JPH0740066A - Laser beam machining system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To dispense with the manufacturing of excessive products for the unmachined parts by executing the laser beam machining to a part of unmachined works to manufacture the products of the required quantity, and storing the partially-machined works having the unmachined parts in a second work stocker. CONSTITUTION:A laser beam machining system is provided with a laser beam machine 1 to execute the laser beam machining to a work, a first work stocker 3 to feed a new work to the laser beam machine, and a second work stocker 18 to store a partially machined work where the laser beam machining is partly executed by the laser beam machine 1 and the rest is left unmachined. The partially machined works stored in the second work stocker 18 are again fed on a work table 8 of the laser beam machine 1 through a carrying means as necessary, and the laser beam machining is executed to the unmachined part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser processing system, and more particularly to a laser processing system provided with a laser processing machine and a work stocker for accommodating a workpiece to be processed by the laser processing machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a laser processing system, a laser processing machine for performing laser processing on an object to be processed, a work stocker having a plurality of accommodating parts and capable of accommodating the object to be processed in each accommodating part, and the above-mentioned works. There is known one provided with a transporting means for delivering the above-mentioned object to be processed between each housing portion of the stocker and the laser processing machine (JP-A-4-351235). According to the laser processing system, if the workpieces having different thicknesses and dimensions are stored in advance in the respective storage portions of the work stocker, the workpieces can be processed immediately when any one of them becomes necessary. Items can be supplied from the work stocker to the laser processing machine.

However, in the conventional laser processing system, it is premised that all the workpieces supplied from the work stocker to the laser processing machine are laser-processed, and the laser processing is partially performed. It was not considered to store the partially processed workpieces in the work stocker. As a result, for example, when 100 parts can be manufactured from a workpiece, but only 70 parts are required, 10 parts from the workpiece can be produced.
Since 0 parts are manufactured and the remaining 30 parts are stocked, it is inevitable that the management of the remaining parts becomes complicated when there are various kinds of parts. In view of such circumstances, the present invention allows a partially processed workpiece, which is laser-processed on a part of the workpiece supplied from the work stocker to the laser processing machine, to be housed in the housing part of the work stocker. It is the one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION That is, the present invention has a laser processing machine for performing laser processing on an object to be processed, and a plurality of accommodating portions, each of which is partially processed by laser machining. A work stocker capable of accommodating a workpiece, a conveying means for delivering the partially processed workpiece between each accommodation portion of the work stocker and a laser processing machine, and the laser processing machine, work stocker and conveying means And a control device for storing the partially processed workpiece processed by the laser processing machine in the accommodation portion of the work stocker and supplying the partially processed workpiece accommodated in the accommodation portion to the laser processing machine. The laser processing system according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a storage unit that stores an unprocessed portion of the partially processed workpiece and a storage unit that stores the partially processed workpiece. It is intended to provide.

According to the above construction, the partially processed workpiece, which is partially laser-processed by the laser processing machine and the remaining part is the unprocessed part, is transferred to each accommodation part of the work stocker by the conveying means. Will be housed. At this time, the control device stores the unprocessed portion of the partially processed workpiece and the storage portion that stores the partially processed workpiece in the storage unit. When the above-mentioned partially machined workpiece is required, it is transferred from each accommodation section of the work stocker to the laser beam machine by the above-mentioned conveying means, and the partially machined workpiece is not machined. Laser processing can be applied to the portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments. In FIG. 1, a first work stocker 3 for accommodating a large number of types of plate-shaped workpieces 2 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the right side of a laser processing machine 1. It is provided. The first work stocker 3 is provided for the purpose of supplying a new workpiece 2 to the laser processing machine 1, and a partially processed workpiece whose part is laser-processed and the rest is an unprocessed part. It is not intended to contain a work piece. Inside the first work stocker 3, as shown in FIG.
