Liquid Jet Guided Laser Nozzle Enclosure for Back-Splash Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser machining apparatuses with splash guards suffer from inefficiencies due to back-splashing fluid disrupting the fluid jet, leading to decreased machining efficiency and stability, and require frequent replacement of parts.
Innovation Solution
A hermetic enclosure with a coaxially aligned exit aperture and a removable lower part that allows for precise alignment and easy cleaning, reducing fluid and gas exchange and maintaining the integrity of the fluid jet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a thin metal sheet is used as a splash guard, then the cost is reduced, but the machining efficiency decreases due to fluid back-splashing and jet disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into an upper part and a lower part that can be separately assembled and disassembled. The lower part with the exit aperture is removably attached to the upper part, allowing for easy cleaning and maintenance while maintaining effective splash protection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetic enclosure replaces the disposable thin metal sheet with a durable, reusable structure that provides long-term splash protection without the efficiency losses associated with metal sheet designs.
2Ease of repair
If the lower part is removably attached to the upper part, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into two main parts: an upper part and a lower part. The lower part is removably attached to the upper part, enabling easy removal for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment between the upper and lower parts is designed to be dynamic rather than permanent, allowing the lower part to be easily removed and reattached as needed for maintenance while providing a hermetic seal during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the exit aperture is drilled by laser beam, then the aperture is created, but the aperture shape cannot be controlled and becomes oval instead of round
Solution Approach 1:
The exit aperture is pre-formed in the lower part with precise round geometry before assembly. This preliminary formation of the aperture avoids the shape distortion that occurs when drilling through the metal sheet during operation, ensuring the aperture remains round and properly aligned with the fluid jet.
4Productivity
If additional apertures are provided for fluid release, then fluid accumulation is prevented, but fluid back-splashing protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of additional apertures that allow fluid back-splashing is removed from the design. Instead, the hermetic enclosure with its single precisely-controlled exit aperture effectively manages fluid flow and prevents back-splashing while maintaining proper fluid release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of fluid accumulation into a benefit by using the hermetic enclosure to control and direct fluid flow through the single exit aperture, preventing both accumulation and back-splashing simultaneously.
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 solution significantly enhances machining efficiency and stability by preventing back-splashing fluid from entering the apparatus, reducing gas consumption, and allowing for easy maintenance and alignment of parts.
Implementation Method 1
a hermetic enclosure (106) comprising an upper part (107) and a lower part (109), wherein the lower part (109) is removably attached to the upper part (107) by means of an interface unit (108)
Implementation Method 2
apparatus for machining a workpiece with a laser beam coupled into a fluid jet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus 100, 200, 300 and a method 400 for machining a workpiece 101 with a laser beam 102. In particular, the apparatus 100, 200, 300 comprises a nozzle 103 for generating a pressurized fluid jet 104, and at least one optical element 105 configured to couple the laser beam 102 into the fluid jet 104. The apparatus 100, 200, 300 also includes a hermetic enclosure 106 surrounding the nozzle 103 and the at least one optical element 105. The hermetic enclosure 106 includes an upper part 107 provided with an interface unit 108, and a lower part 109 removably attached to the upper part 107 by means of the interface unit 108. The lower part 109 comprises an exit aperture 110 for outputting the fluid jet 104 towards the workpiece 101, wherein the exit aperture 110 and the fluid jet 104 are coaxially aligned.