Method for monitoring a device used to guide an energy source such as a handling device

Method for monitoring a device used to guide an energy source (14), such as a handling device (12), for applying energy to a work piece (16, 18) that is positioned with the energy source within a protective cabinet enclosed by protective walls, wherein the energy source (14) moves at a speed V and the speed V of the moved energy source is established as the current speed Vakt, characterized in that a minimum speed Vmin, which is dependent upon the power emitted by the energy source (14),

• and at least one characteristic parameter of the protective walls that enclose the protective cabinet is established or preset;
• in that the current speed Vakt of the energy source is compared with the minimum speed Vmin;
• and in that if the current speed should drop below the minimum speed Vmin, the energy source, which operates at Vakt>Vmin at constant power or nearly constant power, is deactivated immediately or following expiration of a period of time during which the actual speed is allowed to remain below the minimum speed.