Laser Head Protection Glass UV Cleaning for Continuous Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laser processing machines, the protective glass frequently becomes contaminated with organic matter and plasma, leading to reduced transmittance and increased downtime for replacement, which affects the operation rate.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing machine configuration that includes an ultraviolet irradiation device positioned to clean the protective glass in place, using UV rays to decompose contamination without removing the glass, combined with a control system to manage the cleaning process during idle times, ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective glass is frequently replaced to maintain transmittance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but machine downtime increases and operation rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective glass performs self-cleaning by utilizing the laser beam itself. The high-energy laser irradiation decomposes and removes organic contaminants and plasma deposits on the glass surface, restoring its transmittance without requiring manual intervention or machine shutdown. This self-service mechanism continuously maintains optical performance while the machine operates.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning action occurs continuously during laser operation rather than requiring separate maintenance cycles. The laser beam simultaneously performs its cutting function and cleans the protective glass, eliminating downtime and maintaining continuous productive operation of the machine.
2Reliability
If protective glass is replaced frequently, then contamination entry into laser head is reduced, but time loss for replacement work increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective glass automatically cleans itself during laser operation, maintaining its protective function and preventing contamination from entering the laser head. This continuous self-maintenance eliminates the need for periodic replacement operations and associated time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam continuously removes contaminants before they can accumulate to problematic levels or enter the laser head. This preliminary cleaning action prevents contamination buildup and eliminates the need for reactive maintenance.
3Productivity
If laser processing continues without cleaning, then productivity is maintained, but transmittance of protective glass decreases leading to cutting defects
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam continuously cleans the protective glass during operation, maintaining high transmittance and preventing cutting defects. This continuous cleaning ensures that productivity gains from uninterrupted operation do not compromise manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective glass self-cleans during laser operation, automatically maintaining its optical properties and ensuring consistent cutting quality throughout continuous production runs without manual intervention.
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 solution allows for continuous operation of the laser processing machine by maintaining the transmittance of the protective glass without stopping the machine for glass replacement, improving the overall operation rate and reducing contamination entry into the laser head.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet irradiation device (50) disposed above the workpiece conveying device or beside the workpiece conveying device such that a laser beam axis (91) of laser light that is radiated from the laser head (40) and an ultraviolet beam axis (92) of ultraviolet rays to be radiated are parallel to each other
Implementation Method 2
a control device (70) that controls the driving mechanism, the moving mechanism, and the ultraviolet irradiation device (50). The control device controls the moving mechanism to cause the ultraviolet irradiation device (50) to radiate ultraviolet rays on the protective glass (44)
Data Source
AI summary
A laser machining apparatus 1 includes: a laser head that is supported by a laser moving device so as to be movable in X, Y, and Z directions above a motor driven conveyor that transports a workpiece loaded thereon. The laser head includes protection glass for protecting a laser focusing lens; an ultraviolet irradiation device disposed beside the conveyor such that a laser light axis and an ultraviolet ray axis are parallel to each other; and a control device that controls the components of the laser machining apparatus so that the ultraviolet irradiation device radiates UV rays on the protection glass in a state in which a UV irradiation port faces a laser irradiation port of the laser head, thus cleaning the protection glass without removing it from the laser head.