Laser Tube Cutting Support for Stable Mechanical Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser tube cutting machines face challenges in mechanical processing of tubes due to the flexibility of clamping jaws, which leads to positional displacement and impaired processing during mechanical operations like threading, where forces exceed the preset clamping force, causing vibrations and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A counterholder is introduced that can be moved into a working position to support the tube, absorbing forces that exceed the clamping capacity of the push-through device, allowing for stable mechanical processing alongside laser cutting, with options for external positioning and a drive system for precise movement, and incorporating pressure pieces for secure clamping and force absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tube is mechanically processed with a tool, then additional machining operations can be performed, but forces exceed the preset clamping force causing displacement and impairing processing
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-holder is designed as a movable component that can be positioned into a working position during mechanical machining operations. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different machining requirements while maintaining stability when needed, resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-holder acts as an intermediary support element between the tube and the external environment. It absorbs and counteracts forces generated during mechanical machining that would otherwise exceed the clamping capacity of the push-through device, enabling precise machining operations.
2Ease of operation
If the clamping jaws have compliance to allow tube movement, then the tube can be fed through, but positional displacement occurs during mechanical machining
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning where the counter-holder is moved into the working position only when needed for mechanical machining. During laser processing and tube feeding, the counter-holder remains in a retracted position, allowing the clamping jaws to maintain their compliance for easy tube feeding while providing stability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-holder is positioned in advance into the working position before mechanical machining operations begin. This preliminary action ensures that the tube is properly supported and stabilized before forces are applied, preventing positional displacement during machining while not interfering with prior tube feeding operations.
3Reliability
If a counter-support is added to absorb forces, then mechanical processing stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-holder is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides counter support during mechanical machining operations, can be positioned at different locations along the tube, and integrates with the existing push-through device structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive force absorption capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable design of the counter-holder allows it to be positioned into the working position only when needed for mechanical machining. This dynamic capability provides reliability during machining operations while minimizing device complexity during non-machining operations, as the counter-holder can be retracted or positioned away from the machining area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a laser tube cutting machine for cutting tubes (2) having a workpiece moving device (7), which receives and moves the tube (2) relative to a pushing device (10) supporting the tube (2), said pushing device being guided by clamping jaws (34) of the pushing device (10), having a laser processing apparatus (24), which is associated with the pushing device (10) and has a processing head, which directs a laser beam (16) exiting the processing head (17) to the tube (2), having a tool (33) of a processing apparatus (4) for mechanical processing of the tube (2), which can be moved in at least one movement direction to the tube (2), wherein at least one brace (41) can be moved into a working position (46) in order to contact the tube (2), said brace acting opposite to the direction of force of the tool (33). (In this regard