Ingot Feeding System with Force Feedback for Wire Saw Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire saws face challenges in maintaining consistent cutting quality and preventing wire breakage during high-speed cutting of hard materials like silicon, leading to irregularities and reduced throughput due to inadequate control over cutting process parameters.

Innovation Solution

An ingot feeding system with a kinematic mechanism structure, actuators, and force sensors that enable translational and rotational movements of the ingot, allowing for real-time force monitoring and feedback control of cutting parameters such as ingot feeding speed, wire speed, and wire tension to maintain constant cutting forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the wire speed and feeding speed are increased to improve throughput, then productivity is improved, but the strain on the wire increases leading to higher risk of wire breakage and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidwire integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensors to monitor cutting forces in real-time and feeds this information back to the control system. The control system adjusts cutting parameters dynamically based on the feedback, maintaining optimal wire tension and cutting forces even at high speeds, thereby preventing wire breakage while maximizing throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static cutting parameters to dynamic adjustment of cutting forces and speeds. The control system continuously modifies wire speed, feeding speed, and wire tension based on real-time monitoring of cutting conditions, enabling high productivity while maintaining wire integrity through adaptive parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of substance

If thinner wires are used to reduce cut thickness and material waste, then loss of substance is reduced, but the wires become more susceptible to damage and breakage under high strain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial wasteVSAvoidwire strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts cutting parameters including wire tension, cutting speed, and feeding rate based on the specific wire diameter and material properties. This enables the use of thinner wires for reduced material waste while maintaining sufficient cutting forces and wire strength through optimized parameter combinations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Real-time monitoring of cutting forces provides feedback that allows the control system to adjust parameters to match the reduced cross-section of thinner wires, preventing overload and breakage while achieving minimal cut thickness and material waste

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the cutting speed is increased to improve throughput, then productivity is improved, but the precision and quality of cutting may deteriorate due to vibrations and wire instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidcutting quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses sensor feedback to detect vibrations and wire instability in real-time, automatically adjusting cutting parameters to maintain stable cutting conditions even at high speeds, thereby preserving cutting quality and precision while maximizing throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic adjustments of cutting parameters and oscillatory motion patterns that stabilize the cutting process at high speeds, reducing vibrations and improving cutting quality while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2777903B1Ingot feeding system and method
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 TOYO ADVANCED TECH CO LTD
  • EP2777903B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2777903B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2777903B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An ingot feeding system for a wire saw device, a wire saw device including the ingot feeding system and a method for feeding an ingot during cutting is described. The ingot feeding system includes a kinematic mechanism structure; at least one actuator for moving at least one part of the kinematic mechanism structure; a support table for coupling an ingot to the kinematic mechanism structure; and at least one sensor for measuring a force acting on the kinematic mechanism structure.