Water-jet guided laser processing device capable of preventing damage to wall

Abstract

The utility model provides a water-jet guided laser processing device capable of preventing damage to a wall, which comprises a water-jet guided laser processing head for coupling a laser beam with a water beam and outputting water jet for water-jet guided laser processing; the tool is used for clamping a workpiece to be machined; the quick-change base is connected with the tool, and at least one blocking generator is installed on the quick-change base in the direction facing a workpiece. When water jet is used for layer-by-layer water-guided laser processing and penetrates through the last layer of a processing area to be emitted to an opposite wall, the steady state of the water jet is blocked through a blocking signal emitted by a blocking generator, a steady-state water beam is damaged, and a laser light path is prevented from being transmitted to the opposite wall. Through the design of the water-jet-guided laser machining device, laser residual energy can be effectively attenuated, laser energy is prevented from directly acting on opposite walls in an uncontrolled penetration mode, therefore, the integrity of machined parts is protected, the defect that the opposite walls are damaged in traditional water-jet-guided laser machining is overcome, and high-precision and high-reliability water-jet-guided laser machining is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water-guided laser technology, specifically to a water-guided laser processing device that prevents damage to the wall. Background Technology

[0002] The issue of wall-to-wall damage in water-guided laser processing technology mainly refers to the unexpected impact and damage that occurs when the laser, after penetrating the workpiece material, strikes the opposite wall of the hole (the "opposite wall") during the machining of micro-hole structures with high aspect ratios. This damage is particularly significant in high-precision machining because when the laser successfully penetrates the last layer of the workpiece material, if the remaining laser energy does not decay in time, it will directly impact the opposite wall, leading to phenomena such as localized melting, thermal stress concentration, and expansion of the heat-affected zone. The resulting changes in the material's microstructure cause a decrease in the strength of the opposite wall material, affecting the integrity of the entire structure.

[0003] In high-performance aero-engine hot-end components and other demanding micro-hole structures, wall damage poses a significant risk, affecting the geometric accuracy and overall machining quality of the hole structure. More importantly, wall damage directly impacts the mechanical properties, fatigue resistance, and durability of the components. If the wall is damaged, the local properties of the material may be significantly reduced, thus affecting the service life of the component. For these critical components such as aero-engines, micro-hole machining must not only meet dimensional accuracy requirements but also ensure the stability of the hole structure under mechanical and thermal loads. Therefore, preventing wall damage is a key requirement in water-guided laser machining.

[0004] In the actual processing, if laser energy penetrates the material uncontrollably, it will inevitably cause secondary damage to the walls of the hole, including melting of the walls, deterioration of mechanical properties, and material microstructure damage caused by thermal shock. This uncontrollable energy accumulation will significantly aggravate the heat-affected zone, leading to changes in the microstructure near the hole structure, such as recrystallization, grain growth, and phase transformation, which in turn causes increased material brittleness and decreased fatigue resistance.

[0005] Therefore, in the processing of precision micro-hole structures, how to effectively avoid uncontrolled laser penetration and reduce damage to the wall has become the core technical goal for improving the processing quality and pore size consistency of micro-hole structures. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a water-guided laser processing device that prevents damage to the wall. It avoids secondary damage to the wall caused by the uncontrolled penetration of the remaining laser energy when the last layer of the processed material is penetrated, reduces or avoids thermal damage and stress concentration to the wall, prevents the expansion of the heat-affected zone, and achieves high-precision and high-reliability processing of micro-hole structures with high aspect ratio using water-guided laser.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a water-guided laser processing device for preventing wall damage is provided, comprising:

[0008] A water-guided laser processing head is used to couple a laser beam with a water beam to output a water jet for water-guided laser processing.

