Laser Cutting Workpiece Verification for Correct Plan Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser cutting systems lack a method to verify if the correct workpiece is loaded, leading to potential misalignment between workpiece properties and cutting plans, resulting in inefficient production and waste due to incorrect loading, especially in automated processes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using sensors to detect actual workpiece properties and compare them with target properties defined in the cutting plan, issuing a stop signal or adaption signal to ensure correct loading and processing, thereby preventing incorrect cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automation system loads workpiece without verification, then productivity is improved through automated processing, but reliability deteriorates due to potential wrong workpiece loading
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs verification of workpiece properties before the cutting process starts. Sensors detect workpiece properties (thickness, material type) in advance, and the control unit compares detected properties with required properties from the cutting plan before authorizing processing, preventing wrong workpiece loading issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor workpiece properties and provide information to the control unit. The control unit compares this feedback with the cutting plan requirements and can stop the process or alert the operator if mismatch is detected, ensuring reliability in automated operation.
2Reliability
If workpiece properties are verified before cutting, then reliability is improved by preventing incorrect processing, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and verification systems
Solution Approach 1:
The verification system uses sensors that can detect multiple workpiece properties (thickness, material type) with a single device setup. The control unit integrates verification functions into the existing control architecture, making the system multi-functional without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual workpiece verification with automated sensor-based detection. Optical sensors or other non-contact sensing methods are used to detect workpiece properties, eliminating the need for manual measurement tools and reducing mechanical complexity while improving reliability.
3Reliability
If manual verification of workpiece properties is performed, then reliability is improved by detecting loading errors, but productivity decreases due to extended processing time
Solution Approach 1:
Manual verification operations are replaced with automated sensor-based detection systems. Sensors automatically measure workpiece properties without requiring operator intervention, maintaining high reliability in error detection while eliminating the time loss associated with manual verification procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification process is integrated into the continuous automated workflow. Sensors detect workpiece properties in-line during the loading process, and the control unit performs real-time comparison with cutting plan requirements, allowing verification to occur continuously without interrupting the production flow or extending cycle time.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a checking tool and a method for checking whether a laser cutting machine (L) is provided with a correct workpiece (WP) from a set of workpieces, comprising the method steps of: — Detecting (S1) actual workpiece properties (awp) of a workpiece which is provided or is prepared to be provided to the laser cutting machine (L) for cutting; — Providing (S2) a set of cutting plans, wherein one cutting plan (CP) of the set of cutting plans is forwarded to a control unit (CNC) of the laser cutting machine (L), wherein each cutting plan (CP) is associated to target workpiece properties (twp); — Comparing (S3) the detected actual workpiece properties (awp) with the target workpiece properties (twp), and providing a comparison result (cr), indicating whether the correct workpiece is provided according to the cutting plan (CP); — Depending on the comparison result (cr): Issuing (S5) a stop signal to stop the cutting process or issuing (S6) an adaption signal to change the sequence in the set of cutting plans.