An additive manufacturing apparatus comprises a processing chamber (100) defining a window (110) for receiving a laser beam and an optical module (10) The optical module is removably-mountable to the processing chamber for delivering the laser beam through the window. The optical module contains optical components for focusing and steering the laser beam and a controlled atmosphere can be maintained within the module.

An additive manufacturing apparatus comprises a processing chamber (100) defining a window (110) for receiving a laser beam and an optical module (10) The optical module is removably-mountable to the processing chamber for delivering the laser beam through the window. The optical module contains optical components for focusing and steering the laser beam and a controlled atmosphere can be maintained within the module.

A method and system for detecting an operating condition of an optical element along a propagation path of a power laser beam in a laser processing machine head are based on a first signal of a back-propagating optical radiation at the wavelength of the laser beam; a second signal of a back-propagating optical radiation having a wavelength in the near infrared; a third signal of an optical radiation emitted by the optical element in the infrared in proximity to its surface; a fourth signal which is a function of the time-of-flight of an acoustic wave launched through the volume of the optical element.

In an example method, a laser processing head is moved from an entrance region over a workpiece to a starting position above the workpiece. During this time, a distance control system is used to control the distance between the laser processing head and the workpiece based on measurements obtained from one or more distance sensors. Further, the laser processing head is moved from the starting position to a position beyond an edge of the workpiece. During this time, the distance control system is disengaged. When the laser processing head reaches the position beyond an edge of the workpiece, laser emission is initiated, and the laser processing head is moved back towards the starting position. Upon reaching the starting position, the distance control system is reengaged. The laser processing head is subsequently moved along a pre-determined path to cut the workpiece.

This laser processing machine, which moves a work piece, which is mounted on a table, and an optical head, which shines a laser light, relative to each other, and processes the work piece by irradiating the work piece with the laser light, is provided with: a calibration camera that is fixed to the optical head; a probe that is fixed to the optical head; and a calibration unit that has measurement reference points (Pc1, Pc2, Pc3, Pp1, Pp2, Pp3) for measuring the position of the calibration camera and the probe, and a processing portion that forms a processing mark (L1, L2) due to the laser light.

This laser processing machine, which moves a work piece, which is mounted on a table, and an optical head, which shines a laser light, relative to each other, and processes the work piece by irradiating the work piece with the laser light, is provided with: a calibration camera that is fixed to the optical head; a probe that is fixed to the optical head; and a calibration unit that has measurement reference points (Pc1, Pc2, Pc3, Pp1, Pp2, Pp3) for measuring the position of the calibration camera and the probe, and a processing portion that forms a processing mark (L1, L2) due to the laser light.

A processing apparatus includes: a beam irradiation apparatus that is configured to irradiate an object with an energy beam; and a beam deflection apparatus that is configured to change a propagating direction of the energy beam toward the beam irradiation apparatus, wherein when the energy beam propagating toward the beam irradiation apparatus from the beam deflection apparatus propagates in a first direction, the beam irradiation apparatus emits the energy beam in a second direction, and when the energy beam propagating toward the beam irradiation apparatus from the beam deflection apparatus propagates in a third direction that is different from the first direction, the beam irradiation apparatus emits the energy beam in a fourth direction that is different from the second direction.

In one embodiment, a laser peening apparatus includes an output unit (41) configured to output laser light (6); a light-guide unit (31) configured to guide the outputted laser light (6); a condenser lens (42) configured to condense the guided laser light (6); an irradiation nozzle (32) configured to radiate the condensed laser light (6); a focus-change unit (50) configured to change a focal position of the laser light (6) based on distance from an irradiation target (4, 5) of the laser light (6) to the irradiation nozzle (32); and a control unit (66) configured to apply laser peening by radiating the laser light (6) toward the irradiation target (4, 5) which is in contact with water.

In one embodiment, a laser peening apparatus includes an output unit (41) configured to output laser light (6); a light-guide unit (31) configured to guide the outputted laser light (6); a condenser lens (42) configured to condense the guided laser light (6); an irradiation nozzle (32) configured to radiate the condensed laser light (6); a focus-change unit (50) configured to change a focal position of the laser light (6) based on distance from an irradiation target (4, 5) of the laser light (6) to the irradiation nozzle (32); and a control unit (66) configured to apply laser peening by radiating the laser light (6) toward the irradiation target (4, 5) which is in contact with water.

An apparatus for removing at least one portion of at least one coating system present in a multi-glazed window that includes at least two glass panels alternatively separated by at least one interlayer and forming multiple interfaces. The apparatus includes a decoating device with a laser source that generates a laser beam having a specific direction. The decoating device further includes an orientation means configured to control the direction of the laser beam.