Laser Beam Vibration Pattern Control for Sheet Metal Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser machining apparatuses face challenges in selecting an appropriate vibration pattern for laser beams during sheet metal cutting, which affects the machining conditions and quality of the cut products.
Innovation Solution
A method and control device for a laser machining apparatus that allows for the selection of specific vibration patterns of the laser beam based on machining conditions, utilizing a galvano scanner unit to displace the laser beam's irradiation position and adjust its focus, enabling precise control of vibration patterns such as parallel, orthogonal, circular, C-shaped, and 8-shaped patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a laser beam is used to cut sheet metal without vibration, then the machining process is simple, but the cutting quality and kerf width control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by causing the laser beam to vibrate in predetermined patterns (parallel, orthogonal, circular, C-shaped, 8-shaped) during the cutting process. This vibration prevents dross formation, controls kerf width, and improves cutting quality by distributing the thermal energy more evenly across the cut line, resolving the contradiction between simple machining and high cutting quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed vibration pattern is used for laser beam cutting, then the control system is simple, but the adaptability to different machining conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically selects from multiple predetermined vibration patterns (parallel, orthogonal, circular, C-shaped, 8-shaped) based on specific machining conditions such as material type, thickness, and desired cut quality. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize performance for different applications while maintaining a manageable control structure through pre-programmed pattern options.
3Productivity
If the laser beam is moved quickly along the machining line, then the productivity is high, but the cutting quality deteriorates due to insufficient energy deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic vibration of the laser beam superimposed on the scanning motion. This periodic action ensures sufficient energy deposition at each location along the cut line even at high scanning speeds, preventing incomplete melting and dross formation while maintaining high productivity through optimized scan rates.
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 precise control of laser beam vibration patterns, improving the cutting quality and efficiency by adapting the vibration pattern to specific machining conditions, resulting in optimized kerf widths and product shapes.
Implementation Method 1
a galvano scanner unit for displacing, by deflection, an irradiation position of the laser beam on the sheet metal
Implementation Method 2
a focusing lens for condensing the laser beam
Implementation Method 3
irradiating the sheet metal with the laser beam
Implementation Method 4
when the laser machining apparatus cuts the sheet metal
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A moving mechanism (22 and 23) relatively moves a machining head emitting a laser beam, with respect to a sheet metal along a surface of the sheet metal. A beam vibrating mechanism vibrates the laser beam for irradiation on the sheet metal, while the machining head is relatively moved by the moving mechanism (22 and 23). A machining condition setting section (507) sets pattern selection information to select a vibration pattern of the laser beam by the beam vibrating mechanism, and a parameter to determine a vibrating way in the vibration pattern, in accordance with machining conditions specified for each machining command to machine the sheet metal in a machining program generated to machine the sheet metal, and including a machining velocity of the sheet metal associated with relative movement of the machining head by the moving mechanism (22 and 23) .