Adjustable Light-Shielding Cover for Laser Processing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser processing machines require large, costly covers to protect the processing area, which hinder workpiece handling and are inefficient in covering only the necessary area for processing.
Innovation Solution
A compact, adjustable light-shielding cover that can transform between deployed and retracted states, allowing only the necessary area for laser processing to be covered, and can change position to facilitate easy workpiece handling, comprising a telescopic design with a window and up-and-down shutter for enhanced visibility and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover that covers an entire processing machine is provided, then light-shielding performance and dust-resistant performance are improved, but the size of the machine becomes large and workability for carrying in/out workpiece becomes worse
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be movable along the processing table in the movement direction, transforming between a state covering the entire processing area and a state that exposes portions for workpiece carrying in/out. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the cover to adapt its coverage area based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure is divided into multiple sections or panels that can be independently adjusted or opened. This segmentation allows specific areas to be exposed for workpiece handling while maintaining coverage and protection in other areas, resolving the contradiction between full protection and operational accessibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover that covers an entire processing machine is provided, then light-shielding performance is improved, but the cost becomes high due to large size
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cover design allows the light-shielding structure to be smaller overall, as it only needs to cover the processing area when needed rather than the entire machine footprint. This reduces material costs and manufacturing expenses while maintaining adequate light-shielding performance during laser processing.
3Ease of manufacture
If a compact cover is provided to cover only necessary area, then cost and size are reduced, but there are limitations to cover only necessary area without inhibiting workability
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed with movable sections that can be opened or repositioned during workpiece carrying in/out operations. This allows the cover to maintain a compact size for cost-effectiveness while providing full access when needed, resolving the contradiction between compact design and operational workability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for efficient protection of only the necessary area during laser processing while maintaining light-shielding and dust-resistant performance, reducing the weight and cost of the cover, and enabling easy workpiece handling by adjusting the cover's size and position.
Implementation Method 1
a light-shielding cover that is provided above the processing table and covers an upper surface of the processing table
Implementation Method 2
the cover is provided with a window with a light-shielding filter
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A laser processing machine (M1) includes a machine main body (10) that has a laser processing head (20), a processing table (14-15) on which a workpiece to be processed is laid; and a light-shielding cover (30,40) that is provided above the processing table, and covers an upper surface of the processing table. The cover is transformable between a deployed state and retracted state, and can adjust an area covering the upper surface of the processing table. According to the laser processing machine, it is possible to cover only a necessary area for laser processing by its compact cover without inhibiting workability for carrying in/out the workpiece.