LASER CUTTING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING THE SAME Russian patent published in 2006 - IPC B23K26/38 B23K26/42 

FIELD: laser working, namely laser cutting, possibly in machine engineering for effective and high-accuracy manufacture of complex-contour parts from sheet blank.

SUBSTANCE: method comprises steps of measuring mean statistic value of limit bending of blank 7; then fastening and tensioning blank at providing tension stresses determined by relation: σ_tχ ≤ σ_e GV, where σ_t - tension stresses created in blank, MPa; χ - thermal conductivity of blank material, mm²/s; σ_e - elastic limit of blank material, MPa; G - mean statistic value of limit bending of blank, mm; V - cutting speed, mm/s. Focused laser irradiation 1 with preset focal length and gas flow 6 are fed onto sheet blank 7 through nozzle of cutter 5 for moving blank along predetermined contour. Apparatus includes source of laser irradiation 1, mirror 3, cutter 5, platform 8 with clamp 9 for blank 7. Platform 8 is mounted on coordinate table 11 and it includes threaded guides 10 for tensioning blank; said guides are in the form of screw gages with left- and right-hand threads. Coordinate table is number program controlled by system 12 connected with laser irradiation source 1 and with information-computing system 13 through program module 14 correcting contour of cutting in proportion to deformations created in material.

EFFECT: enhanced accuracy of laser cutting due to stable position (on the whole surface of sheet blank) of plane of focusing lens of cutter at cutting process, practically constant gap value between nozzle of cutter and blank surface.

2 cl, 1 dwg, 1 ex, 1 tbl