[0009] Tooling used for clamping workpieces to be processed;

[0010] A quick-change base connected to the tooling, wherein at least one blocking generator is mounted on the quick-change base in the direction toward the workpiece;

[0011] Wherein, the processing direction of the water jet on the workpiece is defined as the first direction, and the at least one blocking generator is oriented towards a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the blocking generator includes at least one signal generator for transmitting a blocking signal along the second direction toward the water jet and its extension direction;

[0012] Furthermore, during the process of performing layer-by-layer water-guided laser processing on the workpiece using the water jet according to the planned processing path, when the water jet penetrates the last layer of the processing area and strikes the opposite wall on the processing side of the workpiece, the blocking signal along the second direction blocks the steady state of the water jet, disrupts the steady-state water beam, and blocks the laser beam from propagating to the opposite wall.

[0013] As an optional implementation, the at least one signal generator is mounted on a quick-change base and located between two side walls of the workpiece, wherein one side wall is the processing side and the other side is the opposite wall.

[0014] The at least one signal generator emits an acoustic signal toward a position between the processing side and the opposite wall.

[0015] As an optional implementation, the at least one signal generator is mounted on a quick-change base and positioned where it docks with the tooling, the position such that the at least one signal generator is spaced apart from the inner wall on the machining side.

[0016] As an optional implementation, the amplitude of the at least one signal generator is adjustable.

[0017] As an optional implementation, the at least one signal generator is an acoustic signal generator.

[0018] As an optional implementation, the acoustic signal generator is configured to continuously emit blocking signals during the layer-by-layer processing of the workpiece using water jets.

[0019] As an optional implementation, the quick-change base is provided with holes for mating and engaging with the tooling.

[0020] As an optional implementation, the tooling is configured to clamp the workpiece from both ends.

[0021] The quick-change base is mounted on at least one end and located between the end and the tooling on the corresponding side, such that at least one blocking generator can emit a blocking signal in a second direction perpendicular to the processing direction.

[0022] Based on the above embodiments, this invention proposes a water-guided laser processing device to prevent wall damage in water-guided laser processing of parts requiring protection against wall-mounted damage. This device uses acoustic signals to disrupt the steady-state water jet, achieving precise control over energy release during the processing and optimizing the synergistic mechanism between water flow guidance and laser energy distribution. In the final stage of laser processing, the design of this invention effectively attenuates residual energy, preventing uncontrolled laser energy from directly penetrating the wall and protecting the integrity of the processed parts. This overcomes the wall-mounted damage defects inherent in traditional water-guided laser processing, achieving high-precision and high-reliability water-guided laser processing.

[0023] It should be understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and the additional concepts described in more detail below may be considered part of the utility model subject matter of this disclosure, provided that such concepts do not contradict each other. Furthermore, all combinations of the claimed subject matter are considered part of the utility model subject matter of this disclosure.

[0024] The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Other additional aspects of the present invention, such as features and / or beneficial effects of exemplary embodiments, will become apparent from the following description or may be learned through practice of specific embodiments according to the teachings of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, every identical or nearly identical component shown in each figure may be indicated by the same reference numeral. For clarity, not every component is labeled in each figure.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a water-guided laser processing device for preventing wall damage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the quick-change base and the acoustic signal generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the grooving process performed on a flat aluminum alloy plate using the water-guided laser processing device for preventing wall damage proposed in this utility model. It illustrates the processing result on the processed side aluminum plate.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the wall (the lower aluminum plate) after the flat aluminum alloy plate is grooved using the water-guided laser processing device for preventing wall damage proposed in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To better understand the technical content of this utility model, specific embodiments are provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Various aspects of the present invention are described in this disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate numerous illustrative embodiments. The embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily intended to include all aspects of the present invention. It should be understood that the various concepts and embodiments described above, as well as those described in more detail below, can be implemented in any of many ways, because the concepts and embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to any particular implementation. Furthermore, some aspects of the present invention can be used alone or in any suitable combination with other aspects disclosed herein.

[0032] {Example 1}

[0033] The water-guided laser processing device for preventing wall damage according to the embodiments of this utility model aims to disrupt the steady-state water jet by using acoustic signals as blocking signals, thereby achieving precise control of energy release during water-guided laser processing. In the final stage of laser processing, the water-guided laser processing device of this utility model is designed to effectively attenuate the remaining energy, preventing uncontrolled laser energy from penetrating directly onto the wall, thus protecting the integrity of the processed parts, making up for the defects of wall damage in traditional water-guided laser processing, and achieving high-precision and high-reliability water-guided laser processing.

