Patent ID: 6822187
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
In as laser device of the type having a laser head and a robot, the laser head being mounted to the robot, the laser head having a housing, a focal lens disposed within the housing, a light source in optical communication with the focal lens, a nozzle disposed within the housing, and a nozzle tip disposed within the nozzle having a sensor, the laser device having means for multiple operating modes wherein the improvement comprises:means for determining a distance the laser head is operating at above a surface of a workpiece; means for determining the position of the laser head at either an extended limit, a retracted limit, or an intermediate position above a workpiece; means for stopping the operation of the laser device to avoid damage to the laser device in response to the means for determining when the head is at either the retracted limit, the extended limit, or at the intermediate distance above a surface of a workpiece; means for sensing the operating mode of the laser device to determine a method of crash detection comprising the laser head and the nozzle tip sensor cooperating to signal the means for stopping; and means for selecting and communicating the method of crash detection to the means for stopping.