Laser Preprocessing Controller for Return Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Excessive return light during laser processing can cause optical system breakdowns and reduce operation rates, as existing methods may not reliably initiate melting or surface alteration in workpieces, leading to prolonged excessive return light issues.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing device with a light quantity measuring unit and preprocessing controller that adjusts irradiation conditions to measure and limit return light, using high and low output settings to ensure surface alteration and prevent excessive return light, by storing specific irradiation conditions and measuring light quantities to determine when to initiate processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser processing is started without ensuring surface alteration, then processing can begin immediately, but excessive return light may occur for a long time causing optical system breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing surface alteration treatment before the main laser processing. The controller executes a preprocessing step that irradiates the workpiece with a laser beam to melt or vaporize the surface, creating a modified surface state that reduces excessive return light during subsequent processing. This preliminary surface modification ensures that when the actual processing begins, the optical system is protected from damage-causing return light.
2Speed
If high irradiation intensity is applied to cause rapid melting, then surface alteration occurs quickly, but the risk of excessive return light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by dynamically adjusting the laser beam irradiation intensity during the preprocessing step. The controller varies the intensity within a predetermined range rather than using a fixed high intensity, optimizing the balance between achieving rapid surface alteration and minimizing excessive return light generation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt the energy input to the specific workpiece conditions and processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulse irradiation mode during the surface alteration preprocessing. Instead of continuous high-intensity irradiation, the laser beam is applied in periodic pulses, allowing brief intervals for heat dissipation and reducing the accumulation of excessive return light while still achieving the desired surface modification effect over time.
3Reliability
If preprocessing is performed to ensure surface alteration, then excessive return light is avoided, but additional processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing multiple parameters of the preprocessing step simultaneously: irradiation intensity within a predetermined range, pulse width between 1-100 microseconds, and duty cycle between 1-10%. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective surface alteration in minimal time, reducing the time penalty of the preprocessing step while ensuring reliable return light control during subsequent processing.
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 stabilizes and continues laser processing by ensuring surface alteration before starting, preventing optical system damage from prolonged excessive return light and ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a light quantity measuring unit (8, 9) configured to measure the light quantity of light reflected or emitted from a processing point irradiated with a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
perform laser processing by irradiating a workpiece with a laser beam
Implementation Method 3
a first storage unit (32) configured to store high output conditions, which are previously found by an experiment or calculation in accordance with at least some of the processing conditions and which include the irradiation intensity and irradiation time, at which a workpiece is melted, changed in shape, or denatured
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing device has a preprocessing controller which issues a command to perform preprocessing of a workpiece under high output conditions, which are previously found by an experiment or calculation in accordance with at least some of processing conditions and which include the irradiation intensity and irradiation time, at which a workpiece is melted, changed in shape, or denatured; a command to irradiate the workpiece with a laser beam under low output conditions, which are previously found by an experiment or calculation in accordance with at least some of the processing conditions and which include the irradiation intensity and irradiation time, at which a workpiece is not melted, changed in shape, or denatured; and a command of whether to start the laser processing, based on a first light quantity of light reflected or emitted from a processing point irradiated with a laser beam under the low output conditions.