[0034] Traditional water-guided laser processing technology suffers from thermal and mechanical damage to the hole walls when processing high aspect ratio microholes or precision structures because the laser continues to release energy after penetrating the material. This problem is particularly prominent in the manufacture of high-performance components. For demanding components such as hot-end parts of aero-engines, any damage to the walls can lead to localized strength weakening, compromised surface integrity, and even directly affect the component's service life and performance stability.

[0035] It should be understood that laser microjets, or water-guided lasers for short, operate on the principle that water and air are two different media with different refractive indices. By adjusting the incident angle, the laser can undergo total internal reflection within the water jet, confining its energy within a high-speed water jet. This high-speed water jet then guides the laser for processing. Therefore, through long-term research, it has been found that a stable water jet structure is a crucial prerequisite for successful and effective water-guided laser processing. To address this, this invention proposes a water-guided laser processing device that prevents damage to the processing wall. It utilizes a blocking generator to continuously emit blocking signals to disrupt the stable water flow, thereby blocking the light path propagation and interrupting processing. This achieves precise control of laser energy release during water-guided laser processing, preventing uncontrolled laser energy from penetrating the processed surface and directly impacting the processing wall, thus protecting the integrity of the part and minimizing damage to the processing wall caused by uncontrolled laser beams.

[0036] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the water-guided laser processing device for preventing wall damage according to an example of the present invention includes a water-guided laser processing head 100, a fixture 200 for clamping the workpiece to be processed, a quick-change base 300, and a blocking generator 400.

[0037] The illustration uses cylindrical part 10 as an example.

[0038] Among them, the water-guided laser processing head 100 is used to couple the laser beam with the water beam and output a water jet 101 for water-guided laser processing.

[0039] The tooling 200 allows for the selection of suitable fixtures based on the part being machined. For example, for cylindrical parts, it can be clamped from both circular end faces. It should be understood that the tooling 200 can be used in a split clamping manner, such as clamping the cylindrical part 10 from both end faces as shown in the figure.

[0040] The quick-change base 300 is specifically designed to connect with the tooling 200. The quick-change base 300 has at least one blocking generator 400 mounted in the direction facing the workpiece.

[0041] As an optional embodiment, combined with Figure 2 As shown, the quick-change base 300 is designed with holes 301 that mate with the tooling 200 to achieve mating with the tooling 200.

[0042] Wherein, the processing direction of the water jet on the workpiece is defined as the first direction, and the at least one blocking generator 400 is oriented toward a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the blocking generator includes at least one signal generator for transmitting a blocking signal along the second direction toward the water jet and its extension direction.

[0043] Therefore, during the process of performing layer-by-layer water-guided laser processing on the workpiece using the water jet according to the planned processing path, when the water jet penetrates the last layer of the processing area and strikes the opposite wall on the processing side of the workpiece, the blocking signal along the second direction blocks the steady state of the water jet, disrupts the steady-state water beam, and blocks the laser beam from propagating to the opposite wall.

[0044] Furthermore, the signal generator can be centrally controlled through a control system, such as the control system of a water-guided laser processing system, or individually controlled by a distributed control system.

[0045] The signal generator can be, in particular, an acoustic signal generator, which emits an acoustic signal as a blocking signal to interrupt the steady state of the water jet. The acoustic signal generator is mounted on a quick-change base and positioned between the two side walls of the workpiece, one side being the processing side and the other being the opposing wall.

[0046] The acoustic signal generator emits an acoustic signal toward the position between the processing side and the opposite wall.

[0047] As an optional embodiment, the frequency and / or amplitude of the acoustic signal generator can be adjusted.

[0048] As an optional embodiment, it is mounted on a quick-change base and positioned where it docks with the tooling, the position such that at least one signal generator is spaced apart from the inner wall of the machining side to reduce and avoid the impact of signal interruption on the water jet of the machining side during normal processing.

