A controller performs gap control such that a Z-axis position of a tip of a cutting head of the machine is not below a preset lower limit position while keeping the distance between the tip of the cutting head and a workpiece constant. The numerical controller calculates a substantial lower limit position based on a detected state of the workpiece and the preset lower limit position. If the Z-axis position of the tip of the cutting head is below the calculated substantial lower limit position, it is compensated so as not to be below the substantial lower limit position.

Vision correction and tracking systems may be used in laser machining systems and methods to improve the accuracy of the machining. The laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe one or more lines in large flat workpieces such as solar panels. In particular, laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe lines in thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with accuracy, high speed and reduced cost. The vision correction and/or tracking systems may be used to provide scribe line alignment and uniformity based on detected parameters of the scribe lines and/or changes in the workpiece.

A laser machining apparatus includes a height controller that performs an approach operation. The height controller uses a first approach speed and a first gain when performing the approach operation in a non-peripheral-edge portion of the workpiece, and uses a second approach speed lower than the first approach speed and a second gain lower than the first gain when performing the approach operation in a peripheral edge portion of the workpiece, and to make the time required when the approach operation is performed in the non-peripheral-edge portion of the workpiece shorter than the time required when the approach operation is performed in the peripheral edge portion of the workpiece.

Vision correction and tracking systems may be used in laser machining systems and methods to improve the accuracy of the machining. The laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe one or more lines in large flat workpieces such as solar panels. In particular, laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe lines in thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with accuracy, high speed and reduced cost. The vision correction and/or tracking systems may be used to provide scribe line alignment and uniformity based on detected parameters of the scribe lines and/or changes in the workpiece.

A method for processing a workpiece with a laser cutting machine includes reading out a machine parameter and a material parameter and outputting a process parameter recommendation. The process parameter recommendation is created by a process parameter algorithm with at least one data aggregation routine based on a plurality of cut edge quality features. The method further includes generating a cut edge by laser processing the workpiece.

A metal joiner system includes a power source and a metal joiner. The metal joiner includes a cleaning header, a cutting header, a joining header, and a joint finisher, each of which are communicatively coupled to the power source. The cutting header and cleaning header are configured to direct a first laser beam to prepare a joining region, and the joining header is configured to direct a second laser beam to form a joint in the joining region. A method of joining a metal substrates includes forming a joining region in abutting metal substrates, directing the first laser beam onto the joining region in a joint preparation stage, and directing the second laser beam onto the joining region to form a weld. A product of a metal joiner, a weld, has a portion of weld metal removed at the weld start and the weld crater regions.

Provided are a cutting device and method using a laser, which comprises: a laser generation unit which generates a laser beam capable of penetrating the surface of a workpiece and is partially absorbed into the workpiece, a beam generation optical unit focuses the laser beam in a shape that is parallel to the surface of the workpiece and extends perpendicular to the processing direction, the workpiece is heated to a temperature that creates sufficient internal stress to separate the cut part from the workpiece while being below the melting point of the workpiece, the start point generation unit generates damage at the cutting start point outside the cutting surface to be cut in the workpiece, accordingly, the configuration enables a workpiece having thermal brittleness to be sliced to the desired thickness without melting the workpiece or causing significant damage.

A metal joiner system includes a power source and a metal joiner. The metal joiner includes a cleaning header, a cutting header, a joining header, and a joint finisher, each of which are communicatively coupled to the power source. The cutting header and cleaning header are configured to direct a first laser beam to prepare a joining region, and the joining header is configured to direct a second laser beam to form a joint in the joining region. A method of joining a metal substrates includes forming a joining region in abutting metal substrates, directing the first laser beam onto the joining region in a joint preparation stage, and directing the second laser beam onto the joining region to form a weld. A product of a metal joiner, a weld, has a portion of weld metal removed at the weld start and the weld crater regions.

In a method for machining workpieces within a machining machine a tool is moved relative to a workpiece (1). The tool or the workpiece (1) travels at a predeterminable travel speed in a travel direction which is predetermined by a movement path (3). The movement path (3) is divided into machining portions (4) and acceleration portions (5). Within the machining portions (4), the workpiece is machined between a starting point (6) and an end point (7) of the machining portion (4) at a predeterminable machining travel speed in a machining travel direction. The travel speed is adjusted along the acceleration portion (5), which is defined by the end point (7) of a first machining portion (11) and the starting point (6) of a second machining portion (12), such that the predetermined machining travel speed is reached at the starting point (6) of the machining portion (4).

A system and methods for operating a cardboard processing machine, the method comprising creating a pre-processing crease at a location on the cardboard where it is required to process the cardboard; and processing the cardboard along the pre-process crease.