Method for surface treatment of a cylindrical component

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for surface treatment of a cylindrical component (14), wherein a conical laser beam (18) is generated by a laser device (12) (S10), the apex of which points towards the cylindrical component (14), wherein a conical axis of the conical laser beam (18) is aligned with a vertical axis of the cylindrical component (14), wherein the conical laser beam (18) and the cylindrical component (14) are moved relative to each other along the aligned axes (S12, S14), such that at least one lateral surface of the cylindrical component (14) is treated by the conical laser beam (18) striking the lateral surface in an annular (20) manner during the movement, wherein the surface of the cylindrical component (14) is cleaned in a forward direction and structured in a reverse direction of the movement, or wherein several cylindrical components (14, 22,24) are arranged one after the other on a component carrier (16), and the processing direction of the laser device (12) is changed along the height axis between subsequent cylindrical components (14, 22, 24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the surface treatment of a cylindrical component.

[0002] Component surfaces can be cleaned using a laser beam. This can be achieved by moving the component surfaces relative to the beam and / or by moving the beam relative to the component surfaces to be cleaned. However, reorienting the laser beam can result in varying degrees of cleaning due to overlaps, or areas may be partially missed by the laser beam, leaving contaminated areas.

[0003] From DE 10 2019 200 189 A1 a laser beam cleaning nozzle for cleaning a surface of a workpiece is known, comprising a housing and a laser beam emitted by a beam source and passing through the housing along a longitudinal direction, wherein the housing forms an opening at an end opposite the beam source for the laser beam to exit onto the surface of the workpiece.

[0004] From DE 10 2021 001 770 A1 a material processing device for use in laser processing is known, wherein the material processing device has a laser beam manipulation device and a material feed device, wherein the laser beam manipulation device is configured to provide a hollow profile laser beam with a predetermined hollow profile having a hollow profile axis, wherein the material feed device is configured to guide a material to be processed in a feed direction along the hollow profile axis through the hollow profile laser beam.

[0005] From DE 101 08 958 A1 a device for producing a syringe for medical purposes having a syringe body made of glass and a cannula is known, comprising a laser beam generating device with a laser resonator for generating a laser beam, a beam shaping and / or directing device and a receiving device for holding and positioning the syringe body.

[0006] DE 10 2015 013 744 A1 discloses a welding device for welding functional elements to a component of a motor vehicle, comprising a feed device by means of which the respective functional element can be arranged on the component in a position that allows welding. Using at least one laser beam of the welding device, a weld seam connecting the functional element to the component can be created in at least a portion of a circumference of the respective functional element. The feed device is coaxial with a closed curve defined by the circumference of the respective functional element.

[0007] From DE 10 2022 105 499 A1 a laser apparatus for comminuting water-containing stones in body cavities is known, comprising a laser which emits laser light with a mean light propagation direction at a light output location, an application fiber for applying the laser light with a light entry cross-section running transversely to a fiber axis and a focusing optic which couples a portion of the laser light emitted by the laser connected to the laser connection at the light output location through its light entry cross-section into the application fiber connected to the fiber connection and for this purpose focuses it into the light entry cross-section with a full convergence angle of not more than 2°.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide an improved treatment of a surface for a component, in particular a cylindrical component.

[0009] This problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments are disclosed in the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for the surface treatment of a cylindrical component, wherein a conical laser beam is generated by a laser device, in which the conical tip points in the direction of the cylindrical component, wherein a conical axis of the conical laser beam is brought into register with a height axis of the cylindrical component, wherein the conical laser beam and the cylindrical component are moved relative to one another along the registered axes, so that at least one lateral surface of the cylindrical component is treated by the conical laser beam striking the lateral surface in a ring shape during the movement.

[0011] In other words, the conical laser beam generated by the laser device can be aligned with a cone tip onto the height axis of the cylindrical component, so that when the conical laser beam moves along the height axis and strikes the cylindrical component, it is expanded such that the laser beam strikes at least the outer surface of the cylindrical component in a ring shape. When moved over the entire length of the cylindrical component, at least the outer surface can thus be machined or treated. A base surface of the cone can have at least a diameter of a top surface of the cylindrical component, preferably a larger diameter, so that the annular region of the laser beam striking the component encloses the outer surface. Treatment of the surface can, for example, be cleaning using the laser beam.Alternatively or additionally, the surface can also be structured using the laser beam.

