Laser processing machine and state detection method for optical component

A state detection method for an optical component, the state detection method comprising:

• piercing a portion of a sheet metal for cutting the sheet metal to manufacture a product with a laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator;
• irradiating the pierced hole with a laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator as inspection light so as to pass through the pierced hole;
• detecting intensity of reflected light reflected by an inspected optical component during the irradiation with the inspection light;
• and
• comparing the intensity of the reflected light with a threshold, to detect whether the inspected optical component is deteriorated, or a degree of the deterioration.

A laser processing machine comprising:

• a laser oscillator configured to emit a laser beam;
• a collimator unit including a lens;
• a processing head including a condenser lens configured to irradiate a focused laser beam onto a sheet metal;
• a photodiode or an imaging element configured to detect intensity of reflected light reflected by the lens included in the collimator unit;
• and
• an NC device configured to execute control
• to form a pierced hole by piercing the sheet metal with a laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator and supplied to the collimator unit,
• to irradiate a laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator and supplied to the collimator unit as inspection light so as to pass through the pierced hole,
• to compare, with a threshold, the intensity of the reflected light detected by the photodiode or the imaging element during the irradiation with the inspection light, and
• to detect whether the inspected lens is deteriorated, or a degree of the deterioration.