Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for cutting multiple layers of fabric

US4680442A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
10References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 4, 1986
Grant dateJul 14, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 4, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K26/702
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A mechanism and method for cutting multiple sheets of fabric by a laser beam and removing the smoke and debris from the fabric. The multiple layers of fabric are disposed upon a honeycomb structure that is secured to a vacuum table connected to a vacuum source where the structure includes a plurality of vertically extended openings through which a laser beam is aimed and focused to cut a pattern in the multiple layers of fabric exclusing any impermeable sheets that cover the fabric above and below the fabric. By eliminating the impermeable sheets, the movement of the airstream is directed to flow towards the laser beam and take with it, the smoke and debris from the multiple layers of fabric. When the airstream is directed generally through the opening in the fabric, it assumes a path that moves substantially parallel to the laser beam.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.