[0049] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, as an optional implementation, the tooling 200 is configured to clamp the workpiece from both ends. In contrast to the tooling design that clamps the workpiece from both ends, the quick-change base 300 is mounted on at least one end and located between the end and the tooling on the corresponding side, such that at least one blocking generator can emit a blocking signal in a second direction perpendicular to the processing direction.

[0050] As an optional embodiment, the signal generator is configured to continuously emit a blocking signal during the layer-by-layer processing of the workpiece using water jets.

[0051] As an optional embodiment, during the layer-by-layer processing of the workpiece using water jets, the processing status is monitored, and when preset conditions are met, at least one signal generator is controlled to emit a blocking signal. This reduces and avoids the impact of the blocking signal on the water jets on the processing side during the processing.

[0052] It should be understood that the aforementioned predetermined conditions may be based on monitoring of processing depth, processing time, etc. When the monitoring or prediction is about to reach the processing depth or when the processing is about to end, the blocking is activated to reduce and avoid the impact of the blocking signal on the water jet on the processing side of normal processing.

[0053] Meanwhile, the amplitude can be adjusted through testing to reduce and avoid the impact of the blocking signal on the water jet on the processing side during normal processing.

[0054] {Example 2}

[0055] Based on the above embodiments, the design of the water-guided laser processing device for preventing wall damage, and the process of performing water-guided laser processing using it, include:

[0056] Step 1: Clamp and fix the workpiece to be processed using tooling;

[0057] Step 2: Define the processing direction of the water jet in water-guided laser processing on the workpiece as the first direction, and install the blocking generator onto the tooling through the quick-change base so that the blocking generator faces the second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the blocking generator includes at least one signal generator for transmitting a blocking signal along the second direction toward the water jet in water-guided laser processing and its extension direction;

[0058] Step 3: According to the set water pressure and laser parameters for water-guided laser processing, the coupled water jet is used to perform layer-by-layer water-guided laser processing according to the planned processing path. When the water jet penetrates the last layer of the processing area and is directed toward the opposite wall, the blocking signal along the second direction blocks the steady state of the water jet, destroys the steady-state water jet, and blocks the laser beam from propagating to the opposite wall.

[0059] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the signal generator is an acoustic signal generator, configured to emit acoustic signals according to a preset amplitude and frequency, and the amplitude and frequency of the signal generator are adjustable.

[0060] In an optional embodiment, the signal generator is mounted on a quick-change base and located between two side walls of the workpiece, one side being the processing side and the other side being the opposing wall.

[0061] The at least one signal generator emits an acoustic signal toward a position between the processing side and the opposite wall.

[0062] As an optional embodiment, the at least one signal generator is mounted on a quick-change base and positioned where it docks with the tooling, the position such that the at least one signal generator is spaced apart from the inner wall on the machining side.

[0063] For example, in the processing of cylindrical parts, the parts are clamped and fixed by the two end faces. The water jet performs water-guided laser processing of the micro-pore structure from the upper arc side shell of the cylindrical part. The signal generator is installed horizontally and emits a blocking signal in the direction of the water jet. When the water jet penetrates the upper arc side shell (the last layer to be processed), the blocking signal disrupts the steady state, blocking the laser beam path and the transmission of energy to the opposite wall (i.e., the other side plate), thereby achieving the purpose of precisely controlling the water-guided laser capability and reducing damage to the opposite wall.

[0064] For the processing of flat parts, the side ends of the two side plates can be clamped and fixed, with a certain gap between the two side plates. The water jet starts from one side plate of the flat part to perform water-guided laser processing of the micro-hole structure. The signal generator emits a blocking signal into the gap between the two side plates. When the water jet penetrates one side plate, the blocking signal disrupts the steady state, blocking the laser light path and the transmission of energy to the opposite wall (i.e., the other side plate), thereby achieving the purpose of precisely controlling the water-guided laser capability and reducing damage to the opposite wall.

