EP2583790B1 - Jet cutting device - Google Patents

Jet cutting device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2583790B1
EP2583790B1 EP12007193.1A EP12007193A EP2583790B1 EP 2583790 B1 EP2583790 B1 EP 2583790B1 EP 12007193 A EP12007193 A EP 12007193A EP 2583790 B1 EP2583790 B1 EP 2583790B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
jet
chamber
cutting
workpiece
cutting device
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EP12007193.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2583790A1 (en
Inventor
Eckhard Weidner
Stefan Pollak
Andreas Kilzer
Lena Engelmeier
Mark Krieg
Martin Bilz
Eckart Uhlmann
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Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Ruhr Universitaet Bochum
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Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Ruhr Universitaet Bochum
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C1/00—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods
    • B24C1/003—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods using material which dissolves or changes phase after the treatment, e.g. ice, CO2
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C1/00—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods
    • B24C1/04—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods for treating only selected parts of a surface, e.g. for carving stone or glass
    • B24C1/045—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods for treating only selected parts of a surface, e.g. for carving stone or glass for cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C9/00—Appurtenances of abrasive blasting machines or devices, e.g. working chambers, arrangements for handling used abrasive material

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a jet cutting apparatus for beam cutting a workpiece by means of a cutting fluid, the jet cutting apparatus comprising a cutting fluid supply means and a nozzle through which pressurized cutting fluid supplied during operation of the jet cutting apparatus is pressed to produce a cutting jet.
  • Water-jet cutting in which water is used as the cutting fluid, which is pressed under high pressure (up to several thousand bar) through a nozzle to produce a cutting jet of water.
  • a workpiece to be cut is placed in the water jet downstream of the nozzle.
  • the nozzle To create a kerf, either the nozzle must be moved along the desired cutting path over the workpiece, or the workpiece must be moved relative to a fixed nozzle.
  • Water jet cutting is used today in many areas of industry, e.g. in the food industry, the electronics industry and also in classical mechanical engineering.
  • the device uses a light source which emits visible and ultraviolet light radiation of high intensity, by means of which the chemical bonding of a coating on the substrate is weakened. More specifically, the coating is substantially pyrolyzed by the intense radiation.
  • a stream of high pressure dry gas containing frozen carbon dioxide particles On the thus pretreated surface is directed a stream of high pressure dry gas containing frozen carbon dioxide particles. This particle-laden gas stream gently removes the coating from the substrate surface, wherein the evaporating carbon dioxide particles at the same time cause cooling of the substrate surface treated with the device.
  • dry ice blasting and CO 2 snow blasting can only be used for stripping and removing impurities or surface layers due to a lack of blasting power. Dry ice blasting and CO 2 snow blasting are not suitable for the cutting machining of workpieces, since it has hitherto not been possible to produce a jet of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide which has sufficient length and stability for use as a cutting jet.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a jet cutting device that can produce a cutting jet also suitable for cutting editing with a variety of cutting fluids.
  • the jet cutting device has a pressure-tight executed to enclose the cutting beam from its exit from the nozzle to its impact on the workpiece chamber.
  • a chamber makes it possible to influence the cutting jet, in particular thermodynamically, but also fluidically, and in this way to produce it stable and sufficiently long when using a wide variety of cutting fluids.
  • pressure-tight herein is meant that the chamber allows it to maintain a pressure that is more than slightly different than ambient pressure.
  • the chamber may be designed to maintain a pressure that is between 1 bar and 15 bar above ambient pressure. Depending on the application, the pressure in the chamber may also be lower than the ambient pressure.
  • the chamber encloses not only the cutting beam but also the workpiece to be machined.
  • Such a solution avoids sealing problems between the chamber and the workpiece to be machined, but requires depending on the workpiece to be machined relatively large chamber for receiving the complete workpiece.
  • the chamber enclosing the cutting jet is open toward the workpiece and is partially or completely limited on its open side during operation by the workpiece to be machined.
  • the chamber may preferably be made of elastic material to conform to a contour of the workpiece to be machined.
  • an end of the chamber open towards the workpiece may include sealing means sealing the chamber along its circumference between the open end of the chamber and a workpiece being processed.
  • a sealing device may e.g. a resilient elastic lip or a sealing cap, which is hingedly connected to the chamber of rigid or elastic material. The use of a sufficiently compliant sealing device also allows tilting of the cutting device with respect to the workpiece to be machined and thus the production of oblique cuts or holes.
  • an increased pressure relative to the ambient pressure is generated and maintained during operation in the chamber.
  • a portion of the cutting fluid itself may be used if the cutting fluid is a fluid that at least partially passes into the gas phase under the conditions prevailing in the chamber during operation.
  • an auxiliary gas can be supplied to the chamber in order to set a desired overpressure.
  • An auxiliary gas can also be used if the cutting fluid itself generates a gas phase, for example to form a protective gas envelope of the cutting jet.
  • the chamber is provided with a supply of pressurized gas.
  • a pressure regulating device is in flow-conducting connection with the chamber.
  • the pressure control device With the pressure control device, a desired pressure in the chamber can be reliably maintained by only the amount of gas flows out of the chamber through the pressure control device that maintain the desired pressure in the chamber becomes.
  • the pressure regulating device may be formed by a simple throttle, by other suitable flow resistances or by a combination of such elements.
  • a narrow annular gap between the free end of the chamber and the workpiece to be machined can act as a throttle.
  • an inner side of the chamber enclosing the cutting jet is arranged close to the cutting jet and designed to influence the flow.
  • the inside of the chamber may be conically tapered, may have longitudinal grooves or helical grooves, it may have auxiliary gas inlet ports, and the like.
  • the chamber may contain flow-influencing internals which serve to achieve a desired beam influencing, such as diaphragms, impact and / or baffles, beam splitters and the like.
  • the chamber enclosing the cutting jet can be designed to be coolable and / or heatable, for example by the chamber wall being double-walled, so that a cooling or heating medium can be circulated through the chamber wall.
  • a cooling or heating medium can be circulated through the chamber wall.
  • liquid nitrogen can be used to cool a chamber.
  • Advantageous embodiments of the jet cutting device according to the invention have a heat exchanger for setting a desired temperature of the cutting fluid prior to its exit from the nozzle.
  • the temperature which the cutting fluid used has prior to exiting the nozzle can significantly influence the nature of the cutting jet produced.
  • the cutting jet produced is sharper and more focused when the temperature of the cutting fluid before it exits the nozzle is low, whereas the cutting jet becomes more diffuse and fanned out as the temperature of the cutting fluid increases Exit from the nozzle is higher.
  • jet cutting devices thus provide more degrees of freedom than previously customary, depending on a selected cutting fluid a specific, the intended use to produce optimally adapted cutting beam characteristics.
  • the cutting beam properties can be significantly changed and thus adjusted as desired.
  • the jet cutting device according to the invention is suitable due to the manifold possibilities of thermodynamic and / or fluid mechanical influenceability of the cutting beam to be generated for a variety of different cutting fluids with different physical properties.
  • the cutting fluid is or comprises a liquid or gas in a subcritical or supercritical state.
  • solid particles may also be added to the cutting fluid to improve cutting performance in certain applications.
  • the cutting jet contains carbon dioxide in at least partially liquid or at least partially solid form.
  • a gaseous portion of the cutting jet can be used to build and maintain a desired overpressure in the chamber enclosing the cutting jet.
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows a first basic embodiment of a jet cutting device 10 for machining a workpiece by means of a cutting beam, which is produced by pressing a cutting fluid under high pressure through a nozzle.
  • jet cutting device 10 uses as cutting fluid liquid carbon dioxide, which is removed from a reservoir 12 and subsequently brought in a compressor 14 to a desired, high pressure and to set a desired temperature, a heat exchanger 16 flows through.
  • the thus preconditioned, serving as cutting fluid carbon dioxide is then fed to the inlet of a nozzle 18, at the outlet of which a cutting jet 20 is formed with simultaneous relaxation of the carbon dioxide, which is used for processing a workpiece 22.
  • a chamber 24a completely encloses the nozzle 18 and the workpiece 22 to be machined.
  • an overpressure is built up during operation of the cutting device 10 by means of the carbon dioxide flowing through the nozzle 18, which is, for example, in a range of 1.5 to 15 bar above the ambient pressure when using carbon dioxide as the cutting fluid.
  • a desired working pressure in the chamber 24a may also be established and / or finely adjusted by introducing an auxiliary gas into the chamber 24a. In this way, a starting operation of the cutting device 10 can be shortened or eliminated, which is otherwise required until the working pressure in the chamber 24 a has reached the desired value by means of the carbon dioxide flowing through the nozzle 18.
  • the auxiliary gas may be carbon dioxide or another gas.
  • the working pressure in the chamber 24a is kept constant by means of a pressure regulating device 26 which is in flow communication with the interior of the chamber 24a and allows only enough gas to escape so that the desired working pressure in the chamber 24a is at least substantially equal is maintained.
  • the pressure regulating device 26 can be connected to a measuring and control device, not shown here.
  • the chamber 24a there is also a suitable traversing device, not shown here, for relatively changing the position of the nozzle 18 to the workpiece 22 to be machined.
  • This traversing device will not be described here, since it is a device known to a person skilled in the art for this purpose can act.
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows a second basic embodiment of a jet cutting device 10, which differs from the embodiment in Fig. 1 differs in that not the entire workpiece 22 is enclosed by the chamber 24 b, but only the nozzle 18 and a currently to be machined point on the workpiece 22.
  • the chamber 24b open towards the workpiece 22 and is limited at its open side during operation completely or at least partially by the workpiece 22 to be machined.
  • the chamber 24b is provided at its open end with a sealing device 28 only indicated here, which seals the free end of the chamber 24b along its circumference with respect to the workpiece 22 being processed. Excess pressure can be as in the Fig.
  • the in the Fig. 2 shown second basic embodiment of the jet cutting device 10 is universally applicable than the embodiment according to Fig. 1 because the limitation of a chamber 24a enclosing the workpiece 22 to be machined is also eliminated.
  • the cutting beam 20 and the workpiece 22 to be machined can be moved relative to one another more easily and can also be tilted. A generation of oblique cuts or oblique holes is thus easier possible.
  • the jet cutting device 10 is of course also suitable for processing non-plate-shaped workpieces. It has to be ensured in one embodiment according to Fig. 2 only a sufficient seal of the open end of the chamber 24b to the workpiece to be machined. This can be achieved with sufficiently flexible sealing lips or articulated at the end of the chamber 24b mounted sealing devices without particular difficulty.
  • Fig. 3 a flow chart of a pilot plant is reproduced, with the attempts to the basic suitability of carbon dioxide as a cutting fluid have been undertaken.
  • the jet cutting device 10 of Fig. 3 is similar to the one in Fig. 1 constructed shown first basic embodiment. As explained above, liquid carbon dioxide is removed from the reservoir 12, wherein the existing pressure in the reservoir 12 pressure can be measured by means of a pressure measuring device 30.
  • the carbon dioxide taken from the storage container 12 passes through a high-pressure heat exchanger 16, which is tempered with water here, and is brought to a desired temperature, which can be checked by means of a temperature measuring device 32 connected downstream of the heat exchanger 16. Subsequently, the carbon dioxide is compressed in the here designed as a membrane compressor compressor 14 to a desired Vorexpansionstik, the temperature and pressure of the carbon dioxide after passing the compressor 14 by means of a second temperature measuring device 34 and a second pressure measuring device 36 can be checked.
  • a commercially available water-jet cutting nozzle 18 is used here, which protrudes with its nozzle outlet opening into the chamber 24a, in which the workpiece 22 to be machined is located.
  • the so-called Nachexpansionstik i. the desired working pressure in the chamber 24a, at least approximately kept constant.
  • the conditions within the chamber 24a may be monitored by a third temperature measuring device 38 and a third pressure measuring device 40.
  • Liquid carbon dioxide was pressurized by compressor 14 to a pre-expansion pressure of 1800 bar and a pre-expansion temperature of 25 ° C and to produce a cutting jet 20 through a nozzle 18 having a nozzle diameter relaxed by 0.08 mm.
  • a 10 mm thick piece of wood was processed.
  • the distance of the workpiece 22 to the nozzle was 1 mm, the working pressure in the chamber 24a (post-expansion pressure) was 12 bar.
  • the cutting jet 20 had cut a hole of 2.4 mm depth and 1.4 mm diameter into the wood piece.
  • the cut edge was characterized by a sharp border with no visible damage to the unprocessed areas.
  • Liquid carbon dioxide was brought to a pre-expansion pressure of 1600 bar and a pre-expansion temperature of 25 ° C and expanded to produce a cutting jet 20 through a nozzle 18 having a nozzle diameter of 0.1 mm.
  • a 1 mm thick aluminum plate was processed.
  • the distance of the workpiece 22 to the nozzle 18 was 1 mm, the Nachexpansionstik was 3 bar.
  • Liquid carbon dioxide was brought to a pre-expansion pressure of 2000 bar and a pre-expansion temperature of 30 ° C and expanded through the nozzle of Experimental Example 2 to produce a cutting jet 20.
  • a 1 mm thick aluminum plate was processed, wherein the distance of the aluminum plate to the nozzle was 1 mm and the Nachexpansionstik was 10 bar.
  • a hole of 0.5 mm in depth and 0.5 mm in diameter was cut in the aluminum plate. The cut edge was characterized by a sharp border with no visible damage to the unprocessed areas.
  • Liquid carbon dioxide was brought to a pre-expansion pressure of 1600 bar and a pre-expansion temperature of 25 ° C and expanded through the nozzle of Experimental Examples 2 and 3.
  • a 1.2 mm thick polycarbonate disc a so-called compact disc, was processed, the distance to the nozzle being 1 mm and the post-expansion pressure being set to 10 bar.
  • a polycarbonate disk passing hole of 0.3 mm in diameter was obtained.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Strahlschneidvorrichtung zum Strahlspanen eines Werkstücks mittels eines Schneidfluids, wobei die Strahlschneidvorrichtung eine Zufuhreinrichtung für das Schneidfluid und eine Düse aufweist, durch die im Betrieb der Strahlschneidvorrichtung zugeführtes, unter Druck stehendes Schneidfluid gepresst wird, um einen Schneidstrahl zu erzeugen.The invention relates to a jet cutting apparatus for beam cutting a workpiece by means of a cutting fluid, the jet cutting apparatus comprising a cutting fluid supply means and a nozzle through which pressurized cutting fluid supplied during operation of the jet cutting apparatus is pressed to produce a cutting jet.

Allgemein bekannt ist seit vielen Jahren das sogenannte Wasserstrahlschneiden, bei dem als Schneidfluid Wasser verwendet wird, welches unter hohem Druck (bis zu mehreren Tausend bar) durch eine Düse gepresst wird, um einen Schneidstrahl aus Wasser zu erzeugen. Ein zu schneidendes Werkstück wird im Wasserstrahl stromabwärts der Düse platziert. Zum Erzeugen einer Schnittfuge muss entweder die Düse entlang der gewünschten Schnittbahn über das Werkstück bewegt werden oder es muss das Werkstück bezüglich einer feststehenden Düse entsprechend bewegt werden. Wasserstrahlschneiden wird heute in vielen Bereichen der Industrie eingesetzt, z.B. in der Lebensmittelindustrie, der Elektronikindustrie und auch im klassischen Maschinenbau.Generally known for many years is the so-called water-jet cutting, in which water is used as the cutting fluid, which is pressed under high pressure (up to several thousand bar) through a nozzle to produce a cutting jet of water. A workpiece to be cut is placed in the water jet downstream of the nozzle. To create a kerf, either the nozzle must be moved along the desired cutting path over the workpiece, or the workpiece must be moved relative to a fixed nozzle. Water jet cutting is used today in many areas of industry, e.g. in the food industry, the electronics industry and also in classical mechanical engineering.

Es sind bereits Versuche unternommen worden, andere Schneidfluide als Wasser zu verwenden. Es sind Vorrichtungen bekannt, die Trockeneisstrahlen und CO2-Schneestrahlen verwenden, in denen feste Kohlendioxidpartikel das Strahlmedium bilden. Von Trockeneisstrahlen spricht man, wenn das Strahlmittel dem Prozess bereits in fester Form zugeführt wird. Die Trockeneispartikel werden durch Druckluft beschleunigt und auf die zu bearbeitende Oberfläche gestrahlt. Beim CO2-Schneestrahlen hingegen wird flüssiges Kohlendioxid mit einem Druck von etwa 60 bar bis 280 bar über eine Zweistoffringdüse in einen Mantelstrahl eingedüst, der mittels der Zweistoffringdüse bei niedrigerem Druck (ca. 8 bar bis 16 bar) aus Stickstoff oder Druckluft erzeugt wird. Aufgrund der schlagartigen Expansion des flüssigen Kohlendioxids nach dem Austritt aus der Düse und der damit verbundenen Abkühlung entsteht ein Strahl aus Trockeneispartikeln und Gas. Der Mantelstrahl bündelt die Partikel und beschleunigt sie teilweise auf mehrfache Schallgeschwindigkeit. Treffen die ca. -70°C kalten Trockeneispartikel auf eine zu bearbeitende Oberfläche, platzen aufgrund der Impulsübertragung und des Versprödungseffekts Verschmutzungen auf der Oberfläche ab. Zudem werden Schmutzpartikel durch die Volumenzunahme als Folge der Phasenumwandlung abgelöst und abgetragen. Die Trockeneispartikel sublimieren sodann und lassen eine gereinigte, trockene Oberfläche zurück.Attempts have already been made to use cutting fluids other than water. Devices are known which use dry ice blasting and CO 2 snow blasting in which solid carbon dioxide particles form the blasting medium. Dry ice blasting is used when the blasting material is already supplied to the process in solid form. The dry ice particles are accelerated by compressed air and blasted onto the surface to be processed. In CO 2 snow jets, on the other hand, liquid carbon dioxide is injected at a pressure of about 60 bar to 280 bar via a two-fluid nozzle into a jacket jet, which is generated by means of the two-fluid nozzle at lower pressure (about 8 bar to 16 bar) of nitrogen or compressed air. Due to the sudden expansion of the liquid carbon dioxide after exiting the nozzle and the associated cooling creates a jet of dry ice particles and gas. The mantle beam bundles the particles and partially accelerates them to multiple speeds of sound. If the dry-ice particles, which are at a temperature of approx. -70 ° C, hit a surface to be treated, dirt will be deposited on the surface due to the momentum transfer and the embrittlement effect. In addition, dirt particles are detached and removed by the volume increase as a result of the phase transformation. The dry ice particles sublimate then leave a clean, dry surface.

Aus der US 5,782,253 ist eine solche Vorrichtung zum Entschichten von Oberflächen bekannt. Die Vorrichtung verwendet eine Lichtquelle, die sichtbare und ultraviolette Lichtstrahlung hoher Intensität aussendet, mittels derer die chemische Bindung einer Beschichtung auf dem Substrat geschwächt wird. Genauer wird die Beschichtung durch die intensive Strahlung im Wesentlichen pyrolysiert. Auf die solchermaßen vorbehandelte Oberfläche wird ein Strom eines unter hohem Druck stehenden, trockenen Gases gerichtet, in dem sich gefrorene Kohlendioxidpartikel befinden. Dieser partikelbeladene Gasstrom entfernt die Beschichtung schonend von der Substratoberfläche, wobei die verdampfenden Kohlendioxidpartikel zugleich eine Kühlung der mit der Vorrichtung behandelten Substratoberfläche bewirken.From the US 5,782,253 Such an apparatus for stripping surfaces is known. The device uses a light source which emits visible and ultraviolet light radiation of high intensity, by means of which the chemical bonding of a coating on the substrate is weakened. More specifically, the coating is substantially pyrolyzed by the intense radiation. On the thus pretreated surface is directed a stream of high pressure dry gas containing frozen carbon dioxide particles. This particle-laden gas stream gently removes the coating from the substrate surface, wherein the evaporating carbon dioxide particles at the same time cause cooling of the substrate surface treated with the device.

Aus den vorstehenden Erläuterungen wird deutlich, dass Trockeneisstrahlen und CO2-Schneestrahlen aufgrund mangelnder Strahlleistung nur zum Entschichten und Abtragen von Verunreinigungen oder Oberflächenschichten eingesetzt werden können. Zur schneidenden Bearbeitung von Werkstücken eignen sich Trockeneisstrahlen und CO2-Schneestrahlen nicht, da es bisher nicht gelungen ist, einen aus Kohlendioxid bestehenden oder Kohlendioxid enthaltenden Strahl zu erzeugen, der eine zum Einsatz als Schneidstrahl ausreichende Länge und Stabilität aufweist.It is clear from the above explanations that dry ice blasting and CO 2 snow blasting can only be used for stripping and removing impurities or surface layers due to a lack of blasting power. Dry ice blasting and CO 2 snow blasting are not suitable for the cutting machining of workpieces, since it has hitherto not been possible to produce a jet of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide which has sufficient length and stability for use as a cutting jet.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Strahlschneidvorrichtung anzugeben, die mit unterschiedlichsten Schneidfluiden einen auch zum trennenden Bearbeiten geeigneten Schneidstrahl erzeugen kann.The invention has for its object to provide a jet cutting device that can produce a cutting jet also suitable for cutting editing with a variety of cutting fluids.

Ausgehend von einer Strahlschneidvorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art ist diese Aufgabe erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, dass die Strahlschneidvorrichtung eine zum Umschließen des Schneidstrahls von seinem Austritt aus der Düse bis zu seinem Auftreffen auf das Werkstück druckdicht ausgeführte Kammer aufweist. Eine solche Kammer ermöglicht es, den Schneidstrahl insbesondere thermodynamisch, aber auch strömungsmechanisch zu beeinflussen und ihn auf diese Weise bei Verwendung unterschiedlichster Schneidfluide stabil und ausreichend lang zu erzeugen. Mit "druckdicht" ist vorliegend gemeint, dass die Kammer es erlaubt, in ihr einen Druck aufrechtzuerhalten, der sich vom Umgebungsdruck mehr als nur geringfügig unterscheidet. Beispielsweise kann die Kammer zur Aufrechterhaltung eines Drucks ausgebildet sein, der zwischen 1 bar und 15 bar über dem Umgebungsdruck liegt. Je nach Anwendungsfall kann der Druck in der Kammer aber auch niedriger als der Umgebungsdruck sein.Based on a jet cutting device of the type mentioned, this object is achieved in that the jet cutting device has a pressure-tight executed to enclose the cutting beam from its exit from the nozzle to its impact on the workpiece chamber. Such a chamber makes it possible to influence the cutting jet, in particular thermodynamically, but also fluidically, and in this way to produce it stable and sufficiently long when using a wide variety of cutting fluids. By "pressure-tight" herein is meant that the chamber allows it to maintain a pressure that is more than slightly different than ambient pressure. For example, the chamber may be designed to maintain a pressure that is between 1 bar and 15 bar above ambient pressure. Depending on the application, the pressure in the chamber may also be lower than the ambient pressure.

