US20020130116A1 - Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation - Google Patents
Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020130116A1 US20020130116A1 US10/099,201 US9920102A US2002130116A1 US 20020130116 A1 US20020130116 A1 US 20020130116A1 US 9920102 A US9920102 A US 9920102A US 2002130116 A1 US2002130116 A1 US 2002130116A1
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- Prior art keywords
- nozzle
- workpiece
- laser beam
- positioning
- cutting debris
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
- B23K26/14—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring using a fluid stream, e.g. a jet of gas, in conjunction with the laser beam; Nozzles therefor
- B23K26/1462—Nozzles; Features related to nozzles
- B23K26/1464—Supply to, or discharge from, nozzles of media, e.g. gas, powder, wire
- B23K26/147—Features outside the nozzle for feeding the fluid stream towards the workpiece
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
- B23K26/14—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring using a fluid stream, e.g. a jet of gas, in conjunction with the laser beam; Nozzles therefor
- B23K26/142—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring using a fluid stream, e.g. a jet of gas, in conjunction with the laser beam; Nozzles therefor for the removal of by-products
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
- B23K26/14—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring using a fluid stream, e.g. a jet of gas, in conjunction with the laser beam; Nozzles therefor
- B23K26/1435—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring using a fluid stream, e.g. a jet of gas, in conjunction with the laser beam; Nozzles therefor involving specially adapted flow control means
- B23K26/1438—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring using a fluid stream, e.g. a jet of gas, in conjunction with the laser beam; Nozzles therefor involving specially adapted flow control means for directional control
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a laser cutting tool.
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for selectively directing cutting debris away from a preferred portion of a workpiece so that the cutting debris does not settle thereon.
- Laser beams are used in numerous applications, including drilling, machining, scribing and cutting a variety of different materials. While using a laser beam in these types of applications, it is typical that cutting debris or smoke from the lasered material becomes airborne. These particles either immediately settle or suspend in the air for a period of time until they either settle upon the workpiece or elsewhere. In most circumstances, it is desirable that the particles do not settle upon the workpiece. An example of this would include the use of optically clear plastics.
- the laser beam When laser beams are used for cutting optically clear plastics, the laser beam typically cuts the workpiece into a preferred portion and a scrap portion. In this situation, it is important that the cutting debris be kept away from the preferred portion in order to keep the entire surface of the plastic workpiece optically clear. It is less important, if at all, as to what settles upon the scrap portion, which is either discarded or recycled for other uses.
- multi-directional cuts means a pattern of the preferred portion having an edge or line changing direction such as at a corner, a curve with either an increasing or decreasing radius, a curve having an inflection point, or any combination thereof.
- the positioning of the stationary blower and/or suction device tends to direct some or all of the cutting debris in a single direction.
- the present invention is an apparatus that selectively positions a nozzle to pneumatically direct cutting debris away from a preferred portion of a workpiece wherein a laser beam separates the workpiece in a multi-directional relation.
- the apparatus comprises a member positionable about a laser beam cutting device, the nozzle attachable to the positionable member, and a programmable logic controller to selectively position the positionable member and nozzle.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a top-plane view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line 2 - 2 of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4.
- FIG. 1 An apparatus to selectively direct cutting debris in various directions while a laser beam separates a workpiece, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1.
- the apparatus 10 generally comprises a positionable laser device 12 , capable of emitting a laser beam 14 for ablation purposes, a positionable member 16 maneuverable about the laser beam, and a nozzle 18 attachable to the positionable member 16 .
- the nozzle 18 is selectively positionable and capable of pneumatically directing cutting debris 20 in a selected direction.
- the term cutting debris includes, but is not limited to, any type of particle, smoke, plasma or other byproduct emitted from the workpiece during the ablation or cutting of the workpiece by the laser beam.
- the laser device 12 includes any type of laser well known in the art including gas lasers, excimer lasers, or Nd:YAG lasers.
- the laser device 12 is positionable in relation to a workpiece 22 by being attachable to a positionable bracket 24 (as illustrated in FIG. 3).
