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Abstract

A device for delivering a collimated beam of electromagnetic energy, such as a laser beam, including a focusing lens which is rotatable about a first axis offset from a focal axis of the lens. Rotation of the lens about the first axis causes a laser beam traveling along the first axis to be deflected to travel along a focus beam axis which intersects the focal axis at a focal point which, in turn, traces a curve on the workpiece. The first axis is parallel to the focal axis and is offset a variable first distance therefrom. The lens is also rotatable about a second axis also offset from and parallel to the focal axis. Rotation of the focusing lens about the second axis alters the first distance between the first axis and the focal axis in order to vary the radius of the curve traced on the workpiece. In first and second embodiments of the invention, the focusing lens is supported within a first housing part which is linearly movable with respect to a second housing part along the focal axis to thereby move the focal point relative to the workpiece. In the first embodiment, the first distance between the first axis and the focal axis is variable in discrete amounts. In the second embodiment, a coupling mechanism selectively couples the first and second housing parts together so that a common gear mechanism not only provides rotation of the housing parts about the second axis but also provides linear movement of the first housing part along the focal axis.

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First Claim