Double Laser Nozzle Assembly With Self-Aligning Conical Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser cutting systems face alignment challenges, particularly with double nozzles, which require precise manufacturing and installation to ensure proper functioning, leading to complex and time-consuming processes with high potential for misalignment and machine downtime.
Innovation Solution
The design of a double nozzle configuration with reduced interface surfaces, featuring a conical interference interface and multiple fluid flow paths, simplifies alignment and installation by minimizing opportunities for misalignment and improving manufacturing tolerances, allowing for more uniform gas flow and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double nozzle configuration is used to create separate central and coaxial gas flows, then cutting performance is improved, but alignment complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alignment functions of multiple surfaces into a single conical interference interface between the inner and outer nozzle bodies. This single interface simultaneously aligns the central bore, coaxial bore, and laser beam axis, eliminating the need for multiple separate alignment surfaces and their associated precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical interference interface acts as an intermediary mechanism that passively self-aligns the inner nozzle body with the outer nozzle body. The conical geometry provides mechanical guidance that automatically centers the components during assembly, reducing reliance on high-precision manufacturing of multiple mating surfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interface surfaces are used in double nozzle assembly, then component functionality is maintained, but alignment opportunities for error increase and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple alignment surfaces are merged into a single conical interference interface that performs all alignment functions simultaneously. This reduces the number of interfaces from multiple separate surfaces to one integrated interface, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining all necessary functional alignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is segmented into inner and outer bodies that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The conical interference interface enables these segmented components to self-align during assembly, reducing the complexity associated with manufacturing and assembling multiple precision surfaces while maintaining component functionality.
3Ease of operation
If conventional double nozzle assembly procedures are used, then component installation is possible, but machine downtime and technician expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conical interference interface enables self-aligning assembly, where the geometry of the interface automatically guides the inner nozzle body into correct alignment with the outer nozzle body during installation. This self-service alignment mechanism eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures, specialized tools, or extensive technician expertise, thereby reducing installation time and machine downtime.
4Measurement precision
If high manufacturing precision is required for multiple alignment surfaces, then alignment accuracy is improved, but production cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple high-precision alignment surfaces are merged into a single conical interference interface. This consolidation reduces the total amount of precision machining required, as one interface performs the alignment function that previously required multiple surfaces, thereby easing manufacturing while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical interference interface uses a curved conical surface instead of flat mating surfaces. This curved geometry provides mechanical guidance and self-aligning characteristics during assembly, reducing the need for extremely tight tolerances on multiple surfaces while maintaining alignment accuracy. The conical shape naturally guides components into correct alignment during assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A double nozzle for a laser processing head includes an inner body portion having an interior surface defining a bore for passing a laser beam, a first interface surface near a distal end of the inner body portion, the first interface surface including a plurality of channels, and an exterior surface near a proximal end of the inner body portion and shaped to engage the laser processing head. Each channel includes interior and exterior linear edges in a cross-section that passes though a central longitudinal axis of the double nozzle. The double nozzle also includes an outer body portion connected to the inner body portion. The outer body portion defines a jet surface, which together with the plurality of channels defines a corresponding plurality of auxiliary fluid flow paths about the bore and between the inner body portion and the outer body portion.