Vehicle Wheel Paint Removal by Laser Carving and Fine Polishing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for treating vehicle wheels, such as CNC milling, are energy-intensive, costly, and reduce the anti-corrosion properties of the wheel surface, requiring multiple preparation steps and frequent blade replacement.

Innovation Solution

A method using a laser carving machine to remove paint from selected areas of a vehicle wheel, applying a primer, carving the selected area with a laser to expose the metallic surface, and fine-polishing to create a smooth, corrosion-resistant finish, reducing equipment needs and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If CNC milling is used to remove paint from wheel surface, then the painted surface can be removed to expose selected area, but the energy consumption is high (12kW) and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of removing painted surfaceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical CNC milling system with a laser-based system. The laser beam removes paint through ablation rather than mechanical cutting, eliminating the need for high-power mechanical drives and reducing energy consumption from 12kW to 0.5kW while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the laser beam (wavelength, power, pulse duration) to optimize paint removal efficiency. By adjusting laser parameters, the system achieves precise paint removal with minimal energy consumption and no mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If CNC milling is used to remove paint from wheel surface, then the painted surface can be removed, but multiple preparation steps and blade replacement are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of exposed surfaceVSAvoidnumber of preparation steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser system eliminates mechanical blades and associated preparation steps. The laser beam requires no blade installation, alignment, or replacement, simplifying the process to just programming and operation while achieving clean paint removal and exposed surface quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser system is self-contained and requires no external blade inventory or maintenance personnel. The laser beam automatically adapts to different wheel geometries through programming, eliminating the need for manual blade changes and setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If CNC milling is used to remove paint from wheel surface, then the selected area can be exposed, but the anti-corrosion ability is reduced due to surplus material on surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure of selected areaVSAvoidanti-corrosion protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The laser ablation process removes paint cleanly without leaving surplus material on the exposed surface. The precise energy delivery vaporizes paint molecules directly, leaving a clean metal surface that maintains anti-corrosion properties, unlike mechanical milling which can leave debris and rough surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If CNC milling is used to remove paint from wheel surface, then the painted surface can be removed, but the cost increases due to blade maintenance and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of carved areaVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Replacing mechanical blades with a laser beam eliminates blade purchase, inventory, and maintenance costs. The laser system has no consumable mechanical parts, reducing operational expenses while maintaining high-quality paint removal and surface exposure.

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

The method efficiently removes painted surfaces with less energy (0.5kW compared to 12kW for CNC) and fewer steps, enhancing precision and anti-corrosion protection while reducing manufacturing costs, suitable for both small and large wheels.

Implementation Method 1

carving a selected area of the primer from the wheel by laser to remove the primer in the selected area from the surface of the wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3763475B1Method for laser carving an area of paint from an outer surface of a wheel

Publication Date: 2021.12.15 JIAN SIN IND CO LTD

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AI summary

A method for carving an outer surface of a vehicle wheel includes a step of priming: priming an outer surface of the wheel to form a painted surface; a step of carving: carving the primer from a selected area of the wheel by laser to remove the painted surface from the selected area, the selected area having an exposed area with metallic luster, and a step of fine-polish: polishing the outer surface of the wheel to form a fine-polished area at the exposed area. The painted surface on the wheel can be quickly removed to disclose a selected area with metallic luster, while the wheel is prevented from corrosion so as to reduce manufacturing cost and increase precision.