JPH0577079A - Laser beam machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operating rate of the laser beam machining device. CONSTITUTION:In opposing a laser beam machine 1, plural sets of working stations S1, S2 and a set of an automatic carrying in and out station S3 to carry the work automatically in and out are installed. For example, a three- dimensional machining is executed by orderly carrying in and out a cubic work by an operator from plural sets of working stations S1, S2 in the daylight time, and a two-dimensional machining is executed with an unmanned operation by automatically carrying in and out a flat plate like work from the automatic carrying in and out station S3 in the night time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser processing apparatus for irradiating a work with laser light for processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a laser processing apparatus of this type, when two-dimensional processing is performed on a flat work piece, a large number of work pieces are stacked and stocked at one location so that the work piece can be supported by a manipulator or the like. Since it is possible to easily carry in and out between the pallet for pallets and the stock section, and also to easily attach and detach the work to and from the pallet, it is possible to automate the loading and unloading of the work and operate the laser processing device unattended. It is possible.

On the other hand, when a three-dimensional work is to be three-dimensionally processed, it is difficult to stock a large number of three-dimensional works in one place and to carry the work in and out by a manipulator or the like, and a work supporting pallet. Since it is also difficult to attach and detach the work piece to and from the work piece, it is not possible to automate loading and unloading of the work piece, and the laser processing apparatus cannot be operated unattended.

For this reason, conventionally, two-dimensional processing capable of unmanned operation and three-dimensional processing requiring operator intervention have been carried out by separate systems using dedicated laser processing machines.

[0005]

However, such a conventional processing method requires a laser processing machine for each of the above systems, is expensive, and has a low operating rate for each machine. Met.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the problems existing in the above-mentioned conventional techniques, and its purpose is to use, for example, a single laser processing machine, for example, during daytime hours. Can perform three-dimensional machining of three-dimensional workpieces, and at night time, it can automatically carry in and out flat workpieces to perform two-dimensional machining unattended. Another object of the present invention is to provide a laser processing apparatus that can incorporate laser processing of different types such as three-dimensional processing into one system and can be inexpensive and improve the operating rate of the apparatus.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the laser processing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of work stations and works are automatically carried in and out facing one laser processing machine. One automatic loading / unloading station is provided, and a work transfer means is provided between each station and the laser processing machine.

[0008]

[Operation] According to the laser processing apparatus configured as described above, for example, during the daytime, three-dimensional processing can be performed by sequentially loading and unloading a three-dimensional work from a plurality of work stations. In the time zone of, the flat work can be automatically carried in and out from the automatic carry-in / out station, and the two-dimensional processing can be performed unattended. Therefore, one laser processing device can be operated all day and night, and the operating rate of the device can be improved.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a laser processing apparatus embodying the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 14, the laser beam machine 1 is installed in a machine room 2, and a laser head 3 is movably provided in a part of the machine room 2. The laser processing machine 1 is capable of performing laser cutting processing of a three-dimensional work or the like by simultaneous 5-axis control, for example. The processing table 4 is arranged in the vicinity of the laser processing machine 1 so as to be movable in the X direction along a pair of rails 5 covered with a telescopic cover (not shown), and corresponds to the forward end shown by the broken line in FIG. It is moved between the receiving position P1 and the second pallet receiving position P2 corresponding to the reverse end shown by the chain line in the figure.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first work station S1 is provided facing the left side of the first pallet receiving position P1 in the figure, that is, adjacent to each other in the X direction. And the first pallet receiving position P
A pair of rails 6 is laid between the rails 1. The first pallet 7 for supporting the work is arranged so as to be movable along the rails 6, and a worker mounts a three-dimensional work on the first pallet 7 at the first work station S1 and supports the work. In this state, the first pallet 7 is moved to the first pallet receiving position P1 side and placed on the processing table 4 at the first pallet receiving position P1.

The second work station S2 is provided in front of the first pallet receiving position P1 (downward in FIG. 1), that is, adjacent to each other in the Y direction, and the second work station S2 and the first pallet receiving position are provided. A pair of rails 8 is laid between P1 and P1. The second pallet 9 is the rail 8
Is arranged movably along the second work station S
At 2, the operator mounts a three-dimensional work on the second pallet 9, and the second pallet 9 is moved to the first pallet receiving position P1 side in the supporting state of the work, and the first pallet receiving position is reached. It is placed on the processing table 4 at P1.

Then, the first and second pallets 7 and 9 are alternately placed on the processing table 4, and the laser table 3 and the laser head 3 of the laser processing machine 1 are automatically controlled while the laser is being controlled. Laser light is emitted from the head 3 to a three-dimensional work, and the work is three-dimensionally processed. The first and second pallets 7 and 9 for supporting the processed work are again positioned at the first pallet receiving position P1, and from here the original work station S1 or S2.
Be delivered to.

