Rotating Plate Optics for Dynamic Laser Focus Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser machining technologies face challenges in dynamically adjusting the focus diameter and beam characteristics during operation without modifying the guiding and focusing optics, which affects cutting edge quality and efficiency, particularly when processing materials of varying thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
The use of plate-shaped optical elements with sector-shaped facets that can be rotated to switch between point-like and annular intensity distributions in the focal region, allowing for adjustable energy distribution without exchanging components of the optics, enabling the production of sheets with different material thicknesses in a single operating step.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If different guide and focusing optics are used for different sheet thicknesses, then cutting edge quality is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase due to component changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the optical system adjustable during operation. A variable focus optics system is implemented that can dynamically change the focus diameter from approximately 125 μm to 600 μm or more, allowing the same device to adapt to different sheet thicknesses (from thin sheets up to 10 mm and beyond) without physical component changes, thereby maintaining cutting edge quality while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the focus diameter parameter of the laser beam according to the sheet thickness being processed. The system can adjust the focus diameter parameter dynamically - using approximately 125 μm for sheets up to 5 mm, approximately 250 μm for sheets from 5 mm to 10 mm, and approximately 600 μm or more for sheets thicker than 10 mm - allowing optimization of cutting edge quality for each material thickness range without changing optical components
2Productivity
If focus diameter is increased for thicker materials, then cutting efficiency is improved, but cutting edge quality deteriorates due to groove and burr formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the focus diameter parameter based on the sheet thickness being processed. For thicker materials (10 mm and above), the system increases the focus diameter to approximately 600 μm or more to improve cutting efficiency, while for thinner materials (up to 5 mm), it reduces the focus diameter to approximately 125 μm to maintain cutting edge quality and avoid groove and burr formation. This adaptive parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between cutting efficiency and cutting edge quality
3Stability of the object's composition
If annular intensity distribution is used for large focus diameters, then temperature distribution homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a variable focus optics system that can dynamically change not only the focus diameter but also the intensity distribution pattern. The system can switch between Gaussian, top-hat, and annular intensity distributions depending on the processing requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to achieve homogeneous temperature distribution through annular patterns when needed, without requiring separate dedicated optical elements for each pattern, as the same variable focus optics can generate all patterns
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 high-quality machining by dynamically adjusting the power density distribution, achieving both annular and Gaussian/top-hat profiles, thereby improving cutting edge quality and efficiency across various material thicknesses without the need for component changes in the laser machining head.
Implementation Method 1
at least one plate-shaped optical element in the beam path of the laser beam, one surface of which is provided with a circular pattern of sector-shaped facets which, in the circumferential direction, are alternately inclined with respect to the respective plate plane
Data Source
AI summary
A device for machining material by means of laser radiation, including a focusing optics for focusing a laser beam onto a workpiece and an adjusting optics for adjusting the intensity distribution comprising at least two plate-shaped optical elements which are arranged one behind the other in the beam path of the laser beam, which are rotatable relative to one another in the circumferential direction, and which each have a surface with a circular pattern of sector-shaped facets which, in the circumferential direction, are alternately inclined with respect to the respective plate plane.