Laser-Cut Plate Removal Using Reduced-Height Microjoints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser cutting methods face issues with workpiece tilting, difficulty in automated removal, and residue formation due to microjoints extending across the entire workpiece thickness, which complicates the cutting process and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving controlled adjustments of laser power, cutting speed, or nozzle distance during the cutting process to create microjoints with reduced height, using specific gradients of parameter changes to ensure reproducible and reliable formation of microjoints, allowing for easy separation and minimal residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If microjoints are created to prevent workpiece tilting during laser cutting, then workpiece stability is improved, but the workpiece parts become difficult or impossible to remove manually when workpiece thickness exceeds 5 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating microjoints with reduced height (lower than workpiece thickness) only in specific locations along the cut path, rather than extending across the entire workpiece thickness. This localized approach provides sufficient stability to prevent tilting during cutting while maintaining ease of manual removal, as the reduced microjoint height allows workpiece parts thicker than 5 mm to be removed by hand without excessive force.
2Stability of the object's composition
If microjoints extend across the entire workpiece thickness to prevent tilting, then workpiece stability is improved, but residues remain on the cut edge requiring time-consuming post-processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates microjoints that extend only partially through the workpiece thickness rather than across the entire thickness. This localized approach provides sufficient stability during cutting while minimizing residues on the cut edge, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for time-consuming post-processing to remove microjoint remnants.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple microjoints are required in a workpiece contour, then workpiece stability is improved, but productivity is reduced due to additional piercing and approaching the contour
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates microjoints at the beginning of the cutting contour rather than requiring additional piercing operations mid-contour. By establishing stability early in the cutting process at the starting point, the method eliminates the need for additional piercing and approaching operations that would otherwise be required to create multiple microjoints, thereby maintaining cutting productivity.
4Ease of operation
If laser power is reduced to create microjoints with lower height, then ease of removal is improved, but the cutting process becomes more complex with multiple parameter adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by reducing laser power to create microjoints with lower height than the workpiece thickness. This parameter adjustment enables workpiece parts to be removed more easily by hand, as the reduced microjoint height decreases the force required for removal while maintaining sufficient stability during the cutting process.
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
Enables stable and efficient removal of laser-cut workpiece parts with reduced force requirements, maintaining productivity by minimizing residue and tilting, and facilitating automated removal.
Implementation Method 1
the laser power of the laser beam is reduced on a segment of the path curve corresponding to the length of the microjoint from a higher laser power sufficient to cut through the workpiece
Implementation Method 2
the workpiece is not melted across its entire thickness
Implementation Method 3
the momentum of the cutting gas needed to expel the molten metal
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5f
AI summary
A method is provided for removing a laser-cut, in particular plate-shaped, workpiece part (12) from a residual workpiece (13), wherein the workpiece part (12) is held in a tilt-proof manner from one side by a particularly planar counter-holder (52) and is pushed out of the residual workpiece (13) from the other side by at least one ejection element (51), wherein the workpiece part (12) is held in the residual workpiece (13) before removal by at least one microjoint (14) with a lower height (d) than the workpiece thickness (D) and the microjoint (14) is cut through during removal.