Patent ID: 7947923

Claim:
A system for laser processing, the system comprising (a) a laser processing head; (b) a plurality of optical elements, each comprising a carrier configured for attachment to the laser processing head; and (c) a mechanical encoding system comprising one or both of (i) a profile on at least one of the carriers that unambiguously identifies a first of the plurality of optical elements and a complementary recess in the laser processing head that cooperates with the profile when the first optical element is installed, and (ii) a recess in at least one of the carriers that unambiguously identifies a first of the plurality of optical elements and a complementary profile on the laser processing head that cooperates with the recess when the first optical element is installed; wherein the mechanical encoding system presets an admissible installation of the first optical element into a correct installation position in the laser processing head and prevents installation of the first optical element into an incorrect installation position.