Laser Spot Processing with Inline Parameter Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser processing methods face complexity in parameter estimation due to reliance on three-dimensional mapping data, leading to slow processing and evaluation, particularly in spot processing where small regions require numerous operations.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for laser processing that estimates parameters by acquiring pre-processing spot data and using an estimation program to determine optimum laser light parameters for each planned irradiation spot, allowing high-speed and uniform processing across multiple spots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If three-dimensional mapping data is used for parameter estimation, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter estimation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary pre-processing spot data features from the complete three-dimensional mapping data, such as surface roughness parameters and material properties. By taking out only the essential features needed for parameter estimation rather than processing the entire three-dimensional dataset, the system achieves accurate parameter estimation while dramatically reducing data processing time and computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If conventional three-dimensional mapping data processing is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface state measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and processes only the essential pre-processing spot data features required for parameter estimation, such as surface roughness and material properties, rather than handling the complete three-dimensional mapping data. This extraction approach maintains measurement precision while significantly simplifying the data processing system and reducing computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified representation or copy of the essential surface state features from the complex three-dimensional mapping data. Instead of processing the entire three-dimensional dataset, the system works with extracted feature copies (pre-processing spot data) that contain the necessary information for parameter estimation, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If spot processing is performed on small regions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the total number of processing operations increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidtotal processing throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary acquisition of pre-processing spot data and estimation of optimal processing parameters before actual spot processing begins. By pre-processing and pre-planning the processing parameters for all spots based on extracted surface features, the system enables rapid execution of numerous spot processing operations without repeated measurement and decision-making, thereby maintaining high spatial resolution while improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables high-speed estimation and inline evaluation of surface states before and after processing, improving spatial resolution and processing efficiency by reducing data processing complexity and ensuring uniform surface states.

Implementation Method 1

a pre-processing acquisition step of radiating an inspection beam to a planned irradiation spot of the processing laser light on the surface of an object and acquiring pre-processing spot data about a pre-processing surface state of the object in the planned irradiation spot on the basis of a result of radiating the inspection beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

performing spot processing of a surface of an object by radiating processing laser light to the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 3

research and development (R&D) of processing methods for surface polishing processing, surface water repellent processing, and surface hydrophilic processing using material melting and resolidification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP4656323A1Laser processing method, laser processing device, and processing result estimation method
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP4656323A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656323A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656323A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to this laser processing method, an inspection beam Lb is radiated to a planned irradiation spot K of processing laser light Lw on a surface Sa of an object S, pre-processing spot data D1 about a pre-processing surface state of the object is acquired, an optimum parameter D2 of the processing laser light Lw is estimated using an estimation program 26 that outputs a result of estimating the optimum parameter of the processing laser light Lw in accordance with an input of the pre-processing spot data D1, and the planned irradiation spot K is irradiated with the processing laser light Lw on the basis of an optimum parameter estimation result D2.