Laser Processing Head Coolant Drain Control for Sensor Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coolant supply systems for laser processing heads suffer from degraded measurement accuracy and tracking control issues due to increased electric conductivity of the coolant over time, leading to potential disruptions during prolonged deactivation periods.
Innovation Solution
A coolant supply system with a conductivity meter, drainage passage, and controller that monitors and controls the electromagnetic valve to drain excess coolant when conductivity exceeds a preset limit, ensuring continuous and accurate coolant supply by replacing the coolant and cleaning the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If coolant is accumulated in the tank for prolonged periods, then the coolant supply machine can be deactivated for long time, but the electric conductivity of the coolant increases quadratically exceeding the upper limit value and degrading measurement accuracy of the capacitance type distance sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the electric conductivity of the coolant in the tank and provides feedback to the controller. When the conductivity exceeds the preset upper limit value, the controller automatically activates the drainage passage to drain the degraded coolant and refill with fresh coolant, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy of the capacitance type distance sensor without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant supply system performs self-maintenance by automatically detecting when coolant quality degrades (through conductivity measurement) and self-correcting by draining and refilling the coolant tank. This eliminates the need for external monitoring or manual coolant replacement, allowing the system to maintain optimal performance during prolonged deactivation periods.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If coolant is accumulated in the tank for prolonged periods, then the coolant supply machine can be deactivated for long time, but the tracking control may be affected by degradation of measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives continuous feedback from the conductivity meter about coolant quality and automatically triggers the drainage and refilling operations when degradation is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures that the tracking control system always operates with coolant of appropriate conductivity, maintaining reliability even during prolonged deactivation periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary maintenance by continuously monitoring coolant conductivity and proactively draining and refilling the coolant before degradation affects tracking control accuracy. This preliminary action prevents potential disruptions to laser processing operations that require accurate tracking control.
3Reliability
If the electric conductivity of the coolant exceeds the upper limit value, then the coolant has been accumulated for long time, but continuous operation of the coolant supply machine increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the coolant supply machine operates periodically based on conductivity measurements. The pump and drainage system are activated only when the conductivity meter detects that the coolant quality has degraded beyond the acceptable threshold, and remain inactive when coolant quality is acceptable, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses conductivity measurement feedback to control the operation timing of the coolant supply machine. The machine operates only when necessary (when conductivity exceeds the upper limit) and remains dormant when coolant quality is acceptable, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.
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 maintains accurate tracking control and prevents disruptions during extended deactivation periods by ensuring the coolant's electric conductivity remains within acceptable limits, thereby ensuring reliable laser processing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a drainage passage (9) capable of draining the coolant (W3) accumulated in the coolant tank (T3) to an outside, wherein an electromagnetic valve (B2) is provided on the drainage passage (9)
Implementation Method 2
a capacitance type distance sensor that measures a distance from the laser processing head to the workpiece for a tracking control
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant supply system includes a coolant tank for accumulating coolant generated by using deionized water, a coolant supply passage for supplying the coolant in the coolant tank to the laser processing head, an electric conductivity meter for measuring an electric conductivity of the coolant to be supplied to the laser processing head, a drainage passage capable of draining the coolant from the coolant tank, an electromagnetic valve provided on the drainage passage, and a controller that controls open/close operations of the electromagnetic valve. The controller turns the electromagnetic valve from a closed state into an open state to drain the coolant in the coolant tank through the drainage passage when a measured value of the electric conductivity meter exceeds over a preset upper limit value.