Patent ID: 6476352
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: B23K,G05B

Abstract:
A method for safeguarding portions of a workpiece from damage while performing a laser operation on the a workpiece with a laser beam, comprising the steps of:providing a laser machine having a laser nozzle assembly controlled by a programmable controller, the controller capable of communicating with the laser machine to send and receive signals to initiate and terminate tasks; programming the controller with a program that directs the laser machine and the laser nozzle assembly to perform a sequence of operations to accomplish preselected tasks at predetermined locations on the workpiece; providing a fixture to position the workpiece in relation to the laser nozzle; providing the workpiece; providing a sensor capable of generating a signal indicative of a condition, the sensor attached to the laser machine in a fixed spatial relationship with the nozzle and movable with the nozzle; fixturing the workpiece in a preselected position in relation to the nozzle; placing a beam stop material over portions of the workpiece adjacent to the predetermined locations at which the preselected tasks are to be performed; initiating the program to direct the laser machine to perform the sequence of operations, one of the operations in the sequence including, determining with the sensor, a presence of the beam stop material adjacent to the predetermined locations at which the preselected tasks are to be performed, the sensor generating a signal in response to the condition of the presence of the beam stop material; transmitting the signal from the sensor to the controller; providing an instruction from the controller to the laser machine in response to the signal transmitted by the sensor.