A laser machining apparatus includes a laser nozzle for supplying an assistive gas to remove undesirable materials and applying a laser beam at an angle, which is inclined with respect to a surface of a workpiece, a sputter blocking jig disposed over a region of the workpiece that is irradiated with the laser beam, so as to lie across directions in which the laser beam is scattered, and for blocking sputtered particles that are generated from the surface by the applied laser beam, and a joint connecting the laser nozzle and the sputter blocking jig to each other. The joint moves the laser nozzle and the sputter blocking jig in synchronism with each other.

A laser machining apparatus includes a laser nozzle for supplying an assistive gas to remove undesirable materials and applying a laser beam at an angle, which is inclined with respect to a surface of a workpiece, a sputter blocking jig disposed over a region of the workpiece that is irradiated with the laser beam, so as to lie across directions in which the laser beam is scattered, and for blocking sputtered particles that are generated from the surface by the applied laser beam, and a joint connecting the laser nozzle and the sputter blocking jig to each other. The joint moves the laser nozzle and the sputter blocking jig in synchronism with each other.

A laser processing machine for carrying out hole-forming on a plate-shaped workpiece is provided. A first program storage that stores a plurality of hole-forming programs and a second program storage that stores a plurality of cutout piece drop programs are also provided. A program selector that selects, from the second program storage, a cutout piece drop program associated with a hole-forming program selected from the first program storage to form the hole on the workpiece. A working head controller that controls a laser processing head according to the hole-forming program and the cutout piece drop program that are selected is also provided. A motion path of the processing head after forming the hole on the workpiece and a jetting condition of assist gas to an inside of the outline from the processing head on the motion path are programmed in each of the plurality of cutout piece drop programs.

A laser processing machine for carrying out hole-forming on a plate-shaped workpiece is provided. A first program storage that stores a plurality of hole-forming programs and a second program storage that stores a plurality of cutout piece drop programs are also provided. A program selector that selects, from the second program storage, a cutout piece drop program associated with a hole-forming program selected from the first program storage to form the hole on the workpiece. A working head controller that controls a laser processing head according to the hole-forming program and the cutout piece drop program that are selected is also provided. A motion path of the processing head after forming the hole on the workpiece and a jetting condition of assist gas to an inside of the outline from the processing head on the motion path are programmed in each of the plurality of cutout piece drop programs.

In a laser processing method for carrying out hole-forming on a plate-shaped workpiece, [A] a hole is formed by laser-cutting the workpiece along an outline of the hole to be formed, [B] a laser processing head is moved with respect to the workpiece after forming the hole, and [C] a cutout piece inside the outline of the hole is dropped off by moving the laser processing head while jetting assist gas from the laser processing head to the cutout piece inside the outline. According to the laser processing method, the cutout piece generated when carrying out hole-forming by laser processing can be prevented from getting stuck in a hole.

In a laser processing method for carrying out hole-forming on a plate-shaped workpiece, [A] a hole is formed by laser-cutting the workpiece along an outline of the hole to be formed, [B] a laser processing head is moved with respect to the workpiece after forming the hole, and [C] a cutout piece inside the outline of the hole is dropped off by moving the laser processing head while jetting assist gas from the laser processing head to the cutout piece inside the outline. According to the laser processing method, the cutout piece generated when carrying out hole-forming by laser processing can be prevented from getting stuck in a hole.

A laser processing apparatus includes: a laser oscillator configured to oscillate a laser pulse; a first laser deflection unit configured to deflect the laser pulse emitted from the laser oscillator in a two-dimensional direction; a second laser deflection unit having a slower operation speed and configured to deflect the laser pulse emitted from the first laser deflection unit in a two-dimensional direction on a same plane; a laser oscillation control unit configured to control the laser oscillator; and first and second laser deflection control units respectively configured to control operations of the first and second laser deflection units. The first laser deflection control unit controls the first laser deflection unit to successively irradiate the laser pulse to multiple sites along a predetermined track in each of the processing positions in turn, and to change energy of the laser pulse emitted therefrom in a middle of repeated irradiation.

A laser processing apparatus includes: a laser oscillator configured to oscillate a laser pulse; a first laser deflection unit configured to deflect the laser pulse emitted from the laser oscillator in a two-dimensional direction; a second laser deflection unit having a slower operation speed and configured to deflect the laser pulse emitted from the first laser deflection unit in a two-dimensional direction on a same plane; a laser oscillation control unit configured to control the laser oscillator; and first and second laser deflection control units respectively configured to control operations of the first and second laser deflection units. The first laser deflection control unit controls the first laser deflection unit to successively irradiate the laser pulse to multiple sites along a predetermined track in each of the processing positions in turn, and to change energy of the laser pulse emitted therefrom in a middle of repeated irradiation.

A control unit (130) is provided for controlling a projection device (100) for directing a light beam (101) to a target (140). The projection device (100) comprises a light beam deflection unit (120) for two-dimensionally deflecting a light beam (101) in a first direction (x) with a first deflection frequency and in a second direction (y) with a second deflection frequency substantially equal to the first deflection frequency. The control unit (130) is configured to control the deflection unit (120) in such a way that a light spot (141) generated by the light beam (101) on the target (140) moves along a nearly circular path (144) changing its radius (R) over time.

A laser processing machine for carrying out hole-forming on a plate-shaped workpiece is provided. A first program storage that stores a plurality of hole-forming programs and a second program storage that stores a plurality of cutout piece drop programs are also provided. A program selector that selects, from the second program storage, a cutout piece drop program associated with a hole-forming program selected from the first program storage to form the hole on the workpiece. A working head controller that controls a laser processing head according to the hole-forming program and the cutout piece drop program that are selected is also provided. A motion path of the processing head after forming the hole on the workpiece and a jetting condition of assist gas to an inside of the outline from the processing head on the motion path are programed in each of the plurality of cutout piece drop programs.