Movable Laser Welding Nozzle for Automatic Beam Shift Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing errors and size variations in objects to be welded can cause shifts in the positioning of a laser beam during laser welding, requiring time-consuming repositioning by a welder to correct the alignment.
Innovation Solution
A laser welding system with a movable nozzle held by an elastic member, capable of adjusting its position to fit inside or outside corners of the objects being welded, and equipped with a recognizing unit to select the appropriate nozzle shape for precise alignment without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If repositioning of the laser beam is performed for each object to correct positioning shifts, then welding precision is improved, but production time increases and welder burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle automatically adjusts its position by following the corner of the workpiece during welding, eliminating the need for manual repositioning of the laser beam for each object. The system self-corrects positioning shifts through the mechanical following action of the nozzle tip along the workpiece corner.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to follow the corner of the workpiece. This dynamic positioning capability enables automatic compensation for size variations without requiring manual intervention or complex repositioning procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual repositioning is performed for each object, then positioning accuracy is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle automatically follows the workpiece corner through mechanical action during welding, eliminating the need for welder intervention to reposition the laser beam for each object. The system performs self-positioning through the inherent mechanical following capability of the nozzle design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is made movable to follow workpiece corner, then positioning adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed with movable capability to follow the corner of the workpiece during welding. This dynamic positioning mechanism allows the nozzle to adapt to size variations in different workpieces while maintaining relatively simple construction through straightforward mechanical following action.
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
Automatically corrects the shift in laser beam positioning without requiring a welder's intervention, reducing time and effort, and ensuring consistent welding quality across objects of varying sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a holding unit configured to movably hold the nozzle while applying a biasing force to the nozzle in a direction toward the welding part
Implementation Method 2
a laser welding unit configured to perform welding along a welding part of an object to be welded by relatively moving the object to be welded and a nozzle for emitting a laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A shift in position of a laser beam used for welding objects is corrected without need for intervention by a welder. An irradiator performs welding along a welding part of objects to be welded by relatively moving objects to be welded and a nozzle for emitting a laser beam. An arm apparatus movably holds the nozzle while applying a biasing force to the nozzle in a direction toward the welding part such that the nozzle comes into contact with objects to be welded to irradiate the welding part with the laser beam.