JP2005297029A - Laser beam machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a laser beam machine having excellent durability by solving the problem that a bellows member 204 is repetitively elongated and contracted by accompanying the forward and backward movement of a laser beam machining head 202 in an arrow 205 direction and is therefore liable to break and is inferior in durability. <P>SOLUTION: The laser beam machine is equipped with a light guide section 31 for guiding a laser beam in one direction X and a light take-out section 33 for taking out the laser beam by a light reflection section 34 and supplying the same to the laser beam machining head. An opening 31b is formed in the light guide section 31 along the one direction X and magnets 37 are arranged along both edges of the opening 31b. A belt member 36 is arranged to be stuck by the magnetic force thereof so as to close the opening 31b to prevent the infiltration of dust etc., into the interior of the light guide section 31. The belt member 36 is arranged to bypass the light take-out section 33 in the portion where the light take-out section 33 is arranged and therefore the member does not hinder the take-out of the light. When the light take-out section 33 is moved in a ±X direction, the belt member 36 is merely moved in its thickness direction and is therefore less liable to be damaged and is made higher in the durability as compared with the case the bellow etc., are used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

    The present invention relates to a laser processing machine that performs laser processing on a workpiece while moving a laser processing head.

    2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various structures have been proposed as laser processing machines that perform laser processing on a workpiece while moving a laser processing head (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

    FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of a conventional structure of such a laser processing machine. Reference numeral 200 in the drawing denotes a laser oscillator that generates laser light, and reference numeral 201 denotes a process for placing the workpiece W. Reference numeral 202 denotes a laser processing head that irradiates the workpiece W with laser light while being moved and driven, reference numeral 203 denotes a laser beam path system between the laser oscillator 200 and the laser processing head 202, and reference numeral Reference numeral 204 denotes a bellows member for sealing the laser optical path system to prevent entry of dust or the like.

JP 2003-290967 A

    By the way, the bellows member 204 described above is repeatedly expanded and contracted with the reciprocating movement of the laser processing head 202 in the direction of the arrow 205, so that there is a problem that it is easily damaged and inferior in durability.

    An object of this invention is to provide the laser processing machine excellent in durability.

The invention according to claim 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and includes laser light generating means (2) for generating laser light and optical path means (A) for forming an optical path for the laser light. And a laser processing head (3) for irradiating the workpiece (W) with the laser beam that has passed through the optical path means (A),
The optical path means (A)
A light guide (31) having a cavity (31a) for guiding laser light (L1) in one direction (30), and an opening (31b) of the cavity (31a);
As the laser processing head (3) is driven to move, the laser processing head is moved along the opening (31b), and the laser beam is extracted from the cavity (31a) in the other direction (32). A light extraction section (33) to be supplied to (3);
Other than the portion where the light extraction portion (33) is disposed (30B), the opening portion (31b) is disposed so as to be closed, and the portion (30A) where the light extraction portion (33) is disposed is the opening portion. A belt member (36) disposed so as to bypass the light extraction portion (33) without blocking (31b) and allowing extraction of laser light to the light extraction portion (33);
A magnet (see reference numeral 37 in FIGS. 5A and 5B) is disposed on at least one of the belt member (36) and the light guide section (31), and the belt member (36) is a magnetic force of the magnet. Thus, the opening (31b) is closed.

The invention according to claim 2 is illustrated in FIG. 1, and in the invention according to claim 1, the projecting part protrudes into the light guide part (31) through the opening part (31 b). A bracket (35) provided in the light extraction portion (33), and a light reflecting means (34) attached to the bracket (35) and disposed in the cavity portion (31a),
The extraction of the laser light from the cavity (31a) is performed by reflecting the laser light (L1) by the light reflecting means (34).

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light extraction portion (33) is
A first roller (331) disposed at a position close to the opening (31b) at one end in the moving direction of the light extraction portion (33);
A second roller (332) disposed in a central portion in the moving direction and away from the opening (31b);
A third roller (333) disposed at a position adjacent to the opening (31b) at the other end in the moving direction;
The belt member (36) includes the first roller (331) and the light guide (31), the outside of the second roller (332), and the third roller (333) and the light guide ( 31) are arranged so as to pass through each of them.