[0012] The movement can be achieved either by moving the laser device or the laser beam over the component and / or by moving the component relative to the laser device. The cylindrical component can, in particular, have a metallic surface and be, for example, a round battery cell.

[0013] The laser device can preferably have processing optics for providing the laser beam in a conical shape, and / or a plurality of lasers can be provided, which are arranged such that they collectively provide a conical laser beam. The conical laser beam can preferably have an aperture angle between 10 degrees and 80 degrees, which is preferably adjustable depending on the diameter of the cylindrical component.

[0014] It is particularly advantageous for the cylindrical component to be cleaned and / or structured by the laser beam. In particular, it is possible to switch between cleaning and structuring the component surface by modulating the power of the laser device.

[0015] According to the invention, the cylindrical component is cleaned during one direction of movement and structured during a reverse movement. This means that the cylindrical component can be traversed twice, with the component surface being cleaned during the first traverse, followed by a change in processing direction, and structuring of the component during the reverse movement. This two-stage process saves time because no reorientation of the component is necessary.

[0016] The invention provides the advantage that a homogeneous cleaning and / or structuring of component surfaces of the cylindrical component can be provided, in particular with only one pass, which can additionally save time.

[0017] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for the surface treatment of a plurality of cylindrical components, wherein a conical laser beam is generated by a laser device, in which the conical tip points in the direction of one of the cylindrical components, wherein a conical axis of the conical laser beam is brought into register with a height axis of the cylindrical component, wherein the conical laser beam and the cylindrical component are moved relative to one another along the registered axes, so that at least one lateral surface of the cylindrical component is treated by the conical laser beam striking the lateral surface in a ring shape during the movement, several of the plurality of cylindrical components are arranged one behind the other on a component carrier, wherein a processing direction is changed between subsequent components.The component carrier and / or the laser device can, for example, be moved in such a way that the cylindrical components arranged one behind the other can be brought into a processing position for the laser beam. This allows the components to be treated one after the other by the laser beam. The processing direction is changed for each subsequent component. This means, for example, that for a first component, the laser beam is moved from top to bottom, then the next component is aligned with the laser beam, and this component is irradiated from bottom to top. A reverse processing sequence is also possible.This aspect results in the advantage that the positioning of the laser beam does not have to be adjusted for subsequent components, which can increase the speed of surface treatment of several cylindrical components.

[0018] One embodiment provides that a top surface of the cylindrical component, which faces in the direction of the laser device, is also treated by the laser beam. In other words, in addition to the outer surface of the cylindrical component, the top surface facing the laser device can also be treated. The conical tip of the conical laser beam can hit the center of the top surface or upper side, wherein the laser beam, as it moves towards the component, is widened in a ring from the center to the edges of the top surface until it hits the outer surface. Movement in the reverse direction is also possible, so that the laser beam converges from the outer surface to the center of the top surface. Preferably, the top surface and then the outer surface, or first the outer surface and then the top surface, can be traversed in a continuous movement.This also saves time when processing the cylindrical component.

[0019] Preferably, the speed of movement on the cover surface is higher than on the lateral surface. This means that the movement can be performed at different speeds, with the speed being higher on the cover surface than on the lateral surface. In particular, the conical laser beam is less expanded on the cover surface than on the lateral surface, resulting in a higher power density. Therefore, the cover surface can be traversed more quickly.

[0020] A further embodiment provides for the intensity of the laser beam to be adjusted depending on the diameter of the cylindrical component. In particular, the intensity can be increased with increasing component diameter. Thus, the power density can be kept constant, thereby providing a homogeneous treatment.

[0021] Another embodiment provides for the laser device to comprise a continuous-wave laser or a pulsed laser. For a continuous-wave laser, the power can range, for example, from five watts to 1750 watts, and for a pulsed laser, the average power can range from five watts to 2500 watts.

