Laser Cutting Head Fibre Routing for Compact Linear Motion
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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, reducing the fibre cable's length and bending radius, enabling more compact and flexible arrangement.
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 size is enlarged and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fibre cable path is divided into multiple segments with different curvature characteristics. The cable is routed through guide elements that create controlled bends, allowing the cable to follow a segmented path that accommodates its minimum bending radius requirement while keeping the overall tool structure compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The fibre cable is guided not only in the horizontal plane but also in the vertical dimension. By utilizing three-dimensional space with guide elements positioned at different heights, the cable can achieve the required bending radius without expanding the horizontal footprint of the tool.
2Reliability
If the fibre cable is guided through an energy chain with large bending radius, then the cable can be properly routed, but the cable length is increased which limits flexibility in arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are designed with optimized curvature radii that match the fibre cable's minimum bending radius requirements. By using smoothly curved guide paths rather than sharp angles or excessive bends, the cable length is minimized while still accommodating the cable's mechanical constraints.
3Ease of operation
If the fibre cable is freely movable between fixing means, then the machining unit can move linearly in the guide plane, but the cable may move perpendicular to the plane causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible guide structure, such as a flexible wall or thin film barrier, is positioned to confine the fibre cable within the guide plane. This flexible element allows the cable to move freely within the plane while preventing perpendicular displacement that would cause interference with other tool components.
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 guidance of the fibre cable, reducing the tool's size and increasing design freedom for the laser source positioning, while maintaining the necessary rigidity for high-power laser operations.
Implementation Method 1
The laser light is usually supplied to the machining head of a laser machining tool via a fibre cable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laser machining tool (100), in particular a laser cutting tool, comprising a machining device (1) which is guided on a bridge (10) and has a movable carriage (2), on which a machining unit (3) is arranged, which has a machining head (4), which is designed in such a way that it directs a laser beam of laser light onto a workpiece to be machined, wherein a flexible fibre cable (6) for supplying the laser light from a laser light source (16) is connected to the machining head (4) and the machining unit (3) can be moved linearly together with the machining head (4) relative to the movable carriage (2). The fibre cable (6) is fixed to the machining unit (3) with a first fixing means (7) and fixed to the movable carriage (2) with a second fixing means (8), wherein the fibre cable (6) is freely movable for enabling a linear movement of the machining unit (3) relative to the movable carriage (2) in a predetermined guide plane (G) between the first and second fixing means (7, 8).