- the bracket 24 is attachable to a suitable structure (not shown).
- the workpiece 22 rests upon a X-Y directional worktable 26 .
- the laser device 12 is positioned in proximate fashion to the worktable 26 .
- the X-Y directional worktable 26 moves in relation to the laser device 12 , with the laser device 12 remaining in a stationary position with respect to the worktable 26 .
- the positionable member 16 of the present invention is preferably operably attachable to a stationary support member 28 .
- the positionable member 16 preferably is rotatable about the stationary support member 28 , preferably by a ball-bearing device, or similar operably rotatable means.
- the stationary support member 28 is attachable to the bracket 24 proximate the laser device 12 , with the laser device 12 being positioned such that the emitted laser beam 14 passes through an aperture 30 contained within the stationary support member 28 , as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- the positionable member 16 includes a geared portion 32 attached thereto.
- the geared portion 32 provides a means to rotate the positionable member 16 by mechanically cooperating with a gear 34 .
- the geared portion 32 mechanically cooperates with the gear 34 by being mateably engageable thereto.
- the gear 34 is mechanically driven by a drive 38 , and preferably an electrical motor.
- a shaft 36 operably connects the drive 38 to the gear 34 .
- alternative means to rotate the positionable member are within the scope of the present invention, including the use of a continuous V-belt in conjunction with cooperating channeled grooves connected to the positionable member and drive means.
- the nozzle 18 is attached to the positionable member 16 .
- the nozzle 18 which preferably includes a tube attachment 40 , is attached to the positionable member 16 such that a direction of the tube 40 , with the respect to the positionable member 16 , remains constant.
- the length and configuration of the tube 40 is dependent upon the positioning of the positionable member 16 in relation to the workpiece 22 and worktable 26 .
- the tube 40 is positioned proximate an ablation point or area wherein the laser beam ablates or cuts the workpiece. The positioning of the tube 40 is such that the nozzle 18 accurately directs the cutting debris 20 in a selected direction.
- a proximate end 44 of gas hose 42 Connected to the nozzle 18 is a proximate end 44 of gas hose 42 .
- the proximate end 44 of the gas hose 42 can be connected to the nozzle 18 by a variety of different means that are well known in the art.
- Attached to a distal end 45 of the air hose can either be a suction device such as a vacuum, a blower device or a compressed gas source 43 .
- the nozzle 18 will emit a stream of gas or air, and will thus direct the cutting debris 20 in a selected direction by a blowing force.
- the nozzle 18 will act as a vacuum and suck the cutting debris 20 into the air hose 42 .
- the cutting debris 20 is preferably deposited in a refuse bin (not shown) or suitable filtering device.
- the air hose 42 is disposed on a retractable coil device 46 .
- the air hose 42 can be withdrawn from the retractable coil device 46 when the positionable member 16 and nozzle 18 rotate to a selected position 48 (shown by the dotted lines), and will automatically recoil back within the device 46 upon the positionable member 16 returning to an initial position 50 .
- the retractable coil device 46 provides enough tension to keep the air hose 42 taut, ensuring that the air hose 42 will not become slack where it could be caught within a moving gear or become entangled with another device.
- a channeled groove member 52 attached to the positionable member 16 .
- the channeled groove member 52 is substantially the same diameter and shape of the positionable member 16 .
- the channeled groove member 52 allows the air hose 42 to nest within its groove while the positionable member 16 rotates about the laser beam 14 .
- One skilled in the art will immediately recognize that it is also within the scope of the present invention to include a channeled groove on the positionable member itself for which to nest the air hose 42 .
- the workpiece 22 to be cut or ablated is placed upon the worktable 26 in a position suitable for the laser beam 14 to appropriately ablate a desired pattern.
- the laser beam 14 separates the workpiece 22 into a first preferred portion 54 and a second scrap portion 56 .
- the preferred portion 54 of the workpiece 22 is the portion that is desired upon cutting the selected pattern.
