Laser Cutting Vision System for Ribbon Sheet Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for laser cutting ribbon sheets are prone to imprecision due to geometrical characteristics and intrinsic tolerances of the coil, leading to unpredictable positioning and misalignment during cutting operations.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a vision system and a movable cutting head, controlled by a command and control centre, uses CAD/CAM coordinates to accurately position the ribbon sheet within the cutting station, accounting for displacements and pre-existing processing, ensuring precise alignment and cutting based on identified edge and perforation coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional coil processing methods are used with straightening roller units, then the ribbon can be fed through the cutting station, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to geometrical characteristics and intrinsic tolerances of the coil causing unpredictable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system performs preliminary detection of the ribbon sheet position, edges, and features before the cutting operation. This advance measurement allows the system to calculate and compensate for positioning deviations, ensuring accurate cutting despite the continuous feeding process and coil geometrical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system provides real-time feedback on the actual position and orientation of each ribbon sheet. This feedback is used by the control system to dynamically adjust the cutting head positioning, compensating for deviations caused by coil cambering, curving, or dishing, thereby maintaining high cutting precision throughout continuous production.
2Ease of operation
If the laser cutting operation is performed without position verification, then the process is simple and fast, but the cutting precision deteriorates due to misalignment between programmed operations and actual ribbon position
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system enables the cutting system to self-correct its positioning by automatically detecting the actual ribbon sheet location and adjusting the cutting path accordingly. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex manual positioning procedures while maintaining high precision, as the system autonomously compensates for positioning deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning and alignment mechanisms with a vision-based detection and control system. Instead of relying on precise mechanical registration between the coil and cutting station, the system uses optical detection to identify ribbon features and computationally determines the accurate cutting path, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving high precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If a vision system is introduced to detect ribbon position and edges, then cutting precision is improved through accurate positioning, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting ribbon sheet position, identifying edges, locating holes and other features, and providing positioning data for cutting operations. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high cutting precision through comprehensive optical detection.
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 solution enables precise laser cutting by accurately determining and aligning the ribbon sheet's position and orientation within the cutting station, ensuring that programmed operations match the intended design, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
a vision system (14) mounted in the station to detect the position of the ribbon sheet (4) within the station (10)
Implementation Method 2
carry out these programmed operations taking account of any displacements of the sheet/ribbon and/or of the precise position of any pre-existing processing
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present application realtes to a method for carrying out precise laser cutting on a ribbon sheet (4) of length and width positioned in a laser cutting station (10), wherein the laser cutting station comprises a conveyor for advancing the sheet (4), a cutting head (12) movable along both the axis longitudinal to the station and along the axis transverse to the station, a vision system (14) also movable along the X axis and Y axis, and a command and control centre with associated software which commands the movement of the cutting head (12) and of the vision system (14), wherein the command and control centre is provided with the coordinates of a CAD/CAM drawing corresponding to the ribbon sheet to be processed. A corresponding apparatus is also defined.