Laser Oxide Stripping for Wire-Drawing Surface Roughness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing stainless-steel wires and ribbons for wire drawing, such as chemical stripping, are inefficient, costly, and environmentally hazardous due to the use of hazardous chemicals and the generation of pollutants.

Innovation Solution

A facility and method using a stripping assembly with multiple lasers distributed around a moving metal long product to remove oxide layers and ablate metal surfaces, controlled by a unit that adjusts parameters for complete oxide stripping and optimal surface roughness for wire drawing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical stripping is used to remove oxide layers, then oxide removal effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution and safety hazards worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxide removal effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental pollution and safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical stripping systems with a laser-based physical stripping system. The laser beam directly ablates oxide layers through high-energy density irradiation, eliminating the need for chemical baths and associated environmental controls while achieving complete oxide removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the stripping mechanism from chemical reaction-based to energy-based (laser). By controlling laser parameters such as power density, pulse duration, and scanning speed, the system achieves precise oxide layer removal without the harmful byproducts of chemical stripping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If chemical stripping facilities are implemented, then oxide stripping capability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxide stripping capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex chemical stripping infrastructure (baths, heating systems, ventilation, waste treatment) with a compact laser stripping system. The laser system requires only power supply and basic safety equipment, dramatically reducing infrastructure complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If laser stripping is used to remove oxides, then environmental impact is reduced, but surface roughness control worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidsurface roughness control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of laser parameters during the stripping process. By adjusting power, pulse duration, and scanning speed in real-time, the system optimizes both oxide removal and surface roughness outcomes, achieving environmentally friendly stripping with controlled surface characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter optimization to balance oxide removal effectiveness with surface roughness control. By carefully selecting and adjusting laser parameters, the system achieves complete oxide stripping while maintaining surface characteristics suitable for subsequent wire drawing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If multiple laser groups are distributed around the product, then oxide stripping completeness is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxide stripping completenessVSAvoidnumber of laser groups and distribution system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the stripping task among multiple laser groups distributed around the product. Each laser group targets a specific region, ensuring complete coverage of the product surface. This segmented approach achieves comprehensive oxide removal while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 method effectively removes oxide layers and imparts a predetermined roughness to the surface of metal long products, enabling efficient wire drawing without additional surface preparation and minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

a stripping assembly comprising at least one group of a plurality of lasers distributed around the moving long product, each laser being configured to emit beams onto the surface of the moving long product for stripping the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS20250135520A1Facility and method for treating the surface of an elongate product for the purpose of wire-drawing

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 APERAM

AI summary

The invention relates to a facility for treating a moving long product made of metal having a surface coated with a layer of oxide, comprising a stripping assembly comprising a group of lasers that are distributed around the long product a control unit for acquiring information relating to the long product the control unit being configured to determine operating parameters to be dictated on the stripping assembly in order to strip of the layer of oxide and to ablate a layer of metal of predetermined thickness, and so to obtain a predetermined roughness at the long product by comparing same with the experimental results pre-recorded in the control unit and dictating the operating parameters to the stripping assembly.