Integrated Turn-Milling and Laser Drilling for Continuous Hole Making

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing manufacturing processes for components with multiple holes are time-consuming and require excessive space due to the need for separate equipment for machining and laser drilling, as well as manual handling and transportation of components between machines.

Innovation Solution

A turn-milling machine integrated with a laser system that allows continuous movement of the workpiece while selectively operating the laser to drill holes, enabling both shaping and drilling to be performed in the same equipment without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate equipment is used for milling and laser drilling, then each process can be performed with dedicated equipment, but manufacturing time increases and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated equipment for each processVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines milling and laser drilling operations into a single integrated machine system. The workpiece remains clamped in the same fixture throughout both operations, eliminating the need for unclamping, removal, and re-clamping between processes. This merging of operations directly reduces manufacturing time while maintaining the precision of dedicated equipment through programmable control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated machine system performs multiple functions (milling and laser drilling) within a single piece of equipment. The system uses a universal workpiece fixture that can accommodate both milling operations and laser drilling operations, making the equipment multi-functional rather than requiring separate specialized machines for each process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate equipment is used for milling and laser drilling, then each process can be performed with dedicated equipment, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated equipment for each processVSAvoidspace for equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges milling and laser drilling equipment into a single integrated system, thereby reducing the total floor space required. Instead of housing two separate machines and their associated fixtures, the system combines all functionality into one machine footprint, directly addressing the space reduction goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If manual handling is used to transport workpiece between machines, then flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual handling flexibilityVSAvoidloading and unloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece remains continuously clamped and stationary throughout both milling and laser drilling operations. This eliminates the interruptive cycles of unclamping, transporting, and re-clamping that occur when using separate machines with manual handling. The continuous clamping state maintains operational flexibility while eliminating time losses associated with manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Manufacturing precision

If workpiece is stopped for laser drilling, then precision hole placement is achieved, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehole placement precisionVSAvoidworkpiece stopping time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of stopping the workpiece with laser drilling with a continuous motion system. The workpiece continues to move through the milling operation, and laser drilling is performed during this continuous motion. This substitution of continuous mechanical motion for intermittent stopping maintains precision through coordinated control while eliminating the time losses associated with starting and stopping the workpiece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 integrated approach significantly reduces manufacturing time and space requirements, as both milling and laser drilling operations can be performed sequentially and efficiently within the same machine, thereby streamlining the production process.

Implementation Method 1

A high power beam is focused on the material at a location where the hole is to be formed. The laser may be repetitively pulsed until the hole is drilled through the material.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12296420B2Milling and laser drilling system

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 CADENCE CT INC

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a component includes shaping a workpiece into a component having a desired shape and drilling a plurality of holes in said workpiece. The drilling includes continuously moving said workpiece and selectively operating a laser when said workpiece is at a predetermined position. The shaping and drilling occur in the same piece of equipment.