Importance

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Abstract

Devices and methods for preventing laser burn through in cutting tubes. In laser cutting of tubes, the laser strikes one side of the tube at a point of illumination, eventually burning through the first side, and can continue burning partially or completely through on the opposite side. Material burned away on the first side can sputter as molten metal onto the interior of the tube as well. One device runs a continuous inner metal wire through a tubular workpiece while the tube is being cut by laser, thereby occluding any laser beam cutting through the first side. The continuous metal wire can also serve to adhere dross to the wire instead of to the tube interior. The wire is preferably moved longitudinally and rotationally during burning, thereby presenting a continually differing portion of wire to the laser beam. Moving the wire can remove adhered dross and prevent melting of the wire by the laser.

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First Claim