    The invention according to claim 4 is illustrated in FIG. 3, and in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the magnets (along the both edges of the opening (31 b)). 37), the belt member (36) is a steel belt, and the belt member (36) closes the opening (31b) through the magnetic force of the magnet (37). .

The invention according to claim 5 is illustrated in FIG. 4, and in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the light guide portion (31) is a rail member (40 a, 40 a). Have
The light extraction part (33) is configured to move along the rail members (40a, 40a).

The invention according to claim 6 is illustrated in FIG. 2, and in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the processing table (T) on which the workpiece (W) is placed, A cross arm (50) that is horizontally mounted above the processing table (T) and movably supports the laser processing head (3),
The light guide (31) is arranged along the processing table (T),
The light extraction part (33) is attached to the cross arm (50),
After the laser light from the laser light generating means (2) is guided to the light guide part (31), the light extraction part (33) and the cross arm (50), it is applied to the laser processing head (3). Supplied.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the processing table (T) on which the workpiece (W) is placed, and a horizontal position above the processing table (T). A cross arm (50) that movably supports the laser processing head (3),
The light guide (31) is disposed along the cross arm (50);
The light extraction part (33) is attached to the laser processing head (3),
The laser beam from the laser beam generating means (2) is supplied to the laser processing head (3) via the light guide (31) and the light extraction unit (33). .

    Note that the numbers in parentheses are for the sake of convenience indicating the corresponding elements in the drawings, and therefore the present description is not limited to the descriptions on the drawings.

    According to the inventions according to claims 1 and 4 to 7, the belt member closes the opening in a state of being in close contact with the light guide unit, and therefore it is possible to prevent dust and foreign matter from entering the light guide unit. . Further, when the light extraction portion is moved in the one direction (or the opposite direction), the belt member is only moved in the thickness direction, so that the belt member is hardly damaged, and durability is improved as compared with the case of using the bellows. The In other words, unlike the bellows that are largely deformed in the axial direction, the belt member has a small amount of deformation, so it is not always necessary to form the belt member with a material that easily deforms. A material having high durability and heat resistance can be used.

    According to the invention of claim 2, since the light reflecting means and the light extraction portion are configured to be moved integrally, it is necessary to separately provide a means for driving the light reflecting means. And the structure can be simplified. Further, since the relative positional relationship between the light reflecting means and the light extraction portion is always properly maintained, the laser light can be accurately guided from the light reflecting means to the laser processing head.

    According to the third aspect of the invention, the belt member does not block the optical path of the laser light regardless of the position of the light extraction portion, and the laser light from the light guide portion to the light extraction portion is not blocked. Capture is possible.

    Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

    FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 3, illustrating a structure of a light extraction portion and the like. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the laser beam machine according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the optical path means, and FIG. FIG. 5 (a) is a detailed sectional view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 (b) is a detailed enlarged sectional view thereof.

    As shown by reference numeral 1 in FIG. 2, the laser processing machine according to the present invention includes a laser light generating means 2 for generating laser light, an optical path means A for forming an optical path for the laser light, and the optical path means A. And a laser processing head 3 that irradiates the workpiece W with the laser light that has passed through the workpiece.

    By the way, the optical path means A, as shown in FIG. 1, takes out the laser light L1 in one direction 30 and takes out the laser light L1 in the other direction 32 as indicated by reference numeral L2. And a light extraction portion 33 that supplies the laser processing head 3. Among these, the light guide part 31 has a hollow part 31a functioning as an optical path of the laser light L1, and has an opening part 31b (see FIG. 3) of the hollow part 31a on the surface.

    By the way, the laser processing head 3 described above is configured to be movable and movable along at least the one direction 30. The hollow portion 31a and the opening portion 31b of the light guide portion 31 are formed along the one direction 30, and the light extraction portion 33 is driven to move in the one direction 30 at any position. The laser beam L1 can be extracted from the cavity 31a (details will be described later).

    The light extraction part 33 may be moved in a state where it is in contact with the light guide part 31 or in a state where a minute gap is opened. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, rail members 40 a and 40 a are arranged in the light guide portion 31 (along the one direction 30), and the light extraction portion 33 is placed in the rail members 40 a and 40 a. It is preferable that the light extraction unit 33 is driven to move along the rail members 40a and 40a by driving means (not shown). In this case, even if the light extraction portion 33 slides on the rail members 40a and 40a, a roller (not shown) is provided on the light extraction portion 33 so that the roller rolls on the rail member. Anyway.

    By the way, in order to be able to extract the laser beam L1 regardless of the position of the light extraction unit 33, as shown in FIG. 1, the light reflection for reflecting the laser beam L1 as indicated by reference numeral L2. The means 34 may be disposed in the cavity 31a (to be exact, on the optical path of the laser beam L1) and at a position facing the light extraction unit 33. In FIG. 1, a bracket 35 is attached to the light extraction portion 33 so as to protrude through the opening 31 b into the hollow portion 31 a of the light guide portion 31, and the light reflecting means 34 is attached to the bracket 35. Therefore, since the light reflecting means 34 moves on the optical path of the laser light L1 integrally with the light extracting portion 33, it is necessary to separately provide means for driving the light reflecting means 34. And the structure can be simplified. In addition, since the relative positional relationship between the light reflecting means 34 and the light extraction portion 33 is always properly maintained, the laser light can be accurately guided from the light reflecting means 34 to the laser processing head 3. Although the structure and the drive control are complicated, the light reflecting means 34 may not be attached to the light extraction section 33 and both may be driven by different driving means.

    By the way, the belt member 36 is arrange | positioned at the light guide part 31 mentioned above so that the opening part 31b may be followed. The belt member 36 is disposed so as not to close the opening 31b (bypassing the light extraction portion 33) at a portion where the light extraction portion 33 is disposed (that is, a portion indicated by reference numeral 30A in FIG. 1). Thus, the extraction of the laser beam to the light extraction unit 33 is not hindered (details will be described later). Further, the belt member 36 closes the opening 31b except for the portion where the light extraction portion 33 is disposed (portion indicated by reference numeral 30B in FIG. 1), so that dust and foreign matter enter the light guide portion. Is configured to prevent. According to the present invention, when the light extraction portion 33 is moved in the one direction 30 (or the opposite direction), the belt member 36 is in the thickness direction (the direction indicated by reference numeral 32 in FIG. 1 and the opposite direction). It is hard to be damaged because it is only moved to the position, and durability is improved as compared with the case of using the bellows. Note that “the belt member 36 is arranged so as to bypass” means that the belt member 36 is arranged in a state of being separated from the light guide portion 31 (opening portion 31 b), and between the belt member 36 and the light guide portion 31. This means that an optical path (see symbol L3 in FIG. 4) can be formed.

The belt member 36 described above is preferably closed by the magnetic force. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), a magnet 37 is disposed along an edge of the opening 31b (preferably, both edges of the opening 31b), and the belt member 36 is a steel belt. It is good to make it. In such a case, the belt member 36 closes the opening 31b while being in close contact with the light guide 31, so that dust and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the light guide. In addition, the magnet should just be provided in at least one of the said belt member 36 and the said light guide part 31,
(1) Even if it is provided on the light guide 31 side as described above,
(2) Even if it is provided on the side of the belt member 36 instead of the side of the light guide 31,
(3) Even if provided on both the light guide 31 and the belt member 36,
Either is fine. By the way, as described in (2) above, as a method of providing the magnet on the belt member 36 side,
(2-1) Method of embedding magnet in belt member 36
(2-2) Method of adhering magnet to belt member 36
(2-3) A method of using a belt-like rubber magnet for the belt member 36 can be mentioned. When the magnet is disposed on the belt member 36 side, one end of the light extraction portion 33 (a portion where the first roller 331 is disposed as described later) and the other end (a third as described later). The light extraction portion side magnet is also disposed in the portion where the roller 333 is disposed (when the light extraction portion side magnet is disposed between the belt member 35 and the opening 31b, the belt member 35 When the belt member 35 is disposed between the side magnet and the light extraction portion side magnet and the opening 31b, the light extraction portion is a magnet having a polarity different from that of the belt member 35). When moving 33, it is preferable that the belt member 36 can be easily peeled off from the light guide portion 31 by the repulsive force or attractive force of the belt member side magnet and the light extraction portion side magnet.

