A laser welding apparatus is equipped with a laser head that emits a laser beam and an airflow forming unit that forms sheet-shaped airflows, in which the airflows formed by the airflow forming unit traverse an optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser head, the airflows traversing the optical path at multiple positions which are spaced from each other in a direction along the optical path in a same direction. The airflow forming unit has an opening between the airflows at the multiple positions, the opening penetrating in a direction in which the airflows traverse the optical path.

A laser welding device includes a welding head configured to emit a laser beam to a working point, a shield gas supplying nozzle configured to supply shield gas to the working point, and a high-speed air supplying nozzle configured to supply a high-speed air stream between the shield gas supplying nozzle and the welding head, the high-speed air stream having a flow rate that is larger than a flow rate of the shield gas, and being supplied in a horizontal direction directly above the shield gas supplied to the working point, or in a direction orthogonal to an emission direction of the laser beam. The high-speed air supplying nozzle is disposed in a range from 80 mm to 200 mm, both inclusive, above the working point, or in a range equal to or lower than a half of a working distance between an emission surface of the laser beam of the welding head and the working point, and supplies the high-speed air stream in a belt shape.

The invention relates to a laser processing machine (11) with a laser processing head (12), with a support grate (16) that defines a support plane (A) for supporting a workpiece (8) to be processed, with a fluid supply device (21) and with a fluid removal device (31). The fluid supply device (21) and fluid removal device (31) are designed to generate a fluid flow (27) under the support plane (A) of the support grate (16). The fluid supply device (21) can be moved with the laser processing head (12).

This disclosure describes laser machining head gas nozzles that have an exit opening for passage of a laser beam onto a workpiece; an annular gap surrounding the exit opening; and a sleeve disposed and guided displaceably within the annular gap for axial displacement between a rearward and a forward position. The sleeve projects beyond the exit opening at least in the forward position, and the sleeve is tiltably mounted in the annular gap.

This disclosure describes laser machining head gas nozzles that have an exit opening for passage of a laser beam onto a workpiece; an annular gap surrounding the exit opening; and a sleeve disposed and guided displaceably within the annular gap for axial displacement between a rearward and a forward position. The sleeve projects beyond the exit opening at least in the forward position, and the sleeve is tiltably mounted in the annular gap.

The present invention provides an apparatus 100, 200, 300, 900 and a method 400 for machining a workpiece 101 with a laser beam 102. In particular, the apparatus 100, 200, 300 comprises a nozzle 103 for generating a pressurized fluid jet 104, and at least one optical element 105 configured to couple the laser beam 102 into the fluid jet 104. The apparatus 100, 200, 300 also includes a hermetic enclosure 106 surrounding the nozzle 103 and the at least one optical element 105. The hermetic enclosure 106 includes an upper part 107 provided with an interface unit 108, and a lower part 109 removably attached to the upper part 107 by means of the interface unit 108. The lower part 109 comprises an exit aperture 110 for outputting the fluid jet 104 towards the workpiece 101, wherein the exit aperture 110 and the fluid jet 104 are coaxially aligned. The apparatus 900 has a different lower part 901, which is attached to the upper part 109 and comprises a channel for outputting the fluid jet towards the workpiece, wherein a ratio of a length of the channel to a diameter, particularly constant diameter, of the channel is between 1:1 to 20:1, preferably between 5:1 to 15:1.

This disclosure describes laser machining head cutting gas nozzles that include an inner nozzle having a nozzle opening configured to form a core gas flow, an outer nozzle having an annular gap surrounding the nozzle opening and configured to form an annular gas flow, and a sleeve in the annular gap, wherein the sleeve is arranged to be axially displaceable between a rearward position and a forward position, wherein the sleeve projects beyond the inner nozzle at least when in the forward position, and wherein the sleeve widens a cross-sectional area of the outer nozzle to a variable degree as the sleeve is displaced from the rearward to the forward position. Methods of using a cutting gas nozzle are also described.

In a sleeve for a gas nozzle, a sleeve main body and a sleeve end face is formed at least in part by a wear protection element which is fastened to the sleeve main body and which is composed of a more wear-resistant material than the sleeve main body adjoining the sleeve end face, an inner and/or an outer beveled portion of the sleeve end face are formed at least in part by the wear protection element.

A laser welding apparatus is equipped with a laser head that emits a laser beam and an airflow forming unit that forms sheet-shaped airflows, in which the airflows formed by the airflow forming unit traverse an optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser head, the airflows traversing the optical path at multiple positions which are spaced from each other in a direction along the optical path in a same direction. The airflow forming unit has an opening between the airflows at the multiple positions, the opening penetrating in a direction in which the airflows traverse the optical path.

A nozzle cover for a laser drill includes a mount, a first shell member, and a second shell member. The mount has a first opening centered about a drill axis through which a nozzle can extend. The first shell member extends along the drill axis and has a first end attached to the mount at a first pivot and a second end with a first notch. The second shell member extends along the drill axis and has a first end attached to the mount at a second pivot and a second end with a second notch. The first shell member and the second shell member are configured to pivot between a closed position in which the first shell member and the second shell member form a hollow interior portion coaxial with the drill axis to enclose the nozzle and an open position in which the nozzle is exposed.