Laser Tube Cutting Without Rotational Drive Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tubular body cutting devices, such as those used for glass tubes, require complex configurations with two-stage cutting and rotating drives, leading to high costs and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A tubular body cutting device that uses a conveyor to convey the tubular body axially, measures its diameter and conveyance speed, and controls laser irradiation units positioned circumferentially to cut the tubular body with precise laser beam direction and timing, eliminating the need for rotational cutting stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rotating drive device and two-stage cutting method are used, then the glass tube can be cut with laser beams, but the device configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the glass tube to achieve circumferential cutting, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the glass tube stationary and moving the laser irradiation units along the circumferential direction. This eliminates the rotating drive device while maintaining the ability to cut throughout the circumference of the tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating drive device with a controlled movement system for the laser irradiation units. By using measurement data to control the positioning and movement of laser units along the circumferential direction, the mechanical rotation is substituted with a more simple, controllable system that reduces device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple laser irradiation units are used for circumferential cutting, then complete circumference cutting is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the laser irradiation units movable along the circumferential direction, allowing a smaller number of units to serve multiple positions around the glass tube. This multi-functional capability reduces the total number of components needed while still achieving complete circumferential coverage for uniform cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser irradiation units are designed to be dynamically positionable along the circumferential direction based on measurement data. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different cutting requirements and tube dimensions without adding fixed components at every possible position, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the laser irradiation unit is positioned close to the tubular body, then cutting precision improves, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that uses measurement data to precisely control the positioning and movement of the laser irradiation units. This intermediary control layer allows the units to maintain optimal cutting precision when close to the tube while minimizing unnecessary contact or exposure that could lead to contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts parameters such as the position, movement speed, and irradiation timing of the laser units based on real-time measurement data. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves high cutting precision while reducing the duration and intensity of close proximity exposure, thereby lowering contamination risk.
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 device achieves efficient, one-stage cutting of tubular bodies with a simple configuration, ensuring accurate and uniform cuts without rotational complexity, reducing costs and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a cutting device that forms an annular crack in the glass tube by irradiating the glass tube with laser light beams
Implementation Method 2
forms an annular crack in the glass tube by irradiating the glass tube with laser light beams and cuts the glass tube at a portion where the crack is formed
Data Source
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AI summary
A tubular body cutting device 10 includes: a conveyor 50 configured to convey a tubular body that is continuous, along an axial direction of the tubular body; a measurement unit 200 configured to measure a diameter size of the tubular body and a conveyance speed of the tubular body; and a cutting controller 300 configured to control a laser irradiation unit provided at a radial direction outer side of the tubular body and at a prescribed position in a circumferential direction of the tubular body while being separated from the tubular body. The cutting controller 300 is configured to control an irradiation direction and an irradiation timing of a laser light beam from the laser irradiation unit to the tubular body based on the diameter size and the conveyance speed measured by the measurement unit 200 or held as data calculated in advance.