Laser Beam Optical Axis Adjustment After Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser processing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the optical axis alignment after maintenance, leading to increased man-hours and potential defective processing due to contamination or burning of optical components, which requires tedious adjustment of the optical axis.
Innovation Solution
An optical axis adjusting method that includes a position detecting step to set and store a reference position, followed by an adjusting step using adjusting mechanisms on optical component holders to realign the laser beam after maintenance, reducing the need for extensive manual adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical components are removed for maintenance, then contamination or burning on optical components can be cleaned or replaced, but the optical axis is deviated and extensive manual adjustment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing the reference position of the laser beam before maintenance is performed. This pre-stored reference position enables rapid restoration of the optical axis after maintenance without requiring extensive manual adjustment, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining optical component reliability and minimizing adjustment time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a position detecting unit to monitor the laser beam position and compare it with the stored reference position. The control unit automatically adjusts the optical components based on the detected deviation from the reference position, enabling automatic restoration of the optical axis and significantly reducing manual adjustment time while ensuring reliable optical component operation
2Ease of repair
If optical components are removed for maintenance, then cleaning and replacement can be performed, but the operation becomes troublesome and man-hours increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automatic optical axis restoration system that uses the stored reference position and position detecting unit to automatically adjust the optical components after maintenance. This eliminates the need for manual intervention in the adjustment process, making the overall maintenance operation easier while ensuring the optical axis is accurately restored
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism compares the actual laser beam position with the stored reference position and automatically controls the adjustment mechanism to restore the optical axis. This automatic feedback-based adjustment simplifies the maintenance operation by eliminating complex manual adjustment procedures while maintaining ease of repair
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
This method significantly reduces the number of man-hours required for optical axis adjustment, ensuring precise alignment and preventing defective processing by automating the re-alignment process post-maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a position detecting unit adapted to be provided at the processing point for detecting the position of the laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
An optical axis adjusting method includes a position detecting step of emitting a laser beam from a laser oscillator, applying the laser beam to a processing point, and detecting the position of the laser beam by using a position detecting unit set at the processing point, a storing step of storing the position of the laser beam as detected in the position detecting step as a reference position, and an adjusting step of operating an adjusting mechanism of each optical component holder in the case that the position of the laser beam is deviated from the reference position after performing maintenance of each optical component, thereby adjusting the position of the laser beam so that the position of the laser beam is shifted back to the reference position.