# US 2014/0197144 A1 · Method and device for slitting thin strip magnetic steel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197144 A1 - Document ID: US20140197144A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/694,876 - Filed: 2013-01-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14 - Assignees: Keith D. Earhart - Inventors: Keith D. Earhart; John S. Hurst - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197144A1 ## CPC - B23K 26/38: by boring or cutting - B23K 26/0846: {for moving elongated workpieces longitudinally, e.g. wire or strip material} - 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 ## Abstract In a method and system for slitting thin strip magnetic steel such as transformer core material, a laser is mounted above the material and the material is wound from a pay-out reel to one or more take-up reels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of slitting a strip of amorphous metal or nano-grain steel (collectively, referred to herein as thin strip material), comprising, winding the thin strip material from a pay-out reel to one or more take-up reels and slitting the thin strip material using a laser as it is wound from the pay-out reel to the one or more take-up reels. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, further comprising mounting at least one laser above the thin strip material as it is wound from the pay-out reel onto the at least one take-up reel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method of claim 2, wherein the at least one laser is a continuous 20 nm wavelength laser. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A method of claim 2, further comprising cooling the thin strip material as it is being slit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method of claim 4, wherein the cooling comprises spraying nitrogen gas onto the strip material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) A method of claim 2, comprising spraying oxygen gas onto the thin strip material as it is being slit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A method of claim 5, comprising providing an oxygen-nitrogen gas mixture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) A method of claim 4, further comprising providing a plate below the at least one laser for supporting the thin strip material as it is spooled from the payout reel to the at least one take up reel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method of claim 8, further comprising providing the plate with at least one aperture, operably located below the one or more lasers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A method of claim 8, wherein the aperture is connected to a low pressure source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A method of claim 8, further comprising mounting one or more magnets on the plate. ### Claim 12 A method of 8, wherein the plate is a bevel plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A method of claim 8, wherein the at least one laser is mounted to provide one or more laser beams that are laterally moveable relative to the thin strip material as it moves longitudinally across the plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A method of claim 8, further comprising providing multiple separately driven take-up reels and controlling their speeds independently to take account of releases in stress in the material as it is slit. ### Claim 15 A laser slitter for slitting strip material, comprising a payout shaft for receiving a pay-out reel, and at least one take-up shaft for receiving at least one take-up reel or mandrel, the pay-out and take-up shafts defining an upstream and a downstream side, respectively, for strip material wound between the upstream side and the downstream side, and at least one laser operably mounted between the upstream side and the downstream side. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A laser slitter of claim 15, further comprising a plate mounted between the upstream side and the downstream side for supporting the strip material as it passes between the upstream side and the downstream side. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A laser slitter of claim 15, further comprising means for laterally guiding the strip material as it is wound from the pay-out reel to the at least one take-up reel or mandrel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A laser slitter of claim 15, wherein the plate includes at least one aperture, and the at least one laser is mounted above the at least one aperture in the plate. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A laser slitter of claim 18, further comprising a low pressure source connectable to the at least one aperture. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) A laser slitter of claim 15, where the plate is provided with at least one magnet for urging the strip material toward the plate as the strip material passes over the plate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) A laser slitter of claim 15, further comprising a source of cooling gas for spraying cooling gas onto the strip material as it is slit. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A laser slitter of claim 21, wherein the cooling gas includes at least one of nitrogen and oxygen. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) A laser slitter of claim 15, wherein the payout shaft is connected to a controllable braking mechanism or a controllable motor drive. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A laser slitter of claim 23, further comprising a sensor or one or more counters for determining the build on at least one of the take-up reels.