Foldable Laser Cutter With Pivot Frame and Fume Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser cutting machines are large, cumbersome, and difficult to transport, requiring ventilation and enclosing the work material, which limits their portability and versatility for cutting various sizes and types of materials, while also posing risks for users due to fume inhalation and eye damage.

Innovation Solution

A foldable laser cutting machine with a pivot mechanism allowing the upper body to rotate 90 degrees relative to the lower body, integrated fume filtration, and a detachable cutting mat that can be folded for compact storage, enabling the machine to be transported and used on large surfaces without enclosures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional laser cutting machines use large enclosed housings with ventilation systems, then cutting precision and safety are improved, but portability and ease of transport deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidmachine size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional enclosed housing and ventilation system from the laser cutting machine, extracting these components entirely. The laser module is mounted on a movable carriage that operates in open space, eliminating the need for large enclosures while maintaining cutting precision through the controlled motion system and assist gas delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic motion control where the laser module moves along the X-axis on a carriage that can be positioned at different locations. This dynamic positioning system replaces the static enclosed structure, allowing the machine to maintain precision through active control rather than physical enclosures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional laser cutters require material to be held flat against a cutting surface, then cutting quality is improved, but adaptability to different material sizes and types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut qualityVSAvoidmaterial size flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces assist gas as an intermediary medium that delivers cutting effluent away from the cut zone. This allows the laser to cut materials of various sizes and types without requiring them to be held flat against a surface, as the gas flow manages the byproducts of cutting regardless of material configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable carriage system allows the laser to dynamically position itself relative to the material, enabling cutting of large or irregularly shaped materials that cannot be held flat. The system adapts its position and motion pattern based on the material being cut.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional laser cutters use enclosed housings, then user safety is improved, but portability and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser safetyVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the ventilation and enclosure systems entirely, replacing them with a focused assist gas delivery system that manages fumes locally at the cut zone. This eliminates the need for large enclosures while maintaining safety through targeted fume extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pneumatic assist gas delivery to manage cutting effluent and improve safety. The gas flow system delivers and removes fumes at the source, providing safety without requiring enclosed housings, thereby maintaining portability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution provides a compact, portable, and safe laser cutting machine that can handle large surfaces, reduces fume exposure, and allows for precise cutting without the need for extensive ventilation, enhancing usability in non-industrial settings.

Implementation Method 1

Laser cutting works by directing the output energy of a laser toward material to be cut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The focused laser beam is directed at the material, which then either melts, burns, or vaporizes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 3

if necessary is blown away by a jet of gas, leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas jet: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP3852966B1Portable laser cutter
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 RENDYR INC
  • EP3852966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3852966B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3852966B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A CNC machine includes a lower body; an upper body that extends from the lower body and is movably attached to the lower body; a tool that is movably attached to the upper body; and a flexible mat that is attached to the lower body. The tool may be a laser generator with the flexible mat resistant to the laser beam. The flexible mat has at least one orientation such that an outer periphery of the flexible mat is greater than the full extent of range of motion of the tool. The upper body may be connected to the lower body by a pivot mechanism configured to allow the upper body to pivot from a first position to a second position and to rotationally fix the upper body relative to the lower body in the second position, with the first and second positions being ninety degrees apart.