Moving Detection Device for Laser Cutting Process Light Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser cutting machines with stationary workpieces cannot perform reliable process monitoring using a fixed CCD camera, as the camera's position remains constant while the workpiece moves, preventing effective detection of process light during the cutting process.
Innovation Solution
A method and device where a beam-catching device, potentially a line or point catcher, moves in conjunction with the cutting device, allowing a detection device to follow and maintain a constant distance from the cutting beam, enabling the detection of process light from underneath the workpiece. This includes using sensor elements like photodiodes or CCD cameras to evaluate changes in brightness and position, ensuring reliable monitoring of the cutting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed CCD camera is used for process monitoring, then the camera structure is simple and stationary, but it cannot track the moving cutting beam and maintain constant detection distance
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is made movable to track the cutting beam dynamically. The camera is mounted on a moving platform that follows the beam's position, allowing the detection distance to remain constant while the beam moves across the workpiece. This dynamic configuration ensures reliable process monitoring without requiring the camera to be stationary.
Solution Approach 2:
A moving platform or carriage is introduced as an intermediary between the stationary camera and the moving cutting beam. This intermediary carries the camera and moves synchronously with the beam, maintaining a constant detection distance while enabling the camera to follow the beam's trajectory throughout the cutting process.
2Reliability
If the workpiece is moved during cutting, then process monitoring with a stationary camera is possible, but the workpiece positioning and movement system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the workpiece to enable monitoring, the detection device is moved to follow the stationary or slowly positioned workpiece. This inverts the conventional approach: rather than making the workpiece move through the detection zone, the detector moves through the workpiece's coordinate system, maintaining constant distance from the cutting beam while the workpiece remains relatively stationary.
3Measurement precision
If the detection device follows the cutting beam, then constant detection distance is maintained, but the detection device and its movement system become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is merged with the existing beam delivery or positioning system. The camera is integrated into the cutting head assembly or mounted on the same moving carriage that positions the cutting beam, so that the detection device's movement is coupled to the beam's movement through a shared mechanical structure, reducing the need for separate complex movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving platform or carriage is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries both the cutting beam delivery system and the detection device, and provides the movement capability for both. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate movement mechanisms for the beam and the detector, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining constant detection distance.
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
Enables reliable detection of miscuts and cut quality assessment, allowing for real-time process control and intervention in the cutting process, even for large or heavy materials, by maintaining consistent detection conditions and compensating for changes in the position of the process light.
Implementation Method 1
the process light emerging on the underside is detected by a detection device with at least two sensor elements located opposite one another
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting a process light during a separation process in sheet material (12) and a device for carrying out the method, wherein a separating device (18) is produced with a cutting beam (22), sad cutting beam (22) of the separating device (18) is directed at an upper surface of the sheet material (12), which exits from the underside of the sheet material after formation of a cut gap (32). The process light exiting from the underside of the sheet material (12) during the cutting process is detected by a detection device (31) arranged beneath the sheet material (12), wherein the separating device (18) is moved in a t least the X and Y direction during the separation process and independently of the changing position of the process light exiting from the underside, within a plane of a workpiece support (16) the same is detected by activation of the detection device (31).