Piercing metal workpieces by a laser beam
AssigneeTRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
InventorFlorian Raichle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems are implemented for piercing a metal workpiece by means of a laser beam and a process gas The methods and systems form a hole in the workpiece using the laser beam and using an inert gas as the process gas, such that the formed hole extends only partially through the workpiece, widen the upper part of the hole into a trough that surrounds the hole on the top side of the workpiece using the laser beam and using oxygen as the process gas, and fully pierce the hole using the laser beam and using oxygen as the process gas.
Claims15
A method of piercing a workpiece using a laser beam and a process gas, the method comprising:
- forming a hole in the workpiece using the laser beam and using an inert gas as the process gas, such that the formed hole extends only partially through the workpiece;
- widening the upper part of the hole into a trough that surrounds the hole on the top side of the workpiece using the laser beam and using oxygen as the process gas;
- and then
- fully piercing the hole through the workpiece using the laser beam and using oxygen as the process gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.