Jet-Guided Laser Machining with Oscillating Liquid Column Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser machining apparatuses face issues with splashed-back liquid disturbing the jet liquid column, leading to reduced laser guiding efficiency and machining performance, especially during thick workpiece cutting or deep hole drilling, where liquid accumulation interferes with the light path.
Innovation Solution
A laser machining apparatus incorporating a rectifying chamber to attenuate flow disturbances, a liquid oscillating chamber that increases the surface wave of the jet liquid column to facilitate immediate atomization upon reaching the workpiece, and a focusing optical system that directs the laser beam to excite the surface wave, preventing liquid accumulation and maintaining light guiding efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a jet liquid column is used to guide the laser beam, then laser guiding efficiency is improved, but liquid splashing back from the workpiece disturbs the jet liquid column, reducing machining performance
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply system is divided into multiple chambers: a rectifying chamber that segments and stabilizes the liquid flow, and a storage chamber that supplies liquid to the nozzle. This segmentation allows the liquid column to be formed more stably and reduces disturbances from splashed-back liquid, maintaining both laser guiding efficiency and machining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rectifying chamber performs preliminary action by pre-stabilizing the liquid flow before it reaches the nozzle. The chamber includes flow rectifying structures that eliminate turbulence and vibrations in advance, ensuring that the jet liquid column forms with minimal disturbances, thereby maintaining reliable machining performance while preserving laser guiding efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If the jet liquid column is protected from splashed-back liquid, then laser guiding efficiency is maintained, but liquid accumulates on the workpiece surface forming a water layer that scatters the laser beam
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls liquid flow by adjusting the supply pressure and flow rate to match the machining requirements. The rectifying chamber includes adjustable flow control structures that adapt the liquid column characteristics in real-time, preventing both splashed-back liquid disturbances and excessive liquid accumulation on the workpiece, thereby maintaining clear light paths and efficient laser guiding.
3Stability of the object's composition
If liquid flow is stabilized in the rectifying chamber, then jet liquid column stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional chambers and flow control structures
Solution Approach 1:
The rectifying chamber and storage chamber are merged into a single integrated component with combined functions. The flow rectifying structures are incorporated directly into the chamber walls, eliminating the need for separate external flow control devices. This merging reduces the overall number of parts and simplifies the device structure while maintaining jet liquid column stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rectifying chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stabilizes liquid flow, stores liquid supply, and provides structural support for the nozzle assembly. The flow rectifying structures also serve as chamber walls, combining flow control and containment functions in a single element, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving stable jet liquid column formation.
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 apparatus effectively suppresses disturbances to the jet liquid column, prevents liquid accumulation on the workpiece, and maintains efficient laser guiding, enabling precise and efficient machining of various workpieces, including those requiring multiple scanning or deep hole drilling.
Implementation Method 1
the laser beam that is guided while repeating total reflection within the jet liquid column
Implementation Method 2
The focusing optical system focuses the laser beam generated by the laser oscillator above the nozzle inlet opening to cause the jet liquid column to guide the laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A laser machining apparatus that allows efficient machining of a workpiece includes a nozzle for jetting a jet liquid column, a rectifying chamber attenuating disturbances in flow of liquid, a liquid oscillating chamber guiding the liquid flowing from the rectifying chamber to a nozzle inlet opening, a laser oscillator generating a laser beam, a focusing optical system focusing the laser beam generated by the laser oscillator above the nozzle inlet opening so that the laser beam is guided by the jet liquid column, and a window opposed to the nozzle inlet opening so that the laser beam transmitting from the focusing optical system enters the liquid oscillating chamber. The liquid oscillating chamber increases a surface wave on an outer surface of the jet liquid column so that the jet liquid column jetted from the nozzle onto a workpiece is easily atomized at a machining point.