Energy Beam Scanning With Curved Paths for Sheet Metal Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed scanning patterns with sudden changes in velocity and direction are challenging for industrial applications, particularly with high-power energy beams, as they can damage scanners and lead to process errors, reducing productivity and quality.
Innovation Solution
A method using a scanning pattern with interconnected curved segments, allowing for a larger effective spot with a two-dimensional energy distribution, which is adaptable to the object's shape and reduces stress on scanner components, enabling efficient and flexible heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If scanning patterns with sudden changes in velocity and direction are used, then productivity is improved through rapid heating, but scanner components are damaged and process errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved segment transitions instead of sharp corners in scanning patterns. The scanning path uses smoothly curved arcs to connect linear segments, eliminating sudden changes in velocity and direction. This curvature approach allows high-speed scanning without damaging scanner components, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
2Area of stationary object
If scanning patterns with sharp corners and sudden direction changes are used, then heating coverage is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to process errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sharp corners with curved segment transitions in the scanning pattern. These smooth curved transitions eliminate the sudden direction changes that cause scanner instability and process errors, thereby maintaining heating accuracy while still achieving comprehensive heating coverage through the optimized curved path geometry.
3Productivity
If high repetition rates of scanning patterns are used, then productivity is improved, but scanner damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved segment transitions that eliminate abrupt velocity and direction changes in the scanning pattern. This smooth curved path design reduces mechanical stress and dynamic loads on scanner components, enabling high repetition rate scanning without increasing damage risk, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and scanner safety.
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
This approach enables rapid and high-productivity heating with reduced risk of scanner damage and improved quality by minimizing abrupt changes in scanner movement and optimizing energy distribution, suitable for various heat treatments like surface hardening and welding.
Implementation Method 1
heating at least one selected portion of an object by projecting an energy beam, such as a light beam, onto a surface of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A method for heat treatment of an object of sheet metal, includes the step of heating at least one selected portion of the object using an energy beam. The beam is projected onto a surface of the object so as to produce a primary spot on the object, the beam being repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot on the object, the effective spot having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot is displaced in relation to the surface of the object to progressively heat the at least one selected portion of the object. The scanning pattern includes interconnected curved segments.