Multibeam Laser Paint Processing for Riblet Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processing apparatuses face challenges in accurately forming structures on objects by laser irradiation, particularly in adjusting the thickness of paint coatings without affecting the underlying surface and efficiently creating riblet structures for reduced fluid resistance.
Innovation Solution
A processing system that uses a multibeam optical system to irradiate a coat of paint with processing lights, adjusting the thickness by selective evaporation and forming riblet structures through controlled scan and step operations, ensuring the underlying object is not exposed to the processing light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single laser beam is used to process the paint coat, then the underlying object can be protected from damage, but the processing speed and throughput are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single laser beam is divided into multiple processing beams (e.g., 3-5 beams) that simultaneously irradiate different regions of the paint coat. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple areas, increasing throughput while maintaining controlled energy distribution to protect the underlying object.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple beams are used to deliver controlled excessive energy to the paint coat for complete evaporation, while the underlying object receives sub-threshold energy that prevents damage. This partial action approach ensures the paint is fully removed without exposing the substrate to harmful levels.
2Manufacturing precision
If high energy laser irradiation is applied to remove paint completely, then the paint thickness can be effectively reduced, but the underlying object may be exposed to damaging radiation
Solution Approach 1:
Each processing beam is configured with specific energy parameters optimized for paint removal. The distributed beam arrangement ensures that while each beam delivers sufficient energy to evaporate paint locally, the cumulative energy distribution across multiple beams prevents any single point on the underlying object from receiving excessive radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The paint coat itself acts as an intermediary layer that absorbs the laser energy and converts it to thermal energy for evaporation. By targeting the paint rather than the underlying object, the system achieves precise thickness control while the paint protects the substrate from direct high-energy irradiation.
3Productivity
If multiple processing beams are used to increase processing speed, then the throughput is improved, but the complexity of the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system uses a nested configuration where beam dividing elements (beam splitters, mirrors) are arranged in a compact cascading structure. Each beam division stage is nested within the optical path of the previous stage, allowing multiple beams to be generated from a single source without requiring proportionally increased system footprint or component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are designed to serve multiple functions: beam splitting elements also act as steering mirrors, and the same optical train handles both beam generation and directional control. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and system complexity while maintaining the capability to generate and control multiple processing beams.
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
The system effectively adjusts paint thickness and forms riblet structures on the paint coat, reducing fluid resistance without damaging the underlying object, improving processing speed and throughput, and allowing for easy reformation of the riblet structure.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a coat of paint with processing light to adjust a thickness of the coat of paint by evaporation
Implementation Method 2
irradiating a coat of paint with processing light
Implementation Method 3
a multibeam optical system that divides source light into a plurality of processing lights
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A processing apparatus is a processing apparatus that irradiates a surface of an object with processing light to process an object and is provided with: a light irradiation apparatus that emits first processing light to form a first irradiation area on the surface and emits second processing light to form a second irradiation area, at least a part of which overlaps with the first irradiation area, on the surface, and has a change member that is configured to change a state of an overlap between the first and second irradiation areas.