Laser Workpiece Rack Elevation for Stable Board Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transfer of workpieces from a laser machine to another support is inefficient due to the need for precise height matching and space considerations, especially when the upper end of the workpiece rack is melted during machining, requiring manual height checks and laser head retraction.
Innovation Solution
A planar-member machining system that raises and lowers the workpiece rack using an elevator with a vertically driven rod and receiver system, allowing for easy adjustment and transfer of the workpiece, even if the upper end is melted, by aligning the rod and receiver for stable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the workpiece is transferred by lifting it using the other workpiece support, then the workpiece can be moved to the next station, but it requires additional space and time for the lifting operation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of lifting the workpiece using the workpiece support, the invention inverts the approach by lowering the workpiece rack to transfer the workpiece. This eliminates the need for lifting space and simplifies the transfer operation, as the rack can be lowered directly to deposit the workpiece on the next station.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece rack is given dual functionality: it serves both as the support for workpiece machining and as the transfer mechanism itself. By making the rack movable vertically, it eliminates the need for separate transfer devices, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If the laser head is retracted to avoid workpiece interference during transfer, then collision is avoided, but transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of retracting the laser head to avoid interference, the invention inverts the approach by moving the workpiece rack vertically. This allows the laser head to remain in its working position while the rack is lowered for transfer, eliminating the need for retraction and maintaining high transfer speed without compromising laser head protection.
3Device complexity
If the workpiece rack height is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate height changes due to melting during machining
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece rack is transformed from a fixed-height structure to a dynamically adjustable one. By equipping the rack with vertical movement capability through an elevator mechanism, it can adapt to height changes caused by melting during machining, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and does not require complex adjustment mechanisms.
4Measurement precision
If manual height checking is performed to match workpiece support height, then accurate positioning is achieved, but time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece rack performs self-positioning by vertically moving itself to the correct height for transfer. This eliminates the need for manual height checking and matching operations, as the rack automatically adjusts its position to align with the workpiece support, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing the time required.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
[Problem] Provided is a laser machine and laser machining method that are able to transfer a workpiece easily and efficiently by allowing a workpiece rack with the workpiece placed thereon to be raised and lowered. [Solving Means] A laser machine includes a laser head 4 that machines a planar workpiece W located in a machining region R1 while moving relative to the workpiece W, a workpiece rack 6 that is able to travel while having the workpiece W placed thereon, and an elevator 2 that is able to locate the workpiece W in the machining region by raising and lowering the workpiece rack 6 with the workpiece W placed thereon.