Laser Cut Part Sorting Using Contour Line Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser machining systems face inefficiencies in sorting parts cut out through laser cutting, particularly when machining defects occur, leading to incomplete separation of parts from remaining material, which can cause system stoppages and reduce operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A laser machining system incorporating a control device, detection unit, machining state evaluation unit, evaluation information storage unit, and sorting operation determination unit to assess machining states and contour lines, enabling precise sorting control commands for efficient part separation and classification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the production monitoring system executes isolation when monitoring data is out of threshold range, then product classification is achieved, but system stops when part cannot be separated due to machining defect
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of machining state and contour line quality before executing sorting operation. The machining state evaluation unit assesses whether the cut is complete and clean, and only allows sorting when the contour line quality meets predetermined standards, preventing sorting attempts on defective parts that cannot be properly separated
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using the machining state evaluation unit to continuously monitor contour line quality and provide feedback to the sorting operation determination unit. When defects are detected, the system adjusts or cancels sorting operations accordingly, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining high productivity for properly machined parts
2Speed
If sorting operation is executed without evaluating machining state, then operation speed is maintained, but sorting fails when part is not properly separated
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical trial-and-error sorting attempts with optical/electronic evaluation. The detection unit captures images of the contour line, and the machining state evaluation unit analyzes these images to determine cut quality, enabling non-contact, high-speed assessment that maintains operational speed while ensuring proper separation quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary visual evaluation of the contour line quality before executing sorting operation. By analyzing the machined surface in advance, the system identifies properly separated parts and directs sorting only to suitable candidates, maintaining high speed while ensuring manufacturing precision
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 system enables efficient sorting of parts cut out through laser cutting, even when defects occur, by determining optimal sorting operations based on contour line evaluation information, reducing stoppages and improving overall process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a laser oscillator (1) to emit a laser beam (L)
Data Source
AI summary
A control device that executes machining to cut a workpiece into a part and a remaining material; a detection unit that determines, as a time-series signal, a result of observing in time series a state of the workpiece; a machining state evaluation unit that determines, as evaluation information, a result of evaluation on a state of the machining for each of sections obtained by dividing the machining path, based on the time-series signal; an evaluation information storage unit that stores contour line evaluation information in which a contour line is associated with the evaluation information; and a sorting operation determination unit that determines a sorting control command for controlling sorting operation in which the part is taken out from a position where the workpiece is machined and moved to a target position, based on the contour line evaluation information; are provided.