- the scrap portion 56 of the workpiece 22 is the portion or portions which are not included within the selected pattern, and will in most cases either be discarded, reused in another application, or recycled.
- the positionable member 16 and nozzle 18 are initially held at the initial position 50 , as illustrated in FIG. 2.
- the X-Y directional worktable 26 travels in a selected pattern, which may include the worktable 26 traveling in a multi-directional relation.
- the multi-directional relation includes, but is not limited to, the pattern of the preferred portion having a line changing direction such as at a corner, a curve with either an increasing or decreasing radius, a curve having an inflection point, or any combination thereof.
- the laser beam 14 ablates the workpiece 22 as the worktable 26 travels, and thus places the workpiece 22 in the direct path of the laser beam 14 , which in turn ablates the workpiece 22 with the corresponding selected pattern.
- This selected pattern is preferably programmed in a programmable logic controller (PLC) which controls the movement of the X-Y directional table 26 , along with activating the laser device 12 .
- PLC programmable logic controller
- the PLC is also programmed and integrated with the positionable member 16 to selectively position the nozzle 18 to direct the cutting debris 20 away from the preferred portion 54 of the workpiece 22 .
- the PLC controls the drive means 38 to rotate in a specific direction.
- the electrical motor 38 is mechanically operable with the positionable member 16 .
- the geared portion 32 is attached to the positionable member 16 and mateably engages the gear 34 attached to the drive means 38 .
- the positionable member 16 rotates in the selected direction, indicated by arrows A and B as illustrated in FIG. 2.
- the tube 40 of the nozzle 18 rotates about the laser beam 14 in a direction of A′.
- the tube 40 of the nozzle 18 rotates about the laser beam 14 in a direction indicated by arrow B′.
- the dotted lines indicate a selected position 48 of the nozzle 18 and tube 40 as the positionable member 16 travels in the direction indicated by arrow B, the tube 40 of the nozzle 18 and thus travels in the direction indicated by arrow B′.
- the PLC is programmed to synchronize the rotation of the positionable member 16 with that of the traveling direction of the worktable 26 . At all times the tube 40 of the nozzle 18 is positioned to direct the cutting debris 20 away from the preferred portion 54 of the workpiece 26 .
- the PLC is programmed to position the positionable member 16 such that the tube 40 of the nozzle 18 is positioned in a substantially orthogonal relation to the immediate direction at which the worktable 26 is traveling to direct the cutting debris 20 away from the preferred portion 54 of the workpiece 26 and towards the scrap portion 56 by blowing the cutting debris 20 .
- the PLC is programmed to position the positionable member 16 such that the tube 40 of the nozzle 18 is positioned in a substantially orthogonal relation to the immediate direction at which the worktable 26 is traveling to direct the cutting debris 20 away from the preferred portion 54 of the workpiece 22 by drawing the debris 20 into the tube 40 .
- FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate alternative embodiments of the present invention.
- a plurality of stationary nozzles 60 are positioned to selectively direct cutting debris 20 away from the preferred portion 54 of the workpiece 22 .
- Each nozzle 60 is attached to a stationery member 61 , which is attached to the bracket 24 .
- each nozzle 60 includes a valve device 62 actuated by the PLC to open or close, either blocking or allowing a stream of air to pass through each nozzle 60 , and thus directing the cutting debris 20 in the direction the actuated valve 62 and cooperating nozzle 60 are directed, depending upon whether the air source is a vacuum or a blower device.
- the PLC is programmed to open the appropriate nozzle 60 depending on the position of the preferred portion 54 of the workpiece 22 in relation to the scrap portion 56 .
- Each valve 60 is electrically connected to the PLC via a wiring schematic 70 as is well known in the art.
- the additional alternative embodiments preferably include a circular conduit 64 connected to an air source via a connecting hose 66 .
- the circular conduit 64 is connected to each actuating valve device 62 , thus allowing a constant pressure (or vacuum) of air at each valve 62 .
- FIGS. 4 illustrates an exemplary additional embodiment of the present invention comprising two nozzles 60 being able to direct cutting debris 20 in two directions.
- FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary additional embodiment of the present invention comprising three nozzles 60 being able to direct cutting debris 20 in three directions.
- additional nozzles 60 to direct cutting debris 20 in various directions. Each added nozzle 60 will increase the number of directions the cutting debris 20 can be directed away from the preferred portion 54 of the workpiece 22 .
Abstract
Description
- This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 09/805,583 filed Mar. 13, 2001.
- The present invention relates to a laser cutting tool. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for selectively directing cutting debris away from a preferred portion of a workpiece so that the cutting debris does not settle thereon.
- Laser beams are used in numerous applications, including drilling, machining, scribing and cutting a variety of different materials. While using a laser beam in these types of applications, it is typical that cutting debris or smoke from the lasered material becomes airborne. These particles either immediately settle or suspend in the air for a period of time until they either settle upon the workpiece or elsewhere. In most circumstances, it is desirable that the particles do not settle upon the workpiece. An example of this would include the use of optically clear plastics.
- When laser beams are used for cutting optically clear plastics, the laser beam typically cuts the workpiece into a preferred portion and a scrap portion. In this situation, it is important that the cutting debris be kept away from the preferred portion in order to keep the entire surface of the plastic workpiece optically clear. It is less important, if at all, as to what settles upon the scrap portion, which is either discarded or recycled for other uses.
- In the event that cutting debris deposits upon the preferred portion, that portion must then be washed to remove the cutting debris, thus ensuring that the plastic is optically clear. This is burdensome and causes an additional cost to manufacturing. One way to ensure that cutting debris is not deposited upon the preferred portion of the optically clear workpiece is to place a cover sheet upon the entire workpiece. The laser beam cuts both the cover sheet and the workpiece at the same time, with the cutting debris settling upon the cover sheet. Upon completing the cutting process, the cover sheet is removed from the preferred portion of the workpiece, and then discarded. This is also burdensome and wasteful, with the cover sheet being an added expense that must be discarded after its use.
- Thus, it is preferable to direct the cutting debris created by the laser beam from settling upon the preferred portion of the optically clear workpiece. There exists in the art stationary suction or blowing devices which achieve this purpose. However, these devices are somewhat limited to the application of either straight-line or purely radial cuts. These devices are not very effective when a multi-directional cut on a single workpiece is desired. As used herein, multi-directional cuts means a pattern of the preferred portion having an edge or line changing direction such as at a corner, a curve with either an increasing or decreasing radius, a curve having an inflection point, or any combination thereof. The positioning of the stationary blower and/or suction device tends to direct some or all of the cutting debris in a single direction. When a laser beam makes a multi-directional cut in relation to the workpiece, the direction that the cutting particles must be directed in order to resist deposition upon the preferred portion of the workpiece must change with the direction of the cutting path.
- The present invention is an apparatus that selectively positions a nozzle to pneumatically direct cutting debris away from a preferred portion of a workpiece wherein a laser beam separates the workpiece in a multi-directional relation. The apparatus comprises a member positionable about a laser beam cutting device, the nozzle attachable to the positionable member, and a programmable logic controller to selectively position the positionable member and nozzle.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a top-plane view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along line2-2 of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention taken along line5-5 of FIG. 4.
