Protection device of a laser processing unit

1. A laser processing unit comprising:

a first working area for laser processing of a workpiece;

a second working area for laser processing of a workpiece; and

a dividing wall adapted to separate the first working area from the second working area, the dividing wall having individual articulated and interconnected sections and being moveable in a U-shaped path having a transverse portion that extends generally along an X direction and a pair of vertical portions on either side of the transverse portion that extend generally along a Z direction that is perpendicular to the X direction.

2. The laser processing unit of claim 1 , further comprising a frame having a U-shaped guidance for guiding at least a portion of the dividing wall during movement of the dividing wall, the guidance having two walls at either longitudinal side of the frame for guiding at least a portion of the dividing wall in a vertical direction, wherein at least a portion of the dividing wall is adapted for movement across the frame in a longitudinal direction, and wherein at least a portion of the dividing wall is adapted to move out of the frame on both longitudinal sides of the frame.

3. The laser processing unit of claim 2 , wherein at least half of the dividing wall is adapted for movement out of the frame on each side in a vertical direction.

4. The laser processing unit of claim 2 , wherein the frame includes rollers over which the dividing wall is adapted to move.

5. The laser processing unit of claim 2 , wherein the frame includes a drive unit that engages with the dividing wall for moving the dividing wall.

6. A method of laser processing workpieces in a first working area and in a second working area, the method comprising:

positioning at least a first portion of a dividing wall having individual interconnected sections in a vertical position that extends generally along a Z direction between the first working area and the second working area to prevent laser radiation from a laser processing head in the first working area from entering the second working area;

processing a workpiece in the first working area with the laser processing head;

moving the dividing wall in a U-shaped guidance, the guidance having two vertical portions for guiding the dividing wall generally in the Z direction and a transverse portion between the two vertical portions for guiding the dividing wall generally along an X direction perpendicular to the Z direction, until the dividing wall is not positioned prevent laser radiation from a laser processing head in the first working area from entering the second working area;

moving the laser processing head from the first working area to the second working area; and

moving the dividing wall in the U-shaped guidance, until the dividing wall is positioned to prevent laser radiation from a laser processing head in the second working area from entering the first working area.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising moving the dividing wall by driving a toothed rotary wheel that engages with the dividing wall.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein teeth of the rotary wheel engage gaps between the interconnected sections of the dividing wall.

9. The laser processing unit of claim 1 , further comprising a third working area above the U-shaped path, wherein the third working area is alternately part of the first working area or the second working area as the dividing wall is moved.

10. The laser processing unit of claim 2 , further comprising one or more rollers at the bottom of the frame to enable the frame to be moved into and out of a position between the first and second working areas.