# US 11,298,778 B2 · Suction device, laser processing machine, and method for suctioning

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- Number: US 11,298,778 B2
- Document ID: US11298778B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/263,086
- Filed: 2019-07-25
- Published: 2021-08-26
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-07-26
- Assignees: Bystronic Laser AG
- Applicants: Bystronic Laser AG
- Inventors: Thomas Seiler; Christian Flückiger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298778B2

## CPC

- B23K 26/1224: {in vacuum}
- B23K 26/142: for the removal of by-products
- B08B 15/04: from a small area, e.g. a tool {(removing chips B23Q11/0042)}
- B23K 26/0869: {Devices involving movement of the laser head in at least one axial direction}
- B23K 26/0876: {in at least two axial directions}
- B23K 26/16: Removal of by-products, e.g. particles or vapours produced during treatment of a workpiece (by a fluid stream B23K26/142)
- B23K 26/38: by boring or cutting
- B23K 26/702: {Auxiliary equipment}
- B23K 37/006: Safety devices for welding or cutting
- 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
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a suction device configured for a laser processing machine with a laser processing head which can be moved over a workpiece holder, with a fan and several flaps which are to be opened selectively to generate an air flow and which are in communication with the fan, and with a control configured to detect the position and operating state of the laser processing head and to control the flaps as a function of the detected position and the operating state of the laser processing head.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A laser processing machine with a laser processing head which is moved in a processing space over a workpiece holder, the laser processing machine comprising:
at least one air supply opening for supplying air into a chamber,
a fan and several flaps for exhausting air from the chamber which are to be opened selectively in order to generate an air flow and which are in communication with the fan,
a control configured to detect a future position of the laser processing head and to control the flaps as a function of the detected position of the laser processing head, and
wherein the control is configured to detect the operating state of the laser processing head and to control the flaps as a function of the future position and the operating state of the laser processing head corresponding to the future position, and wherein the flaps open before the start of the processing operating statem, in the region of the process operating state for an optimum air flow or a volume flow,
wherein the control is further configured to determine a future position and the operating state of the laser processing head corresponding to this position on the basis of a processing plan, and
wherein the processing space is further configured to receive a workpiece to be machined.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The laser processing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:
at least one sensor configured to detect contamination of air in the processing space, and
wherein the control is further configured to use sensor data of the sensor for controlling the flaps.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The laser processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the control is configured to control an opening of a protection door of the processing space as a function of the sensor data.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The laser processing machine according to claim 2 wherein the control is further configured to use the sensor data for determining a maintenance state of the laser processing machine.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The laser processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the control is further configured to control a suction volume of the fan as a function of the sensor data.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The laser processing machine according to claim 4, wherein the flaps are arranged in at least one of a lower region of the processing space, an upper region, and a central region.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the laser processing machine is a laser cutting machine.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the laser processing head is a laser cutting head.