A method and apparatus for processing a slotted sleeve
By combining laser ablation and air blowing, the problem of efficient machining of fine slots with a grid shape on the outer wall of the sleeve was solved, achieving efficient cutting of deep slots, improving machining efficiency, and reducing tool wear and working time.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FUJIAN MINGXING LASER TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies struggle to efficiently process sleeves with mesh-shaped grooves on their outer walls, and conventional milling cutters suffer severe wear, resulting in low processing efficiency.
By combining laser ablation and air blowing, a spiral slit is ablated on the outer circumference of the cylinder bar using a laser head, and the molten slag is blown out using an air blowing device, achieving deep cutting, avoiding the problem of blade strength, and improving processing efficiency.
It enables efficient machining of deep grooves, avoids blade wear, improves machining efficiency, reduces working hours, and increases production efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN116213946B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of metal processing, and in particular to a method and apparatus for processing a slotted sleeve. Background Technology
[0002] Ordinary sleeves can be machined using a lathe, but some sleeves have special shapes that are difficult to machine using ordinary machine tools, such as... Figure 2 The sleeve shown has a grid-shaped groove network on its outer wall, formed by multiple interwoven left-hand and right-hand threaded grooves arranged in a ring on the outer wall. Both the left-hand and right-hand threaded grooves are narrow and deep, extending to both ends of the sleeve, making them impossible to mill with ordinary end mills. The existing method for machining this sleeve involves placing the sleeve's outer casing on a rotating shaft and milling the outer wall with an end mill equipped with a thin-bladed cutting wheel. The shaft rotates the sleeve as the cutting wheel mills it. However, the narrow grooves mean the cutting wheel must be very thin, leading to easy wear and frequent replacement. Furthermore, the thin cutting wheel has low strength, resulting in small cutting depths per pass, and the desired groove depth is typically achieved through multiple cuts. The numerous grooves on the sleeve also make machining a single sleeve extremely time-consuming and inefficient. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings and provide a processing method and apparatus for a slotted sleeve with high processing efficiency.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is: a method for processing a slotted sleeve, comprising the following steps:
[0005] Spiral slit ablation: The laser head emits laser light radially from the cylinder to ablate the cylinder; the laser head moves in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the cylinder, and the cylinder rotates around its central axis, with the laser ablating spiral slits on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.
[0006] The molten slag is blown out by blowing air through a nozzle positioned close to the spiral slit. The nozzle blows air towards the laser ablation site within the spiral slit, discharging the molten slag produced by laser ablation. The nozzle can move with the laser head.
[0007] Cut the sleeve by cutting the cylinder bar.
[0008] The nozzle of the air blowing device can blow the molten slag from the laser ablation process of the cylinder bar into a spiral slit, allowing for a very deep and unobstructed spiral slit. Moreover, laser machining of deep grooves eliminates the need to consider the strength of the cutting tool, resulting in high processing efficiency.
[0009] Preferably, in the spiral slit ablation step, the cylinder rotates clockwise, and the laser ablates a left-hand spiral slit on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.
[0010] In the spiral slit ablation step, the cylinder is reversed and the laser ablates a right spiral slit on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.
[0011] In the spiral slit ablation step, the laser head stops emitting laser light when its center moves to the intersection of the left and right spiral slits, and resumes emitting laser light when its center moves out of the intersection. The intersection of the left and right spiral slits only needs to be ablated once by the laser; excessive ablation can easily burn through the cylinder. Several left and right spiral slits are distributed in a ring around the outer periphery of the cylinder and intersect to form a network structure.
[0012] Preferably, the direction from one end of the cylinder to the other and parallel to the axial direction of the cylinder is defined as the first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as the second direction;
[0013] In the spiral slit ablation step, the laser head moves along the first direction, the cylinder rotates clockwise, and the first spiral slit is ablated on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.
[0014] In the spiral slit ablation step, the laser head moves along the second direction, the cylinder rotates clockwise, and ablates the second spiral slit on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.
[0015] In the spiral slit ablation step, the laser head moves along the first direction, the cylinder reverses, and ablates a third spiral slit on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.
