Laser-Cut Inner Contour Inspection Without Blocking Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing and reworking laser-cut workpieces require the workpiece to be checked and handled during the laser cutting process, causing the device to be blocked and preventing further processing until the check is complete.
Innovation Solution
A method where a handling robot picks up the workpiece after the laser cutting process and moves it to predetermined gripper positions for inspection and possible reworking, allowing the inspection and rework to be done independently and in parallel with other processing tasks, without blocking the production line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the workpiece is checked and handled during the laser cutting process using the cutting head or cutting nozzle, then the inspection can be performed, but the device is blocked and further processing is prevented until the check is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection function is extracted from the laser cutting device and transferred to a separate handling robot system. The robot picks up the workpiece after laser cutting and transports it to an inspection unit, allowing the original laser cutting device to remain unblocked and continue processing other workpieces.
Solution Approach 2:
A handling robot acts as an intermediary between the laser cutting process and the inspection process. The robot picks up the workpiece from the laser cutting device and delivers it to the inspection unit, enabling parallel operation of cutting and inspection functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the laser cutting process is interrupted for checking the workpiece, then quality control can be performed, but the processing time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection is performed as a separate post-processing step after the laser cutting is complete. The handling robot picks up the finished workpiece and transports it to the inspection unit, allowing the laser cutting process to complete without interruption while inspection occurs in parallel.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser cutting process continues uninterrupted while the handling robot simultaneously performs inspection on completed workpieces. This maintains continuous productive action in the system without stopping the primary manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for inspecting and post-processing a workpiece (3) having a laser-cut, closed inner contour (4), in which method a gripper (2) moves a workpiece picked up in a defined manner, between a previously stored pre-defined pick-up position AP (x1, y1, z1) and a pre-defined first gripper position GP1 (x2, y2, z2), delivering the workpiece to an inspection unit (7), and if post-processing is required, a pre-defined second gripper position GP2 (x3, y3, z3), delivering the workpiece to an ejector unit (8).