The automatic loading / unloading station S3 is provided facing the right side of the second pallet receiving position P2 in the figure, that is, adjacent to each other in the X direction, and is located between the automatic loading / unloading station S3 and the second pallet receiving position P2. A pair of rails 10 are laid in the. Third pallet 11 is rail 1
No. 3, which is arranged so as to be movable along 0, at the automatic loading / unloading station S3 by a well-known work loading / unloading device 12 as shown in JP-A-1-140940.
A flat plate-like work is automatically carried in and out on the pallet 11, and the third pallet 11 is automatically moved to the second pallet receiving position P2 side in the supporting state of the work, and the second pallet receiving position P2 Is placed on the processing table 4 at.

Then, the third pallet 11 is sequentially moved and placed on the processing table 4, and the processing table 4 and the laser head 3 of the laser processing machine 1 are automatically controlled while a flat plate shape is formed from the laser head 3. The workpiece is irradiated with laser light, and the workpiece is unmanned for two-dimensional processing.
The third pallet 11 that supports the work after processing is automatically positioned again at the second pallet receiving position P2,
From here, it is automatically unloaded to the original automatic loading / unloading station S3. In this way, the workpieces are automatically sequentially replaced on the third pallet 11, and a large number of workpieces are continuously machined unmanned.

Next, the structure of the first pallet 7 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS.
The rollers 5 and 16 are rotatably supported on the lower surface of the first pallet 7, and the rollers 15 and 16 are rolled along the upper surface and the inner side surface of the rail 6 to guide the movement of the first pallet 7. The work support 17 is arranged on the upper surface of the first pallet 7, and the work is detachably attached to the work support 17.

The driving engaging claw 18 is the first pallet 7
Is attached to the lower surface of the left side of the figure via a mounting body 19, and is opened forward (downward in FIG. 3) and downward.
A pair of positioning hole bodies 20 for positioning are attached to the lower surfaces of the front and rear sides of the first pallet 7 in the figure through supports 21, and are opened downward.

Next, the drive structure of the first pallet 7 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9, a pair of sprockets 22 and 23 are provided between the rails 6.
First work station S1 and first pallet receiving position P
The sprocket 22 and 2 are rotatably arranged in
A pair of chain guides 24 are laid between the three.
The chain 25 is hung between the sprockets 22 and 23,
It extends along the chain guide 24.

The motor 26 uses the one sprocket 22.
The motor 26 rotates the chain 25 through one sprocket 22 in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Drive roller 27 is chain 2
5 is rotatably attached to a part of the first pallet 7 and is engaged with and disengageable from the engaging claws 18 of the first pallet 7. That is, the rail 6, rollers 15, 16 and sprockets 22, 2
The work transfer means is constituted by 3, the chain 25, the motor 26 and the like.

Then, with the first pallet 7 placed in the first work station S1, the chain 25 is rotated clockwise, and the drive roller 27 moves around one sprocket 22 and moves rearward in FIG. When driven, the drive roller 27 engages with the engaging claw 18 of the first pallet 7,
With the rotation of the chain 25, the first pallet 7 is moved from the first work station S1 to the first pallet receiving position P1 side. After that, when the drive roller 27 orbits the other sprocket 23 and is moved forward in FIG. 7, the drive roller 27 is disengaged from the engaging claw 18 and the first pallet 7 is removed.
Is placed stationary on the processing table 4 at the first pallet receiving position P1.

On the other hand, with the first pallet 7 placed on the working table 4 at the first pallet receiving position P1, the chain 25 is rotated counterclockwise and the drive roller 27 orbits the other sprocket 23. When the drive roller 27 is moved rearward in FIG. 7, the drive roller 27 engages with the engaging claw 18 of the first pallet 7, and the first pallet 7 moves to the first pallet receiving position P1 as the chain 25 rotates. The work table 4 is moved to the first work station S1 side. Then, when the drive roller 27 goes around one sprocket 22 and is moved forward in FIG. 7, the first pallet 7 moves to the first pallet 7.
Stationary at work station S1.

Next, the movement detection structure of the first pallet 7 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the limit switch 28 is disposed in the vicinity of the one rear side of the sprocket 22 in the figure. ing. The dog 29 is mounted on the chain 25 so as to be positioned at a predetermined distance from the drive roller 27, and is engaged with and disengageable from the limit switch 28.