[0016] In the spiral slit ablation step, the laser head moves along the second direction, the cylinder reverses, and ablates a fourth spiral slit on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.
[0017] After the laser head processes a first helical slit on the cylindrical bar, the bar rotates by one unit angle, and the laser head processes a second helical slit. The bar then rotates by one unit angle again, and the laser head processes a first helical slit. The laser head alternately processes the first and second helical slits until they cover the entire outer circumference of the bar. The first and second helical slits are helical slits in the same direction of rotation. After the outer circumference of the bar is covered with the first and second helical slits, the laser head processes a third helical slit. The bar then rotates in the opposite direction by one unit angle, and the laser head processes a fourth helical slit. The bar then rotates in the opposite direction by one unit angle again, and the laser head processes a third helical slit. The laser head alternately processes the third and fourth helical slits until they cover the entire outer circumference of the bar. The third and fourth helical slits are helical slits in the same direction of rotation. The laser head ablates the bar regardless of whether it moves in the first or second direction, resulting in high processing efficiency.
[0018] Preferably, the air blowing device includes a first nozzle, a second nozzle, a third nozzle, and a fourth nozzle, which are respectively located at the four outer corners of the laser head;
[0019] When the laser head ablates the first spiral slit on the cylinder, the first nozzle blows air.
[0020] When the laser head ablates the second spiral slit on the cylinder, the second nozzle blows air.
[0021] When the laser head ablates the third spiral slit on the cylinder, the third nozzle blows air.
[0022] When the laser head ablates the fourth spiral slit on the cylinder, the fourth nozzle blows air.
[0023] The molten slag from laser ablation cools and solidifies easily within the spiral slits. The nozzles need to blow air into the spiral slits from the correct direction to expel the slag. The first, second, third, and fourth nozzles can blow air into the first, second, third, and fourth spiral slits, which extend in different directions, respectively, ensuring that the molten slag is expelled from the spiral slits.
[0024] Preferably, the air blowing device further includes a first slide, a second slide, a third slide, and a fourth slide, all of which can move back and forth. A first nozzle is disposed on the first slide, a second nozzle is disposed on the second slide, a third nozzle is disposed on the third slide, and a fourth nozzle is disposed on the fourth slide. The first slide, the second slide, the third slide, and the fourth slide are normally moved back to a position where the first nozzle, the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle are away from the barrel.
[0025] When the laser head ablates the first spiral slit on the cylinder, the first slide moves forward, bringing the first nozzle closer to the cylinder;
[0026] When the laser head ablates the second spiral slit on the cylinder, the second slide moves forward, bringing the second nozzle closer to the cylinder;
[0027] When the laser head ablates the third spiral slit on the cylinder, the third slide moves forward, bringing the third nozzle closer to the cylinder;
[0028] When the laser head ablates the fourth spiral slit on the cylinder, the fourth slide moves forward, bringing the fourth nozzle closer to the cylinder. If molten slag blown out of the spiral slit enters another nozzle, the slag will block the other nozzle. By moving one nozzle forward to blow air while the other nozzles remain at the rear, molten slag can be prevented from being blown in.
[0029] Preferably, the laser head has a conical tip at its front end, with a laser aperture for laser emission at the center of the front end of the conical tip. The outer wall of the conical tip has a tapered surface that tapers from back to front. The first nozzle, second nozzle, third nozzle, and fourth nozzle can all be moved forward to the front side of the conical tip or backward to the rear side of the conical tip. The conical tip can prevent molten slag blown out by one nozzle from entering the other nozzle.
[0030] Preferably, when the cylinder rotates, the linear velocity of the cylinder surface at the position corresponding to the laser head is v1, the moving speed of the laser head is v2, and the combined speed of v1 and v2 is v3. When the laser ablates the cylinder, the nozzle is located in the opposite direction of v3. This position blows air towards the processing position of the laser head, making it easier for molten slag to be blown out from the spiral slit.