b, 4c to 4n are formed, a roller conveyor 5 as a conveying means is provided in each of the accommodating units, and the workpieces 2 are placed on the roller conveyors 5 respectively. It can be accommodated in the first work stocker 3. Each of the roller conveyors 5 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the workpiece 2 is conveyed, and a large number of rollers 5a are arranged in parallel at regular intervals. A chain (not shown) that interlocks the rollers 5a is provided, and the workpieces 2 on the rollers 5a can be conveyed by rotating the rollers 5a all at once in the same direction. A lifter 6 is provided below the first work stocker 3, and the lifter 6 can move the first work stocker 3 up and down. The lifter 6 is controlled by a control device 7 (FIG. 1) including a computer. When the lifter 6 positions the first work stocker 3 at the lower end, the inside of the first work stocker 3 is moved. The uppermost roller conveyor 5 has the same height as the work table 8 of the laser processing machine 1, and the lifter 6 makes the first
When the work stocker 3 is located at the rising end, the lowermost roller conveyor 5 in the first work stocker 3 is set to have the same height as the work table 8.
Then, by appropriately controlling the height of the first work stocker 3 by the lifter 6, the storage portions 4a, 4b, 4
Each of the roller conveyors 5 provided in c to 4n can be made to match the height of the work table 8. Each of the roller conveyors 5 can be independently driven by a driving means (not shown). As the driving means, a separate motor provided in the first work stocker 3 and interlocked with each roller conveyor 5 is used. Alternatively, each roller conveyor 5 may be linked to one motor via an electromagnetic clutch. The drive means is also controlled by the control device 7, whereby each roller conveyor 5 can be driven independently. As shown in Figure 1,
The laser beam machine 1 is reciprocally moved in the same X direction as the conveyance direction of the workpiece 2 by the roller conveyor 5, and the work table 8 is moved in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction (not shown). A laser nozzle is provided, and the work table 8 and the laser nozzle are arranged in the XY direction.
By moving in the direction, the workpiece 2 on the work table 8 can be laser-processed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the work table 8 is provided by connecting two parallel endless chains 10 which are hung horizontally on the sprocket 9 and horizontally arranged between the chains 10. It is provided with a large number of prismatic block members 11 and a plurality of needle-shaped support members 12 that are planted in close proximity to each other, and the workpiece 2 is placed on the needle-shaped support members 12. In this state, the workpiece 2 can be conveyed in the X direction. At this time, the needle-shaped support member 12
By providing a large number of adjacent to each other, the workpiece 2 supported on the needle-shaped support member 12 is subjected to laser processing, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a round disc-shaped product 2a is obtained. When cut out, the product 2a does not drop downward from the work table 8 and can be conveyed by the work table 8 while being integrated with the outer portion of the product 2a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a transfer plate 14 fixed to the frame 13 is provided between the first work stocker 3 and the work table 8.
A notch 14a is formed at the end of the work table 4 on the work table 8 side so that the needle-shaped support member 12 can pass therethrough. In FIG. 1, a plurality of stopper pins 15 are provided on the left frame of the work table 8 so as to be movable up and down. When the stopper pins 15 are lifted, they are conveyed to the left by the work table 8. The workpiece 2 is brought into contact with each stopper pin 15 so that the movement thereof can be stopped. Further, when the stopper pins 15 are lowered, the workpiece 2 can be passed over the stopper pins 15. Further, the clamp unit 16 is provided on one side of the work table 8 in the carrying direction, and the work table 8
A width-shifting unit 17 is provided on the frame on the other side in the transport direction. Although not shown, the clamp unit 16 is attached to an endless chain suspended in parallel with the endless chain 10 of the work table 8, and the clamp unit 16 is operated independently of the work table 8 by the operation of the endless chain, or It can be moved in the X direction integrally. The width-shifting unit 17 presses and moves the workpiece 2 on the work table 8 in the Y direction. The clamp unit 16 is previously positioned at a predetermined origin position, and the workpiece table 8 is moved to move the workpiece. In a state where the workpiece 2 is in contact with the stopper pin 15, the workpiece 2 is pressed and moved to the clamp unit 16 side by the width adjusting unit 17 so that the workpiece is held by the clamp unit 16. 8 can be positioned at a predetermined origin position. Further, in FIG. 1, a second work stocker 18 is provided on the left side of the laser processing machine 1, and by this second work stocker 18, as shown in FIG. It is made possible to accommodate the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ that has been manufactured and has the remaining unprocessed portion 2 b. As shown in FIG. 5, the inside of the second work stocker 18 is also divided into a large number of compartments 19a, 19b, 19c to 19 which are divided into upper and lower parts as in the first work stocker 3.
