Lasercutting With Scanner
The embodiments described relate to a laser cutting method suitable for cutting multilayered or painted materials such as for example car bodies. The method involves the step of scanning a low laser beam a plurality of turns along an intended cut edge. Utilizing the described cutting method, the paint located in the vicinity of the cut edge is only slightly affected by the heat generated by the laser beam.
1 . A method for cutting a workpiece with a laser having an articulating mirror and a lens and being operative to generate a laser beam, comprising the steps of:
focusing the laser beam towards the mirror and moving the mirror to direct the laser beam according to a preprogrammed travel path; and
repeatedly passing the laser beam along the preprogrammed travel path on the workpiece to cut the workpiece.
programming a desired travel path into a microprocessor associated with said laser;
placing the work piece under the lens;
directing the laser beam towards the mirror;
moving the mirror according to a preprogrammed path; and
passing the laser beam repeatedly along the same preprogrammed path on the work piece until the laser beam has cut through the work piece.
a) Loading a computer with the desired pattern obtained from a CAD-model or other suitable drawing program.
b) Placing the painted or multi-layered work piece material 1 under the lens 2 .
c) Starting the laser whereby the laser beam 3 is directed towards the scanning mirrors 4 , and 5 .
d) Directing the path for the laser beam 3 by the scanner mirror 4 or mirrors 4 , and 5 according to a preprogrammed pattern.
e) Passing the laser beam 3 repeatedly along the same preprogrammed path 7 on the work piece 1 until it has cut through the work piece material.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the laser used is a Q-switched laser.
3 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the laser used is a pulsed solid state laser.
4 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein the laser beam moves in a superposed circular movement.
5 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is between 1010-1070 nm.
6 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is 1030 nm for a Q switched laser.
7 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is 1064 nm for a pulsed solid state laser.
8 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pulse duration for the pulsed solid state laser is 0.08-1.0 ms.
9 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pulse duration for the Q-switched laser is 0.02-1.0 ms.
10 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pulse repetition rate for the pulsed solid state laser has a frequency of 0.1-1.5 kHz.
11 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pulse repetition rate for the Q-switched laser has a frequency of 10-30 kHz.
12 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the average output energy is 65 W for the pulsed solid state laser.
13 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the average output energy is 60 W for the Q-switched laser.
14 . A method for cutting a workpiece with a laser having a pair of articulating mirrors and a lens and being operative to generate a laser beam, comprising the steps of:
programming a desired travel path into a microprocessor associated with the laser;
placing the work piece under the lens;
focusing the laser beam towards the pair of mirrors;
moving the pair of mirrors so as to direct the laser beam according to a preprogrammed travel path; and
passing the laser beam repeatedly along the same preprogrammed path on the work piece until the laser beam has cut through the work piece.