Laser Cutting Head With Planar Gas Jet for Kerf Initiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser cutting systems require a tedious kerf initiation procedure and may experience bleeding issues that require repriming, leading to inconsistent cutting depths and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A laser cutting system with a movable cutting head and an auxiliary nozzle that emits a planar gas jet, allowing for continuous evacuation of molten material without the need for initial positioning adjustments, and incorporating an analysis stage for real-time monitoring and control of the cutting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cutting head is positioned at a distance from the part to initiate the cut with gas jet directed towards the laser beam impact point, then the molten material can be evacuated and the cut can begin, but the procedure becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary nozzle is positioned and configured in advance to emit a planar gas jet that automatically directs towards the laser beam impact point on the workpiece surface. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for manual distance adjustment and positioning during cut initiation, allowing the gas jet to immediately evacuate molten material when the laser beam strikes the workpiece.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary nozzle is designed to self-adjust its gas jet direction to always point towards the laser impact point on the workpiece surface, regardless of the cutting head's position. This self-service mechanism automatically maintains optimal gas jet alignment without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems, enabling continuous molten material evacuation throughout the cutting process.
2Reliability
If the cutting head is moved closer to the front surface as groove depth increases to maintain gas jet alignment, then the gas jet continues to direct towards the laser impact point, but the priming procedure must be repeated if bleeding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary nozzle is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities that allow it to automatically adjust its gas jet direction in real-time as the cutting head moves and as the groove deepens. This dynamic adjustment ensures the gas jet continuously targets the laser impact point at any depth, maintaining effective molten material evacuation without requiring manual repositioning or repriming procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates monitoring mechanisms that detect the laser impact point position and provide feedback to the auxiliary nozzle control system. This feedback enables the auxiliary nozzle to automatically adjust its gas jet direction and maintain optimal alignment with the moving laser impact point, ensuring consistent cutting depth and preventing bleeding without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If manual positioning adjustments are required to maintain gas jet alignment during cutting, then the gas jet can direct towards the laser impact point, but the process efficiency decreases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary nozzle is designed to self-adjust its gas jet direction to always point towards the laser impact point on the workpiece surface, regardless of the cutting head's position. This self-service mechanism automatically maintains optimal gas jet alignment without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems, enabling continuous molten material evacuation throughout the cutting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary nozzle maintains continuous and uninterrupted emission of the planar gas jet throughout the entire cutting process, automatically tracking and adjusting to the laser impact point position. This continuous useful action ensures uninterrupted molten material evacuation, preventing cut interruptions and maintaining high cutting speeds without manual repositioning.
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
Enables efficient kerf initiation and maintenance without the need for repriming, ensuring consistent cutting depths and improved operational efficiency by continuously evacuating molten material and monitoring the cutting front.
Implementation Method 1
a powerful laser beam having sufficient energy density to melt the material from which the part is made
Implementation Method 2
the surface is irradiated with a powerful laser beam having sufficient energy density
Implementation Method 3
the molten material is generally expelled by the impact and shear forces of a gas jet directed towards the intersection of the cutting face with the kerf
Implementation Method 4
the molten material is generally expelled by the impact and shear forces of a gas jet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a laser cutting system (2), comprising a cutting head (22) and a laser source (20), the cutting head (22) comprising an optical output (26), the laser source (20) being configured to generate a high-power laser beam (24), the cutting head (22) and the laser source (20) being configured so that the high-power laser beam (24) exits the cutting head (22) through the optical output (26) by propagating along a propagation axis (AA), the laser cutting system (2) being characterized in that the cutting head (22) further comprises at least one auxiliary nozzle (28), distant from the optical output (26) and configured to emit a planar gas jet (30) extending in an emission plane (P), the propagation axis (AA) of the high-power laser beam (24) belonging to the emission plane (P).