n is formed, a flat belt conveyor 20 as a conveying means is provided in each of the accommodating units, and the partially processed workpieces 2 ′ are placed on the flat belt conveyors 20 and partially processed. Workpiece 2'is set to the second work stocker 1
It can be accommodated in 8. In the second work stocker 18, unlike the first work stocker 3, the flat belt conveyor 20 is used instead of the roller conveyor 5 because the partially processed workpiece 2'is cut out from the product 2a. This is to prevent the product 2a from dropping, and when the workpiece is laser-processed, for example, an elongated needle-like portion remains on the workpiece depending on the cutting shape. This is also for the purpose of preventing such a needle-shaped portion from being caught by the frame or the conveying means and making it impossible to convey or store the workpiece. Instead of the flat belt conveyor 20, a conveyor having the same structure as the work table 8 can be used. A lifter 21 is provided below the second work stocker 18, and the lifter 21 is controlled by the control device 7 similarly to the lifter 6 of the first work stocker 3, whereby the height of the second work stocker 18 is adjusted. By appropriately controlling, the storage portions 19a, 19b, 19
Each of the flat belt conveyors 20 provided in c to 19n can be matched with the height of the work table 8. The flat belt conveyors 20 are independently driven by driving means (not shown), and the driving means are also controlled by the control device 7. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a transfer plate 22 having the same structure as the transfer plate 14 is provided between the second work stocker 18 and the work table 8. Further, in FIG. 1, on the left side of the second work stocker 18, the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ to the product 2 a
A product take-out station 23 for taking out the product is provided. The product take-out station 23 is provided with a flat belt conveyor 24 which is arranged at the same height as the work table 8 of the laser processing machine 1 and can run in both forward and reverse directions. The product 2a can be taken out from the partially processed workpiece 2'on the flat belt conveyor 24. It goes without saying that the transfer plate 25 is also provided between the product unloading station 23 and the second work stocker 18. In the above configuration, first, a plurality of new types of workpieces 2 are stored in the first work stocker 3 in advance. The data of the size, plate thickness, material, etc. of each of the workpieces 2 accommodated in the first work stocker 3 is stored in the accommodating portions 4a, 4a in which the workpieces 2 are accommodated.
The data b, 4c to 4n are input to the control device 7 and are stored in the first storage unit 7a (FIG. 1) of the control device 7. When performing laser processing on the workpiece 2, which workpiece among the workpieces stored in the first work stocker 3 is used with reference to the data in the first storage unit 7a Is input to the control device 7. Thus, the control device 7 controls the lifter 4 to move the roller conveyor 5 in the housing portion 4b to the laser processing machine 1 when the workpiece 2 housed in the housing portion 4b is used, for example. The work table 8 has the same height as that of the work table 8. Then, the roller conveyor 5 and the work table 8 are operated to transfer the workpiece 2 on the roller conveyor 5 onto the work table 8. At this time, the stopper pin 15 is located at the rising end position, and the clamp unit 16 is located at the origin position.
