Movable Gas Nozzle Control for Laser Spatter Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser processing techniques struggle to effectively remove spatter, which is molten metal accumulated in processing grooves, leading to quality deterioration in welding, especially in dissimilar material welding.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing apparatus that includes a laser-beam irradiation device, an injection device for injecting gas, an actuator to change the gas injection position, and a controller to coordinate the gas injection with the laser processing, allowing for precise adjustment of gas flow velocity and position to effectively blow off spatter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed position gas injection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but spatter removal effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to adapt to laser scanning position
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system incorporates a movable nozzle that can change its position dynamically during laser processing. This dynamic capability allows the gas injection point to track with the laser beam's scanning position, ensuring consistent spatter removal effectiveness throughout the processing area. The dynamic positioning mechanism adds controlled complexity to achieve precision in spatter removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements coordinated control between the laser beam position and nozzle position. The controller receives information about the laser beam's current position and adjusts the nozzle position accordingly, creating a feedback loop that maintains optimal gas injection positioning. This feedback mechanism ensures that the gas injection consistently targets the processing groove regardless of the laser's scanning position.
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 apparatus enables the appropriate removal of spatter from processing grooves, improving the quality of welding by maintaining consistent gas injection intensity and flow velocity, which corresponds to the scanning of the laser beam.
Implementation Method 1
an injection device that injects a gas in a range of laser-beam irradiation
Implementation Method 2
change a flow velocity of an injected gas depending on the position
Data Source
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AI summary
A laser processing apparatus (1) includes: a laser-beam irradiation device (2) that forms a processing groove in a workpiece (60) by subjecting workpiece (60) to laser processing while scanning a surface of workpiece (60); a nozzle (40) that injects a gas W in a range of laser-beam irradiation by laser-beam irradiation device (2); a motor (41) that changes a position of injection of gas W by nozzle (40); and a controller (10). Controller (10) controls motor (41) in accordance with a position of irradiation by laser-beam irradiation device (2), thereby changing the position of injection of gas W by nozzle (40).