Robot laser system

Claim 1

A robot laser work cell comprising in combination: a robotic system having one or more mechanical joints defining at least in part a first axis of motion and a second axis of motion, which axes of motion define a contour path through the robotic system's geometric range of motion, wherein each of said mechanical joints defines in part a frame member; an integral laser beam delivery system for the delivery of a beam along any point within said geometric range of motion, said integral laser beam delivery system including a plurality of optical joints and tubular members disposed between adjacent optical joints and through which tubular members the beam passes as it travels from optical joint to optical joint, wherein the optical joints of the laser beam delivery system have a housing with a reflective surface disposed therein mounted on the frame member of each mechanical joint of the robot so as to be in synchronous association with each mechanical joint and wherein the tubular members disposed between adjacent optical joints and through which tubular member the beam passes as it travels from optical joint to optical joint are expansible and collapsible with respect to each other and are rigidly attached between the frame member of each mechanical joint with which said adjacent optical joints are in synchronous association, wherein said reflective surface establishes a constant geometric relation between the segment of the beam impinging on the reflective surface and the axis of motion associated with the mechanical joints whereby the optical joints along with the tubular members disposed therebetween and each axis of motion of the robot are synchronous and incapable of mutual interference; an air filtration and drying system in communication with said tubular members of the laser beam delivery system, said air filtration and air drying system rendering a preferred environment within the tubular members which is substantially free of dust and condensation during the system's operation; and a safety enclosure system substantially surrounding a work envelope defined by the geometric range of motion of the robot which safety enclosure functions both as a line of defense against unauthorized entrance into the work envelope and as an early warning system to individuals proximate the work cell should the safety enclosure be contacted by laser energy.