# US 5,702,622 A · Terminal head for processing a workpiece by means of a laser beam > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,702,622 A - Document ID: US5702622A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/637,903 - Filed: 1996-04-26 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1995-04-28 - Assignees: PRECITEX GmbH - Inventors: Peter Schubert; Hubert Adamiak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5702622A ## CPC - B23K 26/1476: {Features inside the nozzle for feeding the fluid stream through the nozzle} - B23K 26/06: Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing - B23K 26/064: by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms - B23K 26/0648: {comprising lenses} - B23K 26/0665: {by beam condensation on the workpiece, e.g. for focusing} - B23K 26/702: {Auxiliary equipment} - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract A terminal head for processing a workpiece using a laser beam includes a housing into which an insert including a focusing optical system is laterally inserted. The terminal head includes a positioning device accessible from outside of the housing for displacing the focusing optical system relative to the insert. The adjusting device may displace the focusing optical system in a longitudinal direction of a laser beam and at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the laser beam. This arrangement allows the focusing optical system to be readily changed and properly adjusted within the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A terminal head for processing a workpiece with a laser beam, comprising: a housing; an insert insertable laterally into the housing, said insert including a focussing optical system for focussing the laser beam; and adjusting means accessible from outside of the housing for displacing the focussing optical system relative to the insert, wherein the adjusting means displaces the focussing optical system in a longitudinal direction of the laser beam, wherein the adjusting means includes a rotatable adjusting ring situated coaxially with the longitudinal direction of the laser beam, and wherein the adjusting ring is permanently connected to an adjusting cylinder which has an external thread onto which there is screwed a cylindrical lens holder which is secured against rotation and bears the focussing optical system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The terminal head according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting means displaces the focussing optical system at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the laser beam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The terminal head according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting cylinder includes a plurality of axial through-channels. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The terminal head according to claim 3, wherein the axial through-channels open into a coaxial annular channel formed in the adjusting cylinder and is connected via an annular restrictor to a space above the focussing optical system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The terminal head according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical lens holder is displaceable in a fitted fashion in a guide sleeve on which the adjusting ring is supported. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The terminal head according to claim 5, wherein the guide sleeve is mounted in a fixed axial position on a front plate of the insert for pivotal movement about a spindle which extends at a spacing parallel to the longitudinal direction of the laser beam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The terminal head according to claim 6, wherein the spindle is permanently connected to the guide sleeve and guided in a laterally fitted fashion between limbs which project from a rear portion of the front plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The terminal head according to claim 7, wherein the guide sleeve is drawn against the rear portion of the front plate with the aid of springs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The terminal head according to claim 8, wherein the springs are guided around the guide sleeve and are fastened with their ends to the rear portion of the front plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The terminal head according to claim 6, wherein the adjusting means includes screws which project through a front plate of the insert and lie in a plane at an angle to one another and accommodate the spindle between them. ### Claim 11 A terminal head for processing a workpiece with a laser beam, comprising: a housing; an insert insertable laterally into the housing, said insert including a focussing optical system for focussing the laser beam; and positioning means accessible from outside of the housing for displacing the focussing optical system relative to the insert, wherein the insert is positioned inside of a larger opening of the housing at an axial position by means of an adapter plate which can be connected to the housing, and has at this axial position a recess which accommodates the insert in a fitted fashion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The terminal head according to claim 11, wherein the insert is fixed in the recess by clamping screws which are located on the adaptor plate.