Under material air purge
US10376989B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 2016 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K2103/42
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An assembly and method of reducing discoloration of a foam material resulting from laser processing the material comprising an assembly configured for positioning below the material being processed and for directing air into open cells of the open-cell foam material to pressurize the material during laser processing. The assembly comprises an air delivery mechanism comprising one or more apertures for an air chamber positioned directly below the material travel path. Aligning the one or more apertures with the axis of the laser beam and its focal point when the material is positioned above the one or more apertures and pressurizing or filling of the open cells with air in the direct vicinity of the target area reduces processing related discoloration of the material. The cells are laser processed concurrently with pressurization thereby substantially reducing settling of debris and smoke on the material and reducing discoloration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.