[0022] A further embodiment provides that the laser device has optical fibers arranged to provide the conical laser beam. In other words, optical fibers can be arranged such that they radiate the laser beam toward a focal point, so that the conical laser beam can be provided. Alternatively, processing optics can also be provided, for example, a collimator that expands the beam, with a subsequent converging lens refocusing the expanded laser beam and thus providing the conical laser beam.

[0023] Furthermore, a processing device for the surface treatment of a cylindrical component can be provided, comprising a laser device which is designed to generate a conical laser beam such that a cone tip is aligned in the direction of a cylindrical component, wherein a conical axis of the conical light beam is aligned with a height axis of the cylindrical component, wherein the processing device is designed to move the conical laser beam and the cylindrical component relative to one another along the aligned axes such that at least one lateral surface of the cylindrical component can be treated during the movement by the conical laser beam striking the lateral surface in an annular manner. This results in the same advantages and design options as with the method.

[0024] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawing(s). The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] Showing: Fig. 1 a machining device for the surface treatment of a cylindrical component Fig. 2 an example movement sequence for several cylindrical components.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematically illustrated processing device 10 for surface treatment of a cylindrical component 14 using a laser device 12. The cylindrical component 14 can, for example, be a round battery cell arranged on a component carrier 16 of the processing device 10 and aligned for irradiation with the laser device 12.

[0027] The laser device 12 can be configured to emit a conical laser beam 18. For example, the laser device 12 can comprise optical fibers and / or processing optics, such as an array of lenses, to generate the conical laser beam 18.

[0028] In order to treat the cylindrical component 14, in particular to clean and / or structure it, in a step S10, a height axis of the component 14, which centrally connects the two cover surfaces of the cylindrical component 14, can first be brought into alignment with a cone axis of the conical laser beam 18, so that a cone tip points centrally onto the cover surface of the cylindrical component 14.

[0029] Subsequently, in a step S12, the conical laser beam 18 can be moved along the height axis of the cylindrical component 14, such that when the laser beam 18 strikes the cylindrical component 14, in particular the top surface of the cylindrical component 14, an annular region 20 of the laser beam 18 is created on the component 14, which, upon further movement, spreads from the direction of the center to the edges of the top surface. This means that the component 14 is cleaned and / or structured on the surfaces scanned by the annular region 20. Switching between cleaning and structuring can be performed, for example, by adjusting the laser power.

[0030] After treating the top surface of the cylindrical component 14, in a step S14, a lateral surface of the cylindrical component 14 can be treated by further moving the laser beam along the height axis, wherein the annular region 20 can scan the lateral surface homogeneously due to the conical shape of the laser beam 18. Preferably, it can be provided that, for the lateral surface, an intensity of the laser beam 18 is adjusted as a function of a component diameter of the cylindrical component 14 and / or that a speed of movement is adjusted. Preferably, a speed of movement for the top surface can be higher than for the lateral surface in order to provide a homogeneous irradiation power.

[0031] An opening angle ε can also be adjusted depending on the component diameter of the cylindrical component 14, wherein the opening angle can be set, for example, in a range between 10 degrees and 80 degrees.

[0032] The laser device 12 can be configured to generate the conical laser beam 18 either as a continuous-wave laser or as a pulsed laser. Preferably, the laser power for a continuous-wave laser can be between five watts and 1750 watts, and for a pulsed laser, the average power can be between five watts and 2500 watts.

[0033] In this example, a direction of movement from top to bottom is shown, although a reverse direction is also possible. Particularly preferably, it can also be provided that the surface of the component is cleaned in one direction and then the surface of the component 14 is structured in a reverse direction. For example, after step S14, a processing direction can be changed and a laser power can be increased to structure the component 14. Furthermore, it can be provided that, instead of the laser beam 18, the component 14 or the component carrier 16 moves and the laser device 12 is stationary.

[0034] In Fig.Figure 2 shows an exemplary movement sequence for several cylindrical components 14, 22, 24 arranged one behind the other on the component carrier 16. For example, the first cylindrical component 14 can be treated by the laser beam 18 from top to bottom, as indicated by the solid arrow. The laser 18 can then be aligned with the next cylindrical component 22, with the laser device 12 preferably deactivated for this purpose (dashed arrow). The realignment can be performed, for example, by horizontally moving the component carrier 16 and / or by horizontally moving the laser device 12.

