Preco, Inc.

James J Bucklew

Daniel B Miller

Thomas P Gates

Kurt Hatella

David Plourde

Steve Wenberg

Kevin Noeldner

Jeffrey L Kulibert

Feng Wu

Brian Lindahl

Christopher Chow

Kevin Mitchell

Timothy T Struemke

Marty Tryba

Kyle Enloe

Mark Daun

Matt Lackner

Ron Dillman

Corey Jurowski

Mark Freeborn

Karl Weber

Joel A De Kock

David A Nyberg

Daniel Miller

A laser system and method is used to micro-drill a web producing holes of approximately 85 μm or less. The laser system comprises a laser beam having a wavelength in the range of approximately 2 to 6 microns and the focal point of the laser beam being steered onto a surface of the moving web wherein the web is moving. The web is a film such as a flexible film or commercial packaging film. The laser beam wavelength and constant laser energy can be used to laser micro-drill the flexible film.

Laser-made microperforations in films

Laser cutting a metal foil by providing a polymer film as a carrier layer for the metal foil where the metal foil is ablated by the laser beam wavelength selected for laser cutting and wherein the polymer film is a polymer film that is transparent to the laser beam wavelength selected for laser cutting such that laser cutting produces metal foil cut parts in a substrate while the polymer backing remains intact for supporting the cut parts for subsequent separation of the cut parts from substrate.

Laser cutting metal foil with a polymer backing layer

A multi-beam laser processing system comprising a plurality of laser beams and a plurality of pairs of selectively rotatable mirrors for laser beam steering where each laser beam is independently steered by one pair of selectively rotatable mirrors. The plurality of pairs of mirrors are positioned adjacent to one another within a single main body. The main body is positioned directly opposing the beams, the mirrors directing each laser beam simultaneously to a selected location on a substrate. The main body comprises a plurality of vents; a plurality of passages; a plurality of openings; and a plurality of galvos nested densely within the main body. The galvos direct multiple laser beams to a substrate wherein the fields of view overlap and the laser beam focal point remains small and precise.

High density galvo housing for use with multiple laser beams

A laser beam trimming and redirecting device having an aperture therein, the aperture defined by a inner beveled surface for focusing the laser beam directed therethrough and the aperture having an outer beveled surface, or beveled edge, for trimming the laser beam and reflecting the excess energy back towards a source at an angle other than 180 degrees. A reflection capture device positionable upstream of the trimming and redirecting device is configured to absorb the reflected energy instead of the laser beam source or delivery components. The capture device is a liquid cooled device so as dissipate the heat energy absorbed preventing degradation of the device.

Laser beam diverting aperture and reflection capture device

A laser processing system includes a metal platform having a metal surface wherein at least a portion of the platform surface is substantially planar with a substantially smooth topography. A laser source is configured to generate a laser beam having a focal point that is directed toward a substantially planar portion of the platform surface. A motion mechanism is configured to move at least one of the metal platform and the focal point along at least one axis. A restraining mechanism restrains a film against the platform surface such that an adjoining surface of the restrained film remains in intimate contact with the surface. A controller is configured to operate the laser source, the motion mechanism or both to cut the restrained film in a predetermined pattern with a generated laser beam such that the cut does not extend through the adjoining surface of the restrained film.

Laser processing system and method of use

A system and method of cooling and purging a laser processing system comprising at least one galvo system for directing at least one laser beam to a work piece and a protection window mounting plate comprising at least one protection window secured in a corresponding cavity of the mounting plate where the plate is configured with at least one air flow passageway in the mounting plate for each protection window such that an airflow used to cool each galvo systems is directed through the mounting plate vis the passageway and further directed past the window cavity to purge the cavity, where the purging air flow is then vented or exhausted from the laser system.

Galvo cooling air bypass to reduce contamination

An apparatus that divides a single laser beam into two or more beams that can be directed at an object, such as a work piece, to perform laser heat treatment is disclosed. An adapter stage is in optical communication with a light source, such as a laser source, and arranged to receive a light beam from the light source. A focus stage in optical communication with the adapter stage is arranged to receive the light beam from the adapter stage and to focus the light beam. A beam splitting stage in optical communication with the focus stage is arranged to receive the focused light beam and to split the focused light beam into a multiple light beams. A redirection stage in optical communication with the beam splitting stage is arranged to receive the multiple light beams and to direct them toward a plurality of target locations on the object.

Multiple laser beam focusing head

A method of scoring a multi-layer film structure, wherein the multi-layer film structure comprises a metal layer and polymer layer bonded to each other, the method comprises using a single laser beam incident to the polymer layer to produce a score line in the polymer layer, wherein the laser energy is absorbed only by the metal layer.

Laser scoring of metal/polymer structures

A method for preventing a plume from contaminating a surface of material that has been cut by a laser or focusing optic wherein the laser produces the plume, the method comprises providing a first airflow beneath the plume with the airflow redirecting the plume away from the surface of the material. A second airflow is provided to further lift the plume to an exhaust. Apparatus is configured to direct first and second air flows such that the plume is not deposited on the material being cut by the laser or on the focusing optic.

Method and apparatus for a clean cut with a laser

Systems and methods are described for efficient laser processing of a moving web-based material. In one embodiment, a moving web is provided at a selected speed. A laser beam is generated having a focal point positioned to provide either a score or cut in the web. The focal point of the laser beam is moved at a speed less than the selected speed for a selected distance thereby producing a discreet score or cut in the web in the machine direction. The focal point is repositioned to form another discreet score or cut once the prior discreet score or cut is formed. The repositioned focal point is moved at a speed less than the selected speed for another selected distance. The step of repositioning is repeated to form a plurality of discreet scores or cuts in the web moving at the selected speed. The laser beam is therefore able to be generated using less power than would be needed to produce the same type of discreet score or cut if the focal point were stationary as the web is moved at the selected speed.

Growing community of inventors

Somerset, WI, United States of America

James J Bucklew