Apparatus and method for laser hardening

摘要

A nozzle holding means (13) having a nozzle (19) being free to eject laser beam from its top end is provided being free to move along a guide means among a plurality of machine tools. Nozzle holding means operation control means (6, 33) for controlling hardening operation on a workpiece by the nozzle are provided, and communication control means (6, 33) are provided for exchanging in formation necessary for hardening operation on a workpiece to be machined with each machine tool between the control means and a control means of each machine tool. The nozzle moves among the machine tools and hardening operation is performed on workpieces (29, 30) in the respective machine tools, thereby it is not necessary to provide a hardening unit for exclusive use every each machine tool, and it is possible to provide a hardening equipment having high working ratio.