Laser Flatbed Panel Geometry Capture for Remnant Sheet Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser cutting technologies face inefficiencies in managing remaining panel-shaped materials after partial processing, requiring manual alignment and measurement, which can lead to material waste and process disturbances.
Innovation Solution
Utilize imaging systems like cameras or lidar scanners to automatically determine the geometry of remaining panels, including outer and inner cutout regions, enabling efficient planning and cutting of workpieces without manual alignment or specific sheet placement conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If manual alignment and measurement methods are used for remaining panels, then the process is simpler in terms of equipment, but material waste increases and manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment and measurement methods with an automated optical imaging system. A camera captures images of the remaining panel, and image processing algorithms automatically determine the panel geometry, outer contour, and inner cutout regions. This substitution eliminates material waste associated with manual methods while introducing automated vision technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the remaining panel to 'self-report' its geometry through automatic image capture and processing. The imaging system and evaluation algorithms automatically determine the panel's outer contour and inner cutout regions without requiring manual measurement or alignment operations, making the panel itself the source of its geometric information.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated imaging systems are used to determine panel geometry, then manufacturing precision and material efficiency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an automated optical imaging system with camera-based capture and digital image processing to determine panel geometry. This replaces imprecise manual measurement methods with automated vision technology that accurately identifies the panel's outer contour and inner cutout regions through algorithmic analysis of captured images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the panel's physical geometry through image capture. The camera records the panel's appearance, and image processing algorithms generate a digital representation of the outer contour and inner cutout regions, which can then be used for planning without physical contact or manual measurement.
3Productivity
If manual measurement and alignment are performed, then equipment requirements are simpler, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual measurement and alignment operations with automated optical imaging and digital image processing. The camera captures the panel geometry instantaneously, and algorithms rapidly process the images to determine the outer contour and inner cutout regions, significantly reducing processing time compared to manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs geometry determination as a preliminary step before cutting planning. By automatically capturing and processing panel images beforehand, the system prepares the geometric data needed for subsequent cutting operations, enabling faster overall production cycles compared to manual measurement performed during the planning phase.
4Adaptability or versatility
If specific sheet placement conditions are required, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but adaptability decreases and material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system automatically adapts to the panel's actual placement by capturing its geometry as it exists. The image processing algorithms identify the outer contour and inner cutout regions regardless of the panel's position or orientation on the sheet, eliminating the need for specific placement conditions and reducing material waste from conservative positioning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, fixed-placement requirements to dynamic, adaptive geometry determination. The camera-based imaging and image processing algorithms can handle panels in various positions and orientations, automatically adjusting to capture the actual geometry without requiring the panel to meet predetermined placement specifications.
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
Enables efficient utilization of remaining materials, reduces material waste, and minimizes process disturbances by accurately determining and planning cutting processes based on actual panel geometry, enhancing material efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
producing an image recording of a remaining panel-shaped material using an imaging systems, such as one or more cameras or a stereo camera or a lidar (laser imaging, detection, and ranging) scanner
Implementation Method 2
producing an image recording of a remaining panel-shaped material using an imaging systems, such as one or more cameras or a stereo camera or a lidar (laser imaging, detection, and ranging) scanner
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides methods for providing panel planning geometry data for planning a laser cutting process. The methods include producing an image recording of a remaining panel-shaped material, e.g., wherein the remaining panel was processed by a laser flatbed machine and has inner cutout regions, evaluating the image recording to determine a remaining panel outer contour, evaluating the image recording to determine an inner cutout region, wherein the inner cutout region is determined by an inner cutout contour identified in the image recording, deriving a remaining area of the remaining panel using the outer contour and the inner cutout region, wherein a laser cutting process can be based on the remaining area, and outputting panel planning geometry data, which define the geometry of the remaining area. Laser flatbed machines for cutting workpieces out of panel-shaped materials using a laser beam and the methods disclosed herein are also described.