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US 4,555,610 AGranted
Laser machining system
AssigneeData Card Corporation
InventorsMichael D. Polad, LeRoy E. Gerlach, Robert H. Schmidt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser machining system with x, y and z-axis beam manipulating mechanisms to perform welding, cutting and localized heat treating operations on a workpiece with the operation of the system for each operation and the changeover between operations being under the control of an automatic control system. A computer numerical control (CNC) system provides control of the laser functions and movement of the laser beam using a sampled-data following error servo system.
Claims19
A machining system utilizing a laser beam for machining a stationary workpiece, comprising:
- a frame constructed and arranged for positioning adjacent the stationary workpiece;
- first optical path means oriented along a first axis relative to the frame and constructed and arranged for extension and retraction along the axis thereof in response to a first command signal, the first optical path means operatively coupled to the laser for receiving the beam at one end thereof and for delivering a collimated laser beam at an output end thereof;
- second optical path means oriented along a second axis relative to the frame and constructed and arranged for extension and retraction along the second axis in response to a second command signal, the second optical path means operatively coupled to the output end of the first optical path means for receiving the beam therefrom at one end and for delivering a collimated laser beam at an output end thereof;
- third optical path means oriented along a third axis relative to the frame and constructed and arranged for extension and retraction along the third axis in response to a third command signal, the third optical path means operatively coupled to the output end of the second optical path means for receiving the beam therefrom at one end and for delivering a collimated laser beam from an output end thereof to a workpiece;
- and
- control logic means for generating first, second and third command signals to move the laser beam across the workpiece in accordance with a machining program, and including laser control means for generating command signals for varying the intensity of the laser beam in accordance with the machine program to match the machining characteristics of the laser beam to the stored characteristics of the workpiece.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.