Galvano Scanner Laser Cutting for Precise Beam Vibration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Laser machining apparatuses face challenges in vibrating or displacing laser beams with high precision, which is crucial for producing products with predetermined shapes in sheet metal cutting.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a galvano scanner unit with scanning mirrors and drive sections controlled by an NC device to vibrate or displace the laser beam in predetermined patterns, allowing for precise control of the beam's vibration or displacement with control periods as short as 10 µs, enabling high-precision cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a laser beam is vibrated in a predetermined vibration pattern with high precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise vibration control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration precisionVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical vibration mechanisms with an optical system using a galvano scanner unit that deflects the laser beam using scanning mirrors. This substitution achieves precise beam vibration control without complex mechanical moving parts, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a galvano scanner unit as an intermediary device between the laser source and the workpiece. This intermediary uses electromagnetic fields to control mirror positions, enabling precise laser beam vibration control while avoiding direct mechanical coupling and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the laser beam is displaced to the front side from the center of the nozzle opening with high precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam displacement precisionVSAvoidcontrol difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the NC device monitors and adjusts the galvano scanner unit's mirror positions in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of laser beam displacement by continuously correcting for deviations, reducing control difficulty while maintaining high manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical positioning of the laser beam with electromagnetic control of scanning mirrors. This substitution enables more precise and easier control of beam displacement compared to mechanical systems, as electromagnetic actuators offer finer control resolution and faster response times

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution allows for precise cutting of sheet metals with various vibration patterns, improving the accuracy and precision of the cutting process, especially when handling complex shapes and edges.

Implementation Method 1

a galvano scanner unit (32) with scanning mirrors and drive sections controlled by an NC device to vibrate or displace the laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanometer: Galvanometer

Implementation Method 2

a laser oscillator 10 that generates and emits a laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 3

a focusing lens 34 that focuses the laser beam reflected by the bend mirror 33

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP3871827B1Laser machining device and laser machining method
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 AMADA CO LTD
  • EP3871827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3871827B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3871827B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A moving mechanism (22 and 23) relatively moves a machining head (35) that emits a laser beam from an opening (36a) of a nozzle (36) with respect to a sheet metal (W) along a surface of the sheet metal (W) to produce a product having a predetermined shape by cutting the sheet metal (W). A beam vibration/displacement mechanism (32) vibrates or displaces the laser beam with which the sheet metal (W) is irradiated to produce the product while relatively moving the machining head (35) by the moving mechanism (22 and 23). A moving mechanism control section (505) controls the moving mechanism (22 and 23) to relatively move the machining head (35) with a first control period. The vibration/displacement control section (504, 5040) controls the beam vibration/displacement mechanism (32) to vibrate or displace the laser beam with a second control period shorter than the first control period.