Laser-Etching Conveyor With Split Beams for Confectionery Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser-etching processes for confectionary products are time-consuming and inefficient for rapid production of large quantities, necessitating a system or method to enhance productivity.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a laser system that includes beam splitters and deflectors to efficiently etch objects, combined with smoke extraction and user control features, enabling high-speed etching of confectionary products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser-etching is used to create prints or designs on confectionary products, then manufacturing precision and design quality are improved, but productivity decreases due to the time-consuming nature of the process
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam is divided into multiple parallel beams using beam splitters, allowing simultaneous etching of multiple products along the conveyor path. This segmentation of the single laser source into multiple working beams maintains etching precision while dramatically increasing throughput by processing multiple items in parallel rather than sequentially
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point sequential etching to multi-point parallel etching by introducing the spatial dimension of multiple beam paths. The conveyor system moves products through the laser zone while multiple beams etch different positions simultaneously, converting a one-dimensional sequential process into a multi-dimensional parallel process that increases productivity without sacrificing precision
2Productivity
If a single laser beam is used for etching, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity is limited due to sequential processing of each object
Solution Approach 1:
Beam splitters divide the single laser beam into multiple parallel beams, creating multiple etching stations from one laser source. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of multiple products without requiring multiple independent laser systems, thereby increasing throughput while controlling device complexity through shared laser infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The single laser source serves multiple functions by generating multiple parallel beams that simultaneously etch different products. This multi-functionality allows one laser system to perform the work of multiple lasers, increasing productivity while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple separate laser sources, power supplies, and control systems
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 system allows for rapid laser-etching of up to 750,000 objects per hour with precise control over etching depth and design, while effectively managing smoke and particulates.
Implementation Method 1
a laser source, the laser source emitting a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
Laser-etching uses laser energy to target, ablate, and remove at least part of a substrate included in a given confectionary product
Implementation Method 3
one or more beam splitters configured to split the laser beam into a plurality of beam segments
Implementation Method 4
one or more beam deflectors configured to direct each beam segment of the plurality of beam segments onto an outer surface of the plurality of objects
Implementation Method 5
a conveyor system with a transport path that transports the plurality of objects from a first end to a second end, the conveyor system rotating about a first axis in a transporting direction
Implementation Method 6
a smoke extraction system configured to remove smoke and/or particulates from the system caused by the laser-etching
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a conveyor system with a transport path that transports the plurality of objects from a first end to a second end, the conveyor system rotating about a first axis in a transporting direction. A system may include a laser system configured to interact with the plurality of objects while the plurality of objects are on the transport path between the first end and the second end, the laser system including a laser source that emits a laser beam, one or more beam splitters configured to split the laser beam into a plurality of beam segments, and one or more beam deflectors configured to direct each beam segment of the plurality of beam segments onto an outer surface of the plurality of objects such that each beam segment is configured to laser-etch the outer surface of the plurality of objects.