Laser Processing Head Control for Safe Automatic Beam Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser processing systems require improved safety measures to ensure that automatic drive modes are executed without unintentionally emitting laser beams in unintended directions, particularly when operating in close proximity to operators or environmental objects.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing system with a mode selection switch to choose between automatic and manual drive modes, equipped with a distance measurement sensor and contact detection device, ensuring safe operation by only initiating laser emission and movement operations when the workpiece is within a predetermined range and in contact with the processing head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic drive mode is implemented to ensure work safety, then safety is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary distance measurement and contact detection before allowing laser emission in automatic mode. The distance measurement sensor and contact detection device check conditions in advance, and only enable automatic drive when workpiece is within predetermined range and in contact with processing head, preventing unsafe operation before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The mode selection switch acts as an intermediary control element that manages the transition between manual and automatic drive modes. It coordinates the activation of safety mechanisms and laser emission based on the selected mode, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining safety requirements.
2Reliability
If distance measurement and contact detection are required before laser emission, then safety is improved, but the operation time increases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The distance measurement sensor and contact detection device perform verification checks before laser emission is enabled. In automatic mode, these checks are conducted in advance to confirm workpiece positioning, ensuring safety conditions are met before the actual processing begins, thereby preventing unsafe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Once the workpiece is properly positioned and contact is established, the system maintains continuous monitoring of distance and contact conditions during automatic operation. This allows the laser emission to proceed continuously without repeated interruption for verification, minimizing time loss while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If mode selection switch is added to control automatic and manual modes, then safety control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mode selection switch serves multiple functions: it selects between manual and automatic drive modes, triggers appropriate safety verification procedures, and controls laser emission permissions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control circuits for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving safety control.
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
The system effectively prevents unintentional laser emissions by ensuring that the laser beams are only emitted in the intended direction, thereby enhancing safety during automatic and manual operations.
Implementation Method 1
a distance measurement sensor configured to measure a distance between the laser processing head and the workpiece
Implementation Method 2
a laser processing head configured to emit a laser beam generated by a laser oscillator
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing includes: a laser processing head; a robot for moving the laser processing head; a distance measuring sensor for measuring a distance between the laser processing head and a workpiece; a control device for controlling a laser emission operation of the laser oscillator and a movement operation of the robot; and a mode selection switch for selecting an operating mode for the laser processing. The control device executes the laser emission operation and the movement operation as the automatic operating mode if the automatic operating mode is selected by the mode selection switch and the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor is within a predetermined range.