Tube Inner-Wall Cleaning Integrated With Laser Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning the inner wall of pipes are time-consuming and costly, particularly when manual intervention is required with round brushes, and existing laser cutting systems do not effectively integrate cleaning steps into the automation process.
Innovation Solution
A method that integrates a cleaning step into the laser processing machine's automation by using a cleaning device, such as a brush, which is guided along the inner wall of the pipe before the final separating cut, ensuring the inner wall is cleaned from the free end to the separating point, and then removed to allow for efficient ejection of the workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual cleaning with round brushes is used, then the inner wall of the pipe can be cleaned, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated laser processing system. The laser beam is directed through the tube wall to clean the inner surface without manual intervention, transforming a labor-intensive mechanical process into an automated optical process that maintains cleaning quality while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling and/or flushing lance as an intermediary element inside the tube. This lance serves multiple functions: it protects the inner wall from direct laser impact, cools the laser processing zone, and facilitates the removal of slag and vapors, thereby enabling effective laser-based cleaning while protecting the tube interior
2Manufacturing precision
If manual cleaning with round brushes is used, then the inner wall of the pipe can be cleaned, but the process is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive manual cleaning operations with an automated laser system. The laser beam, guided through the tube wall, provides consistent cleaning quality without the labor costs and variability associated with manual brush cleaning, thereby reducing overall production costs while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The laser processing system is designed to perform multiple functions: cutting the tube, cleaning the inner surface, and potentially other processing operations. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple manufacturing steps into a single integrated system, reducing overall production costs while maintaining high cleaning quality standards
3Manufacturing precision
If the cleaning device is positioned close to the contour cut, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the laser beam may strike the cleaning device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the cooling and/or flushing lance inside the tube, nesting it within the tube's internal space. This nested configuration allows the cleaning device to be in close proximity to the contour cut for effective cleaning while the tube wall itself acts as a protective barrier, preventing the laser beam from directly striking the cleaning device
Solution Approach 2:
The tube wall serves as an intermediary element between the laser beam and the cleaning device. The laser beam passes through the tube wall to reach the inner surface for cleaning, while the tube wall itself protects the cleaning device from direct laser exposure, thus maintaining both cleaning effectiveness and process safety
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 approach enables efficient and cost-effective cleaning of the pipe's inner wall, automating the process and reducing manual intervention, thereby improving productivity and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a laser beam is positioned on the outer peripheral surface of the tube by means of a processing head of the laser cutting system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~5
Figure 6~7b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cleaning an inner wall (34) of a tube (14) which is picked up by a clamping device (12) of a laser processing machine (11) and processed with a laser beam (12), characterized in that before a last separating cut in the tube (14) held by the clamping device (12), a cleaning step is carried out in which at least the inner wall (34) of the tube (14) is cleaned from the free tube end (36) to the separating cut to be made to form a workpiece with a cleaning device (30) is cleaned, and an attachment for receiving a cleaning device for a laser processing machine and a laser processing machine.