CN112533727A

CN112533727A - Laser nozzle, nozzle holder, nozzle coupling member, and machine tool

Info

Publication number: CN112533727A
Application number: CN201980049254.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迈巴赫·海因茨
Original assignee: Byson Laser Co ltd
Current assignee: Byson Laser Co ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-26
Filing date: 2019-07-25
Publication date: 2021-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-25
Also published as: CN112533727B; DE102018118076A1; WO2020020483A1

Abstract

A laser nozzle (100), a nozzle holder (200), a nozzle coupling (300), and a machine tool (500). The invention relates to a laser nozzle (100) configured for a laser processing machine, having an outer contour (104, 110) configured for insertion into an inner contour (204) of a nozzle holder (200), wherein the outer contour (104, 110) has a tapered region (110) and a locking groove (112) configured for force-fitting engagement with a locking bolt (202) of the nozzle holder (200).

Description

Laser nozzle, nozzle holder, nozzle coupling member, and machine tool

Technical Field

The invention relates to a laser nozzle, a nozzle holder, a nozzle coupling, and a machine tool.

In particular, the invention relates to a laser nozzle according to claim 1, a nozzle holder according to claim 6, a nozzle coupling according to claim 11 and a machine tool according to claim 16.

Background

Machine tools are used to manufacture and machine workpieces using tools. Here, for example, a laser processing machine, in particular a laser cutting machine, is considered as a machine tool. Furthermore, laser processing machines can also be used for engraving, structuring, welding, heat treatment and, for example, surface layer hardening and coating, as well as for volume building processes such as rapid prototyping or selective sintering.

In a laser processing machine, a laser nozzle for guiding a laser beam is provided on a workpiece. The laser nozzle can be replaced and is therefore attached to the machine tool via the nozzle holder. The laser nozzle and the nozzle holder form a nozzle link.

For laser processing machines, precise alignment of the laser nozzle or nozzle coupling is important for good and reproducible processing quality. In some cases, in particular in the case of laser nozzles having a small beam outlet opening, a stable connection between the laser nozzle and the nozzle holder during the cutting process is sometimes not ensured. Due to internal disturbances such as pulsed cutting gas pressure or thermal-mechanical interaction on the sealing rings and external disturbances such as cleaning operations, mechanical shocks or vibrations on the laser nozzle, the laser nozzle may become off-centered with respect to the laser beam axis, thus leading to unsatisfactory cutting results or even to cracks in the beam.

EP 2110198 a2 discloses a nozzle coupling for a laser processing machine, which has a locking bolt which engages in a groove and has a sealing ring.

US 6025571 discloses a nozzle coupling with a threaded connection.

Jp h 0452092A discloses a nozzle which is resiliently mounted in order to limit damage in the event of a collision.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved laser nozzle. Alternative objects include providing an improved nozzle holder, an improved nozzle coupling or an improved machine tool.

This object is achieved by a laser nozzle according to claim 1, a nozzle holder according to claim 6, a nozzle coupling according to claim 11 and a machine tool according to claim 16.

The laser nozzle according to the invention, which is configured for a laser machining machine, comprises an outer contour which is configured for insertion into an inner contour of the nozzle holder, wherein the outer contour has a tapered region and a locking groove which is configured for force-fitting engagement with a locking bolt of the nozzle holder.

The laser nozzle according to the invention has the advantage of improved processing stability through a low-play fit of the nozzle, which is achieved by the combination of the conical region and the force-fitting locking groove. In addition, better centering accuracy is realized. Furthermore, the proposed solution is cost-effective.

It can be provided that the outer contour, in particular the conical region and the locking groove, is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the nozzle axis. This simplifies the manufacture and facilitates the insertion or introduction of the laser nozzle into the holder. The locking groove may thus be an annular groove. A plurality of grooves or recesses distributed over the circumference of the outer contour may also be provided. Then, for example, a bolt may be provided as a locking element for each groove or recess.

It can also be provided that the conical region is arranged in front of the locking recess in the insertion direction of the laser nozzle. In this way, the tapered region can be easily and reliably positioned in the fixture. The locking groove may be directly adjacent to the tapered region or may be formed in the tapered region.

It may be provided that the locking recess has a front contact surface in the insertion direction of the laser nozzle, which is a contact surface for the locking bolt. This optimizes the force-fit connection between the locking groove or the laser nozzle and the locking bolt or the nozzle holder. Due to the defined contact of the locking bolt with the surface, the pressure force can be set accurately and reproducibly.

It can also be provided that the front contact surface of the locking groove is inclined at an angle of 25 ° to 35 °, in particular 28 ° to 32 °, with respect to the nozzle axis. By this angle, a particularly good force-fitting connection can be achieved.

