Laser Beam Guiding Optics With Dual-Circuit Actuator Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser machining apparatuses face issues with contamination and reliability due to cooling mediums entering the optical chamber, leading to damage or destruction of optical elements and poor performance at high heat exposure and vibration frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A machining apparatus with a cooling device that separates the cooling fluid into a primary circuit for cooling the actuator without contact and a secondary circuit for cooling in contact with the actuator, maintaining cleanliness and stability, allowing for reliable dynamic beam shaping at high frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling device with a single circuit is used to cool the actuator, then cooling efficiency is improved, but contamination of the optical chamber occurs due to cooling fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is divided into two separate circuits: a primary circuit that contacts the actuator directly for efficient cooling, and a secondary circuit that cools the primary cooling fluid indirectly. This segmentation prevents contamination of the optical chamber while maintaining effective actuator cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary cooling circuit acts as an intermediary between the primary cooling circuit and the external environment. It cools the primary cooling fluid through a heat exchanger without allowing the primary cooling fluid to escape into the optical chamber, thus preventing contamination while maintaining cooling efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If dynamic beam shaping is performed at high frequencies (100 Hz to 10 kHz), then laser machining quality is improved, but heat exposure and vibration increase causing actuator failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to cool the actuator before high-frequency dynamic beam shaping operations begin. The primary cooling circuit continuously removes heat generated during high-frequency operations, preventing thermal accumulation that would cause actuator failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device parameters are optimized to handle the thermal load generated during high-frequency dynamic beam shaping. The dual-circuit cooling system adjusts cooling capacity to match the heat generation rate during high-frequency operations, enabling sustained precision machining.
3Temperature
If the cooling fluid flows directly in contact with the actuator, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the cooling fluid may enter the optical chamber and damage optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two distinct circuits with different functions. The primary circuit provides direct cooling to the actuator, while the secondary circuit prevents cooling fluid intrusion into the optical chamber by using a separate cooling loop with a heat exchanger.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary cooling circuit serves as an intermediary barrier that protects the optical chamber from cooling fluid intrusion. It cools the primary cooling fluid through thermal exchange without allowing direct contact between the cooling fluid and the optical chamber environment.
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 ensures effective cooling and minimizes contamination, enabling reliable operation at high frequencies and long-term use, maintaining the cleanliness of the optical chamber and improving the accuracy and stability of laser beam shaping.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device for cooling the at least one actuator, wherein the cooling device has at least one primary circuit through which a first cooling fluid can flow without contact with the actuator and the cooling device has a closed secondary circuit, through which a second cooling fluid can flow in contact with the actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
A machining apparatus for laser machining a workpiece (12) in a machining zone (13) is provided, having a first interface (14) for a machining laser source for generating a machining laser beam (15), an outlet opening (18) for the machining laser beam (15), an optical system between the first interface (14) and the outlet opening (18), which has at least one laser beam guiding device (22) having at least one movable surface (24) and at least one actuator (26), with which the movable surface (24) is dynamically adjustable, and a cooling device (28) for cooling the at least one actuator (26), wherein the cooling device (28) has at least one primary circuit (30) through which a first cooling fluid can flow without contact with the actuator (26). Furthermore, a set of parts for a machining apparatus for laser machining a workpiece (12) and a method of laser machining a workpiece (12) using such machining apparatus are also provided.