Rotating Drum Laser Pipe Processing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing elongate materials like pipes using laser beams are limited by the need for heavy, fixed machinery and rigid holders, which restrict flexibility and efficiency, especially when dealing with long, angled, or connected pipes.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a rotating drum with a central opening that accommodates the material, housing a laser beam source and allowing for flexible mounting and processing, with energy and control supplied via rotary feedthroughs, enabling the processing of diverse geometries and lengths without the need for complex reorientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stationary laser beam source is used with a rotating cutting head, then the laser light must be fed to the cutting head over a distance, but this complicates the energy supply and control when rotating the cutting head
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam source is merged with the rotating drum by being arranged inside it, so that the laser source rotates together with the drum. This eliminates the need for separate energy supply systems for a distant cutting head, as the laser source is now integrated into the rotating structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
Rotary feedthroughs or slip rings serve as intermediaries to supply energy and control signals to the rotating laser beam source. These components enable continuous rotation while maintaining reliable electrical connections between the stationary power supply and the rotating laser source.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a central opening is used to fix the pipe for processing, then the area of application depends on the size of the central opening, but this restricts processing of pipes with different diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The central opening in the rotating drum serves multiple functions: it receives pipes of various diameters without requiring fixation, allows the laser beam to pass through to the workpiece, and accommodates different pipe geometries. This universal design eliminates the need to change the opening size for different pipe dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fixing the pipe in the central opening as in conventional systems, the pipe is merely received in the opening while the rotating drum with the integrated laser source performs the processing. This inversion of the fixation concept allows greater flexibility in handling different pipe sizes and geometries.
3Reliability
If heavy fixed machinery and rigid holders are used for pipe processing, then stable processing is achieved, but flexibility and efficiency are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed machinery to a dynamic rotating drum that can accommodate and process various pipe geometries. The rotating drum provides stability during processing while allowing flexibility in handling different pipe types, lengths, and configurations through its rotational movement and integrated laser source.
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
This solution allows for faster and more flexible processing of pipes and elongate materials, accommodating various diameters and geometries, and enabling longer cuts without the limitations of traditional systems, by integrating the laser beam source within the rotating drum and ensuring continuous energy and control supply.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam generated by a laser beam source
Implementation Method 2
energy supply and the corresponding control have to be ensured in a suitable manner, which can preferably be done via rotary feedthroughs or slip rings in order to introduce the corresponding energies and control commands into the elongate rotating body
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for processing pipes or other elongated materials (6) by means of a laser beam (8) produced by a laser beam source (7), comprising a retaining element for retaining a tool or cutting element, wherein said retaining element is mounted so as to be slidable and rotatable relative to a machine bed (1). The material (6) to be processed passes through an opening (5) surrounded by the retaining element. Favorable and flexible processing of widely varying materials is enabled in that the rotatably and slidably mounted retaining element is an elongated rotational element, on the inside of which the laser beam source (7) for the laser beam (8) is arranged as the tool or cutting element.