[0031] A processing device for a slit sleeve includes a clamping and rotating mechanism, a laser head, and an air blowing device;
[0032] The clamping and rotating mechanism is used to clamp the cylindrical rod and drive the rod to rotate.
[0033] The laser head can move left and right and is located on the side of the clamping and rotating mechanism;
[0034] The air blowing device includes a first nozzle, a second nozzle, a third nozzle, and a fourth nozzle, which are respectively located at the four outer corners of the laser head;
[0035] The air blowing device also includes a first slide, a second slide, a third slide, and a fourth slide, all of which can move back and forth. A first nozzle is disposed on the first slide, a second nozzle is disposed on the second slide, a third nozzle is disposed on the third slide, and a fourth nozzle is disposed on the fourth slide. The first slide, the second slide, the third slide, and the fourth slide are normally moved back to a position where the first nozzle, the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle are away from the cylinder.
[0036] By adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the nozzle of the air blowing device of the present invention can blow the molten slag in the laser ablation process of the cylinder rod out of the spiral slit, so that the depth of the spiral slit can be made very deep and unobstructed. Moreover, the strength of the cutting tool does not need to be considered when processing deep grooves by laser, resulting in high processing efficiency. The four nozzles can be moved back and forth, and the air blowing from one nozzle will not blow the molten slag into another nozzle. Attached Figure Description
[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the method of the present invention;
[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sleeve manufactured according to the present invention;
[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;
[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laser head and the air blowing device of the present invention.
[0041] Explanation of key figure labels:
[0042] 1. Cylinder rod; 11. Spiral slit; 12. Sleeve; 2. Laser head; 21. Cone; 3. Air blowing device; 311. First nozzle; 312. Second nozzle; 313. Third nozzle; 314. Fourth nozzle; 321. First slide; 322. Second slide; 323. Fourth slide; 324. Clamping and rotating mechanism 4. Detailed Implementation
[0043] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0044] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the present invention provides a method for processing a slotted sleeve, comprising the following steps:
[0045] Spiral slit ablation: Laser head 2 emits laser light radially from cylinder 1 to ablate cylinder 1; laser head 2 moves in a direction parallel to the axis of cylinder 1, cylinder 1 rotates around its central axis, and the laser light emitted by laser head 2 ablates spiral slits 11 on the outer circumferential surface of cylinder 1.
[0046] The molten slag is blown out. The nozzle of the air blowing device 3 is close to the spiral slit 11. The nozzle blows air along the direction in which the spiral slit 11 is generated towards the laser ablation position in the spiral slit, blowing the molten slag generated by the laser ablation out of the spiral slit 11. The nozzle can move with the laser head 2.
[0047] The direction from one end of the cylinder 1 to the other, parallel to the axial direction of the cylinder, is defined as the first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as the second direction. In the spiral slit ablation step:
[0048] The laser head 2 moves along a first direction, while the cylinder 1 rotates clockwise, ablating a first spiral slit on the outer circumference of the cylinder. After the cylinder rotates by one unit angle (the size of which is determined during workpiece design), the laser head moves along a second direction, while the cylinder rotates clockwise, ablating a second spiral slit on the outer circumference of the cylinder. Both the first and second spiral slits are left-handed spiral slits. The laser head continuously and alternately processes the first and second spiral slits on the outer circumference of the cylinder until both slits cover the entire outer circumference of the cylinder.
[0049] Laser head 2 moves along the first direction, while cylinder 1 reverses direction, ablating a third spiral slit on the outer circumference of the cylinder. During the spiral slit ablation step, laser head 2 moves along the second direction, while cylinder 1 reverses direction, ablating a fourth spiral slit on the outer circumference of the cylinder. Both the third and fourth spiral slits are right-handed spiral slits. When the center of the laser head moves to the intersection of the left-hand and right-hand spiral slits, the laser head stops emitting laser light; when the center of the laser head moves out of the intersection, the laser head emits laser light. The laser head continuously and alternately processes the third and fourth spiral slits on the outer circumference of the cylinder until the third and fourth spiral slits cover the entire outer circumference of the cylinder. The outer circumference of the cylinder is covered with a network of fine grooves formed by the intersection of the left-hand and right-hand spiral slits.
