Support Slat Recess Structure to Prevent Workpiece Caking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During thermally separative machining, such as plasma or laser cutting, workpieces can adhere to the support slats due to material melting and slag deposition, causing quality issues and making unloading difficult, as the separation beam may reflect onto the workpiece underside.
Innovation Solution
The support slats feature alternating support projections and recesses, where the recesses are initially covered by the projections but can be opened to accommodate the separation beam and material debris, preventing contamination and adhesion by designating specific machining paths and using laser cutting for production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If support tips are provided on support slats to support workpieces at points during machining, then the workpiece is supported during thermal separation machining, but material melted due to machining and slag formed due to machining deposits on the support tip and causes caking of the workpiece on the workpiece support
Solution Approach 1:
The support slat is divided into multiple segments including support projections and recesses. Each support projection is a separate functional element that can be individually positioned and sized. The recesses are segmented spaces between projections that provide localized containment areas for molten material and slag, preventing them from spreading and causing caking across the entire support surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses act as intermediary containment zones between the support projections and the workpiece. These recesses intercept and contain molten material and slag before they can reach and adhere to the workpiece or spread across support projections. The recesses serve as a mediating structure that manages the harmful byproducts of thermal separation machining.
2Reliability
If support tips are provided on support slats, then the workpiece is supported during machining, but the separation beam is reflected toward the underside of the workpiece after penetrating the workpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The support slat structure is segmented into support projections and recesses, creating a non-uniform surface topology. This segmentation disrupts the reflective path of the separation beam by introducing multiple surfaces at different angles and positions. The recesses specifically intercept reflected beams that would otherwise travel toward the workpiece underside, absorbing or redirecting the beam energy away from the workpiece.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the support slat design by creating recesses that extend below the level of support projections. This dimensional change creates a three-dimensional surface profile that actively manages beam reflection paths. The recesses provide additional spatial volume to intercept and redirect reflected beams, adding a vertical containment dimension to the otherwise planar support surface.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If stop elements are used to break off or bend support tips during adjustment, then support tips can be removed or bent to avoid caking, but the device complexity increases with adjustment devices and stop elements
Solution Approach 1:
The support slat is pre-configured during manufacturing with the optimal pattern of support projections and recesses specifically designed for thermal separation machining applications. This preliminary design eliminates the need for complex runtime adjustment devices. The projections and recesses are positioned and sized in advance to prevent material deposition and manage beam reflection, providing the needed functionality without adding operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support slat structure is self-configuring through its geometric design of projections and recesses. The recesses automatically contain molten material and slag through their inherent geometry, without requiring active adjustment mechanisms. The structure serves its own function of preventing caking and managing reflections through its passive geometric features, eliminating the need for external adjustment devices with stop elements.
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 design effectively prevents material adhesion and beam reflection, ensuring high-quality machining by directing the separation beam and debris away from the workpiece, thus improving the machining process and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a support slat (1) for supporting a workpiece (11) during machining of the workpiece (11) by thermal separation by means of a separation beam (12), directed onto the workpiece (11)
Implementation Method 2
material of the workpiece melted due to machining and/or slag formed due to machining deposits on the support tip
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for supporting a workpiece on support slats of a workpiece support during machining of the workpiece by thermal separation by a separation beam directed onto the workpiece are provided. In one aspect, a support slat includes support projections on a workpiece side extending in a longitudinal direction of the support slat. The support projections follow one after another in the longitudinal direction at a mutual distance to form projection gaps. On an underside of at least one support projection remote from the workpiece side, the support slat defines a recess covered by the support projection toward the workpiece side. The recess extends in a transverse direction of the support slat. The support projection covering the recess is separably connected to the rest of the support slat and is separable from the support slat with opening the recess toward the workpiece side.