EP0102251A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plural computer control for shared laser machining
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1983-09-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A laser machining apparatus is disclosed for machining each of at least first and second work pieces and, in particular, for conducting a sequence of machining steps on each such work piece. The laser machining apparatus includes a single, time shared laser for emitting a laser beam, and beam directing means having a movable laser reflective portion, whereby the single laser beam may be directed along a first laser path to the first work piece and along a second laser path to the second work piece. It is understood that the beam directing means is dedicated to the processing of just one work piece at a time.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack Wallace Clements
- 👤 William David Lanyi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:39
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/067; B23K26/0604; B23K26/0613; B23K26/062; B23K26/0622; B23K26/12; B23K26/127; G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/34; G21C3/3424; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for laser machining at least first and second work pieces, said laser machining apparatus comprising: a) a single, time shared laser source (170) for emitting a laser beam; b) a beam director (172) for directing the laser beam along a first laser path, and a second laser; c) first and second work stations (108a, 108b) disposed to intercept said first and second laser paths respectively; d) first and second optics (174, 176b) for focusing the laser beam onto the first and second work pieces; characterized by e) first and second computer controllers J22-41 and 42 for controlling respectively the laser machining of the first and second work pieces, and each operatively coupled to said beam director, said first and second computers coupled-to each other to permit only one of them to gain control of said beam director at a time while excluding said other computer from gaining access to said beam director means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
Apparatus for laser machining at least first and second work pieces, said laser machining apparatus comprising: a) a single, time shared laser source (170) for emitting a laser beam; b) a beam director (172) for directing the laser beam along a first laser path, and a second laser; c) first and second work stations (108a, 108b) disposed to intercept said first and second laser paths respectively; d) first and second optics (174, 176b) for focusing the laser beam onto the first and second work pieces; characterized by e) first and second computer controllers J22-41 and 42 for controlling respectively the laser machining of the first and second work pieces, and each operatively coupled to said beam director, said first and second computers coupled-to each other to permit only one of them to gain control of said beam director at a time while excluding said other computer from gaining access to said beam director means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second computer controller comprises circuitry for enabling and inhibiting its control of said beam directing means, and link circuitry coupled between said enabling/inhibiting circuitry of each of said first and second computer controllers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said enabling/inhibiting circuitry is responsive to gaining control of said beam director for applying a laser lock manifestation to said link circuitry, whereby the other of said first and second computer controller is inhibited from gaining control from said beam director.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said enabling/inhibiting circuitry applies to a laser release manifestation indicating that said one computer control means has completed its laser welding process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The laser machining apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein there is included laser control circuitry for controlling the emission of said laser source, and one of said first and second computer controller is selected as a prime computer controller and is operatively coupled to said laser control circuitry for controlling the mode of operation of said laser source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said prime computer controller is operatively coupled by a first enabled circuit to said laser controller circuitry for controlling the pulse width of said laser source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said prime computer controller is operatively coupled by a second enabled circuit to said laser controller for controlling the frequency of the laser pulses emitted by said laser source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said laser source includes radiation excitation circuitry responsive to a laser voltage applied thereto for adjusting the power of the laser beam emitted by said laser source, each of said first and second computer controllers operatively coupled to said laser control circuitry to set the laser voltage, such that the laser emission as directed along each of said first and second laser paths is adjusted for the characteristics of said first and second laser paths, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said first and second work stations includes laser measuring arrangements, and each of said first and second computer controllers comprises calibration circuitry adapted to be coupled to its laser measuring arrangements for calibrating its laser voltage dependent upon the measured power of the laser beam directed along its laser path.
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