LASER MACHINING APPARATUS WITH SWITCHABLE LASER SYSTEM AND LASER MACHINING METHOD

A laser machining apparatus and method for producing from a workpiece a rotating cutting tool having a cutting edge and a flank. The laser machining apparatus works in two different operating modes. In the first operating mode, a first laser head is used for machining the workpiece at high advance speeds of the workpiece relative to the first laser head to form a rough desired contour with pulses having a duration in the nanosecond range resulting in laser melt cutting. Subsequently, the laser machining apparatus is operated in the second operating mode generating laser pulses with having a pulse duration in the picosecond range. In the second operating mode, a second laser head is activated by means of an optical scanner system and directs the laser pulses onto a two-dimensional pulse area on the surface of the workpiece, the material removal is accomplished by laser ablation.