METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING DETERIORATION OF PROTECTIVE GLASS MOUNTED ON LASER BEAM MACHINING HEAD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for detecting deterioration of protective glass mounted on a laser beam machining head, before laser beam machining starts. SOLUTION: The method for detecting deterioration of protective glass mounted on a laser beam machining head is provided. When measuring light is projected to the protective glass 13 from a projection means 25 provided on an attachment body 23 which is freely attachable/detachable relative to the laser beam machining head 1, the reflection quantity of the measuring light is detected by a light receiving sensor 27 installed on the attachment body 23. Then, the detected value of the light receiving sensor 27 is compared with a preliminarily set reference value to detect the deterioration of the protective glass 13. The detecting apparatus includes: the light receiving sensor 27 that detects reflection quantity of the measuring light from a projection means 25 for projecting the measuring light to the protective glass 13 and from the protective glass 13; the attachment body 23 that is freely attachable to and detachable from the laser beam machining head 1; a memory 37 in which the preliminarily set reference value is stored; and a comparison means 41 that compares the reference value stored in the memory 37 with the detected value of the light receiving sensor 27. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT