Laser Cutting Sequence for Thick Plate Inner Contour Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laser cutting of thick plate-shaped workpieces, closely adjacent inner contours often overheat due to energy input, leading to deformation, heat-induced colorations, and self-burning, which negatively affect cutting quality and process accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method where the cutting sequence is optimized by grouping adjacent inner contours into clusters, allowing sufficient cooling time between cuts, and prioritizing the cutting of outer contour portions to manage heat distribution, thereby reducing overheating and improving cutting accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If closely adjacent inner contours are cut in sequence without interruption, then cutting productivity is improved, but the workpiece region overheats causing deformation and quality defects
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting process is segmented into multiple phases: completing one inner contour, then moving to outer contour cutting, and only then proceeding to the next inner contour. This segmentation prevents continuous heat accumulation in the same region while maintaining overall cutting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer contour cutting is performed as a preliminary action between inner contour cuttings. This preliminary outer contour cutting removes heat from the workpiece region before the next inner contour cutting begins, preventing overheating while maintaining efficient processing.
2Speed
If laser beam continuously cuts adjacent inner contours, then processing speed is improved, but heat accumulation causes coloration and self-burning defects
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting process uses periodic action by alternating between inner contour cutting and outer contour cutting. This periodic interruption allows heat to dissipate during outer contour cutting phases, preventing continuous heat accumulation that would cause coloration and self-burning defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful heat accumulation is extracted from the system by performing outer contour cutting that removes heat-affected material and allows thermal dissipation. This extracts the excessive heat from the workpiece region before the next inner contour cutting operation.
3Productivity
If multiple inner contours are cut in succession, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but workpiece deformation occurs due to thermal effects
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting sequence is segmented to complete one inner contour, then perform outer contour cutting, and only then proceed to the next inner contour. This segmentation maintains manufacturing efficiency while preventing thermal distortion through periodic cooling intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
Outer contour cutting is performed as a preliminary cooling action before subsequent inner contour cutting. This preliminary action stabilizes the workpiece temperature and dimensional stability before the next precision cutting operation begins.
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 prevents overheating and associated defects, ensuring high-quality and accurate cutting of inner contours by allowing the workpiece region to cool before further cutting, thus maintaining dimensional accuracy and reducing heat-induced issues.
Implementation Method 1
cutting a workpiece part from a plate-shaped workpiece by means of a machining beam, in particular by means of a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
the inner region of the workpiece part may cool down after the complete cutting of one or more inner contours
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cutting a workpiece part (11) from a plate-shaped workpiece (12) by means of a processing beam, comprising the steps: a) cutting at least one inner contour (31) of the workpiece part (11), b) cutting a section (AB) of an outer contour (21) of the workpiece part (11), and c) cutting at least one further inner contour (32) of the workpiece part (11).