    By the way, the member forming the light guide portion 31 has a substantially U-shaped cross section as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the opening portion 31b is preferably arranged on the upper side.

    Further, a seal member such as urethane (see reference numeral 38 in FIGS. 3 and 5 (a) and (b)) is provided in the one direction 30 so as to extend along both edges of the opening 31b. It is preferable that the member 38 and the belt member 36 are brought into close contact with each other to prevent dust and foreign matter from entering the light guide portion. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the seal member 38 and the magnet 37 are disposed so as to be close to each other, and the belt member 36 attracted by the magnet 37 is pressed against the seal member 38. It is good to keep it in close contact. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, it is preferable that the surface of the seal member 38 protrudes from the surface of the magnet 37 so that the magnet 37 can easily come into contact with the seal member 38. In this case, the seal member 38 may be made of a material that can be elastically deformed to some extent by being pressed against the belt member 36, and the belt member 36 may be made of a material that can be slightly bent. 5A and 5B, the seal member 38 is disposed only on one side of the magnet 37, but may be disposed on both sides of the magnet 37.

    5 (a) and 5 (b) are not formed on the member (the member denoted by reference numeral 39) forming the cavity 31a itself, but are formed on the plate-like member 40. However, it may be formed on the member 39 itself.

    By the way, the belt member 36 needs to bypass the light extraction portion 33 so as not to hinder the extraction of the laser light L2 to the light extraction portion 33. For this purpose, the structure of the light extraction portion 33 optimum for the belt member 36 is shown in FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG.

    The illustrated light extraction unit 33 includes first to third rollers 331, 332, and 333 that are rotatable. Among these, the first roller 331 is disposed at one end in the movement direction of the light extraction unit 33 and in a position close to the opening 31b, and the second roller 332 is at the center in the movement direction and the opening. The third roller 333 is disposed at a position away from the portion 31b, and the third roller 333 is disposed at the other end in the movement direction and close to the opening 31b. In addition, a reflection mirror 334 is disposed between the second roller 332 and the opening 31b to reflect the laser light L2 from the light guide 31 toward the laser processing head 3 (for example, in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface). It is configured as follows. Further, the belt member 36 is disposed between the first roller 331 and the light guide unit 31 (that is, between the first roller 331 and the opening 31b) and outside the second roller 332 (the light guide unit). 31 is arranged to pass through between the third roller 333 and the light guide portion 31 (that is, between the third roller 333 and the opening portion 31b). Yes. In such a configuration, the belt member 36 does not block the optical path of the laser light L2 regardless of the position of the light extraction portion 33 moved in the one direction 30, and the light from the light guide portion 31 is not blocked. The laser beam L2 can be taken into the take-out unit 33. In addition, in the portion 30A where the belt member 36 is disposed at a position separated from the light guide portion 31, as shown in FIG. 3, wall portions 335a and 335b that rotatably support the rollers 331, 332, and 333 are erected. In addition, since the opening 31b is closed by cooperating with the belt member 36, it is possible to reliably prevent dust and foreign matter from entering the light guide portion. However, since the hole G is formed in one wall portion 335a (the wall portion closer to the laser processing head 3) as shown in FIG. 4, the laser beam reflected by the reflection mirror 334 is formed. L2 is not shielded. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a spatula member 336 made of a flexible material is disposed outside the rollers 331 and 333 at the end in the moving direction so that dust and foreign matters on the surface of the belt member 36 can be removed. It is good to keep it.

    By the way, the laser beam machine according to the present invention is preferably provided with a machining table T on which the workpiece W is placed as shown in FIG. A cross arm 50 is horizontally mounted above the processing table T, and the laser processing head 3 is supported on the cross arm 50 so as to be movable. In such a laser processing machine, the light guide unit 31 described above may be disposed at a position along the processing table T (see reference numeral 51 in FIG. 2), and the light extraction unit 33 described above may be disposed on the cross arm 50. 2 (see reference numeral 52 in FIG. 2), the laser light from the laser light generating means 2 is disposed at the position indicated by reference numeral 51, the light guide portion 31 disposed at the position indicated by reference numeral 51. After being guided to the light extraction portion 33 and the cross arm 50, it is preferable to be supplied to the laser processing head 3.