When the sensor (not shown) detects that the workpiece 2 delivered on the work table 8 contacts the stopper pin 15, the operation of the roller conveyor 5 and the work table 8 is stopped. In this state, the width-shifting unit 17 pushes the workpiece 2 toward the clamp unit 16 side and the clamp unit 16 grips the workpiece 2, whereby the workpiece 2 is placed at a predetermined origin on the work table 8. Will be positioned in position. After that, the stopper pin 15 is lowered to the lower end position. After that, an instruction as to what laser processing is to be performed on the workpiece 2 on the work table 8 is input to the control device 7. For example, an instruction to perform laser processing as shown in FIG. 6 is input, whereby the work table 8 and the clamp unit 16 are integrally moved, and the workpiece 2 is moved in the X direction. Further, at this time, if the unprocessed portion 2b is produced after the laser processing, it is instructed to store the partially processed workpiece 2'in the second work stocker 18. Since the input of the instruction to perform the laser processing as shown in FIG. 6 can be performed in the same manner as in a conventionally known laser processing machine, detailed description thereof will be omitted. When the laser processing shown in FIG. 6 is completed by the control device 7 controlling the laser processing machine 1, the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ for which the laser processing is completed is automatically or according to the instruction of the operator. The second work stocker 18 is conveyed to the product unloading station 23 through the empty storage portion. More specifically, first, the gripping of the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ by the clamp unit 16 is released, and then the lifter 21 is controlled to, for example, the flat belt conveyor 20 in the empty storage portion 19 b of the second work stocker 18. Becomes the same height as the work table 8 of the laser processing machine 1. Then, in this state, the work table 8, the flat belt conveyor 20 of the second work stocker 18 and the flat belt conveyor 24 of the product take-out station 23 are operated, and the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ on the work table 8 is It passes through the flat belt conveyor 20 of the second work stocker 18 and is supplied onto the flat belt conveyor 24 of the product unloading station 23. When the sensor (not shown) detects that the partially processed workpiece 2'is supplied to the product unloading station 23, the operation of the work table 8 and the flat belt conveyors 20 and 24 is stopped, whereby the worker or the robot is stopped. Can remove the product 2a from the partially processed workpiece 2 '. When the removal of the product 2a is completed in this way, the control device 7 automatically sets the empty storage portion of the second work stocker 18, for example, the storage portion 19b, in response to an instruction from the operator to the control device 7. Select and control the lifter 21 to control the container 19
The flat belt conveyor 20 of b is the product take-out station 2
The height is the same as that of the flat belt conveyor 24 of No. 3. In this state, the control device 7 causes the flat belt conveyors 24
And 20 are operated to supply the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ on the flat belt conveyor 24 onto the flat belt conveyor 20 of the second work stocker 18. When the sensor (not shown) detects that the partially processed workpiece 2'is on the flat belt conveyor 20, the operation of the flat belt conveyors 24 and 20 is stopped. At the same time, in the second storage section 7b (FIG. 1) of the control device 7, the size, the plate thickness of the unprocessed portion 2b of the partially processed workpiece 2'contained in the second work stocker 18, Data such as material, and accommodating portions 19a, 19b, 1 accommodating the partially processed workpiece 2 '.
Data 9c to 19n are stored. After that, when performing laser processing on the other workpieces 2 accommodated in the first work stocker 3, the above-described work is repeated.
On the other hand, when performing laser processing on the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ accommodated in the second work stocker 18,
While referring to the data in the storage unit 7b, the control device 7 is input with which of the partially processed workpieces 2'stored in the second work stocker 18 is to be used. To be done. Accordingly, the control device 7 controls the lifter 21 to control the lifter 21 when, for example, the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ housed in the housing 19 b is used.
The flat belt conveyor 20 in b is set at the same height as the work table 8 of the laser beam machine 1, and then the flat belt conveyor 20 and the work table 8 are operated to partially work the workpiece on the flat belt conveyor 20. 2'is transferred to the work table 8. At this time, the stopper pin 15 is located at the lower end position, and the clamp unit 16 is located at the origin position, so that the partially machined work piece 2 ′ is in the stopper pin 1.
