Laser Oxide Coloring of Metal Watch Components Without Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal component decorating methods using laser processing struggle to achieve selective coloring without simultaneous cutting, making it difficult to satisfy the need for only coloring the surface.
Innovation Solution
A metal component decorating method involving laser irradiation with scanning patterns that form an oxide film with varying thickness based on overlap density, allowing for gradation effects through light interference, where the laser irradiation starts from one end of the metal component and moves towards the other, enabling controlled coloring without cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser processing is performed simultaneously for cutting and coloring, then productivity is improved, but it becomes difficult to perform only coloring when desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the laser processing into separate functional stages: a first laser processing step for cutting/shaping and a second laser processing step for coloring. This segmentation allows independent control of each function, enabling selective application of coloring without cutting when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and versatility.
2Manufacturing precision
If laser irradiation is performed to form oxide film for coloring, then surface decoration is achieved, but additional processing time is required compared to simultaneous cutting and coloring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs cutting or shaping in a first laser processing step before performing coloring in a second step. By preparing the surface geometry in advance, the subsequent coloring process can focus exclusively on oxide film formation, ensuring high coloring quality while minimizing additional time through optimized sequential processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous laser scanning for oxide film formation with overlapping spots to ensure uniform and complete coverage. This continuous action with controlled overlap eliminates gaps in coloring, maintaining high manufacturing precision while optimizing processing time through efficient path planning.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple rounds of laser irradiation with different overlap amounts are performed, then gradation effects are achieved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the overlap amount of laser spots in different scanning regions to create gradation effects. By changing this single parameter (overlap density) across different areas, the system achieves complex visual effects without requiring additional hardware complexity, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and device complexity.
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 method allows for efficient and selective surface coloring of metal components, creating gradation effects by varying the overlap density of laser spots, enabling precise decoration without the need for simultaneous cutting, thus addressing the challenge of achieving desired coloration alone.
Implementation Method 1
an oxide film is formed at a front surface of the metal component by the laser irradiation
Implementation Method 2
gradation due to interference of light is provided in accordance with the density
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a decorating method for decorating a metal component by laser irradiation. The method includes performing laser irradiation while scanning, with a first element as a starting point, along a direction toward the metal component, and an oxide film is formed on the front surface of the metal component by the laser irradiation.