DE102006021622A1 - Scanner welding or soldering machine has optical system with swiveling mirror or flexible scanner optics for directing laser beam on to zones to be joined, pipes allowing protective gases or mixtures to be fed on to zones to be bonded - Google Patents

Abstract

Scanner welding or scanner soldering machine has an optical system (20) with a swiveling mirror and/or flexible scanner optics for directing the laser beam on to the zones to be joined. Feed pipes (32, 34, 36) allow protective gases (40, 42, 44) to be fed via a control unit (60) individually or as a mixture on to the zones to be bonded. Independent claims are included for: (A) a method for Scanner welding or soldering using the machine; and (B) use of protective gases or their mixtures in at least two different bonding operations using scanner welding or scanner soldering.

Description

technical area

• – mindestens eine Strahlablenkoptik, insbesondere mindestens ein verkippbares Spiegelsystem und/oder mindestens eine flexible Scanneroptik, mittels derer bzw. mittels dessen mindestens ein Laserstrahl über mindestens einen zu fügenden, insbesondere zu schweißenden und/oder zu lötenden, Bereich führbar ist, und
• – mindestens eine Gaszufuhreinrichtung, insbesondere mindestens eine Prozessgaszufuhr, die
• – mindestens einem vom Laserstrahl erreichbaren Arbeitsbereich oder Arbeitsraum zugeordnet ist und
• – zwei oder mehr zum Zuführen mindestens eines Schutzgases oder mindestens einer Schutzgasmischung geeignete Gaszufuhreinheiten, insbesondere Prozessgasdüsen, aufweist.

The present invention relates to a device for laser joining by means of the laser remote method, in particular for scanner welding and / or scanner soldering, comprising

• - At least one beam deflecting optics, in particular at least one tiltable mirror system and / or at least one flexible scanner optics, by means of which or by means of which at least one laser beam via at least one to be joined, in particular to be welded and / or soldered, area feasible, and
• - At least one gas supply device, in particular at least one process gas supply, the
• - Is associated with at least one achievable by the laser beam workspace or work space and
• - Has two or more suitable for supplying at least one inert gas or at least one inert gas mixture gas supply units, in particular process gas nozzles.

The The present invention further relates to a method of laser joining by means of the laser remote method, in particular for scanner welding and / or to the scanner soldering, according to the generic term of claim 8.

State of technology

When Joining will be below welding, soldering as well Mixed forms of welding and soldering.

The laser joining or laser beam joining especially for welding or for soldering together used by sheet metal and is due to the compared to conventional Joining process very much low component distortion, for example, often used for joining components to manufacturing components.

• – dem Artikel "Laser dort, wo es Sinn macht!" in der Zeitschrift "Euro Laser"", Nr. 4/2004, Dezember 2004, Seiten 22 bis 24, und
• – dem Artikel "Automation ohne Ende" in der Zeitschrift "@blechnet.com", Nr. 4/2005, Seiten 24 und 25

entnehmbar.Typical fields of application of laser joining are, for example

• - the article "Laser where it makes sense!" in the journal "Euro Laser", no. 4/2004, December 2004, pages 22 to 24, and
• - the article "Automation without End" in the journal "@ blechnet.com", no. 4/2005, pages 24 and 25

removable.

At the laser joining In general, high joining speeds, small ones, can be achieved Heat affected zones and a high aspect ratio, this means a high ratio of welding depth to realize seam width. Due to the fine grain of the material in the joint zone In addition, strengths of the joint seam can be achieved, which of the basic material or even surpassing it; especially when Joining of Lightweight metal laser beam joining thus often offers advantages in comparison to other manufacturing processes.

• – sehr schnell, beispielsweise mit Geschwindigkeiten von über 700 Metern pro Minute, und
• – über große Entfernungen, beispielsweise über Distanzen bis zu einem Meter und mehr,

auf die jeweilige Bearbeitungsstelle positioniert werden.The continuous development of the beam sources during laser joining allows the use of ever larger focal lengths and / or working distances. When laser distance laser distance, the so-called Laser Remote Welding (LRW), the beam focus of the laser by means of a beam deflection optics, in particular by means of a mirror system and / or by means of a scanner optics,

• - very fast, for example, with speeds of over 700 meters per minute, and
• - over long distances, for example over distances of up to one meter and more,

be positioned on the respective processing point.

