Patent ID: 6706998
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: B23K,H05K

Abstract:
A method for laser machining an effective kerf width on a work piece with laser output pulses, each of the laser pulses having a laser spot diameter on the work piece that is smaller than the effective kerf width, comprising:imparting, from a primary beam positioning system, primary relative movement of a laser spot position to the work piece at a first set of limited velocities and accelerations, the primary beam positioning system providing a beam positioning pathway from a laser to the laser spot position on the work piece, the primary relative movement defining a primary machining path; and imparting, from a secondary beam positioning system positioned along the beam positioning pathway, secondary relative movement of the laser spot position to the work piece at a second set of velocities and accelerations that are substantially higher than those of the first set, the secondary relative movement being superimposed on the primary relative movement and including a pattern having a pattern dimension, perpendicular to the primary machining path, that is less than or equal to about 15 times the laser spot diameter, the primary and secondary relative movements cooperating to provide the effective kerf width, along the primary machining path, that is generally equal to the pattern dimension plus the spot diameter.