Water Jet Guided Laser Micromachining Precision
Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling and electrodischarge machining methods for precision micromachining face issues such as high drill breakage rates, increased defects, and high costs due to the need for ultra-fine, non-reusable electrodes, while water jet guided laser machining struggles with limited machining range and efficiency drops at deep parts.
Innovation Solution
A machining method and system that uses a water jet guided laser machining system with a high-pressure cylindrical water column as a waveguide for the laser beam, allowing for precise micromachining by moving the laser head and machine component in coordinated directions to form desired shapes and sizes of micromachined parts, including circular holes and fan-shaped grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If drilling is used for precision micromachining of small diameter holes, then hole formation is achieved, but drill breakage rate increases and defect rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drilling system with a water jet guided laser machining system. The laser beam is guided through a water column to machine the workpiece, eliminating mechanical contact and drill breakage while achieving precise hole formation through optical energy concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a high-pressure water jet as a waveguide for the laser beam. The water column is ejected at high pressure to form a cylindrical shape that guides the laser beam to the machining point, combining hydraulic principles with optical guidance for precise micromachining.
2Manufacturing precision
If electrodischarge machining is used for precision micromachining, then micro holes and grooves are formed, but electrode cost increases and running costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrodischarge machining system with a water jet guided laser machining system. Instead of using consumable electrodes and electrical discharge, the system uses a laser beam guided through a water column to machine the workpiece, eliminating electrode costs and associated running expenses.
3Manufacturing precision
If water jet guided laser machining is used for micromachining, then machining precision is improved, but machining range is limited and efficiency drops at deep parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the water jet guided laser machining system rock back and forth during operation. This dynamic movement allows the laser beam to reach deep parts of the workpiece more effectively, preventing efficiency drops and maintaining high machining precision throughout the entire machining range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic rocking motion of the water jet guided laser machining system during operation. This periodic action enables the laser beam to periodically reach deep parts of the workpiece, maintaining consistent machining efficiency and precision throughout the machining process.
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
Enables the formation of precise micromachined parts with improved efficiency and reduced surface roughness, overcoming the limitations of existing methods by allowing for the creation of complex shapes and dimensions within the limited range of the water column, while maintaining high precision and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The laser beam progresses while being totally reflected inside the cylindrical water column, so the straightness is high.
Implementation Method 2
ejects high-pressure water from a high-pressure water feed unit as a cylindrical-shaped water column to a machining point and firing a laser beam from a laser generating unit using the water column as a waveguide
Implementation Method 3
ejects high-pressure water from a high-pressure water feed unit as a cylindrical-shaped water column to a machining point
Implementation Method 4
The water jet reaches a deep part while impacting walls of an ultrathin span, so the water jet is disturbed at the deep part region
Data Source
AI summary
When forming a micromachined part by water jet guided laser machining at a machine component 20, a point for forming a micromachined part is machined while moving a laser head 7 side and machine component 20 side so as to obtain a desired shape of a micromachined part.