Gemäß einer Ausführungsform umschließt die Kammer nicht nur den Schneidstrahl, sondern auch das zu bearbeitende Werkstück. Eine solche Lösung vermeidet Abdichtungsprobleme zwischen der Kammer und dem zu bearbeitenden Werkstück, bedingt aber eine je nach zu bearbeitendem Werkstück relativ große Kammer zur Aufnahme des kompletten Werkstücks.According to one embodiment, the chamber encloses not only the cutting beam but also the workpiece to be machined. Such a solution avoids sealing problems between the chamber and the workpiece to be machined, but requires depending on the workpiece to be machined relatively large chamber for receiving the complete workpiece.

Gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform ist die den Schneidstrahl umschließende Kammer zum Werkstück hin offen und wird an ihrer offenen Seite im Betrieb teilweise oder vollständig durch das zu bearbeitende Werkstück begrenzt. Bei einer solchen Ausführungsform kann die Kammer vorzugsweise aus elastischem Material bestehen, um sich einer zu bearbeitenden Kontur des Werkstücks anzupassen. Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann ein zum Werkstück hin offenes Ende der Kammer eine Dichtungseinrichtung aufweisen, die die Kammer entlang ihres Umfangs zwischen dem offenen Ende der Kammer und einem in Bearbeitung befindlichen Werkstück abdichtet. Eine solche Dichtungseinrichtung kann z.B. eine federnd elastische Dichtlippe oder auch ein Dichtaufsatz sein, der gelenkig mit der Kammer aus starrem oder elastischem Material verbunden ist. Der Einsatz einer ausreichend nachgiebigen Dichteinrichtung ermöglicht auch ein Kippen der Schneidvorrichtung bezüglich des zu bearbeitenden Werkstücks und somit die Erzeugung schräger Schnitte oder Bohrungen.According to another embodiment, the chamber enclosing the cutting jet is open toward the workpiece and is partially or completely limited on its open side during operation by the workpiece to be machined. In such an embodiment, the chamber may preferably be made of elastic material to conform to a contour of the workpiece to be machined. Alternatively or additionally, an end of the chamber open towards the workpiece may include sealing means sealing the chamber along its circumference between the open end of the chamber and a workpiece being processed. Such a sealing device may e.g. a resilient elastic lip or a sealing cap, which is hingedly connected to the chamber of rigid or elastic material. The use of a sufficiently compliant sealing device also allows tilting of the cutting device with respect to the workpiece to be machined and thus the production of oblique cuts or holes.

Bei bevorzugten Ausgestaltungen der erfindungsgemäßen Strahlschneidvorrichtung wird während des Betriebs in der Kammer ein gegenüber dem Umgebungsdruck erhöhter Druck erzeugt und aufrechterhalten. Zur Erzeugung dieses Überdrucks kann ein Teil des Schneidfluids selbst verwendet werden, wenn es sich bei dem Schneidfluid um ein Fluid handelt, das unter den im Betrieb in der Kammer herrschenden Bedingungen zumindest teilweise in die Gasphase übergeht. Kommt hingegen ein Schneidfluid zum Einsatz, welches selbst keine Gasphase erzeugt, kann der Kammer ein Hilfsgas zugeführt werden, um einen gewünschten Überdruck einzustellen. Ein Hilfsgas kann auch dann verwendet werden, wenn das Schneidfluid selbst eine Gasphase erzeugt, beispielsweise um eine Schutzgasumhüllung des Schneidstrahls zu bilden. Bei bevorzugten Ausführungsformen der Strahlschneidvorrichtung ist daher die Kammer mit einer Zuführung für unter Druck stehendes Gas versehen.In preferred embodiments of the jet cutting device according to the invention, an increased pressure relative to the ambient pressure is generated and maintained during operation in the chamber. To generate this overpressure, a portion of the cutting fluid itself may be used if the cutting fluid is a fluid that at least partially passes into the gas phase under the conditions prevailing in the chamber during operation. If, however, a cutting fluid is used which itself does not generate a gas phase, an auxiliary gas can be supplied to the chamber in order to set a desired overpressure. An auxiliary gas can also be used if the cutting fluid itself generates a gas phase, for example to form a protective gas envelope of the cutting jet. In preferred embodiments of the jet cutting apparatus, therefore, the chamber is provided with a supply of pressurized gas.

Ferner steht bei der erfindungsgemäßen Strahlschneidvorrichtung eine Druckregeleinrichtung mit der Kammer in strömungsleitender Verbindung. Mit der Druckregeleinrichtung kann ein in der Kammer gewünschter Druck zuverlässig aufrechterhalten werden, indem durch die Druckregeleinrichtung jeweils nur soviel Gas aus der Kammer abströmt, dass der gewünschte Druck in der Kammer beibehalten wird. Bei einer einfachen Ausführungsform kann die Druckregeleinrichtung durch eine einfache Drossel, durch andere geeignete Strömungswiderstände oder durch eine Kombination solcher Elemente gebildet sein. Bei Ausführungsformen, bei denen die den Schneidstrahl umschließende Kammer ein zum Werkstück hin offenes Ende aufweist, kann als Drossel ein schmaler Ringspalt zwischen dem freien Ende der Kammer und dem zu bearbeitenden Werkstück fungieren.Furthermore, in the case of the jet cutting device according to the invention, a pressure regulating device is in flow-conducting connection with the chamber. With the pressure control device, a desired pressure in the chamber can be reliably maintained by only the amount of gas flows out of the chamber through the pressure control device that maintain the desired pressure in the chamber becomes. In a simple embodiment, the pressure regulating device may be formed by a simple throttle, by other suitable flow resistances or by a combination of such elements. In embodiments in which the chamber enclosing the cutting jet has an end open towards the workpiece, a narrow annular gap between the free end of the chamber and the workpiece to be machined can act as a throttle.

Zur strömungsmechanischen Beeinflussung des Schneidstrahls ist bei bevorzugten Ausgestaltungen eine Innenseite der den Schneidstrahl umschließenden Kammer nahe des Schneidstrahls angeordnet und zur Strömungsbeeinflussung ausgebildet, etwa zum Fokussieren des Schneidstrahls, zum Abtrennen oder Umlenken einzelner Schneidstrahlbereiche, z.B. eines sich um den eigentlichen Schneidstrahl herum ausbildenden Streukegels, zum Erzeugen einer Stützströmung (Mantelstrahl) mit oder ohne Zudosierung von Hilfsgas, zur Steuerung der örtlichen Verteilung von Flüssigkeit, Feststoff und Gas in Mehrphasenstrahlen, zur Erzielung einer Drallströmung etc. Die Innenseite der Kammer kann dazu beispielsweise sich kegelförmig verjüngend ausgestaltet sein, sie kann Längsnuten oder schraubenförmig angeordnete Nuten haben, sie kann Einlassöffnungen für Hilfsgas aufweisen und ähnliches mehr. Alternativ und/oder zusätzlich kann die Kammer strömungsbeeinflussende Einbauten enthalten, die der Erzielung einer gewünschten Strahlbeeinflussung dienen, etwa Blenden, Prall- und/oder Leitbleche, Strahlteiler und ähnliches.In order to influence the flow of the cutting jet in preferred embodiments, an inner side of the chamber enclosing the cutting jet is arranged close to the cutting jet and designed to influence the flow. for example, for focusing the cutting beam, for separating or deflecting individual cutting beam areas, for example a scattering cone forming around the actual cutting beam, for generating a supporting flow (sheath jet) with or without addition of auxiliary gas, for controlling the local distribution of liquid, solid and gas in For example, the inside of the chamber may be conically tapered, may have longitudinal grooves or helical grooves, it may have auxiliary gas inlet ports, and the like. Alternatively and / or additionally, the chamber may contain flow-influencing internals which serve to achieve a desired beam influencing, such as diaphragms, impact and / or baffles, beam splitters and the like.