- An apparatus to selectively direct cutting debris in various directions while a laser beam separates a workpiece, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is generally indicated at10 in FIG. 1. The
apparatus 10 generally comprises apositionable laser device 12, capable of emitting alaser beam 14 for ablation purposes, apositionable member 16 maneuverable about the laser beam, and anozzle 18 attachable to thepositionable member 16. Thenozzle 18 is selectively positionable and capable of pneumatically directingcutting debris 20 in a selected direction. For purposes of this application, the term cutting debris includes, but is not limited to, any type of particle, smoke, plasma or other byproduct emitted from the workpiece during the ablation or cutting of the workpiece by the laser beam. - The
laser device 12 includes any type of laser well known in the art including gas lasers, excimer lasers, or Nd:YAG lasers. Thelaser device 12 is positionable in relation to aworkpiece 22 by being attachable to a positionable bracket 24 (as illustrated in FIG. 3). Thebracket 24 is attachable to a suitable structure (not shown). Preferably theworkpiece 22 rests upon a X-Ydirectional worktable 26. Thelaser device 12 is positioned in proximate fashion to theworktable 26. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the X-Ydirectional worktable 26 moves in relation to thelaser device 12, with thelaser device 12 remaining in a stationary position with respect to theworktable 26. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to have theworktable 26 remain stationary while thelaser device 12 moves in relation to theworktable 26. - The
positionable member 16 of the present invention is preferably operably attachable to astationary support member 28. Thepositionable member 16 preferably is rotatable about thestationary support member 28, preferably by a ball-bearing device, or similar operably rotatable means. Thestationary support member 28 is attachable to thebracket 24 proximate thelaser device 12, with thelaser device 12 being positioned such that the emittedlaser beam 14 passes through an aperture 30 contained within thestationary support member 28, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably, thepositionable member 16 includes a gearedportion 32 attached thereto. The gearedportion 32 provides a means to rotate thepositionable member 16 by mechanically cooperating with agear 34. The gearedportion 32 mechanically cooperates with thegear 34 by being mateably engageable thereto. Thegear 34 is mechanically driven by adrive 38, and preferably an electrical motor. Ashaft 36 operably connects thedrive 38 to thegear 34. However, alternative means to rotate the positionable member are within the scope of the present invention, including the use of a continuous V-belt in conjunction with cooperating channeled grooves connected to the positionable member and drive means. - The
nozzle 18 is attached to thepositionable member 16. Thenozzle 18, which preferably includes atube attachment 40, is attached to thepositionable member 16 such that a direction of thetube 40, with the respect to thepositionable member 16, remains constant. The length and configuration of thetube 40 is dependent upon the positioning of thepositionable member 16 in relation to theworkpiece 22 andworktable 26. Preferably, thetube 40 is positioned proximate an ablation point or area wherein the laser beam ablates or cuts the workpiece. The positioning of thetube 40 is such that thenozzle 18 accurately directs thecutting debris 20 in a selected direction. - Connected to the
nozzle 18 is aproximate end 44 ofgas hose 42. Theproximate end 44 of thegas hose 42 can be connected to thenozzle 18 by a variety of different means that are well known in the art. Attached to adistal end 45 of the air hose can either be a suction device such as a vacuum, a blower device or a compressedgas source 43. In the embodiments including a blower device or compressedair source 43 connected to thedistal end 45 of thehose 42, thenozzle 18 will emit a stream of gas or air, and will thus direct the cuttingdebris 20 in a selected direction by a blowing force. In the alternative embodiment including thesuction device 43 connected to thenozzle 18 by way of theair hose 42, thenozzle 18 will act as a vacuum and suck the cuttingdebris 20 into theair hose 42. The cuttingdebris 20 is preferably deposited in a refuse bin (not shown) or suitable filtering device. - Referring to FIG. 2, the
air hose 42 is disposed on aretractable coil device 46. Theair hose 42 can be withdrawn from theretractable coil device 46 when thepositionable member 16 andnozzle 18 rotate to a selected position 48 (shown by the dotted lines), and will automatically recoil back within thedevice 46 upon thepositionable member 16 returning to aninitial position 50. Theretractable coil device 46 provides enough tension to keep theair hose 42 taut, ensuring that theair hose 42 will not become slack where it could be caught within a moving gear or become entangled with another device. - Additionally, it is preferable to include a channeled
