Devices and methods for monitoring, in particular for regulating, a cutting process
AssigneeTRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
InventorsBoris Regaard, David Schindhelm
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to devices and methods for monitoring or regulating a cutting process on a workpiece. A focusing element focuses a high-energy beam onto the workpiece. An image capture apparatus captures a region at the workpiece to be monitored. The region includes an interaction region of the high-energy beam with the workpiece. An control apparatus determines at least one characteristic variable of the cutting process, in particular of a kerf formed during the cutting process, on the basis of the captured interaction region.
Claims35
A device for monitoring a cutting process on a workpiece comprising:
- a focusing element for focusing a high-energy beam onto the workpiece;
- an image capture apparatus for capturing a region at the workpiece to be monitored, the region comprising an interaction region of the high-energy beam with the workpiece,
- wherein the image capture apparatus forms an observation beam for observing the interaction region from an observation direction extending at an angle to a beam axis of the high-energy beam in a convergent beam path between the focusing element and the workpiece, and
- wherein the image capture apparatus comprises an imaging optic system configured to generate an image of the interaction region from along the observation beam, wherein the image capture apparatus has a stop for modifying an alignment of the observation direction of the observation beam;
- and
- a control apparatus configured to modify the alignment of the observation direction in a projection into a plane perpendicular to the beam axis in a manner dependent on an advance direction of the cutting process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.