Patent ID: 6829517
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: B23K,B41J

Abstract:
A computer interface system for automated control of a laser drilling system, the computer interface system comprising:a memory for storing a set of tool path algorithms including at least one two-dimensional tool path algorithm and at least one three-dimensional tool path algorithm, said at least one two-dimensional and at least one three-dimensional tool path algorithms being interactively operable to define a desired shape; workpiece geometry template data defining a shape formed in a laser-milled workpiece; a user interface receptive of a user selection characterizing a desired laser drilling operation in terms of at least one of workpiece material, laser type, and optical set; and an expert system adapted to receive the template data and the user selection, and operable to adapt said at least one two-dimensional and at least one three-dimensional tool path algorithms to the user selection, wherein the algorithms are operable to perform a laser milling operation in accordance with the template data by recursively ablating successive, two-dimensional layers of workpiece material of substantially uniform depth while altering an outer perimeter of each successive layer to achieve a three-dimensional shape defined by the workpiece geometry template data.