Zur weiteren Beeinflussung des zu erzeugenden Schneidstrahls kann die den Schneidstrahl umschließende Kammer kühl- und/oder beheizbar ausgebildet sein, beispielsweise indem die Kammerwand doppelwandig ausgeführt ist, so dass ein Kühl- oder Heizmedium durch die Kammerwand zirkuliert werden kann. Zum Kühlen einer Kammer kann beispielsweise flüssiger Stickstoff verwendet werden.To further influence the cutting beam to be generated, the chamber enclosing the cutting jet can be designed to be coolable and / or heatable, for example by the chamber wall being double-walled, so that a cooling or heating medium can be circulated through the chamber wall. For example, liquid nitrogen can be used to cool a chamber.

Vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Strahlschneidvorrichtung weisen einen Wärmetauscher zur Einstellung einer gewünschten Temperatur des Schneidfluids vor seinem Austritt aus der Düse auf. Die Temperatur, die das verwendete Schneidfluid vor seinem Austritt aus der Düse hat, die sogenannte Vorexpansionstemperatur kann die Beschaffenheit des erzeugten Schneidstrahls maßgeblich beeinflussen. Insbesondere dann, wenn als Schneidfluid ein hochverdichtetes Gas verwendet wird, ist der erzeugte Schneidstrahl schärfer und fokussierter, wenn die Temperatur des Schneidfluids vor seinem Austritt aus der Düse niedrig ist, wohingegen der Schneidstrahl diffuser und damit aufgefächerter wird, wenn die Temperatur des Schneidfluids vor seinem Austritt aus der Düse höher gewählt wird. Im Zusammenspiel mit der erfindungsgemäß vorgesehenen, zum Umschließen des Schneidstrahls von seinem Austritt aus der Düse bis zu seinem Auftreffen auf das Werkstück ausgeführten Kammer bieten solche Ausführungsformen erfindungsgemäβer Strahlschneidvorrichtungen somit mehr Freiheitsgrade als bisher üblich, um in Abhängigkeit eines gewählten Schneidfluids eine bestimmte, dem vorgesehenen Verwendungszweck optimal angepasste Schneidstrahlcharakteristik zu erzeugen. Insbesondere durch geeignetes Variieren der Vorexpansionstemperatur und des Drucks in der den Schneidstrahl umschließenden Kammer lassen sich die Schneidstrahleigenschaften deutlich verändern und somit wunschgemäß einstellen. Die erfindungsgemäße Strahlschneidvorrichtung ist aufgrund der mannigfaltigen Möglichkeiten der thermodynamischen und/oder strömungsmechanischen Beeinflussbarkeit des zu erzeugenden Schneidstrahls für eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Schneidfluide mit unterschiedlichsten physikalischen Eigenschaften geeignet. Vorzugsweise besteht das Schneidfluid aus oder umfasst eine Flüssigkeit oder ein Gas in unterkritischem oder überkritischem Zustand. Wie aus dem Stand der Technik bekannt, können dem Schneidfluid auch feste Partikel zugegeben werden, um die Schneidleistung bei bestimmten Anwendungen zu verbessern. Bei einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schneidvorrichtung enthält der Schneidstrahl Kohlendioxid in zumindest teilweise flüssiger oder zumindest teilweise fester Form. Ein gasförmiger Anteil des Schneidstrahls kann dabei zum Aufbau und Erhalt eines gewünschten Überdrucks in der den Schneidstrahl umschließenden Kammer verwendet werden. Aufgrund der erfindungsgemäß den Schneidstrahl umschließenden Kammer ist es durch Aufrechterhalten eines Überdrucks in der Kammer möglich, aus Kohlendioxid bestehende oder Kohlendioxid umfassende Schneidstrahlen stabil und mit einer zum trennenden Bearbeiten ausreichenden Länge zu erzeugen. Hierzu reicht bereits ein relativ geringer Überdruck in der Kammer aus, etwa 1,5 bar Überdruck, wobei höhere Überdrücke die Stabilität eines aus Kohlendioxid bestehenden oder Kohlendioxid umfassenden Schneidstrahls noch verbessern.Advantageous embodiments of the jet cutting device according to the invention have a heat exchanger for setting a desired temperature of the cutting fluid prior to its exit from the nozzle. The temperature which the cutting fluid used has prior to exiting the nozzle, the so-called pre-expansion temperature, can significantly influence the nature of the cutting jet produced. In particular, when a highly compressed gas is used as the cutting fluid, the cutting jet produced is sharper and more focused when the temperature of the cutting fluid before it exits the nozzle is low, whereas the cutting jet becomes more diffuse and fanned out as the temperature of the cutting fluid increases Exit from the nozzle is higher. In conjunction with the invention provided for enclosing the cutting beam from its exit from the nozzle to its impact on the workpiece running chamber such embodiments according to the invention jet cutting devices thus provide more degrees of freedom than previously customary, depending on a selected cutting fluid a specific, the intended use to produce optimally adapted cutting beam characteristics. In particular, by suitably varying the pre-expansion temperature and the pressure in the chamber enclosing the cutting jet, the cutting beam properties can be significantly changed and thus adjusted as desired. The jet cutting device according to the invention is suitable due to the manifold possibilities of thermodynamic and / or fluid mechanical influenceability of the cutting beam to be generated for a variety of different cutting fluids with different physical properties. Preferably, the cutting fluid is or comprises a liquid or gas in a subcritical or supercritical state. As known in the art, solid particles may also be added to the cutting fluid to improve cutting performance in certain applications. In a particularly preferred embodiment of a cutting device according to the invention, the cutting jet contains carbon dioxide in at least partially liquid or at least partially solid form. A gaseous portion of the cutting jet can be used to build and maintain a desired overpressure in the chamber enclosing the cutting jet. By virtue of the chamber enclosing the cutting jet according to the present invention, by maintaining an overpressure in the chamber, it is possible to stably produce carbon dioxide-containing or carbon dioxide-containing cutting jets having sufficient length for separating work. For this purpose, a relatively low overpressure in the chamber is sufficient, about 1.5 bar overpressure, with higher overpressures still improving the stability of a cutting jet comprising carbon dioxide or comprising carbon dioxide.

Ausführungsbeispiele der erfindungsgemäßen Schneidvorrichtung werden im Folgenden anhand der beigefügten, schematischen Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Es zeigt:

Fig. 1
ein Schaubild einer ersten grundsätzlichen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schneidvorrichtung, bei der eine den Schneidstrahl umschließende Kammer auch ein zu bearbeitendes Werkstück vollständig umschließt,
Fig. 2
ein Schaubild einer zweiten grundsätzlichen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Schneidvorrichtung, bei der eine den Schneidstrahl umschließende Kammer nur bis an die Oberfläche eines zu bearbeitenden Werkstücks reicht, und
Fig. 3
ein detaillierter ausgeführtes Anlagenfließbild einer erfindungsgemäßen Schneidvorrichtung gemäß der ersten grundsätzlichen Ausführungsform.
Embodiments of the cutting device according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. It shows:
Fig. 1
a diagram of a first basic embodiment of a cutting device according to the invention, in which a chamber enclosing the cutting jet also completely encloses a workpiece to be machined,
Fig. 2
a diagram of a second basic embodiment of a cutting device according to the invention, in which a chamber enclosing the cutting beam extends only to the surface of a workpiece to be machined, and
Fig. 3
a detailed executed plant flow diagram of a cutting device according to the invention according to the first basic embodiment.

Fig. 1 zeigt schematisch eine erste grundsätzliche Ausführungsform einer Strahlschneidvorrichtung 10 zum Bearbeiten eines Werkstücks mittels eines Schneidstrahls, der durch Pressen eines Schneidfluids unter hohem Druck durch eine Düse erzeugt wird. Fig. 1 schematically shows a first basic embodiment of a jet cutting device 10 for machining a workpiece by means of a cutting beam, which is produced by pressing a cutting fluid under high pressure through a nozzle.

