Electrostatic Workpiece Holding for Clamp-Free Laser Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for holding parts during laser machining or welding, especially for flexible or small parts, face challenges in ensuring accurate positioning and preventing damage due to the use of clamping tools, which can impair the quality of the process and result in inhomogeneous welds.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing electrostatic charges to hold parts in position by generating charges on the workpiece top surface and forming opposite charges on the conductive support, allowing for precise and non-contact machining or welding without mechanical compression, enabling accurate and homogeneous processing over the entire surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical clamping jaws are used to hold parts during laser machining or welding, then the parts are securely held in position, but the parts may be damaged and the quality of machining or welding is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical clamping system with an electrostatic holding system. Instead of using physical clamping jaws that contact and potentially damage the workpiece, the invention uses electrostatic charges generated on the workpiece surface and corresponding opposite charges on a conductive support to create an attractive force that holds the part in position without mechanical contact, thus preventing part damage while maintaining holding accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrostatic fields as an intermediary between the workpiece and the support structure. The electrostatic charge generating device creates charges on the workpiece, and the conductive support forms opposite charges, creating an electrostatic attraction field that mediates the holding function without direct mechanical contact, thereby avoiding damage to the workpiece
2Reliability
If transparent compression means are used to hold parts for laser welding, then contact between parts is improved, but laser power dosage and beam positioning precision are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces transparent compression means with an electrostatic holding system. Instead of using physical compression plates or rollers that can interfere with laser beam transmission and positioning, the invention uses electrostatic attraction between charged surfaces to hold the workpiece, allowing the laser beam to pass through without obstruction while maintaining both contact quality and beam positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the compression function from the physical contact system and replaces it with electrostatic attraction. By removing the need for transparent compression means, the system eliminates the interference these components cause to laser beam transmission and positioning, while still achieving the necessary contact quality for welding
3Reliability
If pressurisation systems are used to hold parts, then contact between parts is ensured, but weld quality is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressurisation systems with electrostatic attraction. Instead of using pistons or mechanical pressure devices that can deform parts or create uneven contact affecting weld quality, the invention uses controlled electrostatic charges to provide uniform, contactless holding force that ensures part contact without compromising weld precision and quality
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 ensures precise and damage-free holding of parts, allowing for high-quality laser machining and welding with improved weld homogeneity and control, particularly suitable for flexible and small parts, and microfluidic applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrostatic charge generating device for generating electrostatic charges on said workpiece top surface; an electrically conductive support for forming on the workpiece bottom surface electrostatic charges of opposite signs to those generated by said electrostatic charge generating device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for holding a workpiece in position and exposing it to laser radiation, such that: the workpiece includes a bottom surface and a top surface that are electrically insulated from each other. The system includes an electrostatic charge generating device for generating electrostatic charges on the top surface; an electrically conductive support for forming, on the bottom surface, electrostatic charges of opposite sign to those generated on the top surface; and a laser device for machining or welding. The electrostatic charge generating device is arranged to be activated before or during the laser machining or welding, such that the workpiece is held in position relative to the electrically conductive support during the machining or welding thereof.