• – aus der Druckschrift DE 103 27 616 A1 ,
• – aus dem Aufsatz "Potential of robot-guided remote laser welding" von W. Becker, M. Beck und R. Bernhardt, veröffentlicht in "Laser Assisted Net Shape Engineering 4", Proceedings of the 4th LANE 2004, Erlangen, 21. September 2004 bis 24. September 2004, Band 1, Seiten 201 bis 210,
• – aus dem Aufsatz "Remote welding of steel and aluminium alloys at high laser power" von C. Thomy, M. Grupp, T. Seefeld, G. Sepold und F. Vollertsen, veröffentlicht in "Laser Assisted Net Shape Engineering 4", Proceedings of the 4th LANE 2004, Erlangen, 21. September 2004 bis 24. September 2004, Band 1, Seiten 211 bis 222, Meisenbach-Verlag Bamberg 2004, sowie
• – aus dem Internetauftritt der Firma Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., Plymouth, USA, vgl. http://www.rofin.com/deutsch/produkte/makro-macro-laser/remote-welding/index.php

For example, laser remote welding or laser remote welding (LRW) is known

• - from the publication DE 103 27 616 A1 .
• - from the paper "Potential of robot-guided remote laser welding" by W. Becker, M. Beck and R. Bernhardt, published in "Laser Assisted Net Shape Engineering 4", Proceedings of the 4th LANE 2004, Erlangen, 21st September 2004 to 24 September 2004, Volume 1, pages 201 to 210,
• From the article "Remote welding of steel and aluminum alloys at high laser power" by C. Thomy, M. Grupp, T. Seefeld, G. Sepold and F. Vollertsen, published in "Laser Assisted Net Shape Engineering 4", Proceedings of the 4th LANE 2004, Erlangen, 21. September 2004 to 24. September 2004, volume 1, pages 211 to 222, Meisenbach publishing house Bamberg 2004, as well as
• - from the internet presence of Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc., Plymouth, USA, cf. http://www.rofin.com/deutsch/produkte/makro-macro-laser/remote-welding/index.php

At the Laser Scanner joining, For example, in laser scanner welding, serves as a beam deflection optics at least one flexible scanner optics or at least one scanner system, For example, at least one so-called optical scan head. The feed movement The laser beam is thus performed during laser scanner joining by means of the scanner optics. The Scanner optics can be stationary be or led by a robot become.

• – aus dem Artikel "Mit RobScan in die Serie" in der Zeitschrift "Euro Laser"", Nr. 2/2005, Juni 2005, Seiten 20 bis 25, und
• – "Revolutionäres Roboterschweißen" in der Zeitschrift "@blechnet.com", Nr. 2/2005, Seiten 24 und 25

bekannt.The laser-scanner-joining by means of robot technology is for example

• - from the article "With RobScan in the Series" in the magazine "Euro Laser"", no. 2/2005, June 2005, Sei 20 to 25, and
• - "Revolutionary Robotic Welding" in the journal "@ blechnet.com", no. 2/2005, pages 24 and 25

known.

At the robotic Laser Scanner Add introduces Robot, for example by means of a robot arm, the laser beam at a distance of, for example, twenty centimeters to thirty centimeters above a to be welded Object. In this case, the robot can either use the laser beam source carry with you, or the laser beam is, for example by means of at least a flexible fiber optic cable, from a laser beam source to Robot, in particular to the robot arm, passed.

Further In addition to the laser beam, the robot can also use the scanner optics, for example two electronically controlled tilting mirrors, carry with you. through the scanner optics, the laser beam is focused on the object, wherein the scanner optics takes over the fine adjustment of the laser beam while the Movement of the robot performs the coarse adjustment of the laser beam. With The robot is therefore only the gross trajectory above the workpiece defined, the millimeter-accurate positioning of the laser beam on the workpiece the scanner optics.

