Machining Head with Orthogonal Axes and Optical Fiber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laser cutting and welding heads require complex compensating movements due to their architectural constraints, leading to reduced productivity, accuracy, and quality, as they struggle to maintain precision and speed when cutting complex three-dimensional profiles.

Innovation Solution

A new head design with a unique configuration of mechanical axes, utilizing an optical fibre for laser beam transmission and a direct motor actuation system, allows for independent operation of the head's axes, eliminating the need for compensating movements and enabling high dynamic precision and increased dexterity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the head uses traditional architectural layout with mirrors and requires compensating movements to maintain focal point position during rotation, then the focal point can be kept at correct position, but the machine speed, acceleration and accuracy are significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocal point position accuracyVSAvoidmachine speed and acceleration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical mirror-based laser beam deflection system with an optical fiber that transmits the laser beam directly to the nozzle. This eliminates the need for mirrors and the complex compensating mechanical movements required to maintain focal point position during head rotation, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the mirrors and intermediate optical components from the head architecture. By taking out these components, the system eliminates the source of the problem (the need for compensating movements), allowing the head to rotate freely without sacrificing focal point accuracy, thus improving speed and acceleration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If the head architecture requires compensating circular movements of the head centre to maintain nozzle trajectory during rotation, then the focal point remains positioned correctly, but the complexity of mechanical structures and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle trajectory accuracyVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical compensating movement system with an optical fiber-based laser transmission system. The optical fiber allows the laser beam to follow the nozzle movement without requiring any compensating mechanical adjustments, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining trajectory accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic system where the optical fiber flexes and bends to accommodate the nozzle's movement and rotation, eliminating the need for rigid mechanical compensating structures. This dynamic adaptation maintains focal point positioning without adding mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the head uses finite rotation radii to allow orientation change of the nozzle, then the nozzle can be oriented correctly for cutting, but the focal point moves away from its initial position requiring compensating movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle orientation capabilityVSAvoidfocal point position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an optical fiber that can flexibly transmit the laser beam while the nozzle rotates. This substitution allows the nozzle to change orientation freely without the focal point moving, as the optical fiber adapts to the new position without requiring compensating movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical fiber acts as a flexible transmission medium that can bend and flex to accommodate nozzle rotation and movement. This flexibility allows the nozzle to be oriented in different directions while maintaining stable focal point positioning, eliminating the need for finite rotation radii and compensating movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8716621B2Head for the continuous precision machining on three-dimensional bodies and machining equipment that comprises said head

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 EFORT INTELLIGENT EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

A head for the continuous precision machining on three-dimensional bodies includes a fastening means to a flange of a machining equipment, having a first mechanical rotation axis, an intermediate means having a second mechanical rotation axis in series to the first mechanical rotation axis. The second mechanical rotation axis is orthogonal to the first mechanical rotation axis which intersects at a point of intersection. A terminal processing means has in series with the first and second mechanical rotation axes a third mechanical translating axis. The intermediate means has an arc configuration of a circumference with its centre at the point of intersection. The first mechanical rotation axis and the third mechanical translating axis are radially oriented to the arc.