Laser Oscillator Mode Switching for Power and Cycle Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser processing systems face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining efficient cycle times, particularly in switching between operation modes during the processing of workpieces.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing system that includes a mode switching mechanism to transition from an energy-saving mode to a standard-standby mode by controlling the electric power supplied to the laser oscillator and adjusting the movement of the irradiation position on the workpiece, along with a shutter control system to optimize power usage and processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the laser processing system operates in energy saving mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the cycle time increases due to delayed mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by switching to standard-standby mode before the irradiation position reaches the process start point. The mode switching is triggered in advance based on the position of the irradiation position relative to the process start point, allowing the laser oscillator to be ready when processing begins, thus avoiding delays during actual processing while still maintaining energy savings during non-product regions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the shutter is closed during mode switching to maintain laser light quality, then processing quality is maintained, but cycle time increases due to shutter operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the shutter operation from the mode switching process. By determining whether to close the shutter based on the current operation mode, the system avoids unnecessary shutter operations. Specifically, when already in standard-standby mode, the shutter is not closed during mode switching, eliminating the time loss from shutter operations while maintaining processing quality through appropriate mode management.
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 allows for reduced power consumption and shorter cycle times by optimizing the operation mode switching and maintaining continuous laser light emission, thereby enhancing processing efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a laser oscillator which generates laser light
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing system able to realize both reduction of the power consumption and shortening of the cycle time. The laser processing system is provided with a laser oscillator, a laser processing machine which has a movement mechanism which makes the irradiation position of the laser light on the workpiece move, a mode switching part which switches an operation mode of the laser oscillator between a standard-standby mode and an energy saving mode, a movement controller controlling the movement mechanism so as to place the irradiation position at a process start point placed at a non-product region of the workpiece, and a switching controller controlling the mode switching part to switch the operation mode from the energy saving mode to the standard-standby mode when placing the irradiation position at the process start point.