Die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Strahlschneidvorrichtung 10 verwendet als Schneidfluid flüssiges Kohlendioxid, welches einem Vorratsbehälter 12 entnommen und anschlieβend in einem Verdichter 14 auf einen gewünschten, hohen Druck gebracht wird und zur Einstellung einer gewünschten Temperatur einen Wärmetauscher 16 durchströmt. Das solchermaßen vorkonditionierte, als Schneidfluid dienende Kohlendioxid wird dann dem Einlass einer Düse 18 zugeführt, an deren Auslass sich unter gleichzeitiger Entspannung des Kohlendioxids ein Schneidstrahl 20 bildet, der zum Bearbeiten eines Werkstücks 22 dient.In the Fig. 1 illustrated jet cutting device 10 uses as cutting fluid liquid carbon dioxide, which is removed from a reservoir 12 and subsequently brought in a compressor 14 to a desired, high pressure and to set a desired temperature, a heat exchanger 16 flows through. The thus preconditioned, serving as cutting fluid carbon dioxide is then fed to the inlet of a nozzle 18, at the outlet of which a cutting jet 20 is formed with simultaneous relaxation of the carbon dioxide, which is used for processing a workpiece 22.

Bei der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1 umschließt eine Kammer 24a die Düse 18 und das zu bearbeitende Werkstück 22 vollständig. In der Kammer 24a wird im Betrieb der Schneidvorrichtung 10 mittels des durch die Düse 18 strömenden Kohlendioxids ein Überdruck aufgebaut, der bei der Verwendung von Kohlendioxid als Schneidfluid beispielsweise in einem Bereich von 1,5 bis 15 bar über dem Umgebungsdruck liegt. Ein in der Kammer 24a gewünschter Arbeitsdruck kann auch durch eine Einleitung eines Hilfsgases in die Kammer 24a aufgebaut und/oder feinjustiert werden. Auf diese Weise lässt sich ein Anfahrvorgang der Schneidvorrichtung 10 verkürzen oder eliminieren, der ansonsten erforderlich ist, bis der Arbeitsdruck in der Kammer 24a mittels des durch die Düse 18 strömenden Kohlendioxids den gewünschten Wert erreicht hat. Das Hilfsgas kann Kohlendioxid oder ein anderes Gas sein.In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 A chamber 24a completely encloses the nozzle 18 and the workpiece 22 to be machined. In the chamber 24a, an overpressure is built up during operation of the cutting device 10 by means of the carbon dioxide flowing through the nozzle 18, which is, for example, in a range of 1.5 to 15 bar above the ambient pressure when using carbon dioxide as the cutting fluid. A desired working pressure in the chamber 24a may also be established and / or finely adjusted by introducing an auxiliary gas into the chamber 24a. In this way, a starting operation of the cutting device 10 can be shortened or eliminated, which is otherwise required until the working pressure in the chamber 24 a has reached the desired value by means of the carbon dioxide flowing through the nozzle 18. The auxiliary gas may be carbon dioxide or another gas.

Während eines Betriebs der Strahlschneidvorrichtung 10 wird der Arbeitsdruck in der Kammer 24a mittels einer Druckregeleinrichtung 26 konstant gehalten, die in strömungsleitender Verbindung mit dem Innenraum der Kammer 24a steht und nur so viel Gas abströmen lässt, dass der gewünschte Arbeitsdruck in der Kammer 24a zumindest im Wesentlichen beibehalten wird. Die Druckregeleinrichtung 26 kann dazu mit einer hier nicht dargestellten Mess- und Steuerungseinrichtung verbunden sein.During operation of the jet cutting apparatus 10, the working pressure in the chamber 24a is kept constant by means of a pressure regulating device 26 which is in flow communication with the interior of the chamber 24a and allows only enough gas to escape so that the desired working pressure in the chamber 24a is at least substantially equal is maintained. The pressure regulating device 26 can be connected to a measuring and control device, not shown here.

In der Kammer 24a befindet sich eine hier ebenfalls nicht dargestellte, geeignete Verfahreinrichtung zum relativen Verändern der Position der Düse 18 zum zu bearbeitenden Werkstück 22. Diese Verfahreinrichtung wird hier nicht näher erläutert, da es sich bei ihr um eine dem Fachmann zu diesem Zweck bekannte Vorrichtung handeln kann.In the chamber 24a there is also a suitable traversing device, not shown here, for relatively changing the position of the nozzle 18 to the workpiece 22 to be machined. This traversing device will not be described here, since it is a device known to a person skilled in the art for this purpose can act.

In Fig. 2 ist schematisch eine zweite grundsätzliche Ausführungsform einer Strahlschneidvorrichtung 10 wiedergegeben, die sich von der Ausführungsform in Fig. 1 dadurch unterscheidet, dass nicht das gesamte Werkstück 22 von der Kammer 24b umschlossen ist, sondern lediglich die Düse 18 und eine aktuell zu bearbeitende Stelle auf dem Werkstück 22. Mit anderen Worten ist bei der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 2 die Kammer 24b zum Werkstück 22 hin offen und wird an ihrer offenen Seite im Betrieb vollständig oder zumindest teilweise durch das zu bearbeitende Werkstück 22 begrenzt. Zur Abdichtung des offenen Endes der Kammer 24b ist die Kammer 24b an ihrem offenen Ende mit einer hier nur angedeuteten Dichtungseinrichtung 28 versehen, die das freie Ende der Kammer 24b entlang ihres Umfangs gegenüber dem in Bearbeitung befindlichen Werkstück 22 abdichtet. Überschüssiger Druck kann wie bei der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform durch die Druckregeleinrichtung 26 abströmen, wobei es je nach Anwendungsfall ausreichen kann, überschüssigen Druck durch eine im Werkstück 22 mittels des Schneidstrahls 20 erzeugte Schnittfuge (nicht gezeigt) und/oder durch einen schmalen Ringspalt zwischen dem freien Ende der Kammer 24b und der der Kammer 24b zugewandten Oberfläche des zu bearbeitenden Werkstücks 22 abströmen zu lassen. Gegebenenfalls kann dann die Druckregeleinrichtung 26 entfallen. Strömt im Betrieb abhängig vom Anwendungsfall zuviel Gas aus der Kammer 24b ab, kann es erforderlich sein, zur Aufrechterhaltung des gewünschten Arbeitsdrucks in der Kammer 24b letzterer Hilfsgas zuzuführen (nicht dargestellt), beispielsweise aus dem Vorratsbehälter 12.In Fig. 2 schematically shows a second basic embodiment of a jet cutting device 10, which differs from the embodiment in Fig. 1 differs in that not the entire workpiece 22 is enclosed by the chamber 24 b, but only the nozzle 18 and a currently to be machined point on the workpiece 22. In other words, in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the chamber 24b open towards the workpiece 22 and is limited at its open side during operation completely or at least partially by the workpiece 22 to be machined. To seal the open end of the chamber 24b, the chamber 24b is provided at its open end with a sealing device 28 only indicated here, which seals the free end of the chamber 24b along its circumference with respect to the workpiece 22 being processed. Excess pressure can be as in the Fig. 1 shown embodiment through the pressure control device 26, it may be sufficient depending on the application, excess pressure by a kerf produced in the workpiece 22 by the cutting beam 20 kerf (not shown) and / or by a narrow annular gap between the free end of the chamber 24b and the Chamber 24b facing surface of the workpiece to be processed 22 to flow. If appropriate, then the pressure control device 26 can be omitted. If, during operation, too much gas escapes from the chamber 24b depending on the application, it may be necessary to supply the latter auxiliary gas (not shown) to maintain the desired working pressure in the chamber 24b, for example from the reservoir 12.

