Dual Protective Glass Layout for Laser Optics Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting laser optics during welding and cutting processes require frequent replacement of expensive protective glasses, leading to high operating costs and potential contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A device with a thin, inexpensive second protective glass arranged between the laser optics and the outlet nozzle, impinged by cutting gas on both sides, reduces the need for frequent replacement of the high-pressure resistant glass by using a simpler design and maintaining constant pressure between the glasses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective glass is used in front of laser optics, then the optics are protected from emissions, but the operating costs increase due to frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The protective glass is divided into two separate glasses: a first protective glass close to the laser optics and a second protective glass closer to the workpiece. This segmentation allows the second glass to be replaced independently when contaminated, preserving the first glass and reducing overall replacement frequency and costs.
2Reliability
If a protective glass is used, then the laser optics are protected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective glass is divided into two separate glasses: a first protective glass close to the laser optics and a second protective glass closer to the workpiece. This segmentation allows the second glass to be replaced independently when contaminated, preserving the first glass and reducing overall replacement frequency and costs.
3Strength
If a thick, high-pressure resistant protective glass is used, then the glass can withstand cutting gas pressure, but the cost increases and replacement becomes more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The protective glass is divided into two separate glasses: a first protective glass close to the laser optics and a second protective glass closer to the workpiece. This segmentation allows the second glass to be replaced independently when contaminated, preserving the first glass and reducing overall replacement frequency and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The first protective glass near the laser optics is designed with high pressure resistance and greater thickness to withstand cutting gas pressure, while the second protective glass can be thinner and less expensive since it serves as a sacrificial element that gets replaced when contaminated.
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 solution extends the service life of the high-pressure resistant glass by protecting it from contamination and reducing replacement costs, while allowing for cost-effective and error-tolerant maintenance without compromising process reliability.
Implementation Method 1
impinged by cutting gas on both sides, reduces the need for frequent replacement of the high-pressure resistant glass by using a simpler design and maintaining constant pressure between the glasses
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the protection of laser optics or to their lifetime increase. The device for the protection of laser optics comprises a housing arranged below a laser optics housing with a connection for the supply of a cutting gas, and on the opposite side to the laser optics outlet nozzle for the cutting gas and a pressure-resistant protective glass on the side of the laser optics and a process-side protective glass, which is arranged between the nozzle and pressure-resistant protective glass available.