Profile: Alabama Laser Technologies specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of custom laser systems for unique laser processing solutions. One of our laser processing centers includes a laser blanking system which is integrated to share a common laser with a 5-axis laser system. The flat-sheet system is designed to handle high-speed laser blanking on flat sheets and the 5-axis system (see picture at right) offers the added capabilities of 3-D trimming and welding. Our welding head is composed of a reflective, off-axis, parabolic focus mirror mounted in a durable modular structure. Water cooling of the focus mirror allows the welding head to operate at multi-kilowatt power levels. The head includes a height-adjustable, shield-gas nozzle. The nozzle assembly employs a unique magnetic breakaway feature that allows it to separate from the head in the event of an accidental impact, thus protecting the head from damage. Micro switches are also included in the nozzle assembly to signal the CNC controller to shutdown the process when breakaway occurs.