Laser Torch Protection Enclosure With Brush Cover for Direct Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective enclosures for laser cutting machines are bulky, costly, and require pallet shuttles for loading and unloading workpieces, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational time.
Innovation Solution
A protection system that encloses only the laser torch head, using a movable frame with top, middle, and bottom protection assemblies, including semi-translucent light shields and brush assemblies to prevent laser reflections, allowing direct workpiece loading and unloading without a pallet shuttle, while maintaining accessibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective enclosure covers the entire laser cutting machine, then safety is improved, but machine volume increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure is divided into multiple sections: a fixed base enclosure and a movable protective cover that can be independently positioned. Only the laser torch head area is enclosed at any given time, rather than the entire machine, reducing overall volume while maintaining safety where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically positioned to enclose the laser torch head during operation and moved away to allow workpiece access. This dynamic configuration maintains safety during cutting while enabling efficient loading and unloading.
2Reliability
If a protective enclosure covers the entire laser cutting machine, then safety is improved, but operational time increases due to pallet shuttle requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure system is segmented so that only the laser torch head area requires protection during operation. The movable cover can be quickly positioned to enclose the laser head while leaving the workpiece loading area accessible, eliminating the need for time-consuming pallet shuttle operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable protective cover can be pre-positioned or quickly deployed only when the laser cutting operation begins, rather than requiring the entire machine to be enclosed from the start. This allows workpieces to be loaded and unloaded without waiting for full enclosure deployment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective enclosure covers the entire laser cutting machine, then laser reflection protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure is segmented into a fixed base structure and a movable cover portion. This segmentation simplifies the overall device by allowing the complex movable components to be isolated to only the areas requiring protection, rather than enclosing the entire machine structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable protective cover provides dynamic laser reflection protection only when and where needed around the laser torch head. This dynamic approach reduces device complexity compared to a fixed full-enclosure design by eliminating unnecessary structural elements and simplifying the protection mechanism.
4Reliability
If a protective enclosure covers the entire laser cutting machine, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure is divided into a fixed base enclosure and a movable protective cover. This segmentation reduces manufacturing cost by allowing each component to be optimized independently and reducing the total amount of protective material and structural support needed compared to a full-enclosure design.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable protective cover design reduces manufacturing cost by requiring protective enclosure only for the laser torch head area during operation, rather than enclosing the entire machine. This reduces material costs, assembly complexity, and maintenance requirements while maintaining essential safety functions.
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 reduces the overall volume of the laser cutting machine, lowers operational costs, and enhances safety by allowing direct workpiece handling while maintaining efficient operation and accessibility of the laser head.
Implementation Method 1
The top protection assembly includes a top cover having an opening, and at least brush assembly positioned to cover the opening of the top support cover
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a laser cutting tool with protective enclosure assembly for manipulating a workpiece on a movable platen includes a frame, a top protection assembly (40), a middle protection shield, a bottom protection assembly and a laser torch head. The top protection assembly (40), middle protection assembly, and bottom protection assembly are removably mounted to the frame such that they form a cavity enclosing only substantially the laser torch head. Said top protection assembly (40) comprises a top cover (41) having a top cover opening and a top brush assembly (44), wherein said top brush assembly (44) covers said top cover opening, so as to prevent leaking of any laser light from said cavity.