Laser Piercing Head Beam Offset to Redirect Molten Metal
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laser processing of sheet metal, molten metal from piercing holes is often blown onto the product, leading to uneven distribution and attachment, which can cause processing defects and reduce the efficiency of cutting multiple products from a sheet, as the molten metal can solidify and deteriorate the stability of the approaching process.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing machine and method that displaces the laser beam from its central position to a direction away from the product during the piercing process, combined with assist gas jetting to control the direction of molten metal, preventing it from being attached to the product side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the laser beam is positioned at the center of the nozzle opening during piercing, then the assist gas acts uniformly on the molten metal, but the molten metal is blown away in random directions and attaches to the product side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally displacing the laser beam from the center of the nozzle opening to an off-center position during piercing. This asymmetric positioning creates a non-uniform assist gas flow distribution that directs molten metal away from the product side, resolving the contradiction between uniform molten metal distribution and preventing molten metal attachment to the product.
2Reliability
If a piercing hole is formed to a position sufficiently away from the product to prevent molten metal attachment, then the stability of the approaching process is maintained, but the maximum number of products that can be cut is reduced and the usage rate cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by changing the laser beam position specifically during the piercing process while maintaining the standard nozzle position. This localized adjustment during the critical piercing phase directs molten metal away from the product, enabling closer piercing hole placement and improving sheet metal usage rate without compromising the stability of the approaching process.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the sheet metal is thick, then the piercing time becomes long and melting positions move in the surface direction, but the amount of molten metal becomes non-uniform and is biased in a predetermined direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the laser beam position parameter during piercing. By displacing the laser beam from the center, the distribution of molten metal is controlled to prevent bias in predetermined directions, thereby improving manufacturing precision even when processing thick sheet metal that requires longer piercing time.
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 reduces the amount of molten metal attached to the product side near the piercing hole, improving the stability of the approaching process and increasing the usage rate by allowing closer placement of products, thus enhancing the efficiency of cutting multiple items from a sheet metal.
Implementation Method 1
a laser processing machine that cuts a sheet metal by using a laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator
Implementation Method 2
molten metal melted by heat generated from the laser beam
Implementation Method 3
assist gas is jetted onto the sheet metal by passing through the vicinity of the laser beam
Implementation Method 4
molten metal melted by heat generated from the laser beam is blown away by the assist gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
At a tip of a processing head (35), a nozzle (36) that emits a laser beam through an opening (36a) is attached. A focusing lens (34) provided to the processing head (35) focuses the laser beam and irradiates sheet metal with the laser beam. A beam displacement mechanism (a galvano scanner unit 32) displaces a position of the laser beam emitted through the opening (36a) in the opening (36a). An NC device (50) controls the beam displacement mechanism such that in a case where a piercing process is performed outside a product by using the laser beam while jetting assist gas onto the sheet metal, the position of the laser beam emitted through the opening (36a) in the opening (36a) is displaced from the center of the opening (36a) to a positon in a direction away from the product.