[0035] The laser can then be reactivated on the second component 22, whereby the processing direction on the second component 22 can be from bottom to top.

[0036] The laser device 12 can then be deactivated again and aligned to the next cylindrical component 24, where treatment can again take place from top to bottom. This pattern can then be continued for additional components.

[0037] The examples show how cylindrical components 14, 22, 24 can be cleaned by shaping the laser beam 18 into a cone and moving this cone along the longitudinal axis (vertical axis) of the components (z-axis) with only a linear movement. Moving the beam cone enables homogeneous cleaning of the component surfaces with only one pass, with a base or a top surface and a lateral surface preferably being passed over at different speeds. The base or top surface is cleaned by widening the annular beam (annular region 20) from the inside out during a descent from top to bottom, and the lateral surface is cleaned homogeneously all around from top to bottom or vice versa along the z-axis.With an increasing component diameter, the intensity of the laser beam 18 may decrease due to the larger beam area, so that the laser power is preferably increased to achieve a comparable intensity. Particularly preferably, the beam cone can be moved one after the other over several components 14, 22, 24 arranged on a component carrier 16, or individual components can be moved through the beam cone. In addition to cleaning, the surface can also be structured by adjusting the laser parameters. For example, in a two-stage process, the surface can be cleaned in one pass and structured in the return movement.

[0038] Thus, homogeneous cleaning and structuring of component surfaces, such as a base and a lateral surface, can be carried out in a single process sequence, resulting in fast processing times and short cycle times. Particularly preferably, cleaning and / or structuring can be provided for all material surfaces, whereby this is particularly suitable for metallic surfaces. In particular, the cleaning of cylindrical components, where exactly a base surface and a complete lateral surface are to be machined, can be provided, for example for cylindrical battery cells. This allows for very good surface preparation for joining processes such as gluing and welding, as well as for layer application such as painting, coating, phosphating, and others. Flexibility compared to a component knife can also be provided by adapting the conical shape of the laser beam 18.

[0039] Overall, the examples show how a tool and method for surface treatment of cylindrical components 14 can be provided. List of reference symbols 10 Processing device 12 Laser device 14 component 16 component carriers 18 laser beam 20 Annular area 22 Component 24 components

Claims

[1] Method for the surface treatment of a cylindrical component (14), wherein a conical laser beam (18) is generated by a laser device (12) (S10), wherein a conical tip points in the direction of the cylindrical component (14), wherein a conical axis of the conical laser beam (18) is brought into register with a height axis of the cylindrical component (14), wherein the conical laser beam (18) and the cylindrical component (14) are moved relative to one another along the registered axes (S12, S14), so that at least one lateral surface of the cylindrical component (14) is treated by the conical laser beam (18) striking the lateral surface in a ring shape (20) during the movement, wherein the surface of the cylindrical component (14) is cleaned during a direction of movement and structured during a direction of return of the movement. [2] Method for the surface treatment of a plurality of cylindrical components (14, 22, 24), wherein a conical laser beam (18) is generated by a laser device (12) (S10), in which a conical tip points in the direction of one of the cylindrical components (14, 22, 24), wherein a conical axis of the conical laser beam (18) is brought into register with a height axis of the cylindrical component (14, 22, 24), wherein the conical laser beam (18) and the cylindrical component (14, 22, 24) are moved relative to one another along the registered axes (S12, S14), so that at least one lateral surface of the cylindrical component (14, 22, 24) is treated by the conical laser beam (18) striking the lateral surface in a ring shape (20) during the movement, wherein the plurality of cylindrical components (14, 22, 24) are arranged one behind the other on a component carrier (16),wherein a processing direction of the laser device (12) is changed along the height axis between subsequent cylindrical components (14, 22, 24). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a top surface of the cylindrical component (14) facing in the direction of the laser device (12) is further treated by the laser beam (S12). [4] Method according to claim 3, wherein a speed of movement at the cover surface is higher than that of the lateral surface. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an intensity of the laser beam (18) is adjusted depending on a component diameter of the cylindrical component (14). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser device (12) comprises a continuous wave laser or a pulsed laser. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser device (12) comprises optical waveguides arranged to provide the conical laser beam (18).

Images