Laser Beam Alignment With Shielded Reflector and Liquid Jet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser beam machines require alignment adjustments to be performed in a Class 4 safety environment, posing risks to operators due to exposure to high-risk laser beams during the alignment process.
Innovation Solution
A laser beam machine with an alignment adjusting device featuring a reflecting plate and shielding member, allowing for safe alignment adjustments by preventing laser beam leakage, enabling operations in a safer Class 1 environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If alignment adjustment is performed without shielding, then alignment accuracy is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to laser beam exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The optical head is divided into separate functional components: a nozzle for discharging liquid to form a pillar-like flow, and a reflecting plate for reflecting the laser beam. The shielding member is positioned between these components to block laser leakage while allowing alignment observation. This segmentation allows the shielding member to be inserted without compromising alignment accuracy while protecting the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member acts as an intermediary element positioned between the optical head and the operator. It selectively blocks harmful laser beams while allowing necessary observations for alignment adjustment. The shielding member with its opening facing the reflecting plate enables the laser beam to be reflected and observed for alignment purposes while preventing direct exposure to the operator.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding is added to prevent laser leakage, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks laser beam leakage to protect the operator, maintains the alignment adjustment capability by having an opening facing the reflecting plate, and provides structural support for the alignment adjusting device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member is designed as a thin plate-like structure with an opening, rather than a bulky enclosure. This thin-film approach provides effective laser blocking while minimizing the added complexity and space requirements. The simple plate structure with an opening is easier to integrate than complex shielding mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If Class 4 safety environment is required for alignment adjustment, then operator protection is improved, but factory size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful laser beam exposure is extracted and isolated from the alignment adjustment process by positioning the shielding member between the optical head and the operator. This extraction allows the alignment adjustment to be performed in a less restrictive safety environment (Class 1 or 2) rather than requiring a full Class 4 environment, reducing the required factory space.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting plate, which could potentially cause harmful laser reflections, is utilized beneficially to reflect the laser beam in a controlled manner that aids alignment adjustment. The shielding member converts the potential harm of laser leakage into a controlled reflection path that improves alignment accuracy while protecting the operator, allowing operation in a smaller facility.
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 safe and easy alignment adjustments between the laser beam and the pillar-like liquid flow, reducing operator exposure to hazardous laser beams and allowing alignment in a less dangerous environment.
Implementation Method 1
having a reflecting plate, disposed to face the optical head, for reflecting the laser beam
Implementation Method 2
a shielding part disposed around a portion of the reflecting plate, the portion being adapted to reflect the laser, the alignment adjusting device being configure to adjust the incident position and the angle of the laser beam relative to the pillar-like liquid flow
Data Source
AI summary
This laser processing machine, which processes a work piece mounted on a table by irradiating the work piece with a laser light, is provided with: an optical head having a nozzle that sprays a liquid to form a columnar liquid flow and introducing a laser light into the nozzle and shining said light; and an alignment adjustment device having a reflector that is disposed so as to face the optical head and reflects the laser light, and a light-shielding portion around the portion of the reflector that reflects the laser light, and adjusting the position or orientation of introduction of the laser light into the columnar liquid flow.