Laser Cutting Pressing Protrusions for Sheet Part Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laser cutting processes, the separation of processed parts from sheet-shaped workpieces often results in sticking issues due to micro-joints or melted residues, which can inhibit the motion of the laser processing head and require additional removal steps, and the use of fiber lasers can lead to narrow cutting slits causing parts to stick with pin supports.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for laser cutting that involves preliminarily forming a curved pressing protrusion around the processed part by laser-cutting a slit along its outline, allowing the protrusion to press the peripheral surface and retain the part, thereby preventing separation from the workpiece without the need for micro-joints or adhesive residues. The system includes a control device that calculates the necessary number and arrangement of pressing protrusions based on the part's weight and dimensions to ensure effective retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If fiber laser is used for cutting, then cutting precision is improved, but cutting slit becomes narrow causing parts to stick with pin supports
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by forming pressing protrusions on the workpiece before the laser cutting process. These protrusions are positioned to press against the processed part during cutting, preventing it from sticking to pin supports. The pressing force is applied in advance to counteract the sticking issue that would otherwise occur with the narrow slits produced by high-precision fiber lasers.
2Reliability
If micro-joints are used to retain processed part, then part retention is improved, but additional removal process is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the retention function from the traditional micro-joint approach and implements it through pressing protrusions that apply mechanical pressure during cutting. Instead of creating permanent micro-joints that require removal, the pressing protrusions provide temporary retention during the cutting process only, eliminating the need for subsequent removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing protrusions are designed to be temporary and discarded after serving their retention purpose during cutting. Unlike micro-joints that create permanent connections requiring removal, the pressing protrusions are removed or discarded after the cutting process completes, as they have fulfilled their function of preventing part detachment during cutting.
3Reliability
If melted residues are used for part retention, then part retention is improved, but product may be melted and adhere firmly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing protrusions serve as an intermediary mechanical retention mechanism instead of relying on melted residues. By applying physical pressing force through these protrusions, the invention achieves part retention without involving thermal processes that could cause product melting or unwanted adhesion, thus eliminating the harmful effects associated with melted residues.
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 effectively prevents the processed part from dropping off during cutting, reduces the need for post-processing removal of adhesives or residues, and allows for smoother operation of the laser processing head by maintaining the part's retention without micro-joints or adhesive issues, enhancing the cutting process's efficiency and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a laser processing head movable relative to the workpiece W in X, Y and Z-axis directions
Implementation Method 2
utilizing melted residues of the workpiece generated through a laser processing
Implementation Method 3
a pressing protrusion which presses a peripheral surface of the processed part
Data Source
AI summary
According to a laser cutting method, a processed part is laser-cut so that the processed part doesn't drop off from a sheet-shaped workpiece. In the laser cutting method, a cut slit of a pressing protrusion, which is curved due to a laser cutting process along an outline of the processed part and then presses a peripheral surface of the processed part, is preliminarily formed around the processed part to be cut out from the workpiece. Then, the laser cutting process is carried out along the outline of the processed part. The pressing protrusion curves toward the processed part due to the laser cutting process of the processed part, and then the processed part is retained by the pressing protrusion.