The nozzle holder according to the invention, which is designed for a laser machining machine and has an inner contour designed for receiving a laser nozzle, is provided with an inner contour having a conical region and at least one locking bolt guided in a bolt guide, which is designed for a force-fitting engagement in a locking groove of the laser nozzle. The same advantages and modifications apply as described above.

It can also be provided that the at least one locking bolt is prestressed radially inward by means of at least one spring. A spring may be provided which preferably acts on all locking bolts counter to the insertion direction. The pretensioning in the direction of the locking groove by means of the spring allows a simple and reliable attachment mechanism to be realized.

It may be provided that the spring force of the at least one spring is formed perpendicular to the insertion direction of the nozzle holder. In this way one or preferably a plurality of springs, most preferably one spring per locking bolt, may be provided. The spring force acting perpendicular to the insertion direction, i.e. in the radial direction, or the alignment of the spring, allows a direct force action precisely in the direction of movement of the locking bolt. The flow of force can be simplified.

It can also be provided that the at least one locking bolt is prestressed radially inward by means of at least one elastomer element. The elastic element, for example in the form of a ring, can reliably pretension the locking bolt or the locking bolts in the direction of the locking groove by means of a simple construction.

It can be provided that the bolt guide is inclined at an angle of 45 ° to 50 °, in particular 47 °, to the axis of the nozzle holder. By this angle, a particularly good force-fitting connection can be achieved.

The nozzle coupling for a laser processing machine according to the invention comprises a laser nozzle as described above and a nozzle holder as described above. The nozzle coupling according to the invention proposes a targeted, paired interaction between the outer geometry of the cutting nozzle and the inner geometry of the nozzle holder in combination with a locking mechanism in order to ensure a stable connection between the cutting nozzle and the nozzle holder during the cutting process. The same advantages and modifications apply as described above.

It may be provided that the tapered region and the locking groove are designed such that when the laser nozzle is inserted and locked, the two tapered regions engage. By this engagement, the nozzle is easily and reliably fixed, so that good machining quality is ensured.

It may also be provided that the two tapered regions form a seal when the laser nozzle is inserted and locked. This saves on sealing rings and thus simplifies the design of the coupling. By eliminating the elastic element, i.e. the sealing ring, a centering with low play and more stable machining can be achieved. Furthermore, reliability is improved since the nozzle no longer adheres to the sealing ring during spraying. The tapered surface preferably has a low roughness so that sealing is ensured. The roughness may be compatible with the fluid used, such as the cutting gas.

It may be provided that the tapered regions and the locking grooves are formed such that, upon introduction of the laser nozzle into the nozzle holder, the at least one locking bolt can first be moved away from the outer contour and then into the locking groove, and the locking bolt positioned in the locking groove presses the two tapered regions together. Thus, the laser nozzle may be moved for insertion by a force in the insertion direction or moved for removal by a force opposite to the insertion direction. The locking takes place automatically, i.e. without further active actuation.

It may also be provided that a front region of the bolt guide in the insertion direction locks with a front contact surface of the locking groove when the laser nozzle is inserted and locked to form a difference angle of 15 ° to 25 °. A differential angle is formed between the region and the contact surface or between the two angles a and b. By means of this angle or these two angles, a particularly good force-fitting connection can be achieved.

A machine tool according to the invention, in particular a laser machining machine with a laser for machining a workpiece, provides for providing at least one nozzle coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle coupling has a laser nozzle configured for passing a laser beam. The same advantages and modifications apply as described above. During operation of the laser processing machine, the nozzle connection allows stable beam guidance and thus good cutting results. The nozzle coupling allows for a quick and reliable replacement of the nozzle when the laser processing machine is set up.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the further features mentioned in the dependent claims.

The embodiments of the invention mentioned in the present application can advantageously be combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in individual cases.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in exemplary embodiments below with reference to the drawings. The figures show:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a laser nozzle;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle holder;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle link including a laser nozzle and a nozzle holder;

FIG. 4 is a detailed representation of the force-fit connection of FIG. 3 with respect to the nozzle coupling; and

fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the machine tool.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a laser nozzle 100. The laser nozzle 100 here has a circular or oval cross section, however in principle other cross sections such as a square tubular cross section are also possible. The laser nozzle 100 is also rotationally symmetric about the central axis a.

The laser nozzle 100 has a body 102 with an outer contour 104 and an interior space 106. The interior space 106 terminates with a nozzle opening 108 in the direction of the workpiece. A laser beam and an optional fluid such as a cutting gas are directed through the interior space 106 and the nozzle opening 108.

