Laser processing apparatus capable of retracting processing nozzle upon detection of power outage

A laser processing apparatus configured to process a workpiece, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a processing nozzle configured to irradiate a workpiece with laser beam;
• an actuator that moves said processing nozzle relative to the workpiece;
• a distance detector that detects a distance between said processing nozzle and the workpiece;
• a power supply unit;
• a power abnormality detector that detects an abnormality in electric power supplied from said power supply unit;
• and
• a control unit including a processor configured to:
• control said actuator to perform a gap control for adjusting said distance between said processing nozzle and a part to be processed on the workpiece to a predetermined value based on a detected value obtained by said distance detector, during execution of laser processing;
• control said actuator to perform a position control for changing a position of said processing nozzle relative to the workpiece in accordance with a processing program;
• enable said gap control when a power abnormality is not detected during execution of laser processing by said power abnormality detector;
• and
• disable said gap control and enable said position control when a power abnormality is detected during execution of laser processing by said power abnormality detector, so as to perform at least one of:
• i) stopping said actuator based on the processing program not including a moving command for said actuator;
• ii) stopping said actuator based on a stop command in the processing program;
• iii) controlling said actuator to retract said processing nozzle based on a move command in the processing program;
• or
• iv) controlling said actuator to retract said processing nozzle based on a retract command different from a move command in the processing program.