Laser Machining Head Fibre Routing in a Guided Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser machining tools face limitations in flexibility and space efficiency due to the large minimum bending radius of fibre cables, which increases the tool's size and restricts the arrangement of the laser source, especially when handling high-power laser beams.
Innovation Solution
A flexible fibre cable is fixed between a machining unit and a movable carriage with two fixing means, allowing free movement in a guide plane, and guided with stop elements to restrict movement perpendicular to the plane, enabling a shorter fibre cable length and reduced deflection, thus enhancing flexibility and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fibre cable is guided through an energy chain with large bending radius to accommodate the minimum bending radius requirement, then the fibre cable can be properly routed, but the laser machining tool becomes larger and less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The fibre cable is guided in a predetermined guide plane between the machining unit and movable carriage, transitioning from three-dimensional spatial routing to two-dimensional planar routing. This dimensional reduction allows the cable to follow a more compact path while respecting minimum bending radius requirements, thereby reducing the overall tool volume without compromising cable routing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The fibre cable is designed to be freely movable within the predetermined guide plane, allowing dynamic adaptation to the relative positions of the machining unit and movable carriage. This dynamic flexibility enables the cable to automatically adjust its path while maintaining proper bending radius, eliminating the need for oversized rigid energy chain structures
2Reliability
If the fibre cable is guided with large bending radius, then the cable can handle high-power laser beams, but the cable length increases reducing flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The fibre cable is designed to be freely movable within the predetermined guide plane, allowing dynamic adaptation to the relative positions of the machining unit and movable carriage. This dynamic flexibility enables the cable to automatically adjust its path while maintaining proper bending radius, eliminating the need for oversized rigid energy chain structures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the routing parameters by constraining the cable to a predetermined guide plane, which optimizes the cable path geometry. This parameter change allows the cable to achieve the necessary bending radius for high-power laser handling while minimizing cable length and maximizing arrangement flexibility
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 solution allows for a more compact and flexible arrangement of the fibre cable, reducing the tool's size and costs, while maintaining the ability to handle high-power laser beams with increased design freedom for the laser source positioning.
Implementation Method 1
The laser light is usually supplied to the machining head of a laser machining tool via a fibre cable
Data Source
AI summary
A laser machining tool is disclosed. The laser machining tool includes a machining device that has a movable carriage. A machining unit, which includes a machining head, is arranged on the movable carriage. The machining head is configured to direct a laser beam of laser light onto a workpiece to be machined. A flexible fibre cable for supplying the laser light from a laser light source is connected to the machining head. The machining unit can be moved linearly together with the machining head relative to the movable carriage. The flexible fibre cable is fixed to the machining unit with a first fixing means and fixed to the movable carriage with a second fixing means. The flexible fibre cable is freely movable for enabling a linear movement of the machining unit relative to the movable carriage in a predetermined guide plane between the first and second fixing means.