Workpiece Press-Out Mechanism for Tilt-Free Laser Cutting Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser processing machines face challenges in reliably ejecting small workpiece parts from a residual skeleton without tilting or getting caught, especially as the thickness of the workpiece increases, due to frictional forces.
Innovation Solution
A machine with an ejection device that presses against the upper side of the separated workpiece part within the gap, using a movable ejection element that can be positioned at a predetermined ejection position to prevent tilting, combined with support carriages that can be lowered to maintain the workpiece in a horizontal position during ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gap width is increased to accommodate the machining head's range of motion in the X-direction, then the machining head can move freely in the X-direction within the gap, but the workpiece support is compromised and the gap becomes too wide for optimal support
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece support is divided into multiple support carriages (first support carriage and second support carriage) that can be independently positioned along the Y-axis. Each carriage has support surfaces that can be selectively lowered, allowing the machining head to move in the X-direction while maintaining adequate support through the distributed carriage arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support carriages are designed with movable support surfaces that can be dynamically lowered below the workpiece support plane. This dynamic adjustment allows the support structure to adapt to the machining head's position and movement, providing stable support when needed and clearing the path when the machining head requires access.
2Productivity
If support surfaces are lowered to eject workpiece parts through the gap, then workpiece parts can be removed from the remaining grid, but the workpiece parts may tilt or get caught due to frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
An ejection device with an ejection element is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the support carriages and the workpiece part. The ejection element is pressed against the workpiece part to apply controlled ejection force, preventing tilting and ensuring reliable ejection through the gap without the workpiece part getting caught on the remaining grid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and position parameters of the support surfaces by lowering them below the workpiece support plane. This parameter change creates the necessary conditions for ejection, allowing workpiece parts to be separated from the remaining grid while maintaining control over the ejection process to prevent tilting.
3Reliability
If the gap is made smaller to improve workpiece support, then workpiece support is optimized, but the machining head cannot move in the X-direction within the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple carriages that can be independently positioned, allowing the gap to remain narrow for optimal support while still accommodating the machining head's X-direction movement through strategic placement of support surfaces along the Y-axis.
Data Source
Figure 1~2d
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 3d~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine (1) for cutting a planar workpiece (2), comprising: a first moving device (7) for moving the workpiece (2) in a first direction (X), a second moving device (11) for moving a machining head (9) for the cutting in a second direction (Y), and two workpiece-supporting surfaces (4, 5) for supporting the workpiece (2), between which workpiece-supporting surfaces a gap (6) extending in the second direction (Y) is formed. The machine (1) has a press-out device (17) having a press-out element (18), wherein the press-out element (18) can be moved at least in the second direction (Y) within the gap (6) in order to press against a workpiece part (20), which was cut free during the cutting of the workpiece (2), at a specified press-out position (AP). The invention further relates to a method for pressing out a workpiece part (20) which, in particular, was cut free on such a machine (1).