ITTO20130132U1 - TABLE FOR TREATING NON-METALLIC TRANSPARENT MATERIALS THROUGH LASER RADIATION - Google Patents

Description

Description of the Utility Model entitled:

"Table for treating transparent non-metallic materials by laser radiation"

Technical field

This utility model relates to the laser treatment of transparent non-metallic materials used in structural glass products designed for transportation, aviation, construction, and also used to produce reinforced glass, sea glass, etc. More particularly, the utility model relates to a table for treating transparent non-metallic materials by means of laser radiation, in particular for removing metallic coatings, for example low-emission ones, and other coatings from glass.

State of the art

Board structures for treating non-metallic transparent brittle materials by laser radiation are known in the art.

The most relevant prior art is an apparatus disclosed in EP1864950 A1, which removes a coating along the peripheral edges of a window panel. The apparatus comprises a bench having a material forming a cover layer for positioning a sheet of glass to be treated so that the coating removed on the glass faces face up towards a laser head, which removes the coating from the surface of the slab. In this technical solution, the energy of the laser beam is regulated in such a way as to either cause a secondary effect in the glass or in the cover layer of the counter, on which the plate is positioned. Thus, the prior art provides for the regulation of the laser beam energy, but the cover layer does not fully or partially diffuse the laser radiation, i.e. it does not function as an unattached diffusion cover layer. Consequently, there is no possibility of increasing the energy of the laser beam without the risk of damaging the cover layer.

The utility model

The purpose of the present utility model is to provide a covering layer on the surface of a table to allow the treatment of transparent non-metallic materials (glass with low emission coating) by means of focused pulse laser radiation (with a wavelength from 300 to 3000 nm) and at the same time exclude damage to the layer, the structure of the table and the surface of the glass article.

The object is achieved with a table for treating transparent non-metallic materials by laser radiation, comprising a frame with a working surface formed thereon, at least one covering layer attached to the working surface for positioning the treated material, in which the at least a cover layer is made from a material transparent to laser radiation in the wavelength range from 300 to 3000 nm depending on the type of laser used for the treatment and which represents an elastically flexible foam material with a closed cell structure and strong intermolecular bonds.

The technical effect provided by this combination of features is that, in the course of the treatment of a material, for example the removal of a low-emission coating from a glass article, by means of a focused laser beam passing through the volume of the glass, the ray is completely or partially dispersed in the covering layer at a low power density W / cm <2>. Thus, the cover layer acts as an unattached dispersion cover.

The term "closed cell structure" as used herein refers to a structure having cells which are completely enclosed by the plastic. Cellular plastics can exist in two basic structures: closed cell or open cell. Closed cell materials have single voids or cells that are completely enclosed by the plastic, and the transport of gas through the cell walls occurs by diffusion (see Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites, by Charles A. Harper, The McGraw -Hill Companies, 2004, p.87).

The structure of the material is essential for the current technical solution, since in the physical sense the closed air-filled cells are less slow with refractive index K = l, on the border of which with the initial material having a refractive index K in the field of about 1.4-1.5, the pulsed laser radiation is subjected to refraction and dispersed totally or partially, depending on the thickness and the multiplicity of expansion of the material.

Furthermore, the cross-linked closed cell structure which forms a solid spatial framework with strong intermolecular bonds and which provides the strength of the cell walls, makes the material elastically flexible. The term "resiliently flexible material" as used herein refers to a material which assumes its first state after the removal of loads. Such material typically has strong intermolecular bonds, i.e. the outer electrons of the atoms in the material form covalent bonds. The main difference between strong and weak bonds is believed to be that covalent interactions occur when there is substantial overlap between subsystem electron clouds.

The term "non-metallic materials" also generally refers to materials having covalent bonds, which fact excludes the presence of electron gas in the product and thus provides low heat and electrically conductive properties. Another distinction from metallic materials is a significantly lower density of non-metallic materials. Thus, the density of plastic is twice as low as that of aluminum. Non-metallic materials include, inter alia: organic and inorganic polymers, various types of plastics, composite materials on a non-metallic basis, rubbers, adhesives and sealants, graphite, inorganic glass, ceramics.

The term "transparent to laser radiation" is well known to those skilled in the art, and means that the material exhibits transparency in the range of wavelengths corresponding to the type of laser used for the treatment.

"Foam" refers to a material having an expanded or cellular structure obtained by any foaming process, for example by adding a foaming agent to the polymer.

An elastically flexible foam material is preferably physically or chemically cross-linked. The chemical and physical crosslinking processes are also well known to those skilled in the art.

In particular, the term "cross-linked" refers to polymers having all chains linked together with covalent bonds in a three-dimensional (cross-linked) network (see Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites, by-Charles A. Harper, The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2004, p.3).

Furthermore, the resiliently flexible foam material preferably has an expansion multiplicity of 5 to 35. "Expansion multiplicity" is the ratio of the initial foam volume to the volume of blowing agent expended to obtain it.

The covering layer preferably has a residual deformation of less than 4%, is non-toxic in the operating temperature range and does not emit substances harmful to humans.

The elastically flexible foam material of the covering layer preferably has a density of from 20 to 200 kg / m <3>, and a residual deformation of less than 4%.

An example of elastically flexible foam is Penolon.

The covering layer preferably has a thickness of 1 to 50 mm.

In one embodiment, the cover layer can be supported with an aluminum foil.

Preferably, the material of the at least one cover layer is transparent to pulsed laser radiation in the wavelength range of 1030-1120 nm, and more preferably 1070 nm.

The table is preferably configured as a frame, on which a work surface is formed, and preferably has a system for creating an air cushion effect when placing the material, the system including air outlets in the table.

Brief description of the drawings

Other objects and advantages of the present technical solution will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a laser treatment system, in which a table according to the present utility model can be used, and

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a fragment of a support surface of the table with a cover layer according to the present utility model.

As illustrated in Figure 1, an apparatus for treating transparent non-metallic materials by laser radiation comprises a table 1 for treating materials by laser radiation, which has a frame 2 (preferably a strong steel structure) with a working surface formed thereon. in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate. The work surface is the support for laying a material to be treated, for example a glass plate from which a low-emission coating must be removed.

As also illustrated in Figure 1, the apparatus comprises a cutting bridge mounted on the frame 2 parallel to the short side of the frame, which is preferably a steel construction. The cutting bridge can be moved along the long side of the frame 2 and carries a laser cutting head 3, which can be moved along the bridge by means of a command (not shown). The laser cutting head 3 can have various embodiments and preferably comprises a focusing lens and a scanning unit; in this case, it can be raised and lowered perpendicular to the surface of the table 1.

The frame 2 can be equipped with means (not shown) for moving the treated material (glass plate) before and after the treatment (vulcanization) and for positioning the material on the table 1.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 2, the frame 2 has an upper plate 4 on which at least one covering layer 5 is provided for positioning the material. In one embodiment, an aluminum foil 6 is arranged under the cover layer 5.

The plate 4 can also be adapted to provide the air cushion effect. In this case, air inlets 7 are formed in a certain configuration in the plate 4 for the compressed air fed to these inlets, so as to prevent friction between the glass plate and the plate 4 (in particular on the sites where the plate is not covered by the cover layer 5) when placing the plate.

According to the present utility model, the at least one cover layer 5 is made from a material which is transparent to laser radiation in the wavelength range of 300-3000 nm depending on the type of laser used for the treatment, and represents an elastically flexible foam material with a closed cell structure and strong intermolecular bonds.

An example of this material is Penolon. However, the class of usable foamed plastics is extremely broad, and any material having the same base (and produced under other names and brands) based on foamed polyethylene or its copolymers can be used.

For example, Penoizol (thermal insulating carbamide foam) is also a promising material. This material has a low thermal conductivity (less than 0.04 W / mK), a low density (10-15 kg / m <3>), is easily treated, is fireproof, durable and resistant to microorganisms and most of the organic solvents.

Polyethylene foam may also be mentioned among the thermally insulated expanded polymers. Polyethylene foam is an elastic, flexible, porous and impermeable material, chemically resistant and not harmful to the environment.

