Laser Cutting Head Path Control for Clean Thick-Plate Corners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser processing methods for thick workpieces face issues with overheating and meltdown at corner portions during thermal cutting, leading to overburning and concave surface formation due to accumulated heat and instability in cutting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing method and machine that control the processing head to move along specific paths, including deceleration-free movement along one side, intermittent emission along another side, and pulsed laser beam usage at corners to prevent overheating, ensuring normal cutting speed and reducing the cutting range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If thermal cutting processing is interrupted in a loop-like processing path and then resumed when the workpiece reaches the vicinity of the edge portion again, then the processing can be continued, but heat accumulates in the vicinity of the already cut portion causing overburning and concave portions in the cutting surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a loop-like processing path that periodically returns to the edge portion vicinity. The processing is interrupted and resumed in a controlled manner, using periodic laser beam emission (intermittent emission) to manage heat accumulation while maintaining processing continuity. This periodic approach allows the system to clear heat buildup before resuming cutting, preventing overburning and concave surface defects.
2Reliability
If the processing head decelerates before reaching the corner portion, then the cutting condition can be stabilized, but this causes instability in cutting condition and meltdown of the corner portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by having the processing head maintain constant speed through the corner portion without deceleration. Instead of slowing down to stabilize cutting conditions, the system uses intermittent laser beam emission and a loop-like path that returns to the edge portion, thereby stabilizing conditions through periodic control rather than speed reduction. This inversion eliminates corner portion meltdown while maintaining cutting stability.
3Speed
If the laser beam is emitted continuously during corner processing, then cutting speed is maintained, but heat accumulates causing overburning and concave surface formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through intermittent laser beam emission during corner processing. The laser beam is emitted in periodic pulses rather than continuously, allowing heat to dissipate between pulses. This periodic emission maintains effective cutting speed while preventing heat accumulation that would cause overburning and concave surface defects, achieving both speed and quality requirements.
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 approach effectively suppresses overheating, maintains cutting stability, and reduces the risk of overburning and concave surface formation, improving the quality of edge portions in thermal cutting.
Implementation Method 1
a laser processing machine main body 50B that performs cutting processing of a workpiece W by moving a processing head 35 relatively that emits a laser beam LB toward the workpiece W
Implementation Method 2
moving the processing head 35 to the corner portion (edge portion A) along the first side L1 without decelerating
Data Source
AI summary
A processing head is moved to a corner portion along a first side without decelerating while emitting a laser beam; emission of the laser beam is stopped after the processing head which is moving reaches the corner portion; the processing head is moved from the corner portion to a first predetermined position separated by a first predetermined distance along a second side while emitting the laser beam intermittently, and emission of the laser beam is stopped when the processing head reaches the first predetermined position; the processing head is accelerated from a position, which is on an extension line of the second side and before the corner portion, toward the corner portion; and emission of the laser beam is started when the processing head which is accelerating reaches the corner portion, and then the processing head is moved along the second side.