Method and apparatus for laser process control
US4865683A · kind A · utility
14Cited by
4References
23Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K26/21
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the energy of a laser beam on a workpiece includes a photodetector for generating an electrical signal which is proportional to the light reflected from the workpiece. The energy of the laser beam at the workpiece is increased from some predetermined low level until the photodetector senses an abrupt change in the reflected light. This change represents a changed state in the workpiece material that is exposed to the laser beam. The energy level at which the change takes place is used as a reference level for further laser processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.