Laser Preheating Temperature Control for Milling Workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing preheating methods for workpieces during milling processes lack the ability to accurately set and control the preheating temperature, leading to inefficient processing and potential damage to tools or workpieces.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates and controls the laser beam preheating temperature using a calculation equation based on the workpiece type, adjusting the laser beam output based on real-time temperature measurements with an infrared sensor, and utilizing the Box-Behnken method to determine optimal preheating temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a heat source is irradiated to the material to soften and process the material, then cutting power and processing time are significantly reduced, but the preheating temperature is difficult to control accurately leading to inefficient processing or potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting power and processing timeVSAvoidpreheating temperature control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where an infrared sensor continuously measures the actual temperature of the workpiece surface during laser preheating. The control unit compares the measured temperature with the target preheating temperature and automatically adjusts the laser output power to maintain the desired temperature, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved productivity and temperature control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual temperature control methods with an automated optical measurement and control system. The infrared sensor non-contactly measures the workpiece temperature, and the control unit automatically adjusts laser parameters based on the measured data, eliminating the need for manual intervention and achieving precise temperature control while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the workpiece is excessively or insufficiently preheated, then processing efficiency decreases and tools or workpieces may be damaged, but existing methods lack the capability to set accurate preheating temperatures in advance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing safety and efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-measurement and self-adjustment of the preheating temperature. The infrared sensor automatically measures the workpiece surface temperature, and the control unit autonomously adjusts the laser output based on the measured data, enabling the system to maintain optimal processing conditions without external intervention and ensuring processing safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a database of optimal preheating temperatures for different workpiece materials and processing conditions before actual processing. The control unit retrieves the appropriate target temperature from the database based on the workpiece type and uses it as a reference for automatic control, preparing the optimal parameters in advance to ensure reliable processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures the preheating process is performed at the most suitable temperature, improving work efficiency and preventing damage to tools and workpieces by automatically adjusting the laser beam intensity, thereby enhancing the milling process.

Implementation Method 1

a preheating apparatus... preheating a portion to be processed, by using a laser beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

measuring an actual temperature of the portion preheated in the preheating step with an infrared ray sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9238286B2Method of controlling laser beam preheating temperature of surface of workpiece

Publication Date: 2016.01.19 CHANGWON NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY ACADEMY COOPERATION CORPS

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for, when a surface of a workpiece is preheated with a laser beam during milling, calculating an optimum preheating temperature according to a type of the workpiece and controlling a surface preheating temperature. The method includes: a processing condition inputting step; a matching step; a loading step; a preheating step; a measuring step; a comparing step; an ending step; a lower limit determining step; an output increasing step; and an output decreasing step.