Method and installation for laser cutting out glass pieces
OwnerGeorges Cuvelierinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method of cutting a glass piece along a predetermined cutting line. One and the same beam of laser rays, focused by a focusing device, travels along the predetermined cutting line during at least one marking step and during at least one heating step, the focusing device being an adjustable focusing device which, during a marking step, focuses the beam of laser rays substantially on the predetermined cutting line and which, during a heating step, ensures that the focal point of the beam is appreciably distant from the predetermined cutting line.
Claims36
A method of processing a glass piece so as to cut the piece along a predetermined cutting line on its surface, the method including:
- at least one marking step, during which a beam of laser rays focused by a focusing means travels along the predetermined cutting line, the beam being substantially focused on the predetermined cutting line, and
- at least one heating step, during which a beam of laser rays travels along the predetermined cutting line without being focused on this line, the portion of the surface irradiated by the laser beam straddling the predetermined cutting line,
- wherein,
- the same beam of laser rays travels along the predetermined cutting line during a marking step and during a heating step, the focusing means being an adjustable focusing means which, during a marking step, focuses the beam of laser rays substantially on the predetermined cutting line and which, during a heating step, ensures that the focal point of the beam is appreciably distant from the predetermined cutting line.
An installation for processing a glass piece so as to cut the piece along a predetermined cutting line on the surface of the piece, the installation including:
- a source for a beam of laser rays;
- a system for guidance of the beam including a focusing means;
- and
- a device able to hold the glass piece to be processed,
- the installation being able to project onto the surface of the piece;
- in at least one marking step, a beam of laser rays travelling along the predetermined cutting line, the beam of laser rays being substantially focussed on the predetermined cutting line by the focusing means,
- in at least one heating step, a beam of laser rays travelling alone the predetermined cutting line, the beam of laser rays not being focused on the cutting line, the portion of the surface irradiated by the beam of laser rays straddling the cutting line,
- wherein the focusing means is an adjustable focusing means able to focus a beam of laser rays emitted by the source of laser rays on the predetermined cutting line during a marking step, and able to ensure that the focal point of the same beam of laser rays projected onto the predetermined cutting line is appreciably distant from this line during a heating step.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.