For receiving and attaching the laser nozzle 100 in the nozzle holder, a tapered region 110 and a locking groove 112 are arranged on the outer contour 104. Ideally, the tapered region 110 and the locking groove 112 are part of the outer profile 104, i.e. are formed directly in the outer profile 104. The laser nozzle 100 may be introduced into the nozzle holder in an insertion direction E extending parallel to the central axis a. The insertion direction E extends opposite to the beam guidance direction in the laser nozzle 100.

The conical region 110 is arranged at the front in the insertion direction E, that is to say at the end 114 of the laser nozzle 100 remote from the workpiece. In the representation of fig. 1, the tapered region 110 is arranged at the top. The locking groove 112 is arranged further back in the insertion direction E than the conical region 110. In other words, the locking groove 112 is arranged between the tapered region 110 and the nozzle opening 108. In this example, both the tapered region 110 and the locking groove 112 are circumferential and rotationally symmetric.

The tapered region 110 extends to a second end 114 of the laser nozzle 100 and tapers in that direction. Tapering means that the diameter of the tapered region 110 at the second end 114 is smaller than the diameter in the region behind the second end 114.

The locking groove 112 has a contact surface 116 in the direction of the second end 114, whereby the locking groove 112 or the contact surface 116 is configured for a force-fitting engagement with a locking bolt of a nozzle holder or of a machine tool. The contact surface 116 of the locking groove 112 is inclined at an angle a of 25 ° to 35 °, in particular 28 ° to 32 °, here 30 °, with respect to the nozzle axis a. With this structure, the locking bolt acting on the contact surface 116 can press the laser nozzle 100 together with the tapered region 110 of the laser nozzle 100 into the nozzle holder and fix the laser nozzle 100 at the nozzle holder.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle holder 200, the nozzle holder 200 configured to receive the laser nozzle 100 shown in FIG. 1. The nozzle holder 200 has a body 202, the body 202 having an internal profile 204. The inner contour 204 at least partially forms a boundary of the inner space 206. The interior space 206 is used to receive the laser nozzle 100 and possibly for passage of the laser beam and optional cutting gas. At the end facing the workpiece or at the front in the insertion direction E, the interior space opens into the collar 208 in order to facilitate the reception of the laser nozzle 100.

A tapered region 210 is formed in the inner profile 204 or as part of the inner profile 204. The tapered region 210 is formed to be complementary to the tapered region 110 of the laser nozzle 100. In front of the conical region 110 in the insertion direction E, a plurality of locking bolts 212 are arranged, of which one locking bolt 212 is shown here by way of example. The locking bolt 212 is a movably mounted cylindrical bolt. These locking bolts 212 are movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position shown here, at least a portion of locking bolt 212 protrudes beyond inner profile 204 into interior space 206. In this locked position, the locking bolt 212 retains the nozzle 100 in the nozzle holder 200. In the unlocked position, the locking bolt 212 is positioned within the body 202 and, therefore, does not protrude beyond the inner profile 204 into the interior space 206.

On the outside of the nozzle holder 200, a sleeve 214 is arranged, which sleeve 214 can be engaged with the locking bolt 212. Furthermore, the locking bolt 212 is urged in the direction of the locking position by a spring 216. The intermediate member 218 may provide uniform force transfer between the spring 216 and the locking bolt 212.

One or more locking bolts 212 are arranged in the bolt guide 220, from which bolt guide 220 the locking bolt 212 may partially penetrate into the locking groove of the laser nozzle. The bolt guide 220 is inclined at an angle b relative to the axis a' of the nozzle holder 200. The angle b is 45 ° to 50 °, preferably 47 °.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle link 300 including a laser nozzle 100 and a nozzle holder 200. In fig. 3, the nozzle link 300 is shown in a coupled state, that is to say the laser nozzle 100 is fixed in the nozzle holder 200.

The

tapered regions

110 and 210 and the locking groove 112 and the locking bolt 212 are designed such that when the laser nozzle 100 is inserted into the nozzle holder 200, the at least one locking bolt 212 can first move away from the outer contour 104 and then into the locking groove 112. In the locked position, the locking bolt 212, which is partially positioned in the locking groove 112, urges the two

conical regions

110, 210 against each other, preferably in a sealing manner. In this case, the locking bolt 212 is only in contact with the contact surface 116 in a force-fitting manner.

To remove the laser nozzle 100 from the nozzle holder 200, the sleeve 214 is pushed upward, thereby relaxing the spring 216. Then, the laser nozzle 100 may be removed by pulling opposite to the insertion direction E.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the following regions of the nozzle coupling: in this region, the locking bolt engages in the locking recess. The angular relationship between the bolt guide 220 and the front contact surface 116 of the locking groove will be described with reference to fig. 4.

