Patent · US Expired

Laser machining apparatus and method of setting focus thereof

US5624587A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
4References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 8, 1994
Grant dateApr 29, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 8, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K26/04
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The focus of a laser machining apparatus is set by reading a program for setting the focus of the laser beam on a workpiece; irradiating the workpiece with the laser beam according to the program for setting the focus; moving a machining lens relative to the workpiece while keeping constant the distance between the machining head and the surface of the workpiece; detecting information regarding the relative distance between the machining lens and the workpiece; judging that the laser beam has focused on the workpiece when the detected relative distance information has exceeded a predetermined range and when a blue flame occurs; and storing the position information of the machining lens at the time when it is judged that the laser beam has focused on the workpiece.

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