The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 23, 1994
Filed:
Aug. 14, 1992
Robert H Schmidt, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Dan Martin, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Lumonics Corporation, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
Laser machining system with x, y and z axis translational movement and C and D axis rotational movement of a beam positioning device to perform automatic tracking over the surface of a workpiece at a constant distance utilizing a sampled capacitive sensing device operative in the refractory interval between laser pulses. The system also automatically determines the normal vector to the part surface and is controllable along a selectable axis for accurate tracking the focal point of the beam across the surface of the workpiece even when the beam is oriented at an angle other than normal to the surface of the workpiece. The system also provides for control of the of the focal point of the beam at a particular displacement from the machining nozzle tip, using a least means squares curve fitting technique and further provides for identification of a mounting fixture unique to a workpiece by sensing coding on the surface of the fixture thereby to select a particular part machining program.