Laser Cutting Machine Gap Support Slides for Workpiece Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser processing machines face challenges in supporting and efficiently ejecting small, flexible workpiece parts during cutting, as they tend to tilt or get stuck due to inadequate support and high gas pressure, leading to potential damage or contamination.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates independently movable support carriages within the gap that can adjust their position and distance to provide variable support, allowing for improved support of workpiece parts and efficient ejection by moving them to a discharge position, either through lowering or pivoting, to prevent tilting and ensure smooth removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large gap width is used in the workpiece support, then small to medium-sized cutting slugs and residual grid parts can fall freely and be removed faster, but small workpiece parts are not sufficiently supported and can tilt or get caught on the rest of the workpiece due to high gas pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The gap is divided into multiple support zones by introducing adjustable support carriages that can be positioned at different locations within the gap. This segmentation allows different regions of the gap to serve different functions: some regions provide support for small workpiece parts while other regions allow free fall of cutting slugs.
Solution Approach 2:
The support carriages are made adjustable and movable within the gap, allowing the support structure to dynamically adapt to different workpiece sizes and cutting requirements. The support carriages can be repositioned along the gap to optimize both support and ejection functions based on the specific cutting task.
2Ease of operation
If the workpiece support is interrupted to form a gap, then the processing beam and slag can be discharged, but small workpiece parts lack sufficient support and may tilt or get caught
Solution Approach 1:
Support carriages are introduced as intermediary elements within the gap. These carriages provide a bridging support function that allows the gap to maintain its discharge functionality while simultaneously providing support for small workpiece parts that would otherwise lack adequate support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If support carriages are made movable and adjustable within the gap, then support and ejection functions are optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support carriages are designed to perform multiple functions: supporting small workpiece parts, enabling free fall of cutting slugs, and facilitating ejection of processed parts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 solution enhances the support and ejection of workpiece parts, preventing tilting and damage, while allowing for faster and more reliable removal of small and medium-sized cutting slugs and scrap parts, improving the overall processing efficiency and reducing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a laser processing machine, for the selective processing of a plate-shaped workpiece by means of a processing beam, in particular a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
The processing beam passing through the workpiece, as well as any slag and cutting slurry, are discharged through this gap
Implementation Method 3
at least two support slides are arranged within the gap that can be moved independently of each other (controlled) in the second direction (Y-direction)
Implementation Method 4
due to the high gas pressure of the cutting gas exiting the processing nozzle on the processing head and hitting the cut-out workpiece parts
Implementation Method 5
small to medium-sized cutting slugs, residual grid parts, or smaller workpiece parts to fall freely
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4e
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine (1) for the separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece (2) by means of a machining beam (3), comprising: a first moving device (7) for moving the workpiece (2) in a first direction (X), a second moving device (11) for moving a machining head (9), which orients the machining beam (3) toward the workpiece (2), in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction, and two workpiece-supporting surfaces (4, 5) for supporting the workpiece (2), between which workpiece-supporting surfaces a gap (6) extending in the second direction (Y) is formed. At least two supporting slides (13a, 13b) that can be moved independently of each other in the second direction (Y) are arranged within the gap (6). The at least two supporting slides each have a supporting surface (14a, 14b) for supporting workpiece parts (18) that are cut during the separative machining. The invention further relates to a method for the separative machining of workpieces (2) by means of such a machine, comprising: positioning at least two of the supporting slides (13a, 13b) under a workpiece part (18) to be cut free during the separative machining.