Patent · US Expired

Mirror-based laser-processing system with visual tracking and position control of a moving laser spot

US5382770A · kind A · utility

80Cited by
1References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 14, 1993
Grant dateJan 17, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 14, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K26/067
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A mirror-based laser processing system, e.g., for laser welding, provided with manual control of movements of a laser welding spot W on an object O being treated. The system includes a laser source (10) which generates a laser beam capable of treating the object (O), a mirror-based micromanipulator (14) which consists of a concave mirror (18) and a convex mirror (16) facing each other, and a laser beam splitter (20) which is located on the path of the laser beam reflected from the concave mirror (18). The laser beam splitter (20) has a coating which reflects the laser beam onto the object (O), but is capable of passing visible and infrared light. Movements of the laser-beam splitter are manually controlled from an external terminal, which is made in the form of a joy stick (50). The joy stick is capable of moving the laser welding spot (W) in any direction over the object's surface in the X-Y coordinate system. Adjustment in the Z-axis direction is performed through a zoom system of the mirror-based micromanipulator (14). The infrared light which is generated by the heated area of the object passes through the laser-beam splitter which transmits visible light to the microscopic hea…

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