Then, as shown in FIG.
The first pallet 7 is moved to the processing table 4 at the first pallet receiving position P1 in accordance with the clockwise rotation of
When the drive roller 27 on the chain 25 is disengaged from the engagement pawl 18 of the first pallet 7, the limit switch 28 is operated by engagement with the dog 29, and the rotation of the motor 26 is stopped.

The first and second proximity switches 30 and 31 are arranged in front of the first work station S1 in the figure at a predetermined interval in the moving direction of the first pallet 7.
The dog 32 is attached to the lower front edge of the first pallet 7 and corresponds to the first and second proximity switches 30 and 31 so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the first and second proximity switches 30 and 31.

As is apparent from FIGS. 11 and 12, the first rotation of the chain 25 in the counterclockwise direction causes the first
When the dog 32 closely faces the first proximity switch 30 in the process of moving the pallet 7 from the processing table 4 at the first pallet receiving position P1 to the first work station S1 side, the rotation of the motor 26 changes from high speed to low speed. After that, when the dog 32 closely faces the second proximity switch 31, the rotation of the motor 26 is stopped.

As for the second pallet 9 and the third pallet 11, the construction of the first pallet 7 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and the first pallet constituting the work transfer means shown in FIGS. 7 drive configuration and FIGS.
Since the structure is substantially similar to the movement detection configuration of the first pallet 7 shown in FIG.
A detailed description of 1 will be omitted. The third pallet 1
Unlike the first and second pallets 7 and 9, 1 has a large number of blade pins 11a arranged upright on the upper surface thereof, and a flat plate-shaped work is supported on the blade pins 11a.

Next, the construction of the working table 4 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a pair of sliding contact bodies 34 are provided on the lower surface of the working table 4, and the sliding contact bodies 34 are rails. The sliding contact with the work table 5 guides the movement of the working table 4. The horizontal rails 35 forming a pair in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 13) are laid in parallel in the left-right direction on the processing table 4, and when the processing table 4 is moved to the first pallet receiving position P1, the horizontal rails 35 are arranged. The left end of the horizontal rail 35 is connected to the rail 6 extending from the first work station S1, and when the processing table 4 is moved to the second pallet receiving position P2, the right end of the horizontal rail 35 is connected to the rail 10 extending from the automatic loading / unloading station S3. To be done.

The vertical rails 36 forming a pair on the left and right are laid in parallel in the front-rear direction on the working table 4, and when the working table 4 is moved to the first pallet receiving position P1.
The front end of the vertical rail 36 is connected to the rail 8 extending from the second work station S2. A pair of stoppers 37 are provided at the rear ends of the vertical rails 36, and the stoppers 37 regulate the rear end positions of the second pallets 9 that are moved onto the processing table 4.

The pair of cylinders 38 is the processing table 4 described above.
Locating pins 39 for positioning are provided on the upper right end of the piston rod on the right front edge and the left rear edge of the drawing. Then, when the first pallet 7 or the second pallet 9 is movably placed on the processing table 4 in a state in which the processing table 4 is moved to the first pallet receiving position P1, or the processing table 4 is moved to the first pallet receiving position P1. When the third pallet 11 is moved and placed on the processing table 4 in the state where the pallet is moved to the pallet receiving position P2, the locate pin 39 is projected upward by the operation of the cylinder 38, and the pallet 7, 9, The pallets 7, 9, 11 are positioned and held at predetermined positions on the working table 4 by being engaged with the engaging holes 20 on the lower surface of the pallet 11.

Next, the operation of the laser processing apparatus configured as described above will be described. Now, in the case where three-dimensional processing of a three-dimensional work is performed by the laser processing apparatus in the daytime, for example, the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is performed. That is, in the first work station S1, when a worker mounts a work on the first pallet 7 and then turns on a start switch (not shown), the motor 26 is started and the chain 25 is rotated to move the first pallet 7 to the first pallet 7. It is moved forward from the first work station S1 onto the processing table 4 at the first pallet receiving position P1 (steps ST1 to ST3).

After that, the locate pin 39 is engaged with the engaging hole body 20 by the operation of the cylinder 38, the first pallet 7 is positioned and held on the working table 4, and in this state, the three-dimensional work is performed by the laser processing machine 1. Is subjected to three-dimensional processing (steps ST4 to ST5). When the machining of this work is completed, the locate pin 39 is disengaged from the engagement hole body 20, and the first pallet 7 is released from the positioning and holding state (steps ST6 to ST7).

Further, when the motor 26 is started, the chain 2
5 is rotated in the reverse direction so that the first pallet 7 moves from the processing table 4 at the first pallet receiving position P1 to the first work station S.
It is moved backward to 1 (step ST8). Then, at the first work station S1, the operator makes a first
The processed work is removed from the pallet 7 (step ST9).

