Electronic masking laser imaging system
AssigneeBranson Ultrasonics Corporation
InventorsDavid A. Grewell, Donald C. Lovett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laser imaging apparatus having a laser source outputting a laser beam and an electronic display device. The electronic display device is positioned downstream from the laser source. The electronic display device is operable to selectively polarize a discrete portion of the laser beam to define a modified portion and an unmodified portion. A polarizing filter is then positioned downstream from the display device so as to prevent passage of either the modified portion or the unmodified portion of the laser beam therethrough so as to define an imaging beam having a specific pattern.
Claims18
A method of laser welding a first part to a second part, said method comprising:
- outputting a laser beam;
- passing said laser beam through a liquid crystal display, said liquid crystal display defining a predetermined pattern, said predetermined pattern causing a discrete portion of said laser beam to be polarized to define a modified portion of said laser beam and an unmodified portion of said laser beam;
- exposing said modified portion and said unmodified portion of said laser beam to a downstream polarizing filter such that only one of said modified portion and said unmodified portion of said laser beam pass therethrough to define a welding beam being shaped substantially similar to said predetermined pattern;
- and
- heating at least one of a first part and a second part with said welding beam to create a weld therebetween.
A laser welding apparatus comprising:
- a laser source outputting a laser beam;
- and
- an electronic masking system positioned downstream from said laser source, said electronic masking system being operable to selectively polarize a discrete portion of said laser beam to define a weld beam having a predetermined pattern.
A laser welding apparatus comprising:
- a laser source outputting a laser beam;
- a display device positioned downstream from said laser source, said display device being operable to selectively polarize a discrete portion of said laser beam to define a modified portion and an unmodified portion;
- and
- a first polarizing filter positioned downstream from said display device, said first polarizing filter operable to prevent passage of one of said modified portion and said unmodified portion of said laser beam therethrough to define a weld beam.
A method of laser imaging, said method comprising:
- outputting a laser beam;
- passing said laser beam through a liquid crystal display, said liquid crystal display defining a predetermined pattern, said predetermined pattern causing a discrete portion of said laser beam to be polarized to define a modified portion of said laser beam and an unmodified portion of said laser beam;
- and
- exposing said modified portion and said unmodified portion of said laser beam to a downstream polarizing filter such that only one of said modified portion and said unmodified portion of said laser beam pass therethrough to define an imaging beam being shaped substantially similar to said predetermined pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.