Bridge for laser cutting machines

A bridge (B) for laser cutting machines, in the case of which a laser cutting head (K) can be guided across a workpiece support (W) along two preferably orthogonal axes by means of a guide system, wherein the bridge (B) is configured in the form of a substantially straight and box-shaped profile, which has at least one guide for a cutting carriage carrying the laser cutting head (K), wherein, viewed from a direction vertically onto the workpiece support (W), the center of gravity (S) of the laser cutting head (K) is always located next to the vertical plane of symmetry (VSE) of the bridge (B), wherein at least two side faces (10, 11) of the profile (1), which are located opposite one another with regard to the vertical plane of symmetry (VSE), enclose a non-zero angle (α) of less than 180°, preferably less than 90° with one another, which opens in the direction of the machining region, at least across a part of the height of the profile (1), characterized in that a second side face (11), which is located so as to face away from the cutting carriage (3) or from the laser cutting head (K), respectively, with regard to the vertical plane of symmetry (VSE) encloses an angle (γ) of between 10° and 60°, preferably of between 20° and 45°, with the vertical plane of symmetry (VSE), at least across a part of its height, and that provision is made on the second side face (11) in the section located closer to the machining region for a projection (12) comprising an upper side, which runs substantially vertically on the inclined section.