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.

Abstract: A method for the thermal connection of overlapping connecting surfaces (19, 20) of two substrates (17, 18), at least one substrate (18) being 5 transparent and laser energy being applied to the connecting surfaces (19, 20) from a rear side (26) of the transparent substrate (18), laser energy being applied separately to each of the contact pairs (37) constructed between two connecting surfaces (19, 20) of the opposing substrates (17, 18).

Abstract: A laser beam machining apparatus capable of highly accurate machining at a high speed. A parallel link mechanism including a plurality of links is fixed to a frame and a workpiece holder having moving means is provided thereunder. The links of the parallel link mechanism connect a movable member with a stationary member, and the movable member is moved with respect to the stationary member by the extending/retracting operation of the links. A laser head serving as a machining head is attached to the movable member. A supply line includes a laser transmitting optical fiber, pipes for supplying water, assist gas, etc., and an electrical signal line. A laser beam LB outputted from the laser head performs machining on a workpiece W on the workpiece holder. The supply line passes through a through hole formed inside link joint portions on the stationary member. Hollow motors for driving the links of the parallel link mechanism are mounted on the stationary member.

Abstract: An x-y axis guiding apparatus is utilized as the guiding mechanism for a laser marking device. Wear compensating bearings are utilized in conjunction with the x-y axis guiding apparatus so that the gaps between the bearings and the guide components which occur as the bearings wear is taken up and the desired precision maintained.

Abstract: A glass sheet is separated by propagating a crack in the glass sheet by moving a laser beam across the surface of the glass sheet along a desired line of separation and then streaming coolant at the glass sheet at a predetermined distance behind the laser beam. By altering the profile of a laser beam used to score glass, and by changing the distance between the spot where the laser beam impinges on the glass and the spot struck by the stream of coolant, the penetration depth of the resultant median crack can be controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding device operating by laser for two workpieces (1, 2) to be connected to one another via a self-contained, continuously extending weld seam (N). The welding device comprises a focusing optical system (7) having a seam follow-up sensor (10) and is borne by a pivoting arm (11), so that the focussing optical system (7) describes a circular path in relation to the workpieces (1, 2). The positioning of the focusing optical system (7) on the pivoting arm (11) is corrected by means of a drive (13) in dependence on the measuring result of the seam follow-up sensor (10).

Abstract: A fiber optic apparatus and a method for altering the orientation of a mirror of the fiber optic apparatus using a laser. The fiber optic apparatus comprises an optical wave guide with at least one optical fiber, a retaining structure, and a mirror. The retaining structure includes at least one lens disposed therein. The optical wave guide is coupled to a first end of the retaining structure and the mirror is coupled to a second end of the retaining structure so that the lens is disposed between the wave guide and the mirror. When the apparatus is being assembled, a portion of the retaining structure is illuminated with a laser to correct misalignments of the components of the apparatus.

Abstract: A laser cutting system has a specially designed frame that allows the laser cutting head to be mounted to the underside of a cross beam for a more efficient movement. The frame is further designed so as to allow the accessing of the work area of the laser cutting system along three different directions. The movement of the laser cutting head for fabricating a sheet placed in the work area of the laser cutting system is effected by a process that takes into consideration a number of parameters and determined data all of which are interpolated for generating optimal movements to further enhance the operating efficiency of the laser cutting system. The laser resonator of the laser cutting system of the instant invention is configured to have a telescopic system that maintains the density and power of the laser beam by auto focusing the same so that optimum cuts can be effected irrespective of whichever area of the worksheet is to be fabricated.

Abstract: This installation (2) for laser welding at least two overlapping parts (4, 5) comprises a laser source (16), a head (18) for focusing, in the zone of overlap (6), a laser beam emitted by the source, a mechanism (24) for pressing on a first (4) of the parts and intended to co-operate with means (26) for retaining another part (5) so as to hold the parts that are to be welded pressed together in the region of their zone of overlap, and means (10, 14) for the relative displacement of the head with respect to the zone of overlap of the parts that are to be welded. The pressing mechanism (24) is subject to the displacement of the head parallel to the zone of overlap. The pressing mechanism comprises an element (44) for pressing on rolling means that are intended to roll along the first part (4). This element is free to rotate about an axis. The rolling means automatically orientate themselves in the direction of displacement of the head (18) parallel to the zone (6) of overlap by the rotation of the said element.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of drilling holes sequentially through a workpiece using a laser gun with a camera positioned axially in-line with the drilling beam of the laser gun. Each image from the camera is analysed by digital image processing techniques to control the positioning of the laser nozzle relative to the workpiece and/or to compensate for errors produced in previously drilled holes. By feedback from the digitally processed images it is possible to repeat the auto-focusing of the laser automatically throughout the drilling of a large number of holes in the same workpiece, to adjust the drilling of subsequent holes in order to bring the hole characteristics closed to a predefined optimum, or to abort work on a particular workpiece if hole diameters exceed a given tolerance range.

Abstract: A preferred transmission filter (10) includes a first flange (18) transparent to a laser beam (58) and includes a second flange (20) opaque to the laser beam (58) and meltable upon exposure thereto. The flanges (18,20) are in registered, abutting relationship with a laser weld bead (62) at the juncture (44) between the flanges (18,20) to provide a fluid seal circumscribing the filter(10). The preferred filter manufacturing apparatus (12) includes a laser (54) coupled to a robot arm (50) controlled by a programmable logic controller (52). The controller (52) operates the robot arm (50) in order to direct the laser beam(58) through the first flange (18) onto the second flange (20) and along the juncture (44) to form the laser weld bead (62).