Shaped Wrapping Sheet Laser Cutting Without Surface Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing shaped sheets of wrapping, particularly those with metal layers, face challenges in cutting processes that compromise surface finish and speed, despite the advantages of laser cutting, as mechanical solutions are often preferred for their efficiency and preservation of surface integrity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving laser cutting with multiple passes of a laser beam along distinct paths to progressively remove layers of the sheet without stretching, ensuring complete cutting while maintaining the surface finish and integrity of the sheet, particularly suitable for sheets with metal and polymeric layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If laser cutting is used to cut the sheet of wrapping, then cutting speed and adaptability are improved, but surface finish quality deteriorates due to tool wear and melting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidsurface finish quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting process is divided into multiple sequential passes, each removing a portion of the material layers. The first pass removes the polymeric layer, subsequent passes remove metal layers, and final passes complete the cut. This segmentation allows controlled material removal while maintaining surface quality on non-cutted portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The laser beam performs partial cutting actions in multiple passes rather than attempting to cut through all layers in a single pass. Each pass performs a portion of the cutting task, removing some material layers or portions, and the process is repeated until complete separation is achieved. This prevents excessive heat accumulation and surface damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Manufacturing precision

If mechanical cutting tools are used, then surface finish is preserved, but cutting speed decreases and tools require frequent replacement due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface finish qualityVSAvoidcutting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cutting tools with a laser beam-based thermal cutting system. The laser beam melts and vaporizes material layers without physical contact, eliminating tool wear and the need for frequent tool replacements while maintaining high cutting speeds and surface quality on non-contacted areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If single-pass laser cutting is used, then cutting speed is maintained, but complete cutting through multiple layers is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidcutting completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting process performs preliminary actions in sequential passes, with each pass removing specific material layers or portions before the next pass. The first pass preliminarily removes the polymeric layer, subsequent passes preliminarily remove metal layers, and final passes complete the cut. This preliminary action approach ensures complete cutting through all layers while maintaining efficient processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach allows for high-speed cutting with preserved surface characteristics, especially beneficial for printed sheets, ensuring the quality of the final package by avoiding tool wear and the need for frequent replacements.

Implementation Method 1

a method involving laser cutting with multiple passes of a laser beam along distinct paths to progressively remove layers of the sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3845362B1Method for producing a shaped sheet of wrapping
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 SOREMARTEC SA(BE)
  • EP3845362B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3845362B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3845362B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described herein is a method for producing a shaped sheet of wrapping (10), including a hollow portion (10A) and a perimetral edge (10C) that extends along a pre-set profile (K), said method comprising the steps of: - laying a sheet of wrapping (100) on a treatment surface (50) having a forming cavity (50A); - forming said sheet of wrapping (100) within said forming cavity (50A) so as to reproduce the shape said hollow portion (10A) thereon, without subjecting said sheet of wrapping (100) to deformation by stretching; - cutting said formed sheet of wrapping (100) along said pre-set profile for producing said perimetral edge (10C) and obtaining said shaped sheet of wrapping (10). The method is characterised in that the cutting step envisages the use of a laser beam according to a particular cutting mode.