel axially thereof and relative thereto, whereby the molten substance of the bath becomes rigid as the laser beam moves away therefrom.

Abstract: A laser beam position control apparatus for a CNC laser equipped machine tool, that will automatically maintain precise alignment of the beam path, though the machine may be operating in a non-uniform temperature environment. The apparatus compensates for small deviations in flatness of machine mounting surfaces by steering the laser beam. The laser beam control apparatus includes a laser beam position sensor for mounting in the beam path of the machine tool and that communicates with a signal processor that in turn communicates with at least one drive apparatus that controls at least one actuator capable of moving an object to steer the laser beam.