초록 ▼

A method of cutting glass with a laser. The glass is superposed a suitable support and a laser beam is directed onto the glass. The laser beam is focused to a point disposed at or about the surface of the glass. The focused laser beam vaporizes a first thickness of glass, less than the entire thickn

A method of cutting glass with a laser. The glass is superposed a suitable support and a laser beam is directed onto the glass. The laser beam is focused to a point disposed at or about the surface of the glass. The focused laser beam vaporizes a first thickness of glass, less than the entire thickness, and simultaneously heats the remaining thickness above the annealing temperature of the glass. A jet of gas incident upon the laser focal point removes the heated and vaporized glass proximate the focal point to create a hole through the glass. By effecting movement between the glass and the laser and gas jet at a predetermined rate, the glass is cut. Also disclosed is an article including a unitary first sheet of glass having at least one complimental opening of predetermined configuration that does not extend to the edge of the glass and is cut by a laser. One or more complimentary glass inserts coplanar with the first glass are disposed within the opening of the first glass, defining a groove therebetween. A securing means is disposed in the groove to secure the complimentary pieces of glass in fixed edge to edge relationship.

대표청구항 ▼

Method of cutting glass having a predetermined thickness with laser means having a laser beam output, said method comprising superposing the glass in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to a support means; directing laser means so that a laser beam generated thereby is incident upon said

Method of cutting glass having a predetermined thickness with laser means having a laser beam output, said method comprising superposing the glass in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to a support means; directing laser means so that a laser beam generated thereby is incident upon said glass, said laser means having a predetermined energy output; focusing said laser beam to a focal point proximate the surface of said glass to locally heat said glass proximate said focal point; vaporizing a first thickness of said glass proximate said laser focal point, said first thickness being less than the total glass thickness; simultaneously with said vaporizing, heating the remaining thickness of said glass proximate said laser focal point, said remaining thickness being heated above its annealing temperature; directing a jet of gas so that it is incident upon the proximity of said laser focal point, said jet cooperating with said beam to remove said vaporized and said heated glass proximate said laser focal point to create a hole through said glass; and effecting movement between said glass and said laser focal point and gas jet along a predetermined path at a predetermined rate, maintaining said focal point at or about the surface of said glass during any movement, thereby defining a cut through the entire thickness of said glass.