Redundant Axis Laser Operating Head with Direct Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser machine operating heads face limitations in movement precision and versatility, with high inertia and complexity hindering efficient high-speed movement along short two-dimensional paths.
Innovation Solution
A redundant axes laser machine with a novel operating head design featuring direct motors and a ball screw mechanism, combined with a numerical control unit that filters trajectories to manage redundancy, allowing for precise and versatile movement in three dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional operating head design with multiple transmission components is used, then the structure is robust, but the inertia of moving parts increases and movement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes intermediate transmission components (gears, belts, racks) from the operating head, directly mounting motors on the terminal body. This extraction of unnecessary components reduces inertia and simplifies the structure while maintaining robustness through direct-drive architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission systems with direct motor drives. Instead of using gear trains and belt-rack mechanisms, the invention employs motors that directly control the positioning of mirrors and the terminal body, eliminating mechanical transmission errors and reducing moving mass.
2Adaptability or versatility
If redundant axes are added to increase versatility, then the adaptability improves, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a redundant axis system where multiple motors can perform multiple functions. The first motor can control both the rotating body and terminal body positioning, while the second motor provides additional positioning capability. This multi-functionality increases versatility without proportionally increasing control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a control system with feedback mechanisms that coordinate the redundant motors. By using feedback from position sensors and implementing closed-loop control, the system manages the complexity of redundant axes through intelligent coordination rather than simple independent control.
3Speed
If direct motors are mounted on the terminal body, then the inertia is reduced and speed improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor mounting structure with the terminal body itself. Rather than adding separate motor mounts and coupling mechanisms, the motors are directly integrated into the terminal body structure, reducing the number of parts while achieving low-inertia direct drive.
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 solution enhances movement precision and versatility, reduces inertia, and improves performance by enabling high-speed and flexible movement along complex trajectories without collisions, leveraging direct motors and advanced control methods to optimize the use of redundant axes.
Implementation Method 1
A first direct motor has a stator fixed to the body (12) and a rotor fixed to the rotating body (20). The motor (36) controls the rotation of the terminal body (30) around the axis B
Implementation Method 2
A second direct motor (42) controls the movement of the terminal body (30) along the direction indicated by the double arrow W
Implementation Method 3
The internal element (45b) of the ball screw engages a flange (46) mounted on a fastening flange (47) of the terminal body (30)
Data Source
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AI summary
An operating head, in particular for a laser machine, comprising: - a base (12) rotatably associable to a movable structure of a laser machine around a first axis (A), - a rotating body (20) rotatably supported by the base (12) rotatable around a second axis (B), - a terminal body (30) provided with an operating end (37), which is supported by the rotating body (20) movable along the direction of the above-said second axis (B), - a first motor (36) to control the rotation of the rotating body (20) around said second axis (B), and - a second motor (42) to control the movement of the terminal body (30) along said second axis (B),characterised in that said operating end (37) is mounted on said terminal body so that is able to translate along a third axis (C) perpendicular to said first axis (B) and in that said head comprises also a third motor (53) to move said operating end (37) along said third axis (C). A management method for a redundant axis laser machine of the type comprising a movable structure controlled by actuators and operated according to a first set of variables (X,Y,Z,A) and an operating head operated according to a second set of said variables (W,B,C), said first set of variables (X,Y,Z,A) and second set of variables (W,B,C) identifying one or more redundant variables. Such method envisions a filtering allowing the work trajectory to be decomposed into defined trajectories for a first low dynamic system made up of said first set of variables (X,Y,Z,A) and a second high dynamic system made up of said second set of said variables (W,B,C), respectively.