Laser Ablation Device with Integrated Camera for 3D Surface Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser ablation devices struggle with efficiently ablating three-dimensional surfaces without prior knowledge of the surface geometry, requiring additional costly and cumbersome devices for surface determination, which can introduce distortions and positioning errors.
Innovation Solution
A laser ablation device with a pulsed laser source, adjustable focal lens, galvanometric head, and integrated camera system that uses triangulation to determine the three-dimensional shape of the surface in real-time, allowing for precise focusing and directing of the laser beam without the need for external devices, maintaining a common frame of reference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional devices for surface determination (theodolites, interferometers, conoscopic sensors) are used to determine the three-dimensional surface beforehand, then the ablation can be performed on unknown surfaces, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the surface determination function with the existing ablation device by integrating a camera and control unit into the laser ablation system. The camera captures images of the surface, and the control unit processes these images to determine the three-dimensional geometry, eliminating the need for separate external measurement devices and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ablation device is given multiple functions: it not only performs laser ablation but also determines the three-dimensional surface geometry using its integrated camera and control unit. This multi-functional approach allows the same device to both measure and treat the surface, improving versatility without requiring additional specialized equipment
2Measurement precision
If additional devices for surface determination are used, then the three-dimensional surface can be determined beforehand, but positioning errors and distortions are introduced due to different reference frames
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the measurement camera and ablation laser into a single integrated system with a common reference frame, the patent eliminates positioning errors that would otherwise occur between separate devices. The control unit processes camera images and directly controls the galvanometric head, ensuring that the laser beam is positioned accurately according to the measured surface geometry without reference frame transformations
3Adaptability or versatility
If a lens with variable focal length is used to correct focusing distance for three-dimensional surfaces, then the ablation can adapt to different depths, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic focusing by making the focal length of the lens variable through a control unit that adjusts the lens based on the determined three-dimensional surface geometry. This allows the laser beam to be focused at different depths dynamically during the ablation process, adapting to the surface contours without requiring a completely variable focal length lens system from the start
4Manufacturing precision
If the three-dimensional surface is stored beforehand in the command, then the ablation can be performed according to the determined shape, but additional time is required for surface determination and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary surface determination by capturing images with the camera and processing them through the control unit to determine the three-dimensional geometry before the ablation process begins. This preliminary action allows the system to store the surface data in the command unit, enabling precise ablation according to the determined shape while separating the measurement phase from the treatment phase
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
Enables efficient and accurate ablation of unknown three-dimensional surfaces without additional devices, reducing costs and complexity while eliminating distortions, making the system more suitable for surface ablation applications.
Implementation Method 1
The rapid heating of the surface of this layer causes the vaporization then the ejection of the first strata of the material
Implementation Method 2
The rapid heating of the surface of this layer causes the vaporization then the ejection of the first strata of the material
Implementation Method 3
Laser ablation consists of removing a layer of reduced thickness of the material to be removed (dust, paint, or a contaminant for example), via the interaction of a light, coherent, focused and coming from a pulsed laser, with this material
Implementation Method 4
a lens making it possible to vary the focal point of the laser beam according to a depth z
Implementation Method 5
by modifying the focusing distance L, dynamically using a command 9, it is possible to control the ablation distance on a surface 1 in three dimensions
Implementation Method 6
a galvanometric head for directing, along axes defining a plane (X, Y), the beam onto the surface to be ablated
Implementation Method 7
an f-theta lens to image the laser beam on a flat surface instead of a spherical surface
Implementation Method 8
at least one camera for observing the surface to be ablated
Implementation Method 9
Indeed, at the time of the laser impact, a shock wave is created and contributes to separating the material from the surface 1 on which it is applied
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method characterized in that it comprises - a step (E1) of calibrating a device, whereby - a galvanometric head illuminates along two axes a calibration plate, situated at a depth, in order to illuminate a plurality of determined points of the calibration plate, while a camera observes said calibration plate, a control unit establishing a relationship between, on the one hand, the position of illumination of each of the illuminated points of the calibration plate at the depth, and, on the other hand, the position observed by the camera of the illuminated points; the calibration plate being successively positioned at a plurality of depths during the calibration step so as to allow a plurality of illuminations by the head, of observations by the camera and of relationships to be established by the control unit; the control unit establishes a correspondence relationship, - a step (E2) of determining the three-dimensional shape of the surface that is to be ablated, from the calibration step (E1), by triangulation, and - a step (E3) of ablating the three-dimensional surface whereby the control unit controls the galvanometric head as a function of the determined shape of the surface in order to focus and to direct, along axes that define a plane and to a depth, the beam onto the surface that is to be ablated. The invention also relates to a device for implementing an aforementioned method.