Elliptical Laser Beam Wobbling for Uniform Processing Line Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser processing techniques using semiconductor laser diodes face challenges in maintaining consistent processing line widths due to variations in scanning direction, leading to inconsistencies in welding and other processes.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing apparatus and method that employs a light source, a laser head with a wobbling mechanism to form an elliptical laser beam spot, and a control device to control the wobbling frequencies, where the wobble frequency along the major axis is higher than along the minor axis, ensuring consistent processing line widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a laser beam is scanned across a target object to perform processing, then processing speed and productivity are improved, but differences in processing line width occur depending on scanning direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies wobbling (vibration) to the laser beam spot in both the major axis and minor axis directions. By superimposing these vibrations during scanning, the laser energy is distributed more uniformly across the processing line, eliminating the directional dependence of line width while maintaining high scanning speed for improved productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the laser beam spot is wobbled to reduce processing line width differences, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the wobbling amplitudes and frequencies in the major and minor axis directions by adjusting operational parameters. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves uniform energy distribution and consistent processing line width without requiring complex hardware modifications, thus improving precision while limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 reduces differences in processing line widths associated with scanning direction, enabling more precise welding and other processes like cutting and punching by maintaining uniform optical energy distribution across the target object.
Implementation Method 1
a laser head having a lens and being configured to converge through the lens a laser beam emitted from the light source device
Implementation Method 2
a wobbling mechanism configured to wobble a laser beam spot formed on the target object
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing apparatus includes: a light source device configured to emit a laser beam; a laser head having a lens and being configured to converge through the lens a laser beam emitted from the light source device and to irradiate a target object with the converged laser beam; a wobbling mechanism configured to wobble a laser beam spot formed on the target object, the laser beam spot having an elliptical shape with a major axis and a minor axis; and a control device configured to control the wobbling mechanism under a wobble mode in which a first wobble frequency along the major axis direction of the laser beam spot is higher than a second wobble frequency along the minor axis direction of the laser beam spot.