Laser Dust Collection Layout With One-Way Shield Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dust collection devices for laser processing of composite materials, such as thermosetting carbon fiber reinforced plastic, face issues with gas flow complexity leading to circulation and congestion, which reduces processing performance and increases costs due to increased component count and gas flow requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dust collection device with blow off units and intake units positioned to intersect the laser beam's direction, creating a unidirectional shield gas flow to efficiently remove dust and reduce circulation, thereby improving processing performance and environmental safety while simplifying the structure and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an air curtain is formed to cover four directions of the object to be processed, then dust removal coverage is improved, but device complexity and running cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air curtain structure is segmented into multiple independent air blowing units positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, right sides of the processing chamber). Each unit can be independently controlled to create localized gas flows that collectively achieve comprehensive dust removal coverage without requiring a single complex four-directional curtain system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical dimension to dust removal by positioning air blowing units at different heights within the processing chamber. This multi-level arrangement creates three-dimensional gas flow patterns that enhance dust removal effectiveness without increasing the horizontal footprint or requiring additional lateral components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an air curtain is formed to cover four directions of the object to be processed, then dust removal coverage is improved, but running cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a uniform four-directional air curtain throughout the entire processing chamber, the invention applies air blowing units selectively at specific locations where dust generation and accumulation are most problematic. This localized approach maintains effective dust removal coverage while significantly reducing the total gas flow requirement compared to a comprehensive four-directional curtain system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses partial action by implementing air blowing units at only the most critical positions within the processing chamber rather than uniformly distributing them in all four directions. This selective placement achieves sufficient dust removal performance with reduced gas consumption, avoiding the excessive gas flow required by a complete four-directional curtain system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If complex gas flow is created in the air curtain, then dust removal coverage is improved, but circulation and congestion occur reducing processing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowing units are configured to operate in coordinated sequences with controlled timing, creating periodic gas flow patterns that systematically move dust particles from different regions of the processing chamber toward collection points. This periodic operation prevents the formation of continuous circulation loops and congestion zones that would occur with simultaneous multi-directional air curtains, thereby maintaining laser processing performance while achieving effective dust removal.
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 enhances processing performance by effectively removing dust, improving the working environment, and reducing device failures, while also lowering initial and operational costs by simplifying the structure and reducing gas flow requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a blow off unit (17) configured to blow off a shield gas (G) to an irradiation point (P)
Implementation Method 2
an intake unit (18) configured to take in the shield gas (G) blown from the blow off unit (17)
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the disclosure is to improve processing performance. Another object of the disclosure is to improve a working environment and reduce a failure of a processing apparatus. The processing apparatus includes a processing stage on which a composite material is set, a laser head that emits a laser beam in a predetermined direction to the composite material set on the processing stage, a blow off unit that blows off a shield gas to an irradiation point irradiated with the laser beam by the laser head, and an intake unit that takes in the shield gas blown from the blow off unit. The blow off unit and the intake unit are provided so as to interpose the irradiation point and face each other in a first intersecting direction and cause the shield gas to flow in one direction.