Camera-Guided Laser Processing for Direct Line Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser processing apparatuses require multiple manual operations for DIY production, involving drawing lines on paper, scanning, and setting processing modes in software, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A control method and device that captures images of the to-be-processed material using a camera, identifies processing lines based on drawn lines, and performs laser processing according to the identified lines, reducing manual operations by directly processing the material based on user-drawn lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operations are used for laser processing control (drawing lines on paper, scanning, setting processing modes in software), then the laser processing apparatus can process materials, but the operation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation processVSAvoidtime for manual operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the laser processing apparatus to automatically capture images of drawn lines on materials, automatically identify and recognize these lines through image processing algorithms, and automatically generate processing paths without requiring manual intervention for scanning, software configuration, or path planning. This self-service automation directly eliminates the manual operations mentioned in the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual operations (hand-drawing on paper, physical scanning processes, manual software configuration) with an automated optical and computational system. The camera-based image capture and automated image processing algorithms substitute for the mechanical scanning and manual software operations, transforming a manual mechanical process into an automated optical-computational process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple manual operations are required for laser processing, then the processing can be controlled precisely, but the productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a continuous automated workflow where the camera continuously captures images of the drawn lines, the image processing algorithm continuously identifies and processes the line data, and the laser processing continuously executes along the identified paths. This continuous automated action eliminates the interruptions and transitions between separate manual operations, maintaining both precision through consistent processing and productivity through uninterrupted operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the drawn lines through image capture and processing, generating a virtual representation of the design that can be precisely analyzed and processed. This copying approach allows the system to accurately replicate the intended design from the drawn lines while eliminating the need for repeated manual measurements and adjustments, thereby maintaining precision while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Significantly reduces manual operations by allowing the laser processing apparatus to automatically recognize and process lines drawn on the material, streamlining the production process and enhancing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

An image of a to-be-processed material is captured via a camera mounted on a laser processing apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

Laser processing is performed on the to-be-processed material according to the processing lines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3858535B1Laser processing control method and apparatus, and laser processing device and readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 MAKEBLOCK CO LTD
  • EP3858535B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3858535B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3858535B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A control method of laser processing is provided. The control method of laser processing includes the following. An image of a to-be-processed material is captured via a camera mounted on a laser processing apparatus, where the captured image is used for depicting the to-be-processed material and lines drawn on the to-be-processed material. Processing lines of the to-be-processed material are identified according to the drawn lines in the captured image. Laser processing is performed on the to-be-processed material according to the processing lines, to obtain a laser product corresponding to the drawn lines. In addition, a control device of laser processing, a laser processing apparatus, and a computer readable storage medium are further provided. With aid of the method, the laser processing apparatus is controlled to directly process the to-be-processed material according to the lines drawn by a user on a surface of the to-be-processed material, which greatly reduces manual operations required in the laser processing process, thereby solving the problem that various manual operations are required in the related art.