Laser Head Scanning Control for Uniform Heat Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser machining techniques face issues with non-uniform laser irradiation due to varying scanning speeds, leading to inconsistent heat input and machining quality, especially when combining optical part rotation with relative movement between the machining head and workpiece.
Innovation Solution
A laser machine with a control unit that adjusts the emission output and movement of the machining head relative to the workpiece based on the rotation angles of optical parts, ensuring consistent heat input by changing the laser beam's output condition according to the rotation angle and relative movement speed, allowing the laser beam to follow a curvilinear or linear pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical part is rotated to cause the laser beam to make swinging motion while the machining head moves relative to the workpiece, then the laser beam can cover a wider area and perform complex machining patterns, but the scanning speed becomes non-uniform leading to inconsistent heat input and non-uniform machining results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the laser output dynamically adjustable based on the real-time scanning speed. The control unit modifies the laser output in response to changes in scanning speed caused by the optical part rotation and machining head movement, ensuring that the heat input remains consistent even as the scanning pattern changes. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between versatile scanning patterns and machining uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the laser output parameter in response to the scanning speed variations. By adjusting the laser output based on the rotation angle of the optical part and the relative movement speed, the system maintains consistent heat input per unit length despite the non-uniform scanning speed, thereby achieving uniform machining results while allowing complex scanning patterns.
2Power
If the laser output is kept constant during high-speed scanning, then the energy delivery is simple and stable, but the heat input per unit length becomes excessive leading to poor machining quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser output parameter dynamically based on the scanning speed. When scanning speed increases, the laser output is reduced to maintain appropriate heat input per unit length. This parameter adjustment ensures that machining quality remains high even during high-speed scanning, resolving the contradiction between power stability and machining quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the control unit monitors the scanning speed (based on optical part rotation angle and machining head movement) and adjusts the laser output accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the laser output is optimized for the current scanning conditions, preventing excessive heat input and maintaining high machining quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If the laser output is increased to compensate for high scanning speed, then the heat input per unit length can be maintained, but the thermal conduction time varies leading to inconsistent machining phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the laser output parameter in response to scanning speed variations, which indirectly compensates for thermal conduction effects. By maintaining consistent heat input per unit length through dynamic laser output adjustment, the system achieves more consistent machining phenomena despite varying thermal conduction times at different scanning speeds.
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 ensures uniform laser machining by maintaining a favorable scanning speed and heat input, preventing re-irradiation of already machined sections and optimizing machining quality across the workpiece.
Implementation Method 1
an optical part (first mirror 24a, second mirror 24b, mirror 24c described later, for example) allowing reflection of the laser beam (laser beam LL described later, for example) or allowing the laser beam to pass through
Implementation Method 2
a focusing optical system (third lens 23 described later, for example) that focuses the laser beam
Implementation Method 3
a machining head (machining head 12 described later, for example) including a laser source (laser source 30 described later, for example) that emits a laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A laser machine comprises: a head including optical parts allowing reflection of a laser beam or allowing the laser beam to pass through, while being rotatable about rotary axes, and a focusing optical system that focuses the laser beam; a moving mechanism that allows the head and a target to move relative to each other; and a control unit that controls rotations of the optical parts in such a manner that an irradiation intended position to be reached by an emission optical axis when the laser beam is emitted to the target moves in a curvilinear pattern or a linear pattern, controls movement by the moving mechanism so as to move the head and the target relative to each other, and controls emission output from the laser source so as to change a condition for emitting the laser beam based on the rotation angles of the optical parts.