Laser Surface Structuring for Coating Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface structuring methods using electromagnetic radiation for machine elements are inefficient and require additional post-processing steps to remove residues and achieve effective coating adhesion, whereas traditional abrasive methods are cumbersome and leave residues.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a high-power single-mode laser with a focused beam, moving at a high feed rate to create recesses on the surface through explosive vaporization, which removes material and residues efficiently, allowing for direct application of coatings without further pretreatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If electromagnetic radiation is used to structure the surface, then material removal and residue elimination are achieved, but processing speed and efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface structuring qualityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes key laser parameters including increasing power to more than 800 W, reducing focus area to maximum 0.01 mm², and optimizing feed rate to at least 16 m/s. These parameter changes transform the laser processing from a slow, precision-only operation to a high-speed process that maintains surface structuring quality while dramatically improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pulsed laser radiation with specific pulse durations (6 ns to 10 μs) and pulse frequencies (1 kHz to 1 MHz). This periodic action allows controlled material removal through explosive vaporization while maintaining precision surface structuring, enabling both high processing speed and manufacturing quality simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If high laser power is used to increase feed rate, then processing speed improves, but control precision and surface quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeed rateVSAvoidsurface structuring quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The laser beam is segmented into discrete pulses with controllable duration and frequency. This segmentation allows the high total power needed for high feed rates to be delivered in controlled bursts, maintaining precision surface structuring while achieving processing speeds with feed rates of at least 16 m/s

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control of laser parameters including adjustable pulse duration (6 ns to 10 μs), pulse frequency (1 kHz to 1 MHz), and focus position. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal surface quality while operating at high feed rates, adapting parameters in real-time to preserve manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If abrasive particles are used for surface preparation, then surface roughening is achieved, but residue removal becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface rougheningVSAvoidresidue removal time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical abrasive blasting system with an electromagnetic laser field. The laser induces explosive vaporization of material and residues through controlled heating, eliminating the need for separate mechanical residue removal steps. This substitution achieves both surface roughening and complete residue elimination in a single process, saving significant time and effort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser process is self-cleaning: the same laser radiation that creates the surface structure also vaporizes and removes all residues and adhering particles. The high energy density causes explosive removal of material without leaving disturbing deposits, making the process self-sufficient and eliminating time-consuming post-cleaning operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 method significantly accelerates material removal, prevents residue deposition, and enables clean, efficient surface preparation for coatings, enhancing adhesion and reducing processing time and effort.

Implementation Method 1

the laser beam also being able to act on the surface at an angle. Depending on the energy density, focus size and substrate material, a defined pocket is created using pulsed lasers. The material evaporates completely as a result of an almost explosive removal of material without any disturbing material deposits being deposited or precipitated around the edge of the hole.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

The component material to be removed is vaporized by the laser radiation and can thus be removed from the recess without any problems using compressed air. At the same time, the particles or residues adhering to the surface are also evaporated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2799180B1Method and device for structuring the surface of a machine element
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR
  • EP2799180B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2799180B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2799180B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device that are used for implementing a laser processing method for generating recession in an area of contact surfaces of relatively moving machine components. The recession used as a microstructure then serves as an adhesion base for optimizing a coating. To enable a laser beam emitted from a laser processing head of a device (9) to move at a desired high feeding speed larger than 5 m/s, a reflector component (10) is enabling the laser beam (4) to deflect is arranged in a protective tube (11), and the laser processing head and an unexpressed work piece clamping head applied to machine components can be designed to be static in processing time. Under the condition, the reflector component (10) and the protective tube (11) can together be driven in such a way that the he reflector component (10) and the protective tube (11) rotate around a rotating axis line (12) which is coaxial with the laser beam (4).