Skid Table Imaging to Detect Spatter and Welded Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skid evaluation devices cannot detect spatter deposited or dross welded between protrusions of skids, or changes in protrusions themselves, leading to high likelihood of defects during laser processing, especially in thick plate or large sheet processing, resulting in potential product damage and waste.
Innovation Solution
A skid state determination device that uses imaging means to capture images of the skid table from different angles, with state determination means analyzing image information to assess skid conditions before and after processing, including extraction of outlines, pass lines, and comparison with reference images to determine skid state and notify warnings or alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional beam sensor and line camera detection device is used, then the state of skid and change in thickness can be detected, but small changes such as spatter deposition between protrusions, protrusion loss, and welding between protrusions and workpiece cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses imaging means (camera) to create visual copies/images of the skid table and skids from multiple angles. These image copies are then analyzed by image processing to detect spatter deposition, protrusion loss, and welding conditions. This optical copying approach enables detection of fine details without requiring complex physical contact sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-angle detection to multi-angle imaging by capturing images from both above and below the supporting surface. This dimensional approach allows comprehensive detection of skid conditions, including spatter between protrusions and welding states, which cannot be detected from a single viewpoint.
2Reliability
If skid state is evaluated only before laser processing, then initial skid condition can be confirmed, but changes during processing such as spatter accumulation and welding cannot be detected until after processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs skid state determination at multiple predetermined timings (before workpiece loading, after workpiece removal, and before product removal) to proactively detect skid degradation. This preliminary detection approach allows maintenance to be scheduled before defects occur, preventing workpiece damage and processing interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors skid state at multiple stages and provides feedback information about skid conditions. This feedback mechanism enables real-time assessment of spatter accumulation and welding states, allowing operators to take corrective actions before defects impact product quality or cause processing failures.
3Measurement precision
If imaging from single position is used, then imaging simplicity is maintained, but detection of spatter between protrusions and welding states is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements imaging from two distinct positions: above the supporting surface to detect spatter between protrusions and protrusion loss, and below the supporting surface to detect welding between protrusions and workpiece. This multi-dimensional imaging configuration comprehensively captures all critical skid states that single-position imaging would miss.
Data Source
AI summary
A skid state determination device is a skid state determination device for determining a state of a plurality of skids for supporting a workpiece to be processed by a laser processing machine, with a supporting surface formed by top points of a plurality of protrusions, and includes: imaging means configured to be able to image at least a part of a skid table provided with the plurality of skids; and state determination means configured to determine the state of the skids based on image information obtained by imaging the skid table with the imaging means, and the state determination means executes: first determination processing for determining the state of the skids based on the image information obtained by imaging the skid table with the imaging means, before the workpiece is carried onto the skid table; and second determination processing for determining the state of the skids based on the image information obtained by imaging the skid table with the imaging means, after the workpiece is carried out from the laser processing machine but before a product obtained by processing the workpiece is carried out from the skid table.