Patent ID: 7767932

Claim:
A laser processing machine, comprising: a long travel system; a multi-axis system mounted on the long travel system for coordinated movement; and a laser processing head mounted on the multi-axis system; wherein the multi-axis system is a polar coordinate system defining an R-axis and a W-axis and is configured to move the processing head over relatively shorter distances and at relatively higher acceleration than the long travel drive system; wherein the processing head is mounted on the R-axis of the multi-axis system, the R-axis including a counterbalance and a drive configured to simultaneously move the counterbalance and the processing head in a manner such that the inertial force generated by R-axis movement of the processing head is balanced by an opposite R-axis movement of the counter balance; and wherein the W-axis of the multi-axis system defines a rotational center disposed between the processing head and the counterbalance.