Laser processing method and laser beam processing machine

A laser beam processing machine comprising a chuck table for holding a workpiece, a laser beam application means for applying a laser beam to the workpiece held on the chuck table, a processing feed means for moving the chuck table and the laser beam application means relative to each other in a processing feed direction (X direction), an indexing-feed means for moving the chuck table and the laser beam application means relative to each other in an indexing-feed direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the processing feed direction (X direction), a processing feed amount detection means for detecting the processing feed amount of the processing feed means, an indexing feed amount detection means for detecting the indexing feed amount of the indexing-feed means, and control means for controlling the laser beam application means, the processing feed means and the indexing-feed means based on detection signals from the processing feed amount detection means and the indexing feed amount detection means, wherein

• the laser beam application means comprises laser beam oscillation means for oscillating a laser beam and a condenser for converging the laser beam oscillated by the laser beam oscillation means, and the condenser comprises a focal spot changing means for changing the shape of a focal spot between an elliptic spot and a circular spot and a focal spot rotating means for rotating the elliptic focal spot formed by the focal spot changing means with the optical axis as the center thereof;
• and the control means comprises a storage means for storing the X and Y coordinate values of the processing lines having linear portions and curved portions formed on the workpiece, obtains the X and Y coordinate values of the current laser beam application position based on detection signals from the processing feed amount detection means and the indexing feed amount detection means, activates the processing feed means and the indexing-feed means to move a processing line formed on the workpiece to the application position of a laser beam based on the X and Y coordinate values of the processing line stored in the storage means and the X and Y coordinate values of the detected current position, activates the focal spot changing means to make an elliptic focal spot and activates the focal spot rotating means to position the long axis of the elliptic focal spot along a linear portion of the processing line when the linear portion of the processing line is located at the application position of the laser beam, and activates the focal spot changing means to make a circular focal spot when a curved portion of the processing line is located at the application position of the laser beam.