Method for producing a paper machine clothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing paper machine clothing using laser-perforated film-like substrates are inefficient due to the high energy input required for creating numerous small holes, which can lead to substrate damage and prolonged production times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a drill hole strategy that introduces additional holes between adjacent holes in the pattern, using scanner optics to rapidly move the laser beam, and potentially employing multiple laser light sources to increase production speed while minimizing energy input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a laser light source drills holes into the substrate at very high operating frequency to reduce production time, then productivity is improved, but the substrate is damaged due to excessive local energy input (melted and/or vaporized material)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling step between consecutive laser drilling operations. A coolant (typically water or compressed air) is applied to the substrate surface between holes to remove excess heat, preventing substrate damage while allowing high-frequency drilling to maintain productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The laser drilling operates in periodic cycles with alternating drilling and cooling phases. This periodic action allows the substrate to recover from thermal stress between drilling operations, preventing cumulative damage while maintaining overall production efficiency
2Productivity
If pulsed lasers are operated at very high working frequency to create many holes quickly, then productivity is improved, but the material is excessively sublimated, melted and/or vaporized
Solution Approach 1:
A coolant intermediary is introduced between laser pulses to remove excess thermal energy from the substrate, preventing excessive material sublimation, melting, and vaporization while allowing high-frequency pulsing to maintain productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts laser parameters (pulse duration, power, frequency) based on the drilling sequence and position. By modifying these parameters, the energy input is optimized to create holes efficiently while minimizing excessive material removal and damage
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 approach significantly reduces production time for perforating the substrate without causing unacceptable damage, enabling faster and more efficient hole creation in the film-like substrate.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a hole pattern into the substrate by using at least one laser light source to create a large number of holes in the substrate
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a paper machine clothing, comprising the following steps: a) providing a film-like substrate (10) having an upper face and a lower face which is opposite the upper face; b) forming a pattern of holes in the substrate by drilling a multiplicity of holes (1-8), which connect the upper face to the lower face, into the substrate (10) by means of at least one laser light source. A drilling hole strategy is applied which ensures that, temporally between the forming of a first hole (1) and of a second hole (5) in the pattern of holes, which second hole is immediately adjacent to the first hole (1), at least one further hole (2-4) of the pattern of holes is formed in the substrate (10) and is not immediately adjacent to either the first hole (1) or the second hole (5) in the pattern of holes.