When it is detected by a sensor (not shown) that the work table 8 has passed over 5 and is delivered to the work table 8, the operation of the flat belt conveyor 20 is stopped, the traveling direction of the work table 8 is reversed, and The stopper pin 15 is raised to the rising end. After that, when the traveling direction of the work table 8 is reversed and the partially machined workpiece 2'abuts on the stopper pin 15, the operation thereof is stopped. In this state, the width adjusting unit 1
7 presses and moves the partially machined workpiece 2'to the clamp unit 16 side so that the clamp unit 16 grips the partially machined workpiece 2 ', whereby the partially machined workpiece 2'is at a predetermined origin position on the work table 8. Will be positioned. After that, the stopper pin 15 is lowered to the lower end position. At this time, if the above-described positioning work cannot be performed due to the shape of the partially processed workpiece 2 ′, the partially processed workpiece from the second work stocker 18 is operated by operating the flat belt conveyor 20 and the work table 8. After loading the work piece 2 ′ onto the work table 8,
The partially processed workpiece 2 ′ may be manually positioned at a predetermined origin position on the work table 8. After this,
An instruction as to what laser processing is to be performed on the unprocessed portion 2b of the partially processed workpiece 2'is input to the control device 7. At this time, in the case where an unprocessed portion occurs again after laser processing, it is instructed to store the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ in the second work stocker 18. Then, when the laser processing is completed for the unprocessed portion 2b of the partially processed workpiece 2'by controlling the laser processing machine 1 by the controller 7, the partial processing for which the laser processing is completed is performed in the same manner as described above. The processed work piece 2'passes through the empty storage portion of the second work stocker 18 and is conveyed to the product unloading station 23, where the product is taken out from the partially processed work piece 2 '. After this,
When it is necessary to store the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ again in the second work stocker 18, the partially processed workpiece 2 ′ is stored in the second work stocker 18 in the same manner as described above. Housed in. Although the first work stocker 3 is provided in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is possible to omit the first work stocker 3 and store a new work piece together with the partially processed work piece 2'in the second work stocker 18. Good. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the laser processing machine 1, the work stockers 3 and 18, the roller conveyor 5, the flat belt conveyor 20 and the like are controlled by one controller 7, but the invention is not limited to this. The control device 7 may be composed of a plurality of control devices for controlling the laser processing machine 1 and the work stockers 3 and 18, respectively.

As described above, in the present invention, since the work stocker capable of accommodating the partially processed work is provided, it is not necessary to perform laser processing on the entire area of the work. Therefore, since it is possible to manufacture a required amount of products by performing laser processing on a part of the workpiece, it is possible to obtain an effect that it is not necessary to manufacture an extra product.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional front view of a first work stocker 3 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG.

5 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the second work stocker 18 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a partially processed workpiece 2 '.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Laser processing machine 2 ... Work piece 2a ... Product 2b ... Unprocessed part 2 '... Partially processed work piece 3 ... 1st work stocker 7 ... Control device 7a ... 1st memory | storage part 7b ... 2nd memory | storage part 8 ... Work table 14, 22, 25 ... Handing board 18 ... Second work stocker

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A laser processing machine for performing laser processing on a workpiece, and a work stocker having a plurality of housings, each of which is capable of housing a partially machined workpiece that has undergone laser processing. And a conveyance means for delivering the partially processed workpiece between each accommodation section of the work stocker and the laser processing machine, and controlling the laser processing machine, the work stocker and the conveyance means, and processing with the laser processing machine. The partially processed workpiece is stored in the storage portion of the work stocker, and a control device that supplies the partially processed workpiece stored in the storage portion to the laser processing machine, the control device, A laser processing system comprising: a storage unit that stores an unprocessed portion of the partially processed workpiece and a storage unit that stores the partially processed workpiece.