| CPC B23K 26/342 (2015.10) [B23K 9/1093 (2013.01); B23K 26/0608 (2013.01); B23K 26/0617 (2013.01); B23K 26/0622 (2015.10); B23K 26/064 (2015.10); B23K 26/0673 (2013.01); B23K 26/0676 (2013.01); B23K 26/073 (2013.01); B23K 26/0736 (2013.01); B23K 26/082 (2015.10); B23K 26/14 (2013.01); B23K 26/1464 (2013.01); B23K 26/1476 (2013.01); B23K 26/21 (2015.10); B23K 26/34 (2013.01); B23K 26/348 (2015.10); B23K 26/60 (2015.10); B23K 26/704 (2015.10); B33Y 40/10 (2020.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] | 20 Claims |
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1. A laser processing head, comprising:
a first contact point connected to a preheating power source;
a second contact point connected to the preheating power source, wherein:
the preheating power source is configured to generate a preheating current to flow through a preheating portion of an electrode wire between the first contact point and the second contact point arranged within the laser processing head to preheat the preheating portion of the electrode wire;
the first or second contact point is arranged along a central axis extending through the laser processing head; and
the preheating current is configured to preheat the preheating portion of the electrode wire to a preheating temperature below a melting temperature of the electrode wire;
a laser source configured to generate one or more laser beams having lasing power sufficient to at least partially melt the electrode wire; and
a coaxial laser head configured to focus the one or more laser beams onto a workpiece from first and second lenses that are offset from the central axis at a focal point on the workpiece to at least partially melt the electrode wire, the first lens arranged opposite the second lens relative to the central axis,
wherein the first and second lenses and the one or more laser beams are configured to rotate consistently during welding about the central axis that is collinear with the first contact point, the second contact point, or the electrode wire as the electrode wire moves through the first and second contact points and through the laser processing head to the workpiece.
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