groove member 52 attached to thepositionable member 16. The channeledgroove member 52 is substantially the same diameter and shape of thepositionable member 16. The channeledgroove member 52 allows theair hose 42 to nest within its groove while thepositionable member 16 rotates about thelaser beam 14. One skilled in the art will immediately recognize that it is also within the scope of the present invention to include a channeled groove on the positionable member itself for which to nest theair hose 42. - In operation, the
workpiece 22 to be cut or ablated is placed upon theworktable 26 in a position suitable for thelaser beam 14 to appropriately ablate a desired pattern. Upon ablating theworkpiece 22 and cutting the desired pattern, thelaser beam 14 separates theworkpiece 22 into a firstpreferred portion 54 and asecond scrap portion 56. Thepreferred portion 54 of theworkpiece 22 is the portion that is desired upon cutting the selected pattern. Thescrap portion 56 of theworkpiece 22 is the portion or portions which are not included within the selected pattern, and will in most cases either be discarded, reused in another application, or recycled. - The
positionable member 16 andnozzle 18 are initially held at theinitial position 50, as illustrated in FIG. 2. When thelaser device 12 is activated, emitting thelaser beam 14, the X-Ydirectional worktable 26 travels in a selected pattern, which may include theworktable 26 traveling in a multi-directional relation. When traveling in a multi-directional relation, the direction at which the workpiece travels in relation to the laser beam varies. The multi-directional relation includes, but is not limited to, the pattern of the preferred portion having a line changing direction such as at a corner, a curve with either an increasing or decreasing radius, a curve having an inflection point, or any combination thereof. Thelaser beam 14 ablates theworkpiece 22 as theworktable 26 travels, and thus places theworkpiece 22 in the direct path of thelaser beam 14, which in turn ablates theworkpiece 22 with the corresponding selected pattern. This selected pattern is preferably programmed in a programmable logic controller (PLC) which controls the movement of the X-Y directional table 26, along with activating thelaser device 12. - The PLC is also programmed and integrated with the
positionable member 16 to selectively position thenozzle 18 to direct the cuttingdebris 20 away from the preferredportion 54 of theworkpiece 22. The PLC controls the drive means 38 to rotate in a specific direction. Theelectrical motor 38 is mechanically operable with thepositionable member 16. The gearedportion 32 is attached to thepositionable member 16 and mateably engages thegear 34 attached to the drive means 38. Upon activating the drive means 38, thepositionable member 16 rotates in the selected direction, indicated by arrows A and B as illustrated in FIG. 2. When thepositionable member 16 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow A, thetube 40 of thenozzle 18 rotates about thelaser beam 14 in a direction of A′. When thepositionable member 16 rotates in a direction indicated by arrow B, thetube 40 of thenozzle 18 rotates about thelaser beam 14 in a direction indicated by arrow B′. Referring again to FIG. 2, the dotted lines indicate a selectedposition 48 of thenozzle 18 andtube 40 as thepositionable member 16 travels in the direction indicated by arrow B, thetube 40 of thenozzle 18 and thus travels in the direction indicated by arrow B′. - In either embodiment of the present invention, the PLC is programmed to synchronize the rotation of the
positionable member 16 with that of the traveling direction of theworktable 26. At all times thetube 40 of thenozzle 18 is positioned to direct the cuttingdebris 20 away from the preferredportion 54 of theworkpiece 26. - In the embodiment of the present invention including either the blower device or compressed air source connected to the
air hose 42, the PLC is programmed to position thepositionable member 16 such that thetube 40 of thenozzle 18 is positioned in a substantially orthogonal relation to the immediate direction at which theworktable 26 is traveling to direct the cuttingdebris 20 away from the preferredportion 54 of theworkpiece 26 and towards thescrap portion 56 by blowing the cuttingdebris 20. - In the embodiment of the present invention including the suction device connected to the
air hose 42, the PLC is programmed to position thepositionable member 16 such that thetube 40 of thenozzle 18 is positioned in a substantially orthogonal relation to the immediate direction at which theworktable 26 is traveling to direct the cuttingdebris 20 away from the preferredportion 54 of theworkpiece 22 by drawing thedebris 20 into thetube 40. - FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate alternative embodiments of the present invention. In each alternative embodiment, instead of a nozzle rotating about the laser beam, a plurality of
stationary nozzles 60 are positioned to selectively direct cuttingdebris 20 away from the preferredportion 54 of theworkpiece 22. Eachnozzle 60 is attached to astationery member 61, which is attached to thebracket 24. - Preferably, each
