Laser Numerical Controller Look-Ahead Nozzle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser beam machine numerical controllers experience prolonged machining times due to repetitive nozzle retreat and return operations when successive positioning commands are issued, leading to wasteful waiting times during gap control.
Innovation Solution
A numerical controller with a look-ahead unit that anticipates the next command block in the machining program, allowing the nozzle to remain in retreat mode if the subsequent command is not a positioning command, and automatically returning to the workpiece surface only when necessary, thereby optimizing movement control and reducing waiting times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the nozzle retreats to a certain height before starting contouring control axis movement to avoid obstacles, then obstacle interference is prevented, but machining time increases due to waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The look-ahead unit examines upcoming positioning commands in advance and determines whether the nozzle needs to retreat before contouring control axis movement starts. By performing this preliminary analysis, the system avoids unnecessary retreat operations and reduces waiting time while still preventing obstacle interference when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses look-ahead analysis to gather information about upcoming commands and adjusts the retreat control accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make intelligent decisions about whether to retreat the nozzle, balancing obstacle avoidance with machining efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If successive positioning commands are issued with repeated retreat and return operations, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but overall machining time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The look-ahead unit enables the system to maintain continuous useful action by determining whether the nozzle should remain in retreat mode across multiple successive positioning commands. When consecutive positioning commands are detected, the system avoids repeated retreat and return operations, allowing the contouring control axis to move continuously without unnecessary interruptions, thus improving machining efficiency while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Reliability
If the nozzle retreats for each positioning command block, then safe positioning is ensured, but the number of retreat/return cycles increases machining time
Solution Approach 1:
The look-ahead unit performs preliminary analysis of upcoming positioning commands to determine whether retreat operations are actually necessary. By examining the command sequence in advance, the system can identify cases where successive positioning commands don't require repeated retreat operations, thereby reducing positioning time while maintaining safe positioning through selective retreat control.
Data Source
AI summary
When positioning operation control is carried out from a machining end point to the next machining start point in laser beam machining using gap control of a nozzle, if positioning extends over a plurality of consecutive blocks, instead of allowing a gap control axis to automatically retreat or return by positioning of each block, the movement of the nozzle is controlled such that the gap control axis is allowed to automatically retreat by positioning of the first block and allowed to automatically return by positioning of the last block.