High-Velocity Vacuum Turret for Laser Ablation Debris Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser ablation processes face challenges in effectively removing debris and harmful gases, leading to reduced quality and efficiency due to redeposition of solid debris on the workpiece surface.
Innovation Solution
A high velocity vacuum system with selectively switchable segments surrounding the processing area generates a laminar exhaust stream to remove debris and gases, synchronized with laser motion and air knife protection to prevent redeposition, ensuring efficient debris and gas extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If laser ablation is used to remove material from substrate, then material removal rate is improved, but solid debris is generated that redeposits on workpiece surface reducing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the harmful solid debris from the processing area using a vacuum system with nozzles positioned near the laser ablation zone. The vacuum system continuously extracts debris particles before they can redeposit on the workpiece surface, thereby maintaining surface quality while preserving high material removal rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum nozzles act as an intermediary between the laser ablation zone and the workpiece surface. By positioning the nozzles in the path of debris ejection, they intercept and remove debris particles, preventing direct redeposition on the workpiece and thus mediating between the high-energy laser process and the quality requirements of the finished surface.
2Productivity
If high power pulsed laser is used to increase energy supply rate, then material removal rate is improved, but harmful plasma and gas are generated that reduce process quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful plasma and gas byproducts into a controlled exhaust stream. The vacuum system captures these harmful factors and directs them through a defined path away from the workpiece, transforming them from quality-degrading contaminants into a manageable exhaust flow that can be safely discharged.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum system extracts and removes the harmful plasma and gas generated during high-power laser ablation. By continuously pulling these harmful factors away from the processing zone through strategically positioned nozzles, the system maintains high material removal rates while preventing quality degradation from contaminant accumulation.
3Productivity
If vacuum nozzles are positioned close to workpiece surface to improve debris removal, then debris extraction efficiency is improved, but risk of damaging workpiece increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by positioning vacuum nozzles at specific locations where debris concentration is highest, rather than uniformly across the entire work area. The nozzles are strategically placed in the debris ejection path at optimized distances that maximize extraction efficiency while maintaining safe clearance from the workpiece surface, thus achieving high debris removal without compromising workpiece integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic positioning and control of vacuum nozzles to adapt to different processing conditions. The nozzle positions and vacuum levels can be adjusted during operation to optimize debris removal efficiency while maintaining safe distances from the workpiece, allowing the system to respond to varying debris generation rates and workpiece geometries.
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
The system maintains a clean processing environment, enhances the quality of the laser ablation process, and prevents re-solidification of debris on the workpiece, improving cutting efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
generates a laminar exhaust stream to remove debris and gases
Implementation Method 2
designed to draw or suck in the generated plume and associated debris PD
Implementation Method 3
laser ablation, in which energy supplied rapidly to a small volume causes atoms to be explosively expelled from the substrate
Implementation Method 4
the material is fractured into energetic fragments, typically a mixture of neutral atoms, ions, clusters, and nano- and micro-particles creating a plasma plume above the material surface
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing system comprising a laser beam generation source, at least one table, an Optical Laser Engine assembly for redirecting the laser pulses toward the desired surface to be processed, a plurality of high velocity plume/debris extraction segments for removing a plume/debris, a rotatable turret assembly having a plurality of inlet ports connected with the plurality of high velocity plume/debris extraction segments, and a dust collector separator and a blower coupled to the rotatable turret assembly for generating negative pressure. Each of the plurality of high velocity plume/debris extraction segments is connected to one of the plurality of inlet ports. The rotatable turret assembly has a turret which is rotatable, by a motor, to selectively subject a desired one or pair of the plurality of high velocity plume/debris extraction segments to negative pressure, during processing, for removing the plume/debris during treatment of the desired surface to be processed.