Workpiece Tilt Prediction in Laser Cutting With Support Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the cutting process of workpieces using laser cutting systems, the cut-out parts often tilt due to their weight and cutting gas pressure, leading to potential collisions and automatic removal issues in subsequent processes.
Innovation Solution
A method to predict the tilting tendency of cut workpieces by analyzing possible tilting edges and determining the tilting moments exerted by the workpiece's weight and cutting gas, allowing for adjustments in the cutting position or support placement to prevent tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser cutting is used to separate workpiece parts, then cutting precision and processing speed are improved, but workpiece parts tilt due to weight and cutting gas pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The control device calculates the center of gravity of the workpiece and determines the optimal support carriage position before the cutting operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the workpiece is cut, the support structure is already in place to prevent tilting caused by the workpiece weight and cutting gas pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
A support carriage is introduced as an intermediary element between the workpiece and the cutting process. The support carriage provides additional support at calculated positions, mediating the forces acting on the workpiece during cutting and preventing tilting without interfering with the laser cutting process itself.
2Stability of the object's composition
If support carriages are added to prevent tilting, then workpiece stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support carriage serves multiple functions: it supports the workpiece during cutting, prevents tilting, and can be repositioned for different workpiece configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining workpiece stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support carriage is designed to be movable and repositionable along the workpiece, allowing it to adapt to different workpiece sizes, shapes, and cutting positions. This dynamic capability enables a single support system to handle various scenarios without requiring multiple fixed support structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the center of gravity is calculated and support position is optimized, then workpiece stability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation of center of gravity and optimization of support positions is performed using computational methods and control algorithms rather than manual measurement and adjustment. This substitution of mechanical processes with automated computational processes reduces the time required while maintaining or improving support optimization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device automatically calculates the center of gravity and determines the optimal support carriage position based on workpiece geometry and cutting parameters, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates time-consuming manual calculations and adjustments, enabling rapid optimization of support positions.
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 method effectively prevents workpiece tilting by identifying and mitigating tilting moments, ensuring stable positioning and safe removal of cut parts during and after the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
a processing beam with a processing head that aligns the processing beam, in particular a laser beam, onto the plate-shaped workpiece
Implementation Method 2
the workpiece parts that have been cut free can tilt due to their weight and/or the effect of the cutting gas pressure
Implementation Method 3
the workpiece parts that have been cut free can tilt due to their weight
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for predicting the tilt inclination of a workpiece part (18) that is being cut free from a remaining workpiece using a machine tool (1, 100) during a machining process, and that rests on one or more supports, said method comprising the following steps: a. determining one or more possible tilt edges (71, 81a, 81b) about which the workpiece part (18) being cut free might tilt; b. for at least one potential tilt edge (71, 81a, 81b), particularly for each potential tilt edge (71, 81a, 81b), determining tilt moments (M1 - M4) which act on the workpiece part (18) in different states of the machine tool (1, 100); and c. on the basis of the determined tilt moments (M1 - M4), determining whether the workpiece part (18) would tilt about a tilt edge (71, 81a, 81b).