Laser Spatter Flow Control for Cleaner Steel Sheet Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser processing devices face challenges in efficiently collecting laser spatter and preventing its adhesion to the laser processing device, particularly due to increased laser power demands and unstable dust collection efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing device is designed with a laser light source unit, a gas injection unit that injects a first gas parallel to the laser light axis, a dust collection mechanism unit positioned on either side of the irradiation site, and a gas supply unit that supplies a second gas to enhance suction flow stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If laser power is increased to meet Top Runner regulations, then magnetic domain control processing performance is improved, but the amount of generated laser spatter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directs the harmful laser spatter flow toward the dust collection hood by optimizing the relative positioning between the laser light source unit and dust collection hood, and by injecting gas to guide the spatter flow, thereby converting the harmful spatter into a collectible flow that improves dust collection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces gas injection as an intermediary substance between the laser irradiation site and the dust collection hood. The injected gas acts as a mediator to guide and direct the laser spatter flow toward the dust collection hood, improving collection efficiency without requiring direct contact between the spatter source and collection system
2Productivity
If dust collection efficiency is improved by directing spatter flow, then laser spatter removal is enhanced, but laser spatter may adhere to the laser light source unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional zones: the dust collection hood is positioned and configured with specific gas injection to create a high-velocity flow path that selectively captures spatter, while the laser light source unit area is protected by positioning it outside the direct spatter flow path, creating local quality differences in spatter exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the dust collection hood and laser light source unit in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The hood is arranged to capture spatter in a specific flow direction while the laser unit is positioned in a location and orientation that minimizes its exposure to the spatter flow, utilizing spatial dimensionality to separate the collection function from the processing function
3Productivity
If gas injection is used to guide spatter to dust collection hood, then dust collection efficiency improves, but gas flow stability becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates gas flow rate control mechanisms that can respond to variations in laser spatter generation. By monitoring and adjusting the gas flow rate, the system maintains stable spatter guidance and dust collection performance under varying operating conditions, ensuring reliable operation
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
The solution significantly enhances dust collection efficiency and prevents laser spatter adhesion in the sheet width direction, improving the cleanliness and maintenance efficiency of the laser processing device.
Implementation Method 1
a gas injection unit that injects gas in parallel with an optical axis direction of the laser light toward an irradiation site of the laser light
Implementation Method 2
a dust collection hood that collects the laser spatter generated from the irradiation site by a suction flow
Implementation Method 3
a gas supply unit that supplies gas between the gas supply unit and the steel sheet, and that boosts a suction flow of the laser spatter toward the dust collection hood
Data Source
AI summary
This laser processing device includes: a laser light source unit that irradiates, with a laser light, the surface of a steel sheet being conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction; a gas injection unit that injects a first gas in parallel with the optical axis direction of the laser light toward the irradiation site of the laser light; a dust collection mechanism unit that is provided at either an upstream side or a downstream side of the irradiation site in the conveyance direction and that collects laser spatter generated from the irradiation site via a dust collection port; and a gas supply unit that is disposed at an opposite side of the laser light source unit from the dust collection mechanism unit in the conveyance direction, and that supplies a second gas between the gas supply unit and the steel sheet.