Laser assisted machining apparatus with distributed lasers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A laser assisted machining apparatus, comprising:
- a lathe having a workpiece holder that spins about a rotational axis and a cutting tool holder that moves along a path parallel to the rotational axis of the workpiece holder;
a first laser unit that translates with the cutting tool holder along the path so as to emit a first laser beam at a power output and impinging upon a workpiece in the workpiece holder at a circumferential position about the rotational axis that is substantially ahead of a circumferential position of a cutting tool in the cutting tool holder; and
a second laser unit that translates with the cutting tool holder along the path so as to emit a second laser beam at a power output and impinging upon the workpiece from an axial position behind the cutting tool relative to its travel direction along the path, and at a circumferential position close to and ahead of the circumferential position of the cutting tool and substantially behind the circumferential position of the first laser beam on the workpiece;
wherein the power outputs of the first and second laser beams are independently controlled relative to each other.
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Abstract
Laser assisted machining process and machine utilizing multiple distributed laser units that are strategically distributed around the workpiece being machined to simultaneously heat the workpiece, creating a desired temperature distribution for laser assisted machining. Sequential incremental heating from different directions and positions are used, resulting in longer tool life and shorter machining time.
38 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A laser assisted machining apparatus, comprising:
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a lathe having a workpiece holder that spins about a rotational axis and a cutting tool holder that moves along a path parallel to the rotational axis of the workpiece holder; a first laser unit that translates with the cutting tool holder along the path so as to emit a first laser beam at a power output and impinging upon a workpiece in the workpiece holder at a circumferential position about the rotational axis that is substantially ahead of a circumferential position of a cutting tool in the cutting tool holder; and a second laser unit that translates with the cutting tool holder along the path so as to emit a second laser beam at a power output and impinging upon the workpiece from an axial position behind the cutting tool relative to its travel direction along the path, and at a circumferential position close to and ahead of the circumferential position of the cutting tool and substantially behind the circumferential position of the first laser beam on the workpiece; wherein the power outputs of the first and second laser beams are independently controlled relative to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A laser assisted machining apparatus utilizing multiple distributed lasers to assist a cutting tool in machining a rotating workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
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a cutting tool configured to cut material from the rotating workpiece, thereby creating a circumferential chamfer on the rotating workpiece; and first and second laser units configured to sequentially, incrementally heat a radially outer portion of the rotating workpiece prior to the cutting tool beginning to remove the radially outer portion, the radially outer portion including part of a surface of the circumferential chamfer, the first laser unit being configured to preheat the radially outer portion by directing a first laser beam onto the surface of the circumferential chamfer at a circumferential position about the rotational axis of the rotating workpiece that is substantially ahead of a circumferential position of the cutting tool about the rotational axis of the rotating workpiece, the second laser unit being configured to further heat the radially outer portion by directing a second laser beam onto the surface of the circumferential chamfer at an angle thereto at a circumferential position in close proximity to the circumferential position of the cutting tool. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A laser assisted machining apparatus utilizing multiple distributed lasers to assist a cutting tool in machining a rotating workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
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a first laser unit configured to heat the rotating workpiece with a first laser beam directed onto the workpiece at a first point axially ahead of the cutting tool relative to a travel direction thereof on the rotating workpiece, and substantially circumferentially ahead of the cutting tool; and a second laser unit configured to heat the rotating workpiece with a second laser beam directed onto the workpiece at a second point axially even with the cutting tool and on a chamfer of the workpiece, and circumferentially ahead of the cutting tool and substantially behind the first point; whereby material on the rotating workpiece is sequentially heated by the first and second laser beams and then cut by the cutting tool; wherein power outputs of the first and second laser units are independently controlled to control temperature gradients within the workpiece.
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8. A laser assisted machining apparatus utilizing multiple distributed lasers to assist a cutting tool in machining a rotating workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
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a cutting tool configured to cut material from the rotating workpiece tool, thereby creating a chamfer on the rotating workpiece; a first laser unit configured to heat the workpiece at a first point circumferentially ahead of the cutting tool; and a second laser unit configured to heat the chamfer at a second point, circumferentially behind the first point and ahead of the cutting tool, thereby sequentially incrementally heating the rotating workpiece; wherein the first laser unit comprises a higher-power laser than the second laser unit. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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Specification