[0050] like Figure 4 As shown, the air blowing device 3 includes a first nozzle 311, a second nozzle 312, a third nozzle 313, and a fourth nozzle 314. The air blowing device 3 also includes a first slide block 321, a second slide block 322, a third slide block 323, and a fourth slide block 324, all of which can move back and forth. The first slide block 321, the second slide block 322, the third slide block 323, and the fourth slide block 324 are each driven to move by four cylinders. The first nozzle 311, the second nozzle 312, the third nozzle 313, and the fourth nozzle 314 are respectively located at the four outer corners of the laser head 2. The first nozzle 311 is located on the first slide block 321, the second nozzle 312 is located on the second slide block 321, the third nozzle 313 is located on the third slide block 323, and the fourth nozzle 314 is located on the fourth slide block 324.
[0051] The laser head 2 has a conical head 21 at its front end. A laser aperture for laser emission is located at the center of the front end of the conical head 21. The outer wall of the conical head 21 has a tapered surface that tapers from back to front. The first slide block 321, second slide block 322, third slide block 323, and fourth slide block 324 are normally positioned rearwards from the cylinder bar, i.e., behind the conical head. The first nozzle, second nozzle, third nozzle, and fourth nozzle can all be moved forward to the front side of the conical head or backwards to the rear side of the conical head.
[0052] When the laser head 2 ablates the first spiral slit on the cylinder, the first slide moves forward to bring the first nozzle 311 close to the cylinder, and the first nozzle 311 blows air.
[0053] When the laser head 2 ablates the second spiral slit on the cylinder, the second slide moves forward to bring the second nozzle 312 closer to the cylinder, and the second nozzle 312 blows air.
[0054] When the laser head 2 ablates the third spiral slit on the cylinder, the third slide moves forward to bring the third nozzle 313 closer to the cylinder, and the third nozzle 313 blows air.
[0055] When the laser head 2 ablates the fourth spiral slit on the cylinder, the fourth slide moves forward, bringing the fourth nozzle 314 closer to the cylinder, and the fourth nozzle 314 blows air.
[0056] When the cylinder rotates, the linear velocity of the cylinder surface at the position corresponding to the laser head is v1, the moving speed of the laser head is v2, and the combined speed of v1 and v2 is v3. When the laser ablates the cylinder, the nozzle is located in the opposite direction of v3.
[0057] After the outer periphery of the cylinder is machined with a mesh-like slit, the cylinder is cut, and the unprocessed parts at both ends of the cylinder are removed. The remaining part is cut into multiple segments, each of which is a sleeve.
[0058] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a processing device for a slit sleeve includes a clamping and rotating mechanism 4, a laser head 2, and an air blowing device 3.
[0059] The clamping and rotating mechanism 4 is used to clamp the cylindrical rod and drive the rod 1 to rotate; the clamping and rotating mechanism 4 includes a three-jaw chuck and a rotary ejector pin, the three-jaw chuck clamps one end of the rod, and the rotary ejector pin presses against the other end of the rod.
[0060] The laser head 2 is located on the side of the clamping and rotating mechanism 4 and can move left and right.
[0061] The air blowing device includes a first nozzle, a second nozzle, a third nozzle, and a fourth nozzle, which are respectively located at the four outer corners of the laser head;
[0062] The air blowing device 3 includes a first nozzle 311, a second nozzle 312, a third nozzle 313, and a fourth nozzle 314. The air blowing device 3 also includes a first slide block 321, a second slide block 322, a third slide block 323, and a fourth slide block 324, all of which can move back and forth. The first slide block 321, the second slide block 322, the third slide block 323, and the fourth slide block 324 are each driven to move by four cylinders. The first nozzle 311, the second nozzle 312, the third nozzle 313, and the fourth nozzle 314 are respectively located at the four outer corners of the laser head 2. The first nozzle 311 is located on the first slide block 321, the second nozzle 312 is located on the second slide block 321, the third nozzle 313 is located on the third slide block 323, and the fourth nozzle 314 is located on the fourth slide block 324.
