US 12,226,851 B2
Combined optical system for dimensional and thermal measurements, and operating method thereof
Simone Donadello, Rodigo (IT); and Barbara Previtali, Milan (IT)
Assigned to ADIGE S.p.A., Levico Terme (IT)
Filed by ADIGE S.p.A., Levico Terme (IT)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/218,578.
Claims priority of application No. 102020000006880 (IT), filed on Apr. 1, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0308792 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. B23K 26/144 (2014.01); B23K 26/046 (2014.01); B23K 26/14 (2014.01); B23K 26/38 (2014.01)
CPC B23K 26/144 (2015.10) [B23K 26/046 (2013.01); B23K 26/1462 (2015.10); B23K 26/38 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A combined optical system for determining a surface temperature of an object or material subject to laser processing and a distance of said object or material subject to laser processing from a predetermined reference point associated with said combined optical system, wherein the combined optical system comprises:
an optical radiation source adapted to emit at least one optical probe radiation at a predetermined wavelength or in a predetermined wavelength range, wherein the optical probe radiation is distinct from a processing laser beam;
a control unit for controlling the optical radiation source, arranged to continuously alternately control switching of said optical radiation source between an operative condition, in which the optical radiation source emits said at least one optical probe radiation, and an inoperative condition, in which the optical radiation source does not emit any optical probe radiation, at a repetitive switching frequency from 1 to 100 KHZ;
optical detectors adapted to detect at least one scattered optical probe radiation and one optical radiation thermally emitted from the surface of said object or material; and
a processing unit synchronized with said control unit and arranged for:
determining the distance of the surface of said object or material from said predetermined reference point on the basis of the optical probe radiation scattered from the surface of said object or material and received by said optical detectors when the optical radiation source is in the operative condition; and
determining a local temperature of the surface of said object or material on the basis of the optical radiation thermally emitted from the surface of said object or material and received by said optical detectors when the optical radiation source is in the inoperative condition.