Patent ID: 6229112
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A laser-equipped machine tool comprising in combination:a machine base supporting a worktable adapted to hold a workpiece;the machine base also supporting a cutting head carrying a laser focusing assembly and mounted for traverse over the worktable to cut the workpiece, the traverse having length and width limits defining a cutting zone;a trough in the machine bed underlying the worktable and having a trough bottom flanked by upstanding legs and separated from the worktable by a gap;each leg having an internal collection duct spanning the cutting zone, ports communicating between the cutting zone and the collection ducts along the length of each said collection duct;a main duct in the machine base for connection to a vacuum source and also to the collection ducts so that operation of the vacuum source extracts contaminated air from the cutting zone; andvents for controlling the direction and flow of inlet air to the cutting zone.