Laser Beam Guide Dynamics for Die Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

High pulse frequency laser processing technologies face challenges in achieving stable and predictable material removal due to pulse overlap, leading to uneven and unpredictable material interaction with the workpiece surface, especially with current beam guide limitations.

Innovation Solution

Adjusting the web speed of the laser beam to ensure the ratio of web speed to beam diameter and pulse frequency is greater than a specific factor, using a combination of conventional and additional beam guides to create a superimposed movement that minimizes pulse overlap, allowing for precise control of material removal even at high pulse frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high pulse frequency laser processing is used, then productivity increases, but pulse overlap occurs leading to uneven and unpredictable material removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse frequencyVSAvoidmaterial removal uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the beam guide system movable and adjustable. Specifically, the beam guide is designed to superimpose a high-frequency oscillating movement on the laser beam path, which dynamically modifies the beam delivery pattern to prevent pulse overlap while maintaining high pulse frequencies for improved productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs mechanical vibration by inducing high-frequency oscillations in the beam guide system. This vibration causes the laser beam to oscillate rapidly, distributing pulses in a more uniform pattern across the workpiece surface, thereby eliminating pulse overlap and ensuring even material removal while maintaining high processing speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Speed

If beam guide speed is increased, then processing speed improves, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam guide speedVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by superimposing a high-frequency oscillating movement on the beam guide system. This periodic oscillation allows the beam guide to move rapidly while maintaining precise control over the laser pulse delivery pattern, effectively decoupling the overall scanning speed from the positioning accuracy of individual pulses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If pulse frequency is increased, then productivity increases, but pulse overlap leads to harmful thermal effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse frequencyVSAvoidthermal effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamics by implementing a movable beam guide that superimposes high-frequency oscillations on the laser beam path. This dynamic adjustment ensures that even at high pulse frequencies, pulses are distributed uniformly without overlapping, preventing excessive thermal accumulation and harmful thermal effects on the workpiece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs mechanical vibration through high-frequency oscillations of the beam guide system. This vibration distributes the laser pulses in a dispersed pattern, preventing pulse overlap and the resulting harmful thermal effects, while allowing the use of high pulse frequencies to maintain high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 approach enables stable and predictable material removal with improved accuracy, reducing pulse overlap and enhancing the precision of die formation and surface treatment, achieving better than 100 μm manufacturing accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming a die in a workpiece by means of a pulsating laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3330037B1Method and device for processing workpieces
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 SAUER LASERTEC
  • EP3330037B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP3330037B1 patent drawingFigure 1e~1g
  • EP3330037B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3f

AI summary

A method for forming a die uses a first laser beam guide and a second guide lying in the beam path of the laser beam, which works simultaneously with the first guide and which in turn causes a second laser beam guide with a second orbital velocity that is higher than the first orbital velocity.