Die in der Fig. 2 gezeigte zweite grundsätzliche Ausführungsform der Strahlschneidvorrichtung 10 ist universeller einsetzbar als die Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1, weil die Limitierung einer auch das zu bearbeitende Werkstück 22 umschließenden Kammer 24a entfällt. Der Schneidstrahl 20 und das zu bearbeitende Werkstück 22 können einfacher relativ zueinander bewegt und auch verkippt werden. Eine Erzeugung schräger Schnitte oder schräger Bohrungen ist damit einfacher möglich.The in the Fig. 2 shown second basic embodiment of the jet cutting device 10 is universally applicable than the embodiment according to Fig. 1 because the limitation of a chamber 24a enclosing the workpiece 22 to be machined is also eliminated. The cutting beam 20 and the workpiece 22 to be machined can be moved relative to one another more easily and can also be tilted. A generation of oblique cuts or oblique holes is thus easier possible.

Obwohl in den Fig. 1 und 2 das zu bearbeitende Werkstück 22 plattenförmig dargestellt ist, eignet sich die Strahlschneidvorrichtung 10 selbstverständlich auch zur Bearbeitung nicht-plattenförmiger Werkstücke. Sicherzustellen ist bei einer Ausgestaltung gemäß Fig. 2 lediglich eine ausreichende Abdichtung des offenen Endes der Kammer 24b zum zu bearbeitenden Werkstück. Dies ist mit ausreichend nachgiebigen Dichtlippen oder gelenkig am Ende der Kammer 24b montierter Dichteinrichtungen ohne besondere Schwierigkeiten zu erreichen.Although in the Fig. 1 and 2 the workpiece to be machined 22 is shown plate-shaped, the jet cutting device 10 is of course also suitable for processing non-plate-shaped workpieces. It has to be ensured in one embodiment according to Fig. 2 only a sufficient seal of the open end of the chamber 24b to the workpiece to be machined. This can be achieved with sufficiently flexible sealing lips or articulated at the end of the chamber 24b mounted sealing devices without particular difficulty.

In Fig. 3 ist ein Fließbild einer Versuchsanlage wiedergegeben, mit der Versuche zur grundsätzlichen Eignung von Kohlendioxid als Schneidfluid unternommen worden sind. Die Strahlschneidvorrichtung 10 der Fig. 3 ist ähnlich der in Fig. 1 gezeigten ersten grundsätzlichen Ausführungsform aufgebaut. Wie bereits zuvor erläutert, wird flüssiges Kohlendioxid aus dem Vorratsbehälter 12 entnommen, wobei der im Vorratsbehälter 12 vorhandene Druck mittels einer Druckmesseinrichtung 30 gemessen werden kann.In Fig. 3 a flow chart of a pilot plant is reproduced, with the attempts to the basic suitability of carbon dioxide as a cutting fluid have been undertaken. The jet cutting device 10 of Fig. 3 is similar to the one in Fig. 1 constructed shown first basic embodiment. As explained above, liquid carbon dioxide is removed from the reservoir 12, wherein the existing pressure in the reservoir 12 pressure can be measured by means of a pressure measuring device 30.

Das dem Vorratsbehälter 12 entnommene Kohlendioxid passiert einen hier wassertemperierten Hochdruckwärmetauscher 16 und wird dabei auf eine gewünschte Temperatur gebracht, die mittels einer dem Wärmetauscher 16 nachgeschalteten Temperaturmesseinrichtung 32 überprüft werden kann. Anschließend wird das Kohlendioxid in dem hier als Membrankompressor ausgeführten Verdichter 14 auf einen gewünschten Vorexpansionsdruck komprimiert, wobei die Temperatur und der Druck des Kohlendioxids nach passieren des Verdichters 14 mittels einer zweiten Temperaturmesseinrichtung 34 und einer zweiten Druckmesseinrichtung 36 überprüft werden können.The carbon dioxide taken from the storage container 12 passes through a high-pressure heat exchanger 16, which is tempered with water here, and is brought to a desired temperature, which can be checked by means of a temperature measuring device 32 connected downstream of the heat exchanger 16. Subsequently, the carbon dioxide is compressed in the here designed as a membrane compressor compressor 14 to a desired Vorexpansionsdruck, the temperature and pressure of the carbon dioxide after passing the compressor 14 by means of a second temperature measuring device 34 and a second pressure measuring device 36 can be checked.

Zur Expansion des als Schneidfluid dienenden Kohlendioxids wird hier eine handelsübliche Wasserstrahlschneiddüse 18 verwendet, die mit ihrer Düsenaustrittsöffnung in die Kammer 24a hineinragt, in der sich das zu bearbeitende Werkstück 22 befindet. Durch eine mit dem Innenraum der Kammer 24a in strömungsleitender Verbindung stehende Druckregeleinrichtung 26, die hier als einfaches Überströmventil ausgebildet ist, wird der sogenannte Nachexpansionsdruck, d.h. der gewünschte Arbeitsdruck in der Kammer 24a, zumindest annähernd konstant gehalten.In order to expand the carbon dioxide serving as cutting fluid, a commercially available water-jet cutting nozzle 18 is used here, which protrudes with its nozzle outlet opening into the chamber 24a, in which the workpiece 22 to be machined is located. By a standing with the interior of the chamber 24a in flow-communicating pressure control device 26, which is designed here as a simple overflow, the so-called Nachexpansionsdruck, i. the desired working pressure in the chamber 24a, at least approximately kept constant.

Die Bedingungen innerhalb der Kammer 24a können mittels einer dritten Temperaturmesseinrichtung 38 und einer dritten Druckmesseinrichtung 40 überwacht werden.The conditions within the chamber 24a may be monitored by a third temperature measuring device 38 and a third pressure measuring device 40.

Mit der Strahlschneidvorrichtung 10 gemäß Fig. 3 wurden eine Reihe von Versuchen durchgeführt, von denen einige im Folgenden genauer beschrieben sind.With the jet cutting device 10 according to Fig. 3 A number of experiments have been carried out, some of which are described in more detail below.

Versuchsbeispiel 1Experimental Example 1

Flüssiges Kohlendioxid wurde mittels des Verdichters 14 auf einen Vorexpansionsdruck von 1800 bar und eine Vorexpansionstemperatur von 25°C gebracht und zur Erzeugung eines Schneidstrahls 20 durch eine Düse 18 mit einem Düsendurchmesser von 0,08 mm entspannt. Mit dem so erzeugten Schneidstrahl 20 wurde ein 10 mm dickes Holzstück bearbeitet. Der Abstand des Werkstücks 22 zur Düse betrug 1 mm, der Arbeitsdruck in der Kammer 24a (Nachexpansionsdruck) betrug 12 bar.Liquid carbon dioxide was pressurized by compressor 14 to a pre-expansion pressure of 1800 bar and a pre-expansion temperature of 25 ° C and to produce a cutting jet 20 through a nozzle 18 having a nozzle diameter relaxed by 0.08 mm. With the thus produced cutting jet 20, a 10 mm thick piece of wood was processed. The distance of the workpiece 22 to the nozzle was 1 mm, the working pressure in the chamber 24a (post-expansion pressure) was 12 bar.

Nach einigen Sekunden Bearbeitungszeit hatte der Schneidstrahl 20 ein Loch von 2,4 mm Tiefe und 1,4 mm Durchmesser in das Holzstück geschnitten. Die Schnittkante zeichnete sich durch eine scharfe Grenze ohne sichtbare Beschädigung der nicht bearbeiteten Bereiche aus.After a few seconds machining time, the cutting jet 20 had cut a hole of 2.4 mm depth and 1.4 mm diameter into the wood piece. The cut edge was characterized by a sharp border with no visible damage to the unprocessed areas.

Versuchsbeispiel 2Experimental Example 2

Flüssiges Kohlendioxid wurde auf einen Vorexpansionsdruck von 1600 bar und eine Vorexpansionstemperatur von 25°C gebracht und zur Erzeugung eines Schneidstrahls 20 durch eine Düse 18 mit einem Düsendurchmesser von 0,1 mm entspannt. Mit dem Schneidstrahl 20 wurde eine 1 mm dicke Aluminiumplatte bearbeitet. Der Abstand des Werkstücks 22 zur Düse 18 betrug 1 mm, der Nachexpansionsdruck betrug 3 bar.Liquid carbon dioxide was brought to a pre-expansion pressure of 1600 bar and a pre-expansion temperature of 25 ° C and expanded to produce a cutting jet 20 through a nozzle 18 having a nozzle diameter of 0.1 mm. With the cutting jet 20, a 1 mm thick aluminum plate was processed. The distance of the workpiece 22 to the nozzle 18 was 1 mm, the Nachexpansionsdruck was 3 bar.

