Laser Preheating Cutter Layout for Reflected Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In material cutting processes, especially with high-strength steel, cutting tool breakage is frequent due to heat-induced fatigue from laser preheating, leading to inefficient cutting and mechanical breakdowns, as only 50% of the laser beam is absorbed, with the rest being reflected and causing heating issues.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a frame body, cutting means, laser preheating means, and blocking and reflection means that re-reflects the laser beam using multiple block reflecting plates with different angles and curvatures to improve preheating efficiency and prevent equipment heating, combined with a cooling means to manage heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser preheating is performed close to the cutting point to improve preheating efficiency, then preheating efficiency is improved, but the cutting means is heated by reflected laser beam causing fatigue and alignment changes
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful reflected laser beam is extracted and separated from the cutting means by introducing a blocking plate between them. This removes the thermal hazard from the cutting means while preserving the beneficial preheating effect on the material.
Solution Approach 2:
A blocking plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the laser preheating means and the cutting means. This mediator blocks the reflected laser beam from reaching the cutting means, preventing heat-induced fatigue and alignment changes.
2Productivity
If laser preheating is performed with standard absorption rates, then the process is simple, but only 50% of laser beam is absorbed lowering preheating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The previously harmful reflected laser beam is converted into a beneficial resource by using it for secondary preheating. The blocking plate redirects the reflected beam to illuminate and preheat additional areas of the material, transforming energy waste into useful preheating capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the reflected laser beam as waste energy, the system recovers it by redirecting through the blocking plate to perform additional preheating functions, thereby improving overall energy utilization and preheating efficiency.
3Reliability
If the preheating position is moved far from the cutting point to avoid heating the cutting means, then cutting means heating is reduced, but preheating efficiency decreases due to rapid cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The preheating process is segmented into two distinct zones: primary preheating close to the cutting point using the laser beam, and secondary preheating of additional areas using the redirected reflected beam. This segmentation allows the cutting means to be protected while maintaining high preheating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution extends the preheating coverage from a single point/line to a two-dimensional area by redirecting the reflected laser beam through the blocking plate to illuminate additional regions of the material, thereby improving overall preheating efficiency without compromising cutting means protection.
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 apparatus effectively preheats materials before cutting, enhances preheating efficiency by re-reflecting the laser beam, and prevents equipment damage by blocking reflected heat, thereby improving cutting performance and reducing tool fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
a laser preheating means preheating the material by irradiating a laser beam onto the material before the material is conveyed to the cutting means
Implementation Method 2
the laser beam reflected from the surface of the material raises a temperature of the cutting means
Implementation Method 3
a blocking and reflection means blocking the laser beam reflected to the cutting means and re-reflecting the laser beam to the material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus for cutting a material, comprising: a frame body installed on a conveying path of a material; a cutting means, mounted on the frame body, for cutting an end portion of the material being conveyed; a laser preheating means for preheating the material by irradiating a laser beam onto the material before being conveyed to the cutting means; and a blocking and reflection means for blocking the laser beams reflected to the cutting means and re-reflecting the laser beam to the material.