The front region of the bolt guide 220 in the insertion direction E locks with the front contact surface 116 of the locking groove 112 to form a differential angle d when the laser nozzle 100 is inserted and locked. The difference angle d may be calculated as the difference of angle b minus angle a. The angle b is 45 ° to 50 °, preferably 47 °. The angle a is 25 ° to 35 °, in particular 28 ° to 32 °, here 30 °. Therefore, the difference angle d is 15 ° to 25 °, preferably 17 °.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a machine tool 500, such as a laser machining machine, in particular a laser cutting machine with a laser cutting head 502. The laser cutting head 502 includes a nozzle coupling 300. Laser cutting head 502 is arranged on a movable bridge 504 such that laser cutting head 502 is movable in at least an x-direction and a y-direction. The laser source 506 generates laser light, and the laser light is supplied to the laser cutting head 502 via the optical fiber 508. A workpiece 510, such as a plate, is cut by a laser beam.

The laser nozzle 100, the nozzle holder 200, the nozzle coupling 300, or the machine tool 500 shown herein allows the laser nozzle 100 to be simply and stably positioned and fixed, thereby improving the machining quality.

Claims

1. A laser nozzle (100), the laser nozzle (100) being configured for a laser machining machine, the laser nozzle (100) having an outer contour (104, 110), the outer contour (104, 110) being configured for insertion into an inner contour (204) of a nozzle holder (200), wherein the outer contour (104, 110) has a tapered region (110) and a locking groove (112), the locking groove (112) being configured for force-fitting engagement with a locking bolt (202) of the nozzle holder (200).

2. The laser nozzle (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer contour (104, 110), in particular the conical region (110; 210) and the locking groove (112), is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a nozzle axis (A).

3. Laser nozzle (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tapered region (110; 210) is arranged in front of the locking groove (112) in the insertion direction (E) of the laser nozzle (100).

4. Laser nozzle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking groove (112) has a front contact surface (116) for the locking bolt (212) in the insertion direction (E) of the laser nozzle (100).

5. The laser nozzle (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the front contact surface (116) of the locking groove (112) is inclined at an angle (a) of 25 ° to 35 °, in particular 28 ° to 32 °, with respect to the nozzle axis (A).

6. A nozzle holder (200), the nozzle holder (200) being configured for a laser machining machine, the nozzle holder (200) having an inner contour (204), the inner contour (204) being configured for receiving a laser nozzle (100), wherein the inner contour (204) has a tapered region (110) and at least one locking bolt (212) guided in a bolt guide (220), the at least one locking bolt (212) being configured for a force-fitting engagement in a locking groove (112) of the laser nozzle (100).

7. The nozzle holder (200) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one locking bolt (212) is pretensioned radially inwards by at least one spring (216).

8. The orifice holder (200) of claim 7, characterized in that the spring force of the at least one spring (216) is formed perpendicular to the insertion direction (E) of the orifice holder (200).

9. The nozzle holder (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one locking bolt (212) is pretensioned radially inwards via at least one elastomer element.

10. An injector holder (200) according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the bolt guide (220) is inclined at an angle (b) of 45 ° to 50 °, in particular 47 °, with respect to the axis (Α') of the injector holder.

11. A nozzle coupling (300), the nozzle coupling (300) being for a laser processing machine, characterized in that the nozzle coupling (300) has a laser nozzle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and a nozzle holder (200) according to one of claims 6 to 8.

12. A nozzle coupling (300) according to claim 11, wherein the tapered zone (110; 210) and the locking groove (112) are designed such that the two tapered zones (110; 210) engage when the laser nozzle (100) is inserted and locked.

13. Nozzle coupling (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two conical regions (110; 210) form a seal when the laser nozzle (100) is inserted and locked.

14. The nozzle coupling (300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tapered regions (110; 210) and the locking groove (112) are designed such that, when the laser nozzle (100) is inserted into the nozzle holder (200), the at least one locking bolt (212) can be moved first away from the outer contour (104, 110) and then into the locking groove (112), and the locking bolt (212) positioned in the locking groove (112) forces the two tapered regions (110; 210) together.

15. Nozzle coupling (300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a front region of the bolt guide (220) in an insertion direction (E) locks with a front contact surface (116) of the locking groove (112) when the laser nozzle (100) is inserted and locked to form a difference angle (d) of 15 ° to 25 °.

16. A machine tool (500), in particular a laser processing machine, the machine tool (500) having a laser for machining a workpiece, characterized in that at least one nozzle coupling (300) according to one of the preceding claims is provided, wherein the nozzle coupling (300) has a laser nozzle (100) configured for passing a laser beam.