Laser Beam Oscillation for Kerf Width and Conveyance Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser processing machines using small-sized, low-cost fiber or direct diode laser oscillators often result in products with narrow kerf widths, leading to failures in conveyance as they can get caught in base materials due to the narrow grooves formed during cutting.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing machine and method that incorporates a beam oscillation mechanism to oscillate the laser beam in a direction orthogonal to the cutting direction in non-holding regions around protrusions or recesses, widening the kerf width and preventing product entrapment during conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fiber laser oscillator or direct diode laser oscillator is used instead of a CO2 laser oscillator, then the laser processing machine becomes smaller and lower cost, but the kerf width becomes very narrow causing conveyance failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beam oscillation to the laser beam, causing it to vibrate or oscillate in a predetermined pattern during cutting. This oscillation widens the effective kerf width by creating a larger cut path, preventing the narrow kerf problem that causes conveyance failure while maintaining the benefits of using compact fiber or direct diode laser oscillators.
2Reliability
If the beam spot is oscillated with an oscillation component in a direction orthogonal to the cutting direction in non-holding regions, then the kerf width is widened to prevent entrapment, but the processing time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beam oscillation selectively only in non-holding regions (areas not contacted by conveyance apparatus holding units) and not in holding regions. This localized application widens the kerf width only where necessary to prevent entrapment during conveyance, while maintaining normal processing speed in areas where conveyance contact occurs, thus minimizing overall processing time increase.
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 reduces the failure of product conveyance by ensuring the kerf width is sufficiently wide to avoid entrapment, enhancing the reliability of the conveyance process without significantly increasing processing time.
Implementation Method 1
a focusing lens that is provided in the processing head and irradiates a sheet metal with the laser beam by focusing the laser beam, thereby forming a beam spot on a surface of the sheet metal
Implementation Method 2
a beam oscillation mechanism configured to oscillate the beam spot on the surface of the sheet metal by oscillating the laser beam emitted from the opening in the opening
Data Source
AI summary
The laser processing machine includes a beam oscillation mechanism that oscillates a beam spot on a surface of a sheet metal. The control device controls the beam oscillation mechanism so as to oscillate the beam spot with an oscillation component in a direction orthogonal to a cutting direction of the sheet metal in a non-holding region, in which a holding portion of the conveyance apparatus for conveying a product is not held, when cutting the product from the sheet metal by irradiating the sheet metal with the laser beam. The non-holding region is at least a part of a periphery of a protrusion portion of the product, or at least a part of a periphery of a recess forming region in which a recess of the product is formed.