Nach einigen Sekunden Bearbeitungszeit wurde ein Loch von 0,3 mm Tiefe und 0,8 mm Durchmesser in der als Werkstück 22 dienenden Aluminiumplatte erhalten. Trotz eines unterhalb des Tripelpunktdrucks von CO2 (5,18 bar) liegenden Nachexpansionsdrucks wurde durch ein Sichtfenster in der Kammer 24a ein flüssiger Anteil im Kohlendioxidschneidstrahl 20 beobachtet. Die erhaltene Schnittkante zeichnete sich durch eine scharfe Grenze ohne sichtbare Beschädigung der nicht bearbeiteten Bereiche aus.After a few seconds machining time, a hole of 0.3 mm in depth and 0.8 mm in diameter was obtained in the aluminum plate serving as the workpiece 22. Despite a post-expansion pressure below the triple point pressure of CO 2 (5.18 bar), a liquid fraction in the carbon dioxide cutting jet 20 was observed through a viewing window in the chamber 24a. The resulting cut edge was characterized by a sharp boundary with no visible damage to the unprocessed areas.

Versuchsbeispiel 3Experimental Example 3

Flüssiges Kohlendioxid wurde auf einen Vorexpansionsdruck von 2000 bar und eine Vorexpansionstemperatur von 30°C gebracht und durch die Düse des Versuchsbeispiels 2 entspannt, um einen Schneidstrahl 20 zu erzeugen. Mit diesem Schneidstrahl wurde eine 1 mm dicke Aluminiumplatte bearbeitet, wobei der Abstand der Aluminiumplatte zur Düse 1 mm betrug und der Nachexpansionsdruck 10 bar betrug. Nach einigen Sekunden Bearbeitungszeit war in die Aluminiumplatte ein Loch von 0,5 mm Tiefe und 0,5 mm Durchmesser geschnitten. Die Schnittkante zeichnete sich durch eine scharfe Grenze ohne sichtbare Beschädigung der nicht bearbeiteten Bereiche aus.Liquid carbon dioxide was brought to a pre-expansion pressure of 2000 bar and a pre-expansion temperature of 30 ° C and expanded through the nozzle of Experimental Example 2 to produce a cutting jet 20. With this cutting jet, a 1 mm thick aluminum plate was processed, wherein the distance of the aluminum plate to the nozzle was 1 mm and the Nachexpansionsdruck was 10 bar. After a few seconds machining time, a hole of 0.5 mm in depth and 0.5 mm in diameter was cut in the aluminum plate. The cut edge was characterized by a sharp border with no visible damage to the unprocessed areas.

Versuchsbeispiel 4Experimental Example 4

Flüssiges Kohlendioxid wurde auf einen Vorexpansionsdruck von 1600 bar und eine Vorexpansionstemperatur von 25°C gebracht und durch die Düse der Versuchsbeispiele 2 und 3 entspannt. Mit dem erzeugten Schneidstrahl wurde eine 1,2 mm dicke Polycarbonatscheibe, eine sogenannte Compact Disc, bearbeitet, wobei der Abstand zur Düse 1 mm betrug und der Nachexpansionsdruck auf 10 bar eingestellt war. Nach einigen Sekunden Bearbeitungszeit wurde ein die Polycarbonatscheibe durchsetzendes Loch mit einem Durchmesser von 0,3 mm erhalten.Liquid carbon dioxide was brought to a pre-expansion pressure of 1600 bar and a pre-expansion temperature of 25 ° C and expanded through the nozzle of Experimental Examples 2 and 3. With the produced cutting jet, a 1.2 mm thick polycarbonate disc, a so-called compact disc, was processed, the distance to the nozzle being 1 mm and the post-expansion pressure being set to 10 bar. After a few seconds machining time, a polycarbonate disk passing hole of 0.3 mm in diameter was obtained.

Claims (12)

  1. Jet cutting device (10) for the jet machining of a workpiece (22) by means of a cutting fluid, comprising
    - a feed mechanism for the cutting fluid,
    - a nozzle (18) through which pressurized cutting fluid supplied during operation of the jet cutting device is pressed in order to generate a cutting jet (20),
    characterized by
    - a chamber (24a; 24b) for the enclosure of the cutting jet (20)extending from the discharge of the cutting jet (20) from the nozzle (18) up to its impingement upon the workpiece (22) which, for the thermodynamic and/or fluidic influencing of the cutting jet (20) is designed to be pressure-tight,
    and by
    - a pressure regulating device (26), which is fluidically connected to the chamber (24a; 24b).
  2. Jet cutting device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (24a) also encloses the workpiece (22).
  3. Jet cutting device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (24b) is open towards the workpiece (22) and, during operation, is partially or fully bounded by the workpiece (22).
  4. Jet cutting device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the chamber (24a; 24b) consists of elastic material.
  5. Jet cutting device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that an end of the chamber (24b), which end is open towards the workpiece (22), has a sealing device (28), which seals off the chamber (24b) along its periphery between the open end and a workpiece (22) currently being machined.
  6. Jet cutting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pressure regulating device (26) is fluidically connected to the chamber (24a; 24b).
  7. Jet cutting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber (24a; 24b) is provided with a supply for pressurized gas.
  8. Jet cutting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inner side of the chamber (24a; 24b) is disposed in the proximity of the jet and is designed to influence the flow of the cutting jet (20), and/or the chamber (24a; 24b) contains flow-influencing fittings.
  9. Jet cutting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber (24a; 24b) is designed to be coolable and/or heatable.
  10. Jet cutting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting fluid comprises a liquid or a gas in subcritical or supercritical state.
  11. Jet cutting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting jet (20) contains CO2 in at least partially liquid or at least partially solid form.
  12. Jet cutting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heat exchanger (16) for setting a desired temperature of the cutting fluid prior to its discharge from the nozzle (18) is present.
EP12007193.1A 2011-10-17 2012-10-17 Jet cutting device Active EP2583790B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE201110116228 DE102011116228A1 (en) 2011-10-17 2011-10-17 Jet cutting device

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EP2583790B1 true EP2583790B1 (en) 2014-09-03

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102017204883A1 (en) 2017-03-23 2018-09-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Material processing with an ice blast

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102014111639A1 (en) * 2014-08-14 2016-02-18 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover Beam cutting device and jet cutting method
DE102022109526A1 (en) * 2022-04-20 2023-10-26 Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG Cleaning device

Family Cites Families (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5782253A (en) * 1991-12-24 1998-07-21 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation System for removing a coating from a substrate
EP0569708B1 (en) * 1992-04-15 2003-10-15 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Apparatus to clean solid surfaces using a cryogenic aerosol
DE4313347A1 (en) * 1993-04-23 1995-01-05 Saechsische Werkzeug Und Sonde Protective jar for the cutting jet of a water-jet cutting installation
US5512106A (en) * 1993-01-27 1996-04-30 Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. Surface cleaning with argon
US5733174A (en) * 1994-01-07 1998-03-31 Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company Method and apparatus for cutting, abrading, and drilling with sublimable particles and vaporous liquids
DE19648618A1 (en) * 1996-11-12 1998-05-14 Pretec Gmbh Protective cover for reducing noise from water jet cutter head
US6280302B1 (en) * 1999-03-24 2001-08-28 Flow International Corporation Method and apparatus for fluid jet formation

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102017204883A1 (en) 2017-03-23 2018-09-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Material processing with an ice blast

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102011116228A1 (en) 2013-04-18
EP2583790A1 (en) 2013-04-24

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