On the other hand, the first pallet 7 is moved forward from the first work station S1 onto the working table 4,
While the work on the work table 4 is being processed, the worker mounts the work on the second pallet 9 in the second work station S2, and then turns on a start switch (not shown) (step ST10-ST1
1). Then, after the first pallet 7 is moved backward from the processing table 4 to the first work station S1,
The second pallet 9 is moved forward from the second work station S2 onto the processing table 4 (step ST12).

After that, as in the operation on the first pallet 7 side in steps ST4 to ST9, the second pallet 9 is
Also on the side, the operations of positioning the pallet 9 by the locate pin 39, processing the work, positioning and releasing the pallet 9 by releasing the locate pin 39, moving the pallet 9 backward, and removing the work are performed (step ST1).
3 to ST18). Then, the operations of steps ST1 to ST9 on the side of the first pallet 7 and the operations of steps ST10 to ST18 on the side of the second pallet 9 are alternately performed to continuously perform three-dimensional processing of a three-dimensional work. Be seen.

Next, when the two-dimensional processing of a flat plate-shaped work is performed unmanned by this laser processing apparatus, for example, at night time, the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16 is performed. That is, the automatic loading / unloading station S3
In, the work is automatically carried in from the work carrying-in device 12 onto the third pallet 11 and clamped, and thereafter,
When the automatic start signal is input, the third pallet 11 is moved from the automatic loading / unloading station S3 to the second pallet receiving position P2.
Is moved forward on the machining table 4 (step ST1
9-ST22).

Further, step S in FIG. 15 described above.
Similar to the operations of T4 to ST7, also in the third pallet 11, the operations of positioning the pallet 11 by the locate pin 39, processing the work, and positioning and releasing the pallet 11 by removing the locate pin 39 are performed (steps ST23 to ST26). ). After that, the third pallet 11 is moved backward from the processing table 4 at the second pallet receiving position P2 to the automatic loading / unloading station S3, and in this state, the work loading / unloading device 12 releases and clamps the processed workpiece. It is confirmed that the unloading of the work is completed (steps ST27 to ST30). Then, by repeating the operations of steps ST19 to ST30, a large number of flat plate-shaped works are continuously two-dimensionally processed unmanned.

Therefore, according to the laser processing apparatus of this embodiment, for example, during the daytime, the worker intervenes to form a three-dimensional work on the first and second work stations S1 and S2.
3D machining can be performed by alternately carrying in and out of the machine, and during the nighttime, the flat work can be automatically carried in and out from the automatic carry-in / carry-out station S3 to perform two-dimensional machining unattended. Therefore, one laser processing device can be operated all day and night, and the operating rate of the device can be improved. In addition, it is not necessary to perform different types of laser processing, two-dimensional processing and three-dimensional processing, in separate systems using dedicated laser processing machines, and using one laser processing machine in one system. Therefore, the cost of the device can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. For example, a third work station may be provided in addition to the two work stations S1 and S2, or each work station may be the same. It is possible to install the pallets on each work station selectively into the laser processing machine via the work transfer means by arranging them in parallel with each other in the first place.
-The configuration of each part may be arbitrarily changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as the configuration of the third pallets 7, 9, 11 and the drive configuration of each pallet, etc. being appropriately changed and embodied. It is also possible to materialize.

[0039]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, one laser processing machine can perform three-dimensional processing of a three-dimensional work in the daytime, for example. During the nighttime hours, flat-shaped workpieces can be automatically loaded and unloaded, and two-dimensional machining can be performed unattended.
It has an excellent effect that it is inexpensive and the operating rate of the apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a laser processing apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the laser processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view showing an enlarged first pallet.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the first pallet in a further enlarged manner.

5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a drive configuration of a first pallet.

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing an enlarged part of the drive configuration.

9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a movement detection configuration of a first pallet.

FIG. 11 is a partial front view of the movement detection configuration.

12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view showing a processing table.

FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the processing table.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation when a work is carried in and out by a first pallet and a second pallet to perform processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation when a work is carried in and out by a third pallet to perform processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 laser processing machine, 4 processing tables, 6, 8, 10
Rails constituting work transfer means, 7 first pallet,
9 2nd pallet, 11 3rd pallet, 15, 16
Rollers constituting work transfer means, 22 and 23 Sprocket constituting work transfer means, 25 Chains constituting work transfer means, 26 Motors constituting work transfer means, S1 first work station, S2 second work station, S3 Automatic loading / unloading station.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of work stations and one automatic loading / unloading station for automatically loading and unloading workpieces are provided so as to face one laser processing machine, and a work transfer means is provided between each station and the laser processing machine. A laser processing apparatus comprising: