Laser Processing Focusing Angle for Spot Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser processing machines experience variations in light spot areas due to oblique incidence of laser light, leading to reduced processing quality and increased complexity and cost, as they require additional focusing lenses or complex Z-axis adjustments to maintain consistent spot sizes across the processing surface.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing machine with a focusing unit set to focus laser light at a position more distant from vertical incidence than oblique incidence, allowing for a simple configuration that maintains consistent light spot areas across the processing surface without additional lenses or complex Z-axis adjustments, by setting the focusing unit to coincide light spot areas at both vertical and oblique incidence positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a focusing lens is used to enable vertical incidence of laser light at any position, then light spot area variation is reduced, but processing region becomes small and machine cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the focusing angle parameter of the focusing unit to a specific value (5 degrees in the embodiment) to compensate for oblique incidence effects. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain consistent light spot areas across the processing surface without requiring additional focusing lenses or complex Z-axis adjustments, thereby resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The focusing angle is predetermined and set in advance based on the processing surface characteristics and laser beam parameters. This preliminary setting eliminates the need for real-time adjustments or additional optical components during processing, maintaining both precision and simplicity
2Manufacturing precision
If Z-axis scanner is used to dynamically adjust focal position, then light spot area variation is reduced, but machine structure becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the focusing angle adjustment function from the complex Z-axis scanning mechanism and implements it as a separate, simple focusing unit with a fixed focusing angle. This separation eliminates the need for dynamic Z-axis adjustments during processing, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining light spot consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical Z-axis scanning system with an optical solution using a focusing unit that adjusts the focusing angle. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical movements and components while achieving the same goal of maintaining consistent light spot areas
3Area of stationary object
If lens diameter is increased to enlarge processing region, then processing region becomes larger, but machine cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the focusing angle parameter to compensate for oblique incidence effects across a wider area. This allows the system to maintain consistent light spot quality over a larger processing region without increasing lens diameter, thereby enlarging the processing region while controlling manufacturing costs
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 configuration reduces light spot area variations over the entire processing surface, simplifies the machine's structure, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining processing quality, even with changes in work size or distance from the scanning unit.
Implementation Method 1
a focusing unit which is disposed between the laser oscillator and the scanning unit and which focuses the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator
Data Source
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AI summary
A laser processing machine includes: a laser oscillator which emits laser light; a scanning unit which scans a processing target surface of a work by deflecting the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator; and a focusing unit which is disposed between the laser oscillator and the scanning unit and which focuses the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator. The focusing unit is set so as to focus the laser light at a second position that is more distant from a first position where the laser light is incident vertically than a third position that is farthest from the first position in the processing target surface of the work.