Laser Machining Cover with Flexible Light-Blocking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser machining devices face challenges in preventing the leakage of reflected laser light due to varying material thickness and dimensions, which can lead to gaps between the cover and the material being machined, compromising safety and complicating the handling of materials.
Innovation Solution
A laser machining device with an eaves-like cover and a flexible light-blocking member, composed of layered sheets with slits in different positions, is designed to prevent laser light leakage by attaching these members to the lower ends of the cover bodies, ensuring no gaps form between the cover and the material, even when the material is inclined or of varying thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is provided to cover the entire machining trolley to prevent laser light leakage, then safety against reflected laser light is improved, but the structure and work to carry in and out materials become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a stationary cover body and a movable cover portion. The movable cover portion can be opened to allow material loading and unloading, then closed during machining to prevent laser light leakage. This segmentation allows the system to switch between safety mode (closed) and operation mode (open).
Solution Approach 2:
The cover incorporates a movable cover portion that can dynamically change its state between open and closed positions. This dynamic structure allows the cover to adapt to different operational requirements: open for material handling and closed for laser machining, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed cover is used to prevent laser light leakage, then safety is improved, but gaps form between the cover and material of varying thickness, allowing light to leak
Solution Approach 1:
The light-blocking member is designed with flexibility to dynamically adjust its position and shape. It can deform to conform to materials of different thicknesses and positions, ensuring continuous light blocking without gaps while maintaining adaptability to varying material specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-blocking member is constructed as a flexible structure that can bend and deform. This flexibility allows it to adapt to materials of varying thickness and position, maintaining effective light blocking without requiring a rigid fixed cover that would create gaps with non-standard materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is positioned close to the material to prevent light leakage, then safety is improved, but collision with the surface plate or material becomes a risk
Solution Approach 1:
The light-blocking member is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and deform if contact is detected. This flexibility provides a safety mechanism that prevents rigid collision damage while maintaining effective light blocking through continuous contact or near-contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible light-blocking member acts as a cushioning element between the cover structure and the material/surface plate. Its flexibility provides a buffer that prevents hard collisions while maintaining the light-blocking function, thus protecting the system from damage due to contact with varying material positions.
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
The solution effectively blocks reflected laser light from leaking outside, ensuring safety and simplifying the handling of materials by accommodating variations in material dimensions and maintaining flexibility during machining operations.
Implementation Method 1
a light-blocking member having flexibility, for preventing leakage of the laser light through a gap between a lower end portion and an upper surface of a surface plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
A laser machining device having a surface plate (D) upon which a material (F) to be machined is placed, a rail (E), a saddle (1), a garter (2), a horizontal carriage (3), and a laser nozzle (5) and has attached thereto: a machining trolley (A) that causes the saddle to travel along the rail, causes the horizontal carriage to travel horizontally along the garter, irradiates laser light from the laser nozzle (5) towards the material (F) to be machined, and cuts or welds same; a cover (B) that covers substantially the entire surface of the machining trolley and has an upper surface cover (11), a laser nozzle-side cover (12), a garter-side cover (13), and side surface covers (q14, 15); and, on the lower end side of the laser nozzle-side cover and the garter-side cover, a flexible light-blocking member (C) for preventing laser light from leaking from a gap between said lower end section and the upper surface of the surface plate.