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Process monitor for laser and plasma materials processing of materials

a technology of laser and plasma materials and process monitors, which is applied in the direction of plasma welding equipment, laser beam welding equipment, manufacturing tools, etc., can solve the problems of reducing the productivity of material processing

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-07-12
HYPERTHERM INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The tradeoff often results in an accompanying decrease in material processing productivity (e.g., due to a reduced cutting speed in laser cutting).

Method used

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  • Process monitor for laser and plasma materials processing of materials
  • Process monitor for laser and plasma materials processing of materials
  • Process monitor for laser and plasma materials processing of materials

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0023] As shown in the drawings for the purposes of illustration, a system according to the invention monitors the processing of a workpiece in an industrial environment. The system serves as an on-line cut monitor system that is insensitive to cutting direction and operates in near real-time to provide a reliable indication of cut quality. Measurement of the temperature of the cutting front has been found to be a generally reliable indicator of cut quality. More specifically, when a clean cut is being produced under optimal conditions, the average cut face temperature is relatively constant. Significant deterioration in cut quality, e.g., the presence of excessive dross, uneven kerf width, or rough cut edges are typically accompanied by variations in the cut face temperature. The system according to the invention is capable of detecting a gross change in the average temperature and irregular fluctuations in temperature of varying amplitude and frequency. In particular, the system m...

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Abstract

A method for monitoring the processing of a workpiece includes directing an incident laser beam onto the workpiece and measuring a signal emitted from the workpiece. At least two signals are generated by a detector based upon the emitted signal. A workpiece processing quality is determined based upon the ratio of the two output signals and a magnitude of one of the two outputs.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 403,775, filed Mar. 31, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,947, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for determining the quality of the processing performed by a material processing system and, more particularly to an apparatus and method that uses an optical signal emitted by a workpiece during material processing to determine the quality of the processing being performed. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Material processing apparatus, such as lasers and plasma arc torches, are widely used in the cutting, welding, and heat treating of metallic materials. A laser-based apparatus generally includes a nozzle through which a gas stream and laser beam pass to interact with a workpiece. Both the beam and the gas stream exi...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B23K26/03B23K10/00
CPCB23K10/00B23K31/125B23K26/034B23K26/032
Inventor CONNALLY, WILLIAM J.WOODS, KENNETH J.
Owner HYPERTHERM INC