By the focusing of the laser beam by means of the beam deflection optics will be in laser remote joining, For example, when laser scanner-joining, a relatively large workspace or working space spanned. Due to the size of the workspace or Working space, usually is about one square meter or more, can both relatively large individual components as well as many small components are processed in one operation. It can within the workspace or workspace by means of the beam deflection optics almost freely selectable Seam contours joined become.

adversely is in laser remote joining across from the classic welding and / or classical soldering, that carried with the laser beam no process gas or inert gas and to the weld can be brought. In conventional welding and / or conventional soldering the protective gas is over the welding head brought in; this is when joining However, this is not possible after the remote procedure, because no welding head is used here.

It but it is desirable to be joined Supplying protective gas or process gas area, because the joining, in particular welding, Under ambient air has several disadvantages: nitrogen leads to Pore formation in the weld, Oxygen leads to uncontrolled slag formation. Also, the humidity is disturbing and can lead to pore formation by hydrogen. Furthermore, protective gas influences the joining process positive.

From the publication DE 102 18 296 A1 a device for laser remote welding is known, which has an open-top, trough-like container with inert gas, wherein by means of the container, the welds can be kept under protective gas.

Further is known from the prior art, the process gas supply in the To lay the clamping device of the components. To the consumption of process gas to reduce, in individual cases the workspace is divided into different zones, segmented be supplied with process gas.

adversely however, in the devices known from the prior art, that in each case the entire work area or the entire work space supplied with the same process gas or inert gas. This leads to unsatisfactory Results, especially if different joining tasks, such as different welding tasks or different soldering tasks, within a workspace or within a workspace, for example, within a workpiece, are to be solved.

Presentation of the present Invention: task, solution, advantages

outgoing from the disadvantages and shortcomings set out above as well as in appreciation of the prior art is the present invention the task is based, a device of the type mentioned as well as to develop a method of the type mentioned at the outset, that in the workspace or workspace at least two different Joining operations, in particular at least two different welding jobs or at least two different soldering jobs, each with at least satisfactory result at the same time or can be done sequentially.

These The object is achieved by a device for laser joining with the specified in claim 1 Characteristics and by a method for laser joining with the specified in claim 8 Characteristics solved. Advantageous embodiments and expedient developments of the present Invention are characterized in the respective subclaims.

Thus, the present invention is based on the optimization of the supply of the protective gas and / or the inert gas mixture, in particular the process gas supply, when joining with the laser remote method.

These Optimization is by selective response and / or by individual Driving, in particular by simultaneous or successive time controlling or regulating at least two gas supply units, in particular of at least two process gas nozzles, accomplished.

On This way, the protective gas or inert gas mixture of the respective Weld, for example, the respective work area or the respective Working space, selectively, in particular area or zone, fed.

through this single response of the nozzles at each weld can different joining work, in particular different welding operations or different soldering operations, such as in terms of appearance, optics and / or geometry, such as about the width and / or the depth, the joint seam with each convincing Result be accomplished.

• – mit mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Oberflächenbeschaffenheiten, insbesondere mit mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Beschichtungen, und/oder
• – mit mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Wanddicken und/oder
• – mit mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Werkstoffen,

beispielsweise mindestens ein Gegenstand in Mischbauweise, mit zumindest zufriedenstellendem Ergebnis gefügt, insbesondere geschweißt und/oder gelötet, werden.According to a particularly preferred development of the present invention, at least one object can be present in the work area or working space

• - With at least two different surface textures, in particular with at least two different coatings, and / or
• - With at least two different wall thicknesses and / or
• - with at least two different materials,

For example, at least one object in mixed construction, joined with at least satisfactory result, in particular welded and / or soldered.

Appropriately, can different protective gases and / or different inert gas mixtures, in particular different process gases and / or different Process gas mixtures, within the reach of the laser beam Workspace or workspace, especially within the scanner workspace or scanner work space, on at least one object to be joined, For example, on at least one complex component or workpiece, for Use come.

The present invention leads thus to the advantage that, for example, several different Components or workpieces can be processed in one operation with the Remote Welding system and in this case every workpiece or component with adapted inert gas and / or with adapted inert gas mixture can be supplied.

• – mit unterschiedlichem, insbesondere frei wählbarem, Gasdruck und/oder
• – mit unterschiedlichem, insbesondere frei wählbarem, Gasdurchfluss.

The supply of the respective protective gas and / or the respective protective gas mixture is advantageously carried out on at least two of the gas supply units

• - With different, in particular freely selectable, gas pressure and / or
• - With different, in particular freely selectable, gas flow.

