Fraunhofer USA, Inc.

Bodo Ehlers

Stefan Heinemann

Falk Doerfel

An apparatus for shaping the output beam of a strip of lasers, or an array of such strips, comprising a first reflective member including at least a first reflective element for deflecting a first portion of the output beam in a first direction oriented at a first angle in the slow axis direction and at a second angle in the fast axis direction, and at least a second reflective member including at least a first reflective element for deflecting the first output beam portion from the first direction to a second direction in the Z axis. The output beam is thus shaped to define at least two beams comprising at least the first portion and a remainder of the output beam which is propagated along the Z axis without deflection by any reflective member, with the first portion of the output beam being oriented approximately parallel to the un-deflected remainder.

Apparatus for shaping the output beam of semiconductor lasers

A laser material processing head for monitoring and adjusting a laser welding process. The present invention provides a laser material processing head having a laser source for providing a laser beam for laser welding a workpiece. A position sensor coupled to the laser material processing head measures the difference between the actual position of the workpiece and a predetermined theoretical position of the workpiece. An adjustment mechanism allows for adjustment of the laser beam in response to the position sensor. A closed loop controller interfaces the position sensor with the adjustment mechanism thereby providing a closed loop system within the laser material processing head.

Method and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting a laser welding process

An apparatus for adjusting the width of a coherent or partially coherent beam of light comprising at least one pair of opposing reflectors each having an inwardly facing light reflecting surface, the reflectors being pivotally mounted with respect to said optical axis and means for adjusting the angle of said pivotally mounted reflector with respect to said optical axis.

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Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Bodo Ehlers