Laser Machine Tool Dual-Slide Balancing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Laser machine tools face challenges in achieving precise and rapid operations on large workpieces while minimizing vibrations, especially when working with high-speed and high-acceleration movements.

Innovation Solution

The laser machine tool employs a dual-slide system with orthogonal axes and balancing weights to control the laser head's displacement, allowing for high-speed and high-acceleration movements within a restricted space while maintaining low accelerations in a wider space, thereby reducing vibrations and enabling precise cutting or welding on large metal sheets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the laser head is displaced at high speeds and accelerations within a restricted space, then productivity and manufacturing precision are improved, but vibrations are generated that deteriorate stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of laser head displacementVSAvoidvibrations of mobile assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies counterweight balancing means to compensate for the mass of the laser head and moving components. By positioning counterweights opposite to the moving mass, the system offsets inertial forces generated during high-speed acceleration and deceleration, thereby reducing vibrations transmitted to the supporting structure while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Manufacturing precision

If the laser head is displaced at high accelerations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but harmful vibrations are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of laser positioningVSAvoidvibrations from high acceleration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Counterweight balancing means are configured to offset the high acceleration forces generated during precise laser positioning. The counterweights move in opposition to the laser head, canceling out inertial forces and preventing vibration generation while maintaining the ability to achieve high positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the moving member is displaced in a wide space with low accelerations, then stability is improved, but the speed of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during wide-space displacementVSAvoidspeed of moving member displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the motion system into two independent levels: the moving member (carrying laser head) that operates at low accelerations over wide spaces for stability, and the laser head itself that operates at high accelerations within a restricted space for speed. This segmentation allows each subsystem to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of time

If high-speed movements are used to improve productivity, then time is reduced, but vibrations deteriorate reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for laser operationsVSAvoidreliability affected by vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The counterweight balancing system compensates for high-speed movements by offsetting inertial forces during acceleration and deceleration phases. This allows the laser head to move at high speeds for improved productivity while the counterweights prevent vibration generation that would otherwise compromise operational reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

5Device complexity

If the laser head is constrained to a restricted space, then device complexity is reduced, but the working area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of displacement mechanismVSAvoidworking area on workpiece

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the working space into a large displacement area for the moving member (enabling work on large workpieces) and a restricted high-speed area for the laser head (simplifying the displacement mechanism). The moving member carries the laser head over the large workpiece area at low speeds, while the laser head performs high-speed positioning within its restricted travel range, combining both benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7910857B2Laser machine tool

Publication Date: 2011.03.22 PRIMA IND

AI summary

A laser machine tool for carrying out cutting or welding operations includes a laser head carried by a moving member which is displaceable with respect to a workpiece along two horizontal cartesian axes in a relatively wide space with movements involving relatively low accelerations. The laser head is displaceable on the moving member, along a pair of horizontal cartesian axes in a relatively restricted space with high speeds and accelerations, via a pair of slides to which respective balancing weights are operatively associated.