Movable Nozzle Changer Enclosure for Safe Laser Tool Swaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laser processing machines face challenges in efficiently changing nozzles during operations due to contamination and damage from workpieces, requiring frequent replacements and handling different types of nozzles for various processes, while maintaining radiation safety and operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A movable nozzle changer system within a protective enclosure allows for manual or automated pre-setup and loading of nozzles outside the processing area, with controlled movement between changing and setup positions, ensuring radiation protection and safe operator access, featuring a shielding mechanism and drawer-like components for secure storage and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nozzles are frequently changed during processing operations, then process reliability is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to interruption of processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a magazine system that pre-stores multiple nozzles in ready-to-use positions. When a nozzle needs replacement, a pre-positioned nozzle can be quickly installed without interrupting the processing operation, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic nozzle replacement through a robot arm that autonomously exchanges nozzles between the magazine and processing head without human intervention, allowing continuous operation and eliminating productivity loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If nozzles are changed manually during processing, then adaptability to different nozzle types is achieved, but operator safety is compromised due to radiation exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different nozzle typesVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a robot arm as an intermediary device that performs nozzle replacement tasks inside the protective enclosure, eliminating direct operator exposure to radiation while maintaining the ability to handle different nozzle types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the hazardous nozzle replacement operation from the human operator's domain and transfers it to an automated robot system, separating the operator from the harmful radiation environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If nozzles are stored inside the protective enclosure, then radiation protection is maintained, but access for nozzle replacement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protectionVSAvoidaccess for nozzle replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical access with an automated robot arm system that can retrieve and install nozzles from the magazine through the protective enclosure, maintaining radiation protection while enabling easy nozzle replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic retrieval and installation of nozzles through the robot arm, eliminating the need for manual access to the protective enclosure while maintaining full operational capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If a fixed nozzle storage system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different processing requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability to different processing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal magazine system that can store and provide multiple types of nozzles for different processing requirements, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11478875B2Processing machine with nozzle changer and a protective enclosure

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 TRUMPF SCHWEIZ AG

AI summary

A processing machine for processing a workpiece with a processing beam includes a nozzle changer and a protective enclosure. The nozzle change is for mounting nozzles on or demounting nozzles from a processing head of the processing machine. The nozzle changer has multiple nozzle holders for holding nozzles. The protective enclosure is configured to close off a working space for the processing of the workpiece with the processing beam from a working space surrounding area. The nozzle changer is movable between a nozzle changing position within the protective enclosure and a setup position outside the protective enclosure.