Appropriately, so can for at least two joints, especially for every joint, within the workspace or workspace the respective inert gas and / or the respective protective gas mixture suitable in the type and quantity provided become.

in this connection the selection of the type and quantity of the respective protective gas takes place and / or the respective protective gas mixture, for example, depending on of or as a function of the type of material, the component thickness, the surface condition, the joining position, the requirement of penetration, the requirement of metallurgy and / or the wetting of the respective object to be joined.

By the use of each optimal protective gas and / or each optimum protective gas mixture become quality factors or quality parameters, such as the depth, in particular the welding depth, the seam appearance, the seam geometry, the seam optics, the feed rate, the pore frequency, especially the frequency the pores of the weld metal, the oxidation, in particular the oxidation of the weld metal, and / or the process reliability of the joining process, positive affected.

Around Save gas, the supply of the respective protective gas and / or the respective inert gas mixture substantially with the joining of the Laser beam, in particular with at least one welding sequence and / or with at least one soldering sequence, be synchronized. The gas supply can thus, for example, with the joining sequence the beam deflection optics, in particular the scanner system, in time sync, but can also be during the entire editing period be turned on.

to enabling a flexible gas selection and / or a flexible gas supply has the device preferably at least one control unit for driving and / or for regulating the gas supply device.

The control unit thus expediently optimizes the choice and the supply of the respective protective gas and / or the respective inert gas mixture when joining with the laser remote method, so that the respective gas supply units, in particular the respective process gas nozzles, selectively, in particular area or zone wise, and / or individually controllable with the respective inert gas and / or the respective inert gas mixture can be supplied.

According to one Advantageous development of the present invention is the gas supply device at least one for receiving the respective protective gas and / or the respective Protective gas mixture formed, in particular ratio, grid and / or trough-shaped, receiving unit assigned. By means of this recording unit can be prevented that the fed Inert gas and / or the supplied Inert gas mixture escape into the ambient air or escapes.

Around to ensure, that at least the one to be joined Area completely from the supplied inert gas and / or from the supplied Protective gas mixture is surrounded, the receiving unit is suitably to accommodate at least the one to be joined Area trained and / or at least over the area to be joined can be slipped.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit for segmenting be designed to work area or work space, so that the supplied different protective gases and / or inert gas mixtures not mix with each other.

Appropriately, is the protective gas supply and / or the protective gas mixture supply, in particular the process gas supply, in the device, in particular within the workspace or within the workspace, so segmented, that individual or multiple gas supply units, in particular individual or more process gas nozzles, different Gases or different gas mixtures with freely selectable Gas pressure and / or with freely selectable Gas flow supplied can be.

The Room layout of the workspace or workspace can be, for example from one by means of partitions Shared recording unit come from the top, bottom, left or from the right up or about the one to be joined Subject or on or about the one to be joined workpiece inverted can be.

at the present device as well as the present method can at least one of the protective gases and / or at least one of the protective gas mixtures essentially at least one gas heavier than air, in particular essentially argon and / or essentially carbon dioxide. A gas heavier than air or a little volatile inert gas or a low volatile inert gas mixture is appropriate, because In this way, an escape of the supplied protective gas or the supplied Inert gas mixture in a direction away from the object to be joined reduced.

Independent of this or in conjunction with this, at least one of the shielding gases and / or at least one of the protective gas mixtures substantially at least one predominantly unreactive or chemically less active gas, in particular at least one inert gas, For example, nitrogen, argon and / or helium, and optionally further oxidizing components such as carbon dioxide and / or Oxygen, exhibit.

The present invention offers the advantage that based on known laser remote devices or laser remote methods, such as based on the above in the prior art chapter described devices or methods, the supply of protective gases or protective gas mixtures is improved. So it's for example possible, conventional equipment retrofit with the improved protective gas supply.

• – der CO2-Laser (= Kohlendioxid-Laser) oder
• – der Festkörperlaser, beispielsweise
• – der Faserlaser,
• – der Nd:YAG-Laser (= Neodym-dotierter Yttrium-Aluminium-Granat-Laser oder "Neodym-Laser") oder
• – der Scheibