Encoded optical element of a laser processing head

Abstract

A device for a laser processing head includes an optical element configured for attachment to the laser processing head, a housing for the laser processing head configured to receive the optical element, and a mechanical encoding disposed on at least one of the optical element and the housing to permit installation of a predetermined optical element at a predetermined orientation into the housing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to European Patent Application EP 04024921, filed on Oct. 20, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to optical elements of a laser processing head.

BACKGROUND

Generally, it is difficult and/or impractical to visually distinguish the mirror surfaces of non-planar mirrors such as deflecting mirrors or focusing mirrors of a laser processing head. Unambiguous features of the mirrors can include the material number or labeling. This labeling is applied in a separate working process which bears a very high risk of confusion. To ensure optically correct function, the installation position and orientation of the mirror should be defined. Despite the labeling, mounting errors are possible.

SUMMARY

According to one general aspect, an optical element of a laser processing head is configured to disallow installation of the optical element to the processing head in other than in permissible orientations. In some embodiments, an optical element includes a mechanical encoding disposed on either the optical element, the housing or both the optical element and the housing to permit installation of a predetermined optical element at a predetermined orientation into the housing. The mechanical encoding provides unambiguous identification of the optical element. The location of installation of the optical element, a mirror for example, on the laser processing head is configured such that only the correct optical element can be installed in the correct installation position. The removal of mirrors for cleaning or sending spare parts to customers, for example, can be handled even by less qualified staff without the risk of confusion between disparate optical elements having a similar appearance. This configuration preserves the function of the optical configuration and minimizes the danger of destruction of bordering components due improper installation of optical elements. A laser cutting head housing would, for example, be destroyed by installing a mirror with excessive focal length.

The mechanical encoding can include at least one profile and at least one complementary recess which cooperates with the profile. In some embodiments, the mechanical encoding includes a profile on the optical element, which may be in the form of teeth, projections, curvatures or elevations or the like which can be inserted into a corresponding depression or recess of the laser processing head. In some embodiments, the mechanical encoding includes a profile, such as a depression and/or recess, for example, on the optical element and/or on the laser processing head.

In some embodiments, the optical element includes threaded holes into which threaded pins can be screwed. This design permits to select and quickly implement the encoding (number and position of the pins). In some embodiments, the encoding is made permanent by gluing in the threaded pins.

Various embodiments are suited for a plurality of components of a laser processing head, such as mirrors, for example, on which the encoding may be applied as follows: The mirror is mounted to a carrier to be mounted to the housing of the laser processing head which includes the mechanical encoding.

Other features will be apparent from the description, the drawings and the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of a laser cutting system;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section of parts of the laser cutting head of the laser cutting system;

FIG. 3 a shows a top view of a mirror of the laser cutting head;

FIG. 3 b shows a side view of the mirror of the laser cutting head;

FIG. 3 c shows a section through IIIc-IlIc of FIG. 3a of the mirror of the laser cutting head; and

FIG. 3 d shows a perspective view of the mirror of the laser cutting head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the construction of a laser cutting system 1 for laser cutting using a CO₂ laser 2, a laser processing head 4 and a workpiece support 5. A generated laser beam 6 is guided by means of deflecting mirrors to the laser processing head 4 and is directed onto a workpiece 8 using mirrors. In some examples, the workpiece is sheet metal.

The laser beam 6 must penetrate through the workpiece 8 to produce a continuous kerf. The workpiece 8 must be spot-wise melted or oxidized at one location and the molten mass must be blown out. The piercing process can be performed rapidly (i.e. with full laser power) or slowly (via a so-called “ramp”).

In case of slow piercing of the workpiece 8 with a ramp, the laser power can be gradually increased, reduced and be kept constant over a certain period until the pierced hole is generated. Piercing and also laser cutting are supported by adding a gas. Oxygen, nitrogen, pressurized air and/or application-specific gases can be used as cutting gases 9. Which gas is eventually used depends on the materials to be cut and on the required quality of the workpiece 8.

Cutting with oxygen is usually performed using a gas pressure of maximally 6 bars. The material is molten and largely oxidized at the location where the laser beam 6 meets the workpiece 8. The produced molten mass is blown out together with the iron oxides. The particles and gases produced can be suctioned out of a suction chamber 11 using a suction means 10. During oxidation (exothermal reaction) additional energy is released which promotes the cutting process. If oxygen is used as cutting gas for a material thickness which permits use of the same laser power for oxygen cutting as well as nitrogen high-pressure cutting, the processing cutting speeds may be considerably higher or the material thickness to be cut may be larger compared to nitrogen.

In accordance with FIG. 2, a deflecting mirror 12 and a focusing mirror 13 are provided to direct the laser beam 6 onto the workpiece. It is possible to produce a gas jet coaxially to the laser beam 6 using an annular gap nozzle without requiring a transmissive element as a sealing element to build up pressure. The two mirrors 12 and 13 are inserted in receptacles of a housing 16 in the direction of arrows 14 and 15, respectively. The two mirrors 12 and 13 of FIG. 2 are depicted differently in order to clearly show their function. In some embodiments, the mirrors 12 and 13 are almost identical, with only their mirror surfaces 17 and 18 being different. The two mirrors are mechanically encoded for differentiation, which is explained with reference to the example of the deflecting mirror 12.

In accordance with FIGS. 3a through 3d, the deflecting mirror 12 is mounted to a carrier 19 which is inserted into the receptacle of the housing 16 of the laser cutting head 4. The carrier 19 can be mounted to the housing via bores 20. The carrier 19 comprises additional threaded holes 21 to 24 into which threaded pins 25 can be inserted and glued such that the threaded pins project beyond the carrier 19 and protrude over its carrier surface 26. The mechanical encoding consists of the number and position of the threaded pins. The receptacle on the laser cutting head has at least one depression for inserting a threaded pin in correspondence with the encoding. In some examples, encoding may be provided by inserting threaded pins into the bores 21, 22 and 24 and providing three corresponding depressions on the housing of the laser cutting head.

Claims

1. A device for a laser processing head, the device comprising: an optical element configured for attachment to the laser processing head; a housing for the laser processing head configured to receive the optical element; and a mechanical encoding disposed on at least one of the optical element and the housing to preset an admissible installation of the optical element into the housing.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a recess and the optical element comprises a profile which can be inserted into the corresponding recess of the housing when the optical element is installed.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises a recess and the housing comprises a profile which can be inserted into the corresponding recess of the optical element when the optical element is installed.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises holes configured to receive pins.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the pins are threadably connected to the holes in the optical element.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the pins are connected to the holes with an adhesive.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises a mirror.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical encoding comprises at least one of teeth, curvatures and elevations sized and configured to be received in a corresponding recess.

9. A device for a laser processing head, the device comprising: a housing for the laser processing head; an optical element configured for installation on the housing; and a mechanical encoding disposed on the housing to limit the installed orientation of the optical element on the housing.

10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising a carrier to support the optical element, the carrier being mounted to the housing of the laser processing head.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a recess and the optical element comprises a profile which can be inserted into the corresponding recess of the housing.

12. The device according to claim 9, wherein the optical element comprises a recess and the housing comprises a profile which can be inserted into the corresponding recess of the optical element.

13. The device according to claim 9, wherein the optical element comprises holes configured to receive pins.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the pins are threadably connected to the holes.

15. The device according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of pins attached to the carrier in predetermined positioned corresponding to a plurality of predetermined recesses in the housing, such that the carrier is attachable to the housing in only a single permissible orientation.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the carrier is attachable to the housing in a plurality of permissible orientations.

17. The device according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical encoding comprises at least one of teeth, curvatures and elevations which are sized and configured to be received in a corresponding recess on the optical element.

18. A device for a laser processing head, the device comprising: a housing for the laser processing head; first and second optical elements configured for attachment to the housing; and a first mechanical encoding disposed proximate an opening in the housing and configured to permit installation of the first optical element in a predetermined orientation and to disallow installation of the second optical element.

19. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a second mechanical encoding disposed proximate an opening in the housing and configured to permit installation of the second optical element in a predetermined orientation and to disallow installation of the first optical element.

20. A method for installing an optical element in a designated position, the method comprising: providing an optical element configured for attachment to the laser processing head, a housing for the laser processing head configured to receive the optical element; and a mechanical encoding disposed on at least one of the optical element and the housing to permit at least one predetermined orientation of the optical element when inserted into the housing; aligning the optical element into a predetermined orientation of the mechanical encoding; and inserting the optical element into the housing of the laser processing head.