Laser Head Gas Supply Layout for Homogeneous Cutting Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser cutting technologies face challenges in achieving uniform distribution of gas flow variables, particularly at higher sheet metal thicknesses and laser power levels, which affects surface quality and cutting speed.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply device with a storage chamber and throttle element, designed to provide a homogeneous gas flow by superimposing a laser beam and gas flow, ensuring even distribution of flow variables through a common volume, with the throttle element having a passage length to diameter ratio between 2 and 8, and the gas flow angle adjustable from 0° to 30° relative to the central axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional gas supply systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the gas flow distribution is non-uniform affecting surface quality and cutting speed
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply device is segmented into multiple functional components: a storage chamber for gas accumulation, a throttling element with multiple orifices for flow distribution, and a common volume for superimposition. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, achieving uniform gas flow distribution across the cutting area.
Solution Approach 2:
The common volume acts as an intermediary chamber between the throttling element and the cutting area. It allows the laser beam and gas flow to superimpose and interact in a controlled space, ensuring homogeneous distribution of both before they reach the workpiece, thereby improving cut quality.
2Productivity
If higher laser powers are used, then cutting speed can be increased, but uniform gas flow distribution becomes increasingly important and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The throttling element is designed with specific geometric parameters, particularly an orifice length-to-diameter ratio between 2 and 8. This parameter optimization ensures that the gas flow velocity and pressure are uniformly distributed across all orifices, maintaining consistent gas flow characteristics even at high laser powers and cutting speeds.
3Productivity
If gas flow parameters are not uniformly distributed, then cutting process is less efficient, but achieving uniform distribution increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The storage chamber serves as a preliminary accumulation space where gas is collected before distribution. This preliminary action allows the gas to stabilize and ensures sufficient gas volume is available for uniform distribution through the throttling element, improving cutting efficiency without requiring complex real-time control systems.
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 enhances the expulsion of melt and oxidation during laser cutting, resulting in improved surface quality, squareness of cut edges, and increased cutting speeds.
Implementation Method 1
The throttling element and the storage chamber are configured to generate a homogeneous gas flow in the common volume
Implementation Method 2
a common volume for superimposing a laser beam and a gas flow
Implementation Method 3
by transmitting pressure and shear forces at the cutting edge and flanks, it facilitates the expulsion of the molten material from the kerf
Implementation Method 4
the cutting gas supports the cutting process by enabling the conversion of iron to iron oxide
Implementation Method 5
the cutting gas prevents contamination of the last optical element in the processing head by deflecting process emissions through momentum transfer
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The invention relates to a laser processing system (1000). The laser processing system (1000) comprises a laser device for generating a laser beam (10), a gas supply device for generating a gas flow, and a common volume (120) in which the laser beam (10) and the gas flow are overlapped. The gas supply device comprises at least one storage chamber (112) having a gas inlet (114), and at least one throttle element (116, 416, 516) that connects the storage chamber (112) to the common volume (120), wherein the at least one storage chamber (112) and the at least one throttle element (116, 416, 516) are designed to provide a substantially homogeneous gas supply to the common volume (120).