[0065] As an optional embodiment, the interference of the water jet on the layer-by-layer processing of the workpiece can be reduced by adjusting the amplitude of the at least one signal generator.

[0066] As an optional embodiment, the signal generator is configured to continuously emit a blocking signal during the layer-by-layer processing of the workpiece using water jets.

[0067] As another optional embodiment, during the layer-by-layer processing of the workpiece using water jets, the processing status is monitored, and when a preset condition is met, the at least one signal generator is controlled to emit a blocking signal.

[0068] {Example 3}

[0069] Combination Figure 3 , Figure 4 The image illustrates an example of water-guided machining of a flat aluminum alloy part. Utilizing the design proposed in this invention, the flat aluminum alloy part consists of two stacked aluminum plates with a certain space in between. An acoustic signal generator is mounted on the side and emits an acoustic blocking signal into the gap between the two aluminum plates. The upper aluminum plate is then machined using a water-guided laser machine tool. Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, after grooving the upper aluminum plate, acoustic blocking is implemented according to the design of this utility model to disrupt the steady state of the water jet, thereby reducing and avoiding damage to the lower aluminum plate after the laser penetrates the upper aluminum plate. Figure 4 As shown, after the upper aluminum plate is grooved, the lower layer has no scratches or defects, which protects the wall and thus protects the integrity of the processed parts.

[0070] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention shall be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A water-guided laser processing device for preventing wall damage, characterized in that, The application relates to a water guide laser processing head (100) for coupling a laser beam with a water beam and outputting a water jet for water guide laser processing; a tooling (200) for clamping a workpiece to be processed; a quick-change base (300) connected with the tooling (200), wherein at least one blocking generator (400) is arranged on the quick-change base (300) in a direction towards the workpiece; wherein the processing direction of the water jet to the workpiece is defined as a first direction, and the at least one blocking generator (400) is arranged to emit a blocking signal along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the blocking generator comprises at least one signal generator for emitting the blocking signal along the second direction to the water jet and the extension direction of the water jet; and during the layer-by-layer water guide laser processing of the workpiece by using the water jet along a planned processing path, when the water jet penetrates the last layer of the processing area and is directed to the opposite wall of the workpiece, the steady state of the water jet is blocked by the blocking signal along the second direction, the steady state water beam is destroyed, and the laser light path is blocked from propagating to the opposite wall. The at least one signal generator is arranged on the quick-change base and located between the two side walls of the workpiece, one of which is the processing side and the other is the opposite wall. The at least one signal generator emits the blocking signal towards the position between the processing side and the opposite wall. The at least one signal generator is arranged on the quick-change base and located at the position where the quick-change base is connected with the tooling, and the position is such that a certain interval is maintained between the at least one signal generator and the inner wall of the processing side. The amplitude of the at least one signal generator is adjustable. The at least one signal generator is an acoustic signal generator.

2. The water-jet laser processing apparatus for preventing damage to a wall according to claim 1, wherein The acoustic signal generator is arranged to continuously emit the blocking signal during the layer-by-layer processing of the workpiece by using the water jet. The quick-change base (300) is provided with a hole position (301) matched with the tooling.

3. The water-jet laser processing apparatus for preventing damage to a wall according to claim 1, wherein The tooling (200) is arranged to clamp the workpiece from the two side ends of the workpiece.

4. The water-jet laser processing apparatus for preventing damage to a wall according to claim 1, wherein The quick-change base (300) is arranged at the at least one side end and located between the end and the tooling (200) of the corresponding side, so that the at least one blocking generator (400) can emit the blocking signal towards the second direction perpendicular to the processing direction.

5. The water-jet laser processing apparatus for preventing damage to a wall according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by ​ 6. The water-jet laser processing apparatus for preventing damage to a wall according to claim 5, wherein ​ 7. The water-jet laser processing apparatus for preventing damage to a wall according to claim 1, wherein ​ 8. The water-jet laser processing apparatus for preventing damage to a wall according to claim 1, wherein ​ ​

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