nozzle 60 includes avalve device 62 actuated by the PLC to open or close, either blocking or allowing a stream of air to pass through eachnozzle 60, and thus directing the cuttingdebris 20 in the direction the actuatedvalve 62 and cooperatingnozzle 60 are directed, depending upon whether the air source is a vacuum or a blower device. The PLC is programmed to open theappropriate nozzle 60 depending on the position of the preferredportion 54 of theworkpiece 22 in relation to thescrap portion 56. Eachvalve 60 is electrically connected to the PLC via a wiring schematic 70 as is well known in the art. - The additional alternative embodiments preferably include a
circular conduit 64 connected to an air source via a connectinghose 66. Thecircular conduit 64 is connected to each actuatingvalve device 62, thus allowing a constant pressure (or vacuum) of air at eachvalve 62. However, it would also be within the scope of the present invention to provide a separate hose (not shown) for eachnozzle 60, and connecting each hose to a central actuating valve controlled by the PLC, thus eliminating the need to provide avalve 62 at eachnozzle 60. - FIGS.4 illustrates an exemplary additional embodiment of the present invention comprising two
nozzles 60 being able to direct cuttingdebris 20 in two directions. FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary additional embodiment of the present invention comprising threenozzles 60 being able to direct cuttingdebris 20 in three directions. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that it is within the scope of the present invention to includeadditional nozzles 60 to direct cuttingdebris 20 in various directions. Each addednozzle 60 will increase the number of directions the cuttingdebris 20 can be directed away from the preferredportion 54 of theworkpiece 22. - Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (23)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/099,201 US20020130116A1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2002-03-13 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/805,583 US20020130115A1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2001-03-13 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
US10/099,201 US20020130116A1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2002-03-13 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
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US09/805,583 Continuation-In-Part US20020130115A1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2001-03-13 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
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US20020130116A1 true US20020130116A1 (en) | 2002-09-19 |
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US09/805,583 Abandoned US20020130115A1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2001-03-13 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
US10/099,201 Abandoned US20020130116A1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2002-03-13 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
US10/210,388 Expired - Lifetime US6710294B2 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2002-07-31 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
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US09/805,583 Abandoned US20020130115A1 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2001-03-13 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
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US10/210,388 Expired - Lifetime US6710294B2 (en) | 2001-03-13 | 2002-07-31 | Debris removal apparatus for use in laser ablation |
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Cited By (13)
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US20040140300A1 (en) * | 2003-01-21 | 2004-07-22 | Toshiyuki Yoshikawa | Laser machining method and laser machining apparatus |
US20040226926A1 (en) * | 2003-05-13 | 2004-11-18 | Pollard Jeffrey R. | Laser micromachining systems |
US20060049156A1 (en) * | 2002-02-15 | 2006-03-09 | Michael Mulloy | Method of forming substrate for fluid ejection device |
US20100163538A1 (en) * | 2007-06-15 | 2010-07-01 | Johnson Controls - Saft Advanced Power Solutions Llc | Laser cutting system |
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- 2002-03-13 WO PCT/US2002/008203 patent/WO2002072305A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-07-31 US US10/210,388 patent/US6710294B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2002072305A1 (en) | 2002-09-19 |
US20020185479A1 (en) | 2002-12-12 |
US20020130115A1 (en) | 2002-09-19 |
US6710294B2 (en) | 2004-03-23 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:PRECO LASER SYSTEMS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:013248/0298 Effective date: 20020801 |
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Owner name: LASER MACHINING, INC., WISCONSIN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LAWSON, WILLIAM E.;REEL/FRAME:013323/0508 Effective date: 20020801 Owner name: PRECO LASER SYSTEMS, LLC, KANSAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LASER MACHINGING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:013323/0500 Effective date: 20020801 |
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Owner name: PRECO LASER SYSTEMS, LLC, WISCONSIN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LASER MACHINING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:013813/0442 Effective date: 20030225 |
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