Laser cutting of tubular articles

摘要

Method and apparatus for cutting tubular material with two separate laser beams having a constant power ratio by using a laser source having a single output beam of random polarization. A beamsplitter is positioned so that the output of a laser source strikes it at a near normal angle of incidence. The beamsplitter divides the laser beam into two components whose power ratio remains relatively constant due to the near normal angle of incidence of the laser beam onto the beamsplitter. The two components are then directed to strike the tube. The constant power ratio permits the most efficient use of the power of the laser source.