This group also includes: Teploy, Vilaterm, Penofleks, Stenofon, Azurizol. Any of these materials is a thermal insulator.

An example of a laser used for treatment is a ytterbium fiber laser with a wavelength in the range of 1030-1120 nm, a pulse duration of 70-90 ns, a pulse repetition rate of 30-100 kHz, and an average power of 20-50 Watts. Wavelengths of about 1070 nm are preferred as they provide better absorption by the low-emission coating and low absorption by the glass.

An example of use of this table for treating non-metallic transparent brittle materials by laser radiation is described below.

The example of treating a material with laser radiation involves removing a low-emission coating from glass items using the laser treatment system shown in Figure 1.

Preferably, the process includes the following sequence of steps:

first, a glass article to be treated is placed with the low emission layer on a covering layer 5 according to the present technical solution; the sheet moves on the air cushion (in the air layer) and is positioned by means of supports;

therefore, a treatment program is allowed to activate the laser head 3; and the focused laser beam removes the low emission coating (which is not transparent to laser radiation) from predetermined locations on the glass surface.

If necessary, before processing, the plate is scanned by a television system (depending on the complexity of the shape).

The speed of the laser beam is preferably 2-4000 mm / sec at a power density of not less than W = 30x103 W / mm <2> and the diameter of the heating point is at least 20 μm. The cover layer 5 can withstand even tighter heating conditions, but these are not applied in the process described, since, in this case, the treated glass article will be severely heated and thermal stresses may occur therein, which is unacceptable.

In the above example, the resulting product is glass with a hard (k) or soft (i) low-emission coating, over which a metallized layer or low-emission coating is evaporated (ablated) and exposed to focused pulse laser radiation. in order to make process cuts and completely remove the coating material to achieve the required heating conditions for the glass article. Then, after having welded electrical contacts at the beginning and at the end of a conductive path, electrically heated glass is produced ready for use, through which a voltage with a nominal power calculated for a predetermined temperature and for the area of the glass is applied. .

In addition to electric heating, the hard and soft coating is used for its main energy saving purpose, i.e. for the reflection of infrared rays inside and ultraviolet rays outside, and thereby reducing the losses of heat in cold seasons and decreasing the penetration of excess heat in warmer seasons.

The removal of a low-emission coating is performed on the sites calculated by a dedicated program to allow the manufacture of glass products for various purposes with pre-set heating parameters on the surface of the glass article: for structural optics, automobiles, aviation, glass reinforced, or electrically heated architectural structures.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the utility model is not limited to the embodiments presented above, and that it can be modified within the scope of the claims presented below. Where necessary, the distinctive properties that have been described together with other distinctive properties can also be used separately.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS 1. Board for treating transparent non-metallic materials by laser radiation, comprising a work surface on which at least one covering layer is provided for positioning the treated material, in which said at least one covering layer is made from a material transparent to laser radiation in the wavelength range from 300 to 3000 nm and which represents an elastically flexible foam material with a closed cell structure. A table according to claim 1, wherein the material of said at least one covering layer is transparent to pulsed laser radiation with wavelengths in the range of 1030-1120 nm, preferably 1070 nm. 3. A table according to claim 1, which is configured as a frame on which said work surface is formed. 4. A board according to claim 1, wherein the elastically flexible foam material is physically or chemically cross-linked. 5. A board according to claim 1, wherein said resiliently flexible foam has a multiplicity of expansion from 5 to 35. 6. A board according to claim 1, wherein the elastically flexible foam material has a density of from 20 to 200 kg / m <3>. 7. A board according to claim 1, wherein the elastically flexible foam material has a residual deformation of less than 4%. 8. A board according to claim 1, wherein the elastically flexible foam material is Penolon. 9. A board according to claim 1, wherein the cover layer has a thickness of from 1 to 50 mm. 10. A board according to claim 1, wherein the cover layer is backed with an aluminum foil. 11. A table according to claim 1, comprising a system for providing an air cushion effect when positioning the treated material, the system containing vents in the table.