Laser beam path alignment apparatus for laser processing machines

A laser beam path alignment apparatus for a laser processing machine that is provided with a laser generator, a laser processing head for performing laser processing, means for moving the laser processing head in a predetermined axis direction, and a mirror for guiding a laser beam from the laser generator to the laser processing head, comprising:

• means for detecting a laser beam position through which the laser beam passes, the laser beam position being defined in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined axis direction;
• means for storing a first laser beam position and a second laser beam position, the first laser beam position being detected by the laser beam position detecting means in the case where the moving means is positioned at a first position in the predetermined axis direction and the second laser beam position being detected by the laser beam position detecting means in the case where the moving means is positioned at a second position in the predetermined axis direction;
• means for calculating the distance between the first position and the second position of the moving means;
• and
• means for calculating an inclination angle of the laser beam with respect to the predetermined axis direction, based on the distance between the first and the second position of the moving means and the first and the second laser beam position.