Infrared Laser Wavelength Control for Polymer Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser-based systems struggle to effectively mark and code polymeric materials like HDPE using standard CO2 and fiber lasers, as these materials do not absorb light in the 9.2 to 10.6 um and 1.06 to 1.08 um wavelength ranges, limiting their applicability in industrial processes such as marking, coding, machining, and additive manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A universal laser system that produces infrared laser beams within specific wavelength ranges (3.2 to 3.6 um and 1.7 to 2.7 um) to exploit primary and secondary absorption bands of polymeric materials, allowing for tunable absorption and energy transfer via pyrolytic heating, enabling marking, coding, perforation, and additive manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard CO2 lasers (9.2 to 10.6 um wavelength) are used for marking polymeric materials, then the laser system is simple and widely available, but the polymeric materials do not absorb light in this wavelength range, making marking ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the laser to match the absorption characteristics of polymeric materials. Instead of using standard CO2 laser wavelengths (9.2 to 10.6 um), the system employs lasers operating in the 1.7 to 2.7 um range, which corresponds to the primary absorption band of C-H bonds in polymeric materials, thereby enabling effective energy absorption and marking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal laser system that can effectively mark multiple types of polymeric materials by targeting their common absorption characteristics. The system is designed to work across different polymer types (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, etc.) by utilizing the universal presence of C-H bonds and their absorption in the 1.7 to 2.7 um range
2Manufacturing precision
If standard fiber lasers (1.06 to 1.08 um wavelength) are used for marking polymeric materials, then the laser system provides good beam quality and focusability, but the polymeric materials do not absorb light in this wavelength range, limiting marking capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from the fiber laser range (1.06 to 1.08 um) to the 1.7 to 2.7 um range, which aligns with the absorption spectrum of polymeric materials. This parameter change ensures that the laser energy is absorbed by the material rather than passing through, enabling effective marking while maintaining beam focusability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal laser system with tunable wavelength is implemented to cover absorption bands of multiple polymeric materials, then adaptability to different materials is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tunable laser system capable of operating in the 1.7 to 2.7 um wavelength range, allowing adjustment to match specific absorption characteristics of different polymeric materials. This parameter tunability enables a single system to handle multiple material types without requiring multiple specialized lasers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal laser system that consolidates multiple functions into a single platform. The system can mark various polymeric materials (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, and others) using a common laser source operating in the 1.7 to 2.7 um range, reducing the need for multiple specialized laser systems
4Use of energy by moving object
If laser wavelength is tuned to match primary absorption band (3.2 to 3.6 um) of polymeric materials, then energy absorption is maximized, but secondary absorption band (1.7 to 2.7 um) can provide higher energy concentration via tighter focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the 1.7 to 2.7 um wavelength range corresponding to the secondary absorption band of polymeric materials. While this band has lower absorption coefficients compared to the primary band (3.2 to 3.6 um), the shorter wavelength enables tighter beam focusing and higher energy concentration, achieving effective marking through increased power density
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 system facilitates efficient energy transfer and interaction with polymeric materials, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of marking, coding, and machining processes by utilizing absorption bands specific to various polymeric materials, improving process customization and energy concentration.
Implementation Method 1
Polymeric materials including a C-H bond can absorb light emission in the 3.2 to 3.6 μm spectral region (i.e., a primary absorption band). The spectral peak of the primary absorption band is located at approximately 3.4 μm and has spectral width ranging between approximately tens to hundreds of nanometers.
Implementation Method 2
Energy transfer from optical power to heat for this primary absorption band occurs via the dipole oscillations due to the frequency (wavelength) overlap when a polymeric material including the primary absorption band.
Implementation Method 3
an optics assembly operable to focus and direct the laser beam
Implementation Method 4
The transfer of optical power to heat in the polymeric material can be utilized to facilitate an interaction that can be employed in a variety of material processes utilizing a pyrolytic heating effect
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for a universal laser system (100) including a laser (172) operable to produce an infrared laser beam for a range of wavelengths, an optics assembly operable to focus and direct the laser beam, and electronics communicatively coupled with the laser (172) and the optics assembly, the electronics being configured to control the laser (172) and the optics assembly, where the laser (172) is configured to produce the infrared laser beam at wavelengths in the range of wavelengths that overlap with absorption peaks due to higher-order, non-linear oscillations of molecular bonds of at least ten different polymeric materials, thereby generating heat from absorption of photon energy from the infrared laser beam.