Plural computer control for shared laser machining

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved laser machining apparatus that is capable of achieving increased efficiency for the production of work pieces.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a new and improved laser machining apparatus that is capable of laser machining at least two work pieces at the same time.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a new and improved laser machining apparatus that is capable of laser machining at least two work pieces and in particular, to time share control a single laser source directing its laser beam to one work piece while moving the other work piece in preparation for further laser machining.
In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, there is disclosed a laser machining apparatus for machining each of at least first and second work pieces and in particular, for conducting a sequence of machining steps on each such work piece.
The laser machining apparatus includes a single, time shared laser for emitting a laser beam, and beam directing means in the illustrative form of a member having a laser transmissive portion and a laser reflective portion, whereby the single laser beam may be directed along a first laser path to the first work piece and along a second laser path to the second work piece.
It is understood that the beam directing means is dedicated to the processing of just one work piece at a time.
In a significant aspect of this invention, each work station includes means for positioning its work piece so that between machining steps as effected by the laser beam, the work piece is selectively repositioned in preparation for the next laser machining step.
For example, the positioning means may take the form of X and Y driven tables, whereby each work piece is moved along X and Y axes with respect to the laser path so that the work piece is positioned for the next laser machining step.
In a further aspect of this invention, each work piece is associated with a distinct control computer, each computer competing to control the operation of the beam directing means, it being understood that only one control computer may gain access of the control of the beam directing means