Laser segmented cutting

A method of increasing throughput for forming a cut along a cutting path having a cutting path length on a workpiece, comprising:

• selecting a segment length that is shorter than the cutting path length;
• directing a first pass of first laser pulses having first spot areas to impinge the workpiece along a first segment of about the segment length along the cutting path;
• directing a second pass of second laser pulses having second spot areas to impinge the workpiece along a second segment of about the segment length along the cutting path, the second segment overlapping the first segment by an overlap length greater than at least the first or second spot areas;
• and
• after directing at least the first and second passes of laser pulses, directing a third pass of third laser pulses having third spot areas to impinge along a third segment of about the segment length along the cutting path, the third segment including a portion of the cutting path that extends beyond the first or second segments, wherein the portion of the cutting path has a portion length greater than the first, second, or third spot areas.

A method of increasing throughput in a laser cutting process, comprising:

• directing a first pass of first laser pulses to impinge along a first segment of a cutting path having a cutting path length, each first laser pulse having a first spot area on a workpiece, the first segment having a first segment length that is longer than the first spot area and shorter than the cutting path length;
• directing second passes of second laser pulses to impinge along a second segment of the cutting path, the second segment including an overlap length that overlaps at least a portion of the first segment until a throughcut is made within the overlap length, each second laser pulse having a second spot area on a workpiece, the second segment having a second segment length that is longer than the second spot area and shorter than the cutting path length, the overlap length being greater than at least the first or second spot areas;
• and
• after directing at least the first and second passes of laser pulses, directing third passes of third laser pulses to impinge along a third segment of the cutting path until a throughcut is made within the third segment, each third laser pulse having a third spot area on a workpiece, the third segment having a third segment length that is longer than the Third spot area and shorter than the cuffing path length, the third segment including a portion of the cutting path that extends beyond the first or second segments, wherein the portion of the cutting path has a portion length greater than the first, second, or third spot areas.