Laser Reflection Aperture Layout for Accurate Workpiece Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laser processing apparatuses, reflected laser beams from structures within the apparatus can enter the sensor, leading to a deterioration in the accuracy of measuring light reflected from the workpiece surface.
Innovation Solution
A plate-like member with a through-hole is positioned in the optical path of the reflected light, allowing only light from the workpiece surface to pass through and absorbing or deflecting diffusely-reflected light, thereby preventing it from entering the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor measures reflected light from the workpiece surface, then the quality of laser processing can be determined, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when light reflected from apparatus structures enters the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into multiple regions using a plate-like member with a through-hole. The through-hole creates a defined measurement path that separates the desired reflected light from unwanted apparatus-reflected light, allowing only light from specific directions to reach the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate-like member is positioned at a specific location in the optical path where it can selectively block apparatus-reflected light while permitting workpiece-reflected light to pass through. This localized intervention improves measurement accuracy without affecting the overall measurement system.
2Illumination intensity
If light from all directions is allowed to reach the sensor, then more light signal is available for measurement, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to inclusion of unwanted reflected light
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-like member with through-hole extracts and isolates the useful reflected light signal from the workpiece surface while excluding unwanted light from apparatus structures. This selective extraction ensures that only the desired light signal reaches the sensor, improving both signal quality and measurement accuracy.
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 configuration enhances the accuracy of measuring reflected light intensity, allowing for better differentiation between well-processed and poorly processed workpieces by ensuring that only surface-reflected light is measured.
Implementation Method 1
a through-hole is formed at a place in the plate-like member through which the reflected light passes, and the sensor measures the intensity of the reflected light that has passed through the through-hole
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing apparatus having high accuracy of measurement of reflected light is provided. A laser processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a laser oscillator configured to emit a laser beam to a workpiece; a sensor configured to measure intensity of light reflected from the workpiece; and a plate-like member disposed in the middle of an optical path of the reflected light, in which a through-hole is formed at a place in the plate-like member through which the reflected light passes, and the sensor measures the intensity of the reflected light that has passed through the through-hole. Therefore, it is possible to prevent light reflected from any object or the like other than the surface of the workpiece from entering the sensor, and thereby to accurately measure the intensity of light reflected from the surface of the workpiece.