Laser Ignition for Explosive Forming Setup Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for explosive forming face challenges in achieving precise and repeatable ignition with short setup times, particularly in mass production, as they require robust dies and ignition mechanisms that can withstand high loads and ensure consistent forming results.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing an energy beam, such as a laser, to ignite explosives within an ignition tube external to the forming device, allowing for precise control of the ignition site, energy amount, and timing, enabling controlled detonation fronts to shape work pieces efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional ignition mechanisms (mercury fulminate, heating wire) are used to ignite explosive gas mixtures in the die, then individual part manufacture is enabled, but setup times are long and mass production is not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/chemical ignition systems (mercury fulminate, heating wires, spark plugs) with a laser-based optical ignition system. The laser beam can be rapidly positioned and fired without mechanical movement or complex ignition mechanism setup, enabling extremely short setup times and making the process suitable for mass production while maintaining precise control over ignition timing and location.
2Reliability
If robust dies and ignition mechanisms are used to withstand high explosion loads, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser ignition system eliminates complex mechanical ignition mechanisms and robust die structures required for traditional methods. The laser beam can be focused precisely through a simple transparent window in the die, igniting the explosive gas mixture reliably without requiring complex ignition components or overly robust die construction, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent window or medium in the die through which the laser beam passes to ignite the explosive mixture. This intermediary structure simplifies the die design compared to traditional robust constructions, while ensuring reliable laser energy transmission for consistent ignition across multiple production cycles.
3Manufacturing precision
If explosive gas is introduced directly into the die for ignition, then forming can occur, but precise control of ignition timing and location is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The laser ignition system provides precise control over ignition timing and location through optical focusing and electronic timing control, without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems or multiple ignition points. The laser beam can be focused to a specific location within the die and fired at precisely controlled moments, achieving high manufacturing precision with relatively simple device complexity.
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 allows for precise and repeatable explosive forming with improved control over the explosion process, reducing setup times and enhancing the predictability of forming results, enabling efficient mass production by allowing simultaneous or time-offset ignition of multiple work pieces.
Implementation Method 1
using an energy beam, igniting the explosive (7) within the ignition chamber (6) of the ignition tube (5); wherein a detonation front that is formed subsequent to igniting the explosive (7) propagates along the ignition tube (5)
Implementation Method 2
a detonation front that is formed subsequent to igniting the explosive (7) propagates along the ignition tube (5) and into the forming device (4), to form the work piece (18) into the final shape
Data Source
AI summary
With the invention, a method and a device for explosive forming of work pieces, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and there deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, is to be improved, in that an ignition mechanism that is technically easy to handle is produced with the shortest possible setup times, which permits the most precise possible ignition of the explosive with time-repeatable accuracy. This task is solved by a method and device, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed there by means of an explosive being ignited, in which the explosive is ignited by means of at least one energy beam.