Laser Machine Unloading Impact Housing for Incomplete Cut Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser processing machines face challenges in providing simple and cost-effective shielding of laser beams and protection against mechanical dangers in the discharge area, especially when the workpiece is not completely cut off, which can lead to harmful radiation exposure and mechanical damage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an impact device with a radiation protection housing and a position detection unit that determines the position of the impact body relative to the end side, allowing for the detection of incomplete cuts and triggering an emergency stop to prevent mechanical damage and radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shielding methods with enclosures and safety fences are used in the discharge area, then laser beam shielding is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential shielding function from the complex enclosure structure and implements it through a simple impact device with a housing. The impact device is positioned to receive incomplete workpieces, and its housing provides the necessary laser radiation shielding without requiring extensive enclosures, safety fences, or light barriers throughout the discharge area.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact device uses a simple housing structure that provides adequate shielding for its specific function of receiving incomplete workpieces. This localized, simple shielding approach replaces the need for expensive, complex permanent enclosures and safety systems in the entire discharge area.
2Reliability
If comprehensive safety measures including light barriers and safety fences are implemented, then protection against mechanical hazards is improved, but ease of operation and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The impact device automatically detects incomplete workpieces through the impact action itself and triggers the emergency stop function. The system serves itself by using the physical impact as both the detection mechanism and the trigger for safety intervention, eliminating the need for external sensors, light barriers, or complex safety control systems.
3Productivity
If the workpiece is not completely cut off, then productivity is maintained, but harmful radiation can escape and mechanical damage can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The impact device is positioned in advance in the discharge area to intercept incomplete workpieces before they can move further into the discharge zone. The housing of the impact device provides pre-positioned laser radiation shielding, and the emergency stop function is pre-configured to activate upon impact, preventing both radiation escape and mechanical damage before they can occur.
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 solution enables effective shielding of laser beams and protection against mechanical dangers by ensuring that the workpiece is properly cut, preventing damage to the machine and ensuring operator safety through the use of an impact device and position detection system.
Implementation Method 1
the impact device has at least one position detection unit which is arranged to determine a position of the at least one impact body relative to the end side
Implementation Method 2
the at least one impact body is moved towards the end side when the workpiece, guided in the workpiece feed direction, impacts the at least one impact body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a laser machine tool (1) for machining workpieces (7), the laser machine tool (1) comprising: a working space (6) having a laser machining device located therein for machining workpieces (7) in the working space (6); and an unloading region (4) having a discharge station (40) connected to the working space (6) for unloading workpieces (7) machined in the working space (6). The unloading region (4) has an impact device (50) which is arranged downstream of the discharge station (40) in the workpiece feed direction (18), the impact device (50) having a beam protection housing (51) comprising an end face (56) and at least one impact element (52) which is arranged upstream of the end face (56) in the workpiece feed direction (18), is spaced apart from the end face (56), and is designed such that the at least one impact element (52) is moved towards the end face (56) in a guided manner when the workpiece (7) guided in the workpiece feed direction (18) strikes the at least one impact element (52), and the impact device (50) having at least one position detection unit which is designed to determine the position of the at least one impact element (52) relative to the end face (56).