Laser scanner

Device for machining a workpiece transportable in a chosen direction in accordance with a selected pattern by means of a focussed laser beam, for instance mutually connecting two metal plates over selected welding zones, cutting sandpaper pieces of selected shapes and dimensions from a continuous sandpaper strip, or the like, which device comprises:

• a computer;
• a laser controlled by the computer, for instance a CO2-laser, with a continuous output of at least 200 W, which laser generates a substantially parallel beam;
• a scanner, comprising:
• a converging optical system for focussing the laser beam at a target point on the workpiece, with moving means for adjusting the spatial position and optionally the angular position of one or more components of the optical system such that the optical distance between said system and the target point is substantially constant and that the target point runs through a path corresponding with the selected pattern,
• which scanner has a chosen distance relative to the workpiece, whereby on the basis of the maximum laser output there is defined on the workpiece a certain operating area, of which the linear dimension transversely of the transporting direction is small relative to the dimension of the workpiece transversely of the transporting direction;
• transport means driven by a motor for transporting the workpiece in the chosen direction;
• displacing means controlled by the computer for displacing the scanner substantially perpendicularly of said chosen direction;
• wherein the computer controls the device such that the machining takes place during the displacement of the scanner, the displacement speed is continuously adjusted to the amount of work available within the operating area of the scanner, and the dimensions of the target point have a chosen value at each point on its path.