Centered Nozzle Parting-Agent Loading for Laser-Cut Hollow Workpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laser processing of hollow workpieces, such as pipes, cutting fragments accumulate inside, making follow-up cleaning difficult, time-consuming, and costly. Conventional manual introduction of parting agents is inefficient, often leading to excessive agent usage, contamination of the laser processing machine, and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an introduction section and a centering element is used to introduce a parting agent into a hollow workpiece before or during laser processing. The centering element ensures the introduction section is centered within the workpiece, allowing for targeted and minimal parting agent application, thereby reducing contamination and maintaining machine productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If parting agent is introduced by hand using a spraying apparatus into the workpiece that has already been clamped on the laser processing machine, then the adhesion of cutting fragments can be reduced, but the laser processing machine becomes significantly contaminated and productivity is reduced due to multiple stops and protective cabin openings
Solution Approach 1:
The parting agent is introduced into the hollow workpiece before the workpiece is clamped onto the laser processing machine. This preliminary action prevents contamination of the machine while still achieving the desired reduction in cutting fragment adhesion, thereby maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The parting agent introduction process is extracted from the laser processing machine environment and performed separately at a loading station. This separation eliminates the contamination problem while maintaining the effectiveness of the parting agent application.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If far too great a quantity of parting agent is introduced to ensure sufficient coverage, then the adhesion of cutting fragments is reduced, but excess parting agent runs out of the workpiece into the laser processing machine or is extracted by suction, causing contamination and consequential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spraying apparatus is designed to deliver the parting agent locally and precisely into the hollow workpiece through a nozzle positioned at the open end. This localized application ensures sufficient coverage inside the workpiece without excessive agent running out and causing contamination.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If parting agent is introduced multiple times during the processing operation to maintain effectiveness, then the adhesion of cutting fragments is continuously reduced, but the laser processing machine must be stopped and the protective cabin opened each time, resulting in loss of productivity and increased risk of contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The parting agent is introduced in advance before the laser processing operation begins. This preliminary application eliminates the need for multiple interruptions during processing, thereby maintaining continuous productivity while still effectively reducing cutting fragment adhesion.
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 apparatus enables efficient and controlled introduction of parting agents, reducing the adhesion of cutting fragments and minimizing contamination of the laser processing machine. This results in faster, cheaper, and more efficient cleaning processes without significantly impacting the productivity of the laser processing machine.
Implementation Method 1
by using compressed air, parting agent can be sprayed uniformly and in finely atomized form onto the inside of the workpiece
Implementation Method 2
a centering element which is disposed on the introduction section and which serves for centering the introduction section within the hollow workpiece
Implementation Method 3
Through the use of parting agents, the adhesion of cutting fragments can be reduced
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for introducing a parting agent into a hollow workpiece before or during processing of the hollow workpiece by using a laser processing machine, includes an introduction section with a nozzle for dispensing the parting agent and a centering element which is disposed on the introduction section and serves for centering the introduction section within the hollow workpiece. A loading station, a system and a method are also provided.