Patent ID: 6112967
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: B23K,C03B,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for cutting through a flat workpiece made of brittle material along a predetermined cutting line, said apparatus comprisingoptical means for making a heat radiation spot on the flat workpiece, said heat radiation spot being symmetrical to the predetermined cutting line, so that edge portions of the heat radiation spot have comparatively large radiation intensity relative to an interior thereof and the heat radiation spot has a temperature maximum at a rear end thereof, wherein said optical means includes a heat radiation source and at least one optical component;means for moving the heat radiation spot along the cutting line on the workpiece; andmeans for cooling a section of the cutting line heated by the heat radiation spot;wherein the optical means is formed to produce said heat radiation spot so that the edge portions of the heat radiation spot coincide with a V- or a U-shaped curve (4) open at a front end of the heat radiation spot or a leading end of the heat radiation spot in a motion direction of the heat radiation spot (3) on the workpiece and said temperature maximum is located locally on a peak portion of the V- or the U-shaped curve (4) positioned on the cutting line and said temperature maximum is below a melting temperature of the workpiece.