EP0278643A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for enhancing laser processing efficiency of metals
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-01-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of processing a material by using radiation of a first wavelength emitted from a first laser (32), which comprises the prior step of directing radiation of a second wavelength emitted from a second laser (22) to an area of the surface of the material to be processed, in order to reduce the reflectivity of that area to radiation of the first wavelength.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter W. Duley
- 👤 Grant Kinsman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:00
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q35/00; B23Q35/04; B23Q35/08; B23Q35/12; B23Q35/127; B23Q35/128; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of processing a material by using radiation of a first wavelength emitted from a first laser, which comprises the prior step of directing radiation of a second wavelength emitted from a second laser to an area of the surface of the material to be processed, in order to reduce the reflectivity of that area to radiation of the first wavelength.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of processing a material by using radiation of a first wavelength emitted from a first laser, which comprises the prior step of directing radiation of a second wavelength emitted from a second laser to an area of the surface of the material to be processed, in order to reduce the reflectivity of that area to radiation of the first wavelength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the second laser radiation causes physical alteration and/or promotes chemical change of the surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the second laser radiation promotes oxidation of the surface and/or an oxygen-rich environment.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
36 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one dimension of the area impinged by the second laser radiation is less than the corresponding dimension of the area impinged by the first laser radiation.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
35 words
A method according to any preceding claim, which additionally comprises the step of translating the material during the second laser radiation, whereby a pattern of reduced reflectivity is produced on the surface of the material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the pattern has a dimension in a direction normal to the direction of motion less than the corresponding dimension of the area impinged by the first laser radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the first laser radiation follows the pattern.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
34 words
A method according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein a mask is applied to the surface, the mask having an aperture therein corresponding to the pattern to be produced on the surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
17 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the second wavelength is shorter than the first wavelength.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
15 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the second laser produces pulses of radiation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
13 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the material is a metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein the metal is copper, aluminium, brass, silver, titanium or stainless steel.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the process performed by the first laser is cutting, welding or heat-treatment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 13, applied to each of two workpieces, wherein the process is welding of juxtaposed marginal edges of the two workpieces, the second laser radiation having been directed to the marginal edges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the process additionally comprises cutting either or both workpieces around either or both areas of reduced reflectivity defined by the second laser radiation, to define the or each marginal edge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus for processing a material by laser radiation, which comprises a first laser adapted to emit a beam of radiation of a first wavelength; means to cause relative movement between the material and the beam; and a second laser adapted to emit a beam of radiation of a second wavelength directed to impinge upon the material in advance of the first laser beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus for processing a material by laser radiation, which comprises a first laser adapted to emit a beam of radiation of a first wavelength; means to cause relative movement between the material and the beam; and a second laser adapted to emit a beam of radiation of a second wavelength directed to impinge upon the material in advance of the first laser beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, which additionally comprises beam deflection means, to permit relative movement between the beams, to accommodate a non-linear track of the relative movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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