A cube corner laser beam retroreflector apparatus for a beam path external to a laser reduces the effect of small deviations in flatness of optical carriage mounting elements and/or linear ways that pitch, yaw and roll the carried retroreflector apparatus. Small changes in pitch, yaw and roll are converted to a small translation in position of the beam reflected from the apparatus. Since the reflected beam remains parallel to the incoming beam, the length of the beam path does not magnify such small deviations in position and system pointing stability is greatly improved. The cube corner retroreflector comprises a welded frame and three mirror holders, the welded frame consisting of plasma, laser or abrasive water jet cut tabbed and slotted flat plates welded together. Each mirror holder is adjustably attached to the welded frame and houses a removable mirror. Each mirror holder is preset to establish an orthogonal relationship between the mirrors, and adjusting devices are locked before installation of the cube corner retroreflector in a beam path.

A laser beam position control apparatus for a CNC laser equipped machine tool, that will automatically maintain precise alignment of the beam path, though the machine may be operating in a non-uniform temperature environment. The apparatus compensates for small deviations in flatness of machine mounting surfaces by steering the laser beam. The laser beam control apparatus includes a laser beam position sensor for mounting in the beam path of the machine tool and that communicates with a signal processor that in turn communicates with at least one drive apparatus that controls at least one actuator capable of moving an object to steer the laser beam.

A heavy-duty laser plate cutting machine capable of cutting heavy plate but which can also operate on lighter sheet metal at commercial production rates. The machine includes a laser source having an output power of 3 kilowatts or more. The machine is preferably of the flying optic configuration, and an automatic beam control system is interposed between the laser source and a focusing optic carried in the cutting head. The cutting head, in addition to normal z axis control, has an adjustment to position the focal spot relative to the workpiece. The focal spot can be driven into the workpiece when cutting heavy plate. The cutting head is configured to carry focusing optics having different focal lengths, such as those suitable for thick plate and thin sheet. The x and y axes include linear motors to precisely traverse the bridge and cutting head along the axes at speeds suitable for heavy plate, and at higher speeds suitable for thinner sheet. Provision is also made for easily aligning or squaring the bridge to the x axis.

An insulated slag collection bed and scrap removal system for a high powered laser-equipped machine tool. The slag collection bed serves as a shield to absorb remnant laser energy which would otherwise strike the machine base. The shield is thermally insulated from the machine base so as to protect the machine base from the temperature rise in the shield resulting from absorbing the remnant laser energy. If, over time the shield is damaged or worn, apparatus is provided for ready replacement of both the shield and the insulation. The scrap removal system has a home position in which all of its components, including a scraper assembly and a drive are out of the range of the laser beam, so that they are protected from laser damage. The drive is energized to pull a scraper assembly through the machine with a plow having a lower surface in contact with the stationary collection bed for scraping slag and pushing it toward the open end of the machine. When the machine reaches the end of its travel, the drive, as it continues its motion, automatically raises the plow, pushes the scrap off the end, then returns to its home and protected position, with the plow out of contact with the collection bed so as not to pull debris back into the machine.

A heavy-duty laser plate cutting machine capable of cutting heavy plate at production rates. The machine includes a laser source having an output power of 4 kilowatts or more. The machine is preferably of the flying optic configuration, and an automatic beam control system, such as an automatically adjustable collimator is interposed between the laser source and a focusing optic carried in the cutting head. The cutting head, in addition to normal Z-axis control, has an adjustment to position the focal spot relative to the workpiece. The focal spot can be driven into the workpiece when cutting heavy plate. A machine bed underlying the workpiece is capable of absorbing significant energy from the remnant laser beam without damaging the machine base.