Laser Processing Head With Local Pressure for Gap-Free Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser processing systems face limitations in clamping workpieces, particularly in laser welding, where insufficient compression at welding points leads to unwanted gaps, affecting processing quality.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing system with a vertically displaceable pressure element on the processing head, equipped with a pressure head that rests on the workpiece at the focal position of the laser beam, allowing for precise and defined pressure application to ensure gap-free joints, utilizing a linear guide and a pressure-generating element like a spring or fluid-actuated piston for optimal clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stationary workpiece holders are used, then the structure is simple, but the clamping possibilities are limited and insufficient compression occurs at welding points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the stationary workpiece holder into a dynamic system by introducing a pressure element that can be vertically displaced via a linear guide. This allows the pressure head to move to the focal position of the laser beam and apply dynamic compression forces during welding, ensuring sufficient compression at welding points while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressure element as an intermediary component between the workpiece holder and the workpiece. This pressure element, equipped with a pressure head, acts as a mediator to apply localized compression forces at the welding points without requiring complete redesign of the workpiece holder system, thus improving clamping reliability with minimal increase in device complexity.
2Force
If pressure element is added to processing head, then compression force is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure element is designed with multi-functionality to justify its addition to the processing head. It not only provides compression force at welding points but also integrates with the linear guide system for precise positioning and can be equipped with measuring devices for quality control. This multi-functional design maximizes the utility of the added component while minimizing the relative increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure element is designed to be self-regulating through the linear guide mechanism, which automatically positions the pressure head at the focal position of the laser beam. The system uses the movement of the processing head itself to drive the pressure element, eliminating the need for separate complex actuation systems and reducing the overall complexity increase.
3Manufacturing precision
If pressure head is positioned at focal position, then processing quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates measuring devices (such as mechanical probes or electronic position sensors) that provide feedback on the position of the pressure element relative to the processing head. This feedback mechanism ensures that the pressure head is accurately positioned at the focal position of the laser beam, maintaining high processing quality while using relatively simple measurement and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear guide system is pre-configured with guide rails and guide bodies that automatically guide the pressure element to the correct focal position as the processing head moves. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during welding, maintaining manufacturing precision while minimizing device complexity.
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 enables reliable and precise clamping of workpieces near the processing point, improving processing quality by ensuring a gap-free connection during welding, with the ability to adjust and document the pressure for quality control.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure element can be assigned a pressure-generating element, e.g. designed as a spring, for generating a contact pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a laser processing system comprising a workpiece support (2) for receiving a workpiece (14) to be processed, a workpiece holding device (3) for holding the workpiece (14), and a processing head (4) movable relative to the workpiece support (2), on which a laser optic (7) for focusing a laser beam (11) onto the workpiece (14) is arranged, wherein the workpiece holding device (3) includes a pressure element (12) arranged on the processing head (4) with a pressure head (13) that comes into contact with the workpiece (14) in the region of the focus position of the laser beam (11). The pressure element (12) is arranged on the processing head (4) so as to be vertically displaceable via a linear guide (17, 18, 19).