Laser unit

Abstract

A laser unit using circulating cooling water, which may economically maintain the cleanliness of the cooling water and a channel for the cooling water. By a command of an operator, the activation of a water conveying device of the laser unit, the start of the laser oscillation, the stop of the laser oscillation and the stop of the conveying device are sequentially executed. When the laser unit is stopped for a relatively long period, an intermittent conveyance mode is automatically started in the laser unit. In this mode, the conveyance of the water starts after the passing of a first predetermined period of time and the conveyance stops after the passing of a second predetermined period of time. Similarly, the start and the stop of the conveyance of the water by the conveying device are alternately changed. When the laser oscillation should be started, the intermittent conveyance mode is terminated by the operator. The water conveyance device may be located within the laser unit or outside of a body of the laser unit.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a laser device using circulating cooling water, and more particularly to a laser device which improves the management of the circulating cooling water. Background technique [0002] It is well known to use circulating cooling water in order to suppress an increase in the temperature of a laser medium caused during use of a laser device (during laser oscillation). FIG. 1 is a conventional schematic configuration diagram illustrating such a laser device. Referring to this figure, a laser oscillator 1 is a device that receives power from a laser power source 3 and oscillates laser light. The laser power supply 3 is controlled by the control unit 2 , and when a laser output command is sent from the control unit 2 to the laser power supply 3 , the laser oscillator 1 oscillates the laser light to output the laser light. [0003] The output laser is used, for example, in laser processing. In addition, when the control unit ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0012] The problem here is that, as described above, in the state where the water supply device 10 is stopped, not only the cooling of the laser oscillator 1, but also the purifying effect of the circulating cooling water of the cooling water filter 11 and the ion exchange resin 14 can hardly be exerted.

Therefore, if the circulation stop period of the circulating cooling water becomes longer, the quality of the circulating cooling water may deteriorate, such as mold on the filter 11 or the ion exchange resin 14, and bacterial growth in the deposited water.

If the laser oscillator is restarted in the state of deteriorating circulating cooling water, there will be adverse effects such as a drop in laser output.

[0013] So far, no literature has been found that describes a simple technology that has few disadvantages to the economy, prevents the deterioration of the quality of circulating cooling water, prevents cooling water filters and ion exchange resins from becoming moldy, etc.

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