Laser Processing Nozzle Debris Trapping and Self-Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The suction mechanism in existing laser processing apparatuses is insufficient in removing debris during the ablation process, leading to incomplete processing due to debris accumulation on the protective film and in the optical path of the laser beam.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing apparatus with a processing nozzle that includes a debris trapping chamber and cleaning means, utilizing a shutter to close the chamber for cleaning with water and air to maintain suction efficiency and prevent debris clogging, ensuring effective debris removal and maintaining the optical path clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a suction mechanism is used to remove debris during laser processing, then debris removal capability is improved, but suction capability is lowered due to fused protective film accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fused protective film and debris from the suction mechanism by introducing a cleaning water supply port that flushes the interior of the processing nozzle. This separates the debris removal function from the suction mechanism itself, preventing accumulation that would reduce suction capability while maintaining effective debris removal during processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing nozzle performs self-cleaning by using the suction mechanism itself to remove the cleaning water and accumulated debris from its interior. The suction source creates negative pressure that draws cleaning water through the nozzle interior and expels it along with trapped debris, allowing the system to maintain its own performance without external intervention.
2Productivity
If debris is not sufficiently suctioned, then processing continues without interruption, but debris blocks the laser beam causing incomplete processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by cleaning the processing nozzle before debris accumulation reaches levels that would block the laser beam. The cleaning water supply port is positioned to flush the nozzle interior proactively, preventing debris buildup that would interfere with laser beam transmission and ensure processing completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by monitoring the suction mechanism's performance and triggering cleaning operations when debris accumulation is detected. The suction source creates negative pressure that not only removes debris during processing but also activates cleaning cycles when performance degradation is detected, maintaining both productivity and precision.
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 apparatus effectively suctions debris without lowering suction capability, preventing debris accumulation and ensuring complete processing by maintaining the suction efficiency and clarity of the laser beam path.
Implementation Method 1
When an ablation process is carried on a plate-shaped workpiece to form a processed groove in the surface thereof by applying a pulsed laser beam which has a wavelength absorbable by the plate-shaped workpiece
Implementation Method 2
the laser beam is focused at a point within the plate-shaped workpiece
Implementation Method 3
a suction mechanism for suctioning a processing spot that is irradiated with the laser beam
Implementation Method 4
a cleaning water supply port for supplying cleaning water to the debris trapping chamber when the opening is closed
Implementation Method 5
a shutter for closing the opening of the debris trapping chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing apparatus has a suction unit for suctioning debris. The suction unit includes a debris trapping chamber and a cleaning unit for cleaning the inside of the debris trapping chamber. The cleaning unit includes a shutter for closing an opening of the debris trapping chamber and a cleaning water supply port for supplying cleaning water to the debris trapping chamber when the opening thereof is closed. The shutter closes the opening of the debris trapping chamber, the suction unit exerts a suction through the suction port, and cleaning water is supplied from the cleaning water supply port to the debris trapping chamber and suctioned through the suction port to clean the inside of the debris trapping chamber.