    Further, as described above, the processing table T and the cross arm 50 are arranged, but the light guide portion 31 is not arranged along the processing table T, but is arranged along the cross arm 50, The light extraction unit 33 is attached to the laser processing head 3 (see reference numeral 53 in FIG. 2), and the laser light from the laser light generating means 2 is disposed along the cross arm 50. It is preferable that the laser beam is supplied to the laser processing head 3 via the light extraction portion 33 arranged at the position indicated by the portion 31 and the reference numeral 53.

    Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light guide unit 31 is disposed at both the position indicated by reference numeral 51 and the position along the cross arm 50, and both the position indicated by reference numeral 52 and the position indicated by reference numeral 53 are provided. The light extraction portion 33 may be disposed in the front.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light extraction portion and the like. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of the overall structure of the laser beam machine according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the optical path means. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 5A is a detailed cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a detailed enlarged cross-sectional view thereof. FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of a conventional structure of a laser beam machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser processing machine 2 Laser generating means 3 Laser processing head 31 Light guide part 31a Cavity part 31b Opening part 33 Light extraction part 34 Light reflection means 35 Bracket 36 Belt member 37 Magnet 331 1st roller 332 2nd roller 333 3rd roller A Optical path means T Processing table W Workpiece

Claims (7)

Laser processing machine comprising: laser light generating means for generating laser light; optical path means for forming an optical path for the laser light; and a laser processing head for irradiating a workpiece with laser light that has passed through the optical path means In
The optical path means is
A cavity for guiding laser light in one direction, and a light guide having an opening of the cavity;
A light extraction portion that is moved along the opening as the laser processing head is driven to move, extracts laser light from the cavity in another direction, and supplies the laser processing head to the laser processing head;
Arranged so as to close the opening except for the portion where the light extraction portion is disposed, and bypasses the light extraction portion without blocking the opening at the portion where the light extraction portion is disposed. And a belt member that allows extraction of the laser light to the light extraction unit,
A magnet is disposed on at least one of the belt member and the light guide, and the belt member closes the opening by the magnetic force of the magnet;
A laser processing machine characterized by that. A bracket provided in the light extraction portion so as to protrude into the light guide portion through the opening, and a light reflecting means attached to the bracket and disposed in the cavity portion;
The extraction of the laser beam from the cavity is performed by reflecting the laser beam with the light reflecting means.
The laser beam machine according to claim 1. The light extraction unit is
A first roller disposed at a position close to the opening at one end in the moving direction of the light extraction unit;
A second roller disposed at a position at the center in the moving direction and away from the opening;
A third roller disposed at a position close to the opening at the other end in the moving direction,
The belt member is disposed so as to pass between the first roller and the light guide unit, on the outside of the second roller, and between the third roller and the light guide unit, respectively.
The laser processing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The magnet is disposed along both edges of the opening, the belt member is a steel belt, and the belt member closes the opening through the magnetic force of the magnet.
The laser beam machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The light guide has a rail member,
The laser beam machine according to claim 1, wherein the light extraction unit is configured to move along the rail member. A processing table for placing a workpiece; and a cross arm that is horizontally mounted above the processing table and movably supports the laser processing head;
The light guide is arranged along the processing table,
The light extraction part is attached to the cross arm,
After the laser light from the laser light generating means is guided to the light guide unit, the light extraction unit, and the cross arm, it is supplied to the laser processing head.
The laser beam machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A processing table for placing a workpiece; and a cross arm that is horizontally mounted above the processing table and movably supports the laser processing head;
The light guide is disposed along the cross arm;
The light extraction part is attached to the laser processing head,
Laser light from the laser light generating means is supplied to the laser processing head via the light guide unit and the light extraction unit.
The laser beam machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:

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