Laser Cutting Gas Nozzle Layout for Thick CFRP Quality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite material processing methods, such as those using laser cutting for thick CFRP materials, face issues with uneven gas flow during cutting, leading to reduced cooling effects and fume discharge, which can damage the material and decrease processing quality and speed.
Innovation Solution
A composite material processing apparatus and method that employs a gas supply unit with two ejection units positioned at different angles to ensure even gas flow into the cutting groove, using a first nozzle angled at 40 degrees and a second nozzle angled at 60 degrees relative to the composite material's surface, effectively distributing gas flow and improving fume discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single type of gas nozzle with uniform inclination angle is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the gas flow becomes uneven inside the cutting groove, reducing cooling effect and processing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is segmented into multiple gas nozzles with different inclination angles. Specifically, the patent uses a first gas nozzle with a first inclination angle and a second gas nozzle with a second inclination angle that is different from the first. This segmentation allows each nozzle to target different regions of the cutting groove, ensuring uniform gas flow distribution throughout the groove depth while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cutting groove are provided with gas nozzles having locally optimized inclination angles. The first gas nozzle with the first inclination angle targets one region of the groove, while the second gas nozzle with the second inclination angle targets another region. This local quality approach ensures that each part of the groove receives appropriate gas flow for effective cooling and fume discharge, improving overall processing quality.
2Productivity
If laser beam irradiation is applied to cut thick composite material, then the processing speed is maintained, but thermal influence damages the resin and reduces processing quality
Solution Approach 1:
Gas is supplied to the cutting groove before and during laser beam irradiation through multiple gas nozzles with different inclination angles. This preliminary action of cooling the groove with uniformly distributed gas flow prevents excessive thermal accumulation in the resin, allowing high-speed laser cutting of thick composite materials while maintaining processing quality by reducing thermal damage to the resin.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If gas is blown onto the irradiated part during laser cutting, then cooling effect and fume discharge are improved, but uneven gas flow reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply is segmented into multiple nozzles with different inclination angles to cover different regions of the cutting groove. The first gas nozzle with the first inclination angle and the second gas nozzle with the second inclination angle work together to distribute gas flow uniformly throughout the groove, ensuring effective fume discharge from all regions while maintaining consistent cooling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas nozzles are designed with asymmetric inclination angles relative to the cutting groove. The first gas nozzle has a first inclination angle and the second gas nozzle has a second inclination angle that differs from the first. This asymmetric configuration allows the gas flow to reach different depths and angles within the groove, creating uniform distribution patterns that effectively discharge fumes and provide cooling throughout the entire groove volume.
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
This approach enhances the quality of processed composite materials by maintaining processing speed while reducing thermal influence and fume interference, allowing for more efficient cutting of thick materials with improved gas flow distribution and fume management.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam source unit configured to output a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
irradiating a composite material with a laser beam to cut the composite material
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of gas nozzles supplied with a nitrogen gas, which is a non-oxidization gas
Implementation Method 4
nitrogen gas is blown onto a part irradiated with a laser beam
Implementation Method 5
it may not be possible to effectively discharge fumes, which occurs during cutting of the composite material, out of the groove
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to improve the quality of a processed composite material without reducing the processing rate. A processing apparatus includes a laser head configured to irradiate a front face of a composite material with a laser beam and a gas supply unit configured to supply an assist gas to an irradiation point irradiated with the laser beam by the laser head. The gas supply unit has a first-level nozzle configured to eject the assist gas to an area at or near the irradiation point and a second nozzle configured to eject the assist gas to an area at or near the irradiation point and arranged above the first-level nozzle. The angle of the direction in which the first-level nozzle ejects the assist gas relative to the front face differs from the angle of the direction in which the second nozzle ejects the assist gas relative to the front face.