[0063] The laser head 2 has a conical head 21 at its front end. A laser aperture for laser emission is located at the center of the front end of the conical head 21. The outer wall of the conical head 21 has a tapered surface that tapers from back to front. The first slide block 321, second slide block 322, third slide block 323, and fourth slide block 324 are normally positioned rearwards from the cylinder bar, i.e., behind the conical head. The first nozzle, second nozzle, third nozzle, and fourth nozzle can all be moved forward to the front side of the conical head or backwards to the rear side of the conical head.
[0064] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for processing a slotted sleeve, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Spiral slit ablation: The laser head emits laser light radially from the cylinder to ablate the cylinder; the laser head moves in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the cylinder, and the cylinder rotates around its central axis, with the laser ablating spiral slits on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder. The direction from one end of the cylinder to the other and parallel to the axis of the cylinder is defined as the first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as the second direction. The laser head moves along a first direction, causing the cylinder to rotate clockwise, ablating a first spiral slit on the outer circumference of the cylinder. The laser head then moves along a second direction, causing the cylinder to rotate clockwise, ablating a second spiral slit on the outer circumference of the cylinder. The laser head then moves along the first direction, causing the cylinder to rotate counter-clockwise, ablating a third spiral slit on the outer circumference of the cylinder. The laser head then moves along the second direction, causing the cylinder to rotate counter-clockwise, ablating a fourth spiral slit on the outer circumference of the cylinder. Molten slag is blown out by a blower nozzle positioned near the spiral slits and directed towards the laser-ablated areas within the slits, thus expelling the molten slag generated by the laser ablation. The nozzle can move with the laser head. The air blowing device includes a first nozzle, a second nozzle, a third nozzle, and a fourth nozzle, which are respectively located at the four outer corners of the laser head. The air blowing device also includes a first slide, a second slide, a third slide, and a fourth slide, all of which can move back and forth. The first nozzle is located on the first slide, the second nozzle is located on the second slide, the third nozzle is located on the third slide, and the fourth nozzle is located on the fourth slide. The first slide, the second slide, the third slide, and the fourth slide are normally moved back to a position where the first nozzle, the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle are far away from the cylinder. When the laser head ablates the first spiral slit on the cylinder, the first slide moves forward, bringing the first nozzle closer to the cylinder, and the first nozzle blows air. When the laser head ablates the second spiral slit on the cylinder, the second slide moves forward, bringing the second nozzle closer to the cylinder, and the second nozzle blows air. When the laser head ablates the third spiral slit on the cylinder, the third slide moves forward, bringing the third nozzle closer to the cylinder, and the third nozzle blows air. When the laser head ablates the fourth spiral slit on the cylinder, the fourth slide moves forward, bringing the fourth nozzle closer to the cylinder, and the fourth nozzle blows air. Cut the sleeve by cutting the cylinder bar.
2. The processing method of a slotted sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the spiral slit ablation step, the cylinder rotates clockwise, and the laser ablates a left spiral slit on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder. In the spiral slit ablation step, the cylinder is reversed, and the laser ablates a right spiral slit on the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder. In the spiral slit ablation step, when the center of the laser head moves to the intersection of the left and right spiral slits, the laser head stops emitting laser light. When the center of the laser head moves out of the intersection of the left and right spiral slits, the laser head emits laser light.
3. The processing method of a slotted sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser head has a cone at the front end, and a laser hole for laser emission is provided in the middle of the front end of the cone. The outer wall of the cone has a tapered surface that tapers from back to front. The first nozzle, the second nozzle, the third nozzle, and the fourth nozzle can all be moved forward to the front side of the cone or backward to the rear side of the cone.
4. The processing method of a slotted sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the cylinder rotates, the linear velocity of the cylinder surface at the position corresponding to the laser head is v1, the moving speed of the laser head is v2, and the combined speed of v1 and v2 is v3. When the laser ablates the cylinder, the nozzle is located in the opposite direction of v3.