Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A laser cutting machine, comprising: a focusing head having first and second head portions movable relative to each other in the axial direction; an exit nozzle and a focusing lens coupled to one of said first and second portions; a joint structure which supports said focusing head; a control unit; drive means supported by said joint structure and controlled by said control unit for moving said focusing head along a specified path in space; means for maintaining a predetermined, invariant distance between the exit nozzle and a workpiece to be cut, said distance maintaining means comprising a servomechanism means for controlling the relative movement of said two head portions in the axial direction independently of said control unit to maintain said distance between said nozzle and said workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A laser cutting machine, comprising: a focusing head having first and second head portions movable relative to each other in the axial direction; an exit nozzle and a focusing lens coupled to one of said first and second portions; a joint structure which supports said focusing head; a control unit; drive means supported by said joint structure and controlled by said control unit for moving said focusing head along a specified path in space; means for maintaining a predetermined, invariant distance between the exit nozzle and a workpiece to be cut, said distance maintaining means comprising a servomechanism means for controlling the relative movement of said two head portions in the axial direction independently of said control unit to maintain said distance between said nozzle and said workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The machine as described in claim 1 wherein said servomechanism means comprises an inductive transducer for sensing the distance between the exit nozzle and the workpiece, said exit nozzle constituting said inductive transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The machine as described in claim 1, wherein said first portion of said head has a tubular body that is coaxial with said nozzle, and said second portion is attached to said tubular body in such a way that it is free to slide along a guide which is coupled to said tubular body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The machine as described in claim 3, wherein said guide is attached to one end of a gear which is coupled to said tubular body, and it is perpendicular to the axis of said tubular body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine as described in claim 1, wherein said second portion also supports a direction changing mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The machine as described in claim 1, wherein said servomechanism means supports said first portion, and in addition it has a drive device which has an output shaft that is coupled to the second portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The machine as described in claim 6, wherein said drive device is supported by said gear.