Varied embodiments of a laser-based machine tool, and techniques for controlling the same are provided. Some embodiments relate to techniques to facilitate uniform and reproducible processing of workpieces. Other embodiments relate to a zoom lens having a quickly-variable focal length. Still other embodiments relate to various features of a laser-based multi-axis machine tool that can facilitate efficient delivery of laser energy to a scan head, that can address thermomechanical issues that may arise during workpiece processing, etc. Another embodiment relates to techniques for minimizing or preventing undesired accumulation of particulate matter on workpiece surfaces during processing. A number of other embodiments and arrangements are also detailed.

A cutting machine is provided with a machine main body and an NC device. The NC device controls the machine main body and has a tool radius compensation amount calculation unit, a machining path calculation unit, and a drive control unit. The tool radius compensation amount calculation unit generates tool radius compensation information. The machining path calculation unit generates a tool radius compensation control signal. The drive control unit generates a drive control signal. The machine main body has a machining unit and a tool path control unit. The machining unit cuts a workpiece by changing a relative position thereof with respect to the workpiece. Based on the drive control signal, the tool path control unit controls a tool path corresponding to a cutting tool and having a non-circular shape.

A gas inlet element for a CVD reactor includes a cylindrical main body, which together with an outer wall, forms a gas outlet face. The outer wall surrounds at least one gas distribution chamber. A plurality of gas outlet openings originating in the gas distribution chamber open out into the gas outlet face. A cooling device includes a plurality of cooling channels running adjacently but separately in the outer wall, and the gas outlet openings extend between the cooling channels.

A method and device for producing a predetermined breaking line in a vehicle interior trim part with a scanning laser beam. An actual position of the vehicle interior trim part held in a working plane relative to a laser scanning device is detected by a camera and the actual position of the predetermined breaking line is derived. A stored desired position for a scan figure corresponding to the predetermined breaking line is corrected to an actual position, whereby the predetermined breaking line is produced at a predetermined position on the vehicle interior trim part during scanning of the scan figure. A positional shift of the scan figure becomes possible because a sensor matrix with an upstream diffuser is used, which can detect transmitted components of the laser beam independently of the position of the laser beam along the scan figure.

A three-dimensional laser machine includes a machine head, a controller for positioning the machine head and controlling an orientation of a nozzle, and a sensor for detecting a distance between a workpiece and the nozzle. The controller is capable of performing a profile control of correcting the position of the machine head based on the detected distance. When the machine head has reached a predetermined position part way through an approach process of moving the machine head from an approach start position to a machining start position while controlling the pose of the nozzle, the controller performs the profile control to move the machine head to the machining start position.

A wire dispenser for a laser metal wire deposition machine comprises a longitudinal duct for guiding a wire from a proximal end to a distal end of the duct. A nozzle unit is connected to the distal end of the duct and has a through bore for receiving the wire from the distal end of the duct and for discharging the wire adjacent to a laser metal wire deposition site. The nozzle unit includes a cooling circuit for a cooling liquid.

A system and method of enhanced automated welding of a first workpiece and a second workpiece are provided. The method comprises providing a system for intelligent robot-based welding of the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The method further comprises determining a geometrical location of the first workpiece and the second workpiece to be welded at a welding sequence based a predetermined process variable. The method further comprises adjusting the predetermined process variable based on the geometrical location of the first and second workpieces to define an actual process variable. The method further comprises welding a first portion of the first and second workpieces with the actual process variable to define a first welded portion. The method further comprises determining a weld quality of the first welded portion.

A laser processing machine 100 includes: a laser processing unit 1 configured to process a workpiece W by using a laser beam L; an imaging device configured to image the workpiece W irradiated with the laser beam L; and a control device configured to control the laser processing unit 1 in accordance with a processing condition 51c for processing the workpiece W. The control device controls operation of the laser processing unit 1 such that size OIS of an optical image OI and a peak value PV of light intensity LI of the optical image OI observed from image information obtained by imaging the workpiece W with the imaging device approach preset reference values 60.

A roof laser brazing system comprises a side home position jig installed at each of opposite sides of the transferring path of the body in the brazing section, a roof-pressing jig detachably mounted on a handling robot, docked to the side home position jig, and that home-positions and presses the roof panel loaded on the opposite side panels, a brazing assembly mounted on at least one brazing robot in the side home position jig side and that brazes bonding portions between the opposite side panels and the roof panel using a laser as a heat source, and a grinding assembly mounted on the at least one grinding robot in the grinding section and that grinds brazing beads of the bonding portions between the opposite side panels and the roof panel.

A laser cutting device includes a control unit configured to control operations of a laser machining robot and a laser oscillator. Machining condition tables are stored in memory of the control unit. Each of the machining condition tables includes data of a laser power output and a duty, a usable range of a cutting speed of cutting a workpiece, the usable range being set based on a speed range in which a laser cutting robot can move with given tracking accuracy, and an effective range of the cutting speed and the laser power output that are set so that a cut surface of the workpiece meets given finishing conditions. The control unit is configured to select one of the machining condition tables so that the cutting speed and the laser power output meet given conditions, and control cutting of the workpiece based on the selected machining condition table.