Laser Flat-Element Cutting With Continuous Feed and Perpendicular Cuts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for making shaped flat elements, such as plotters and laser cutting machines, face limitations including low productivity due to downtime for material loading and unloading, limited cutting area, inability to achieve perpendicular cuts, high energy consumption, and high costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a laser head with a fixed focal length, mobile along two work axes defined by guide bars with movement devices, and an additional movement device for advancing the flat elements, controlled by a unit that adjusts operations based on sensor data for deformation and position monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a static plotter with fixed material placement is used, then cutting precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to downtime for material loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static plotter system into a dynamic one by enabling continuous material feeding through rolling elements that move the material sheet through the cutting area without stopping, eliminating downtime for manual loading and unloading while maintaining cutting precision through controlled movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous operation by synchronizing the material transport system with the cutting head movement, allowing the laser cutting process to continue uninterrupted as material is continuously fed through the working area, thereby eliminating idle time between cutting operations
2Speed
If galvanometric heads are used to increase working speed, then cutting speed improves, but cutting quality deteriorates due to variable beam angle impacting the material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic synchronization between the moving material and the laser head to maintain optimal cutting conditions throughout the process, ensuring consistent cut quality while achieving high speeds through coordinated motion control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements control systems that monitor and adjust the laser head position and material feed rate in real-time, maintaining precise perpendicularity between the laser beam and material surface despite high-speed operation, thereby preserving cutting quality
3Area of stationary object
If galvanometric heads with large working areas are used, then cutting area increases, but energy consumption increases due to distributed energy focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large material sheet into smaller processing segments that are fed sequentially through the compact laser cutting head, maintaining concentrated energy focus for each segment while covering large overall areas, thereby reducing total energy consumption compared to using a single large-format galvanometric head
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 apparatus significantly increases productivity by minimizing downtime, allows for larger cutting areas, ensures precise perpendicular cuts, reduces energy consumption, and lowers costs, while maintaining high-quality cutting and marking operations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one laser head with fixed focal length
Implementation Method 2
configured to work said flat elements... for example, cutting, marking or other
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus (10) for making shaped flat elements (11), comprising at least one laser head (12) mobile along at least two work axes (X, Y) which are defined by respective guide bars (13, 14) equipped with respective movement devices (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b) and configured to work said flat elements (11).