Patent ID: 8466387
Filing Date: 2013-06-18
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A laser processing method comprising the steps of: a) setting a workpiece with respect to a jig including a plate member with a laser passage hole defined therein and a lower member, a lower surface of the plate member opposing the lower member, and determining a relative position of the jig and the workpiece so that the laser passage hole faces toward a target processing point on the workpiece; and b) subsequently to step a), irradiating laser light on the target processing point through the laser passage hole while creating a stream of an inert gas flowing from a peripheral area of the target processing point toward the target processing point and flowing away from the workpiece through the laser passage hole; wherein the lower member includes a workpiece insertion hole into which a portion of the workpiece containing the target processing point is inserted, at least a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the workpiece insertion hole is arranged to oppose at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the workpiece in a radial direction; the jig includes a hollow member including the plate member and the lower member, the hollow member including an internal space between the plate member and the lower member, and the inert gas is introduced into the hollow member in step b) to create the stream flowing from the peripheral area of the target processing point toward the target processing point within the hollow member; and a gap is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece insertion hole and the outer peripheral surface of the workpiece when the workpiece is set in place with respect to the jig, the gap being smaller in size than the laser passage hole.