Methods and computer-readable media for producing at least one portion of a layer of a three-dimensional component by irradiating at least one powder layer by at least one high-energy beam, e.g., a laser beam are disclosed. The methods include irradiating the powder layer by the at least one high-energy beam in a processing field, wherein the at least one high-energy beam is moved in a continuous oscillating movement over the powder layer in a first direction to produce a line-shaped irradiation region in which the powder layer is melted, and wherein the line-shaped irradiation region is moved over the powder layer in a second direction that differs from the first to produce the portion of the layer of the three-dimensional component.

A method and apparatus particularly for additively manufacturing materials that are susceptible to hot cracking. The additive manufacturing process may include a leading energy beam (16) for liquefying a raw material to form a melt pool (20), and a trailing energy beam (17) directed toward a trailing region of the melt pool. The trailing energy beam may be configured to enhance agitation and/or redistribution of liquid in the melt pool to prevent hot cracking, reduce porosity, or improve other characteristics of the solidified part. The method and apparatus also may improve processing parameters, such as adjusting vacuum level to prevent volatilization of alloying agents, or providing a chill plate to control interpass temperature. The process may be used to form new articles, and also may be used to enhance tailorability and flexibility in design or repair of pre-existing articles, among other considerations.

A method for laser processing a transparent workpiece includes forming a contour line that includes defects, by directing a pulsed laser beam output by a beam source through an aspheric optical element positioned offset in a radial direction from the beam pathway and into the transparent workpiece such that the portion of the pulsed laser beam directed into the transparent workpiece generates an induced absorption within the transparent workpiece that produces a defect within the transparent workpiece. The portion of the pulsed laser beam directed into the transparent workpiece includes a wavelength λ, an effective spot size w.sub.o,eff, and a non-axisymmetric beam cross section having a minimum Rayleigh range Z.sub.Rx,min in an x-direction and a minimum Rayleigh range Z.sub.Ry,min in a y-direction. Further, the smaller of Z.sub.Rx,min and Z.sub.Ry,min is greater than $F_D=\frac{\pi w_{0,\mathrm{eff}}^2}{\lambda },$
where F.sub.D is a dimensionless divergence factor comprising a value of 10 or greater.

A method for providing a first and a second laser beam, which are spatially offset in relation to an input laser beam. The method includes: providing a laser source for generating the input laser beam; providing a spatial offsetting unit for providing an offset laser beam that can keep the same polarization between the input laser beam and the offset laser beam; providing a separating unit including a first module for separation by polarization in order to obtain, from the offset laser beam: the first laser beam spatially offset by transmission; and the second laser beam spatially offset by reflection, the first and second spatially offset laser beams being suitable for each describing a circle.

A method for producing a solid body layer having a domed or curved shape at least in sections includes: irradiating a surface of the solid body by laser beams emitted from a laser application device to produce a modified region within the solid body that includes modifications having an extension in a longitudinal direction of the solid body, the longitudinal extension extending orthogonally to the irradiated solid body surface, wherein the modifications are configured to guide a crack for detaching the solid body layer upon application of an external force; and enlarging the extension of the modified region in the longitudinal direction to increase stress produced by the modified region in unmodified material of the solid body, wherein enlarging the extension of the modified region in the longitudinal direction increases the probability of spontaneous splitting of the solid body layer from the solid body without application of the external force.

In a an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a stereoscopic shape using a laser and a powder, the apparatus includes a chamber, a powder supplier, a table, a cotter, a first laser head, a first stage, a second laser head and a second stage. The powder supplier provides a predetermined quantity of powder. The powder is sequentially integrated to be a plurality of powder layers in the table. The cotter moves between the powder supplier and the table, and forms the powder to be a predetermined thickness. The first laser head has a first scanner and a first F theta lens, and irradiates a first laser beam to the powder layer. The first stage transfers the first laser head. The second laser head has a second scanner and a second F theta lens, and irradiates a second laser beam. The second stage transfers the second laser head.

A method of laser spot welding a workpiece stack-up that includes at least two overlapping steel workpieces, at least one of which includes a surface coating, is disclosed. The method includes directing a laser beam at the top surface of the workpiece stack-up to create a molten steel weld pool that penetrates into the stack-up. The molten steel weld pool is then grown to penetrate further into the stack-up by increasing an irradiance of the laser beam while reducing the projected sectional area of the laser beam at a plane of the top surface of the workpiece stack-up. Increasing the irradiance of the laser beam may be accomplished by moving a focal point of the laser beam closer to the top surface or by reducing an angle of incidence of the laser beam so as to reduce the eccentricity of the projected sectional area of the laser beam.

Disclosed is a laser processing device including a laser light source configured to output laser light, a converging unit configured to converge the laser light toward a first surface to form a converging point, a camera configured to image reflected light of the laser light from the first surface, a spatial light modulator for modulating the laser light according to a modulation pattern, and a controller configured to execute acquisition processing of applying the laser light to the first surface by controlling the laser light source and imaging the reflected light by controlling the camera to acquire a reflectance of the first surface for the first wavelength.

A laser processing apparatus includes a laser beam applying unit, an imaging unit, and a processing section. The processing unit includes a histogram generating section and a determining section. The histogram generating section generates, from an image obtained by the imaging unit imaging a plurality of processing marks formed by applying the laser beam from the laser beam applying unit to a one-surface side of the workpiece, a first histogram including a plurality of first positions along a first direction of the image and brightness at each of the first positions and a second histogram including a plurality of second positions along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and brightness at each of the second positions. The determining section determines a boundary of each region where one of the processing marks is formed, based on the first histogram and the second histogram generated by the histogram generating section.

In various embodiments, a laser head receives a laser output beam from a laser system or resonator without the use of a delivery optical fiber, and any asymmetry of the laser output beam may be maintained. The laser head may be physically rotatable to control orientation of the laser beam along a processing path on a workpiece.