Laser apparatus including plurality of laser modules

Abstract

The invention relates to laser apparatus including plural laser modules, and capable of preventing a defect occurring when a number of the modules to be driven is changed. The apparatus includes plural laser modules, an optical output command section for generating a first optical output command with respect to a combined laser beam from a combiner, and a laser module selection / command section forselecting a laser module to be driven and generating a second optical output command for each laser module. The laser module selection / command section outputs the second optical output command, in aperiod from when the number is changed to when a predetermined period of time elapses, to at least one of the laser modules that has been laser-oscillating before the number is changed, such that thecombined laser beam having an output corresponding to the first optical output command is outputted only by the at least one laser module.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a laser device including a plurality of laser modules. Background technique [0002] Conventionally, a device is known (see, for example, JP-A-2006-012888) that synthesizes laser light output from a plurality of laser modules (laser light sources) and irradiates the resulting synthesized laser light. [0003] In addition, a technique is known in which, in a laser processing machine having a plurality of laser modules, the number of laser modules to be driven is adjusted according to the output of the combined laser light and the spot diameter (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-227353, International Publication No. 2014 / 133013). [0004] Each laser module has a lower limit of light output capable of stably outputting laser light. Therefore, in order to ensure a large light output range in a device including a plurality of laser modules, it is required to appropriately switch the number...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Here, when the number of laser modules performing laser oscillation is increased, at least one laser module starts to be supplied with power, but there is a certain delay in starting the power supply, so there may be a difference between the actual measured value and the synthetic laser immediately after switching the number. The so-called notch phenomenon in which the command value drops sharply occurs

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