GB2172832A - Laser machining - Google Patents

Laser machining Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2172832A
GB2172832A GB08508175A GB8508175A GB2172832A GB 2172832 A GB2172832 A GB 2172832A GB 08508175 A GB08508175 A GB 08508175A GB 8508175 A GB8508175 A GB 8508175A GB 2172832 A GB2172832 A GB 2172832A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fibre
hole
laser
work
light
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08508175A
Other versions
GB2172832B (en
GB8508175D0 (en
Inventor
Kevin Christopher Byron
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STC PLC
Original Assignee
STC PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by STC PLC filed Critical STC PLC
Priority to GB08508175A priority Critical patent/GB2172832B/en
Publication of GB8508175D0 publication Critical patent/GB8508175D0/en
Publication of GB2172832A publication Critical patent/GB2172832A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2172832B publication Critical patent/GB2172832B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
    • B23K26/06—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
    • B23K26/064—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
    • B23K26/06—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/02—Positioning or observing the workpiece, e.g. with respect to the point of impact; Aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam
    • B23K26/06—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing
    • B23K26/064—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms
    • B23K26/0648—Shaping the laser beam, e.g. by masks or multi-focusing by means of optical elements, e.g. lenses, mirrors or prisms comprising lenses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/36—Removing material
    • B23K26/38—Removing material by boring or cutting
    • B23K26/382—Removing material by boring or cutting by boring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2103/00—Materials to be soldered, welded or cut
    • B23K2103/30—Organic material
    • B23K2103/36—Wood or similar materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2103/00—Materials to be soldered, welded or cut
    • B23K2103/30—Organic material
    • B23K2103/38—Fabrics, fibrous materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2103/00—Materials to be soldered, welded or cut
    • B23K2103/30—Organic material
    • B23K2103/40—Paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2103/00—Materials to be soldered, welded or cut
    • B23K2103/50—Inorganic material, e.g. metals, not provided for in B23K2103/02 – B23K2103/26

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)

Abstract

Conventional laser machining methods have disadvantages when used with relatively sort materials. To overcome this, a high power laser (1) has its output directed via a lens system (2) into one end of an optical fibre (3), the other end of which is placed near the work. As a hole is made the fibre end descends into the hole which is slightly wider than the outside diameter of the fibre. This gives a good cylindrical hole. The device can also be used to scribe lines in the surface of the material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Laser machining This invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, machining holes or lines in relatively soft material such as paper, cardboard, cloth and wood using optical techniques.
The use of lenses to direct the light from a laser onto the work piece, as conventionally used, tends to give poor hole-to-hole reproductibility due to uncertainties in the focal position. Furthermore, a conical hole often results due to the divergence of the laser beam.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus in which the above disadvantages are minimised or even overcome.
According to the invention, there is provided a method of machining holes or scribing lines in a relatively soft material, in which a high-power light beam from a laser or the like light source is directed via an optical fibre on to the work-piece.
Thus the result of the application of the above method is to provide a fibre optical thermal lance.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawing, in which Figure 1 shows the arrangement schematically, while Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the end of the optical fibre used in the arrangement of Figure 1.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the light is derived from a high power laser 1 whose output is directed by a lens system represented by a lens 2 into one end of an optical fibre 3. The other end of the fibre is guided to be close to, and at right angles to the surface of the work piece. To do this the fibre is supported in a relatively rigid outer tube.
The "business end" of the fibre is shown on an enlarged scale in Figure 2, where the light is shown coming out of the core of the fibre. This light "splays out" as shown to a known extent, and thus produces a hole of defined width. The width is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fibre. Hence to make a hole the fibre end is positioned a known distance from the work surface and the laser switched on. As can be seen in Figure 2, as the hole is made, the fibre end can descent into it, the operation continuing until a hole of the desired depth has been made.
Such an arrangement is simple to use, and produces a hole with reasonably accurately defined cross-sections throughout its depth.
To scribe a line across a surface the end of the fibre is positioned a known distance from the work surface and the fibre progressed along.
1. A method of machining holes or scribing lines in a relatively soft material, in which a highpower light beam from a laser or the like light source is directed via an optical fibre on to the work-piece.
2. Apparatus for machining holes or scribing lines in a relatively soft material, which includes a high power laser from which a light beam is directed via a lens system into one end of an optical fibre, the other end of the fibre being placed adjacent to the work when a hole is to be made or a line to be scribed.
3. Apparatus for machining holes or scribing lines in a relatively soft surface, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Laser machining This invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, machining holes or lines in relatively soft material such as paper, cardboard, cloth and wood using optical techniques. The use of lenses to direct the light from a laser onto the work piece, as conventionally used, tends to give poor hole-to-hole reproductibility due to uncertainties in the focal position. Furthermore, a conical hole often results due to the divergence of the laser beam. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus in which the above disadvantages are minimised or even overcome. According to the invention, there is provided a method of machining holes or scribing lines in a relatively soft material, in which a high-power light beam from a laser or the like light source is directed via an optical fibre on to the work-piece. Thus the result of the application of the above method is to provide a fibre optical thermal lance. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawing, in which Figure 1 shows the arrangement schematically, while Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the end of the optical fibre used in the arrangement of Figure 1. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the light is derived from a high power laser 1 whose output is directed by a lens system represented by a lens 2 into one end of an optical fibre 3. The other end of the fibre is guided to be close to, and at right angles to the surface of the work piece. To do this the fibre is supported in a relatively rigid outer tube. The "business end" of the fibre is shown on an enlarged scale in Figure 2, where the light is shown coming out of the core of the fibre. This light "splays out" as shown to a known extent, and thus produces a hole of defined width. The width is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fibre. Hence to make a hole the fibre end is positioned a known distance from the work surface and the laser switched on. As can be seen in Figure 2, as the hole is made, the fibre end can descent into it, the operation continuing until a hole of the desired depth has been made. Such an arrangement is simple to use, and produces a hole with reasonably accurately defined cross-sections throughout its depth. To scribe a line across a surface the end of the fibre is positioned a known distance from the work surface and the fibre progressed along. CLAIMS
1. A method of machining holes or scribing lines in a relatively soft material, in which a highpower light beam from a laser or the like light source is directed via an optical fibre on to the work-piece.
2. Apparatus for machining holes or scribing lines in a relatively soft material, which includes a high power laser from which a light beam is directed via a lens system into one end of an optical fibre, the other end of the fibre being placed adjacent to the work when a hole is to be made or a line to be scribed.
3. Apparatus for machining holes or scribing lines in a relatively soft surface, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB08508175A 1985-03-28 1985-03-28 Laser machining Expired GB2172832B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08508175A GB2172832B (en) 1985-03-28 1985-03-28 Laser machining

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08508175A GB2172832B (en) 1985-03-28 1985-03-28 Laser machining

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8508175D0 GB8508175D0 (en) 1985-05-01
GB2172832A true GB2172832A (en) 1986-10-01
GB2172832B GB2172832B (en) 1988-03-02

Family

ID=10576859

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08508175A Expired GB2172832B (en) 1985-03-28 1985-03-28 Laser machining

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2172832B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2621529A1 (en) * 1987-10-09 1989-04-14 Bongrain Sa Method for thermal treatment of a food product, in particular a cheese or pork butchery food product; method for marking such a food product, marking apparatus for implementing the method; food product thus treated or marked
NL8802599A (en) * 1988-10-28 1990-05-16 Bongrain Sa METHOD FOR THE HEAT TREATMENT OF A FOOD PRODUCT, IN PARTICULAR CHEESE OR MEAT, METHOD FOR MARKING SUCH FOOD PRODUCT, MARKING DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THIS METHOD, AND PROCESSED OR PROCESSED.

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2123287A (en) * 1982-07-09 1984-02-01 Anna Gunilla Sutton Depilation device
EP0144764A2 (en) * 1983-12-09 1985-06-19 International Business Machines Corporation Laser catheter
GB2154017A (en) * 1984-02-03 1985-08-29 Gen Electric Laser material processing through a fiber optic
EP0153847A2 (en) * 1984-02-23 1985-09-04 Shiley Incorporated Intravascular laser catheter
EP0194841A2 (en) * 1985-03-11 1986-09-17 Shiley Incorporated Liquid interface fiberoptic coupler
EP0195375A2 (en) * 1985-03-22 1986-09-24 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Catheter for laser angiosurgery

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2123287A (en) * 1982-07-09 1984-02-01 Anna Gunilla Sutton Depilation device
EP0144764A2 (en) * 1983-12-09 1985-06-19 International Business Machines Corporation Laser catheter
GB2154017A (en) * 1984-02-03 1985-08-29 Gen Electric Laser material processing through a fiber optic
EP0153847A2 (en) * 1984-02-23 1985-09-04 Shiley Incorporated Intravascular laser catheter
EP0194841A2 (en) * 1985-03-11 1986-09-17 Shiley Incorporated Liquid interface fiberoptic coupler
EP0195375A2 (en) * 1985-03-22 1986-09-24 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Catheter for laser angiosurgery

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2621529A1 (en) * 1987-10-09 1989-04-14 Bongrain Sa Method for thermal treatment of a food product, in particular a cheese or pork butchery food product; method for marking such a food product, marking apparatus for implementing the method; food product thus treated or marked
NL8802599A (en) * 1988-10-28 1990-05-16 Bongrain Sa METHOD FOR THE HEAT TREATMENT OF A FOOD PRODUCT, IN PARTICULAR CHEESE OR MEAT, METHOD FOR MARKING SUCH FOOD PRODUCT, MARKING DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THIS METHOD, AND PROCESSED OR PROCESSED.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2172832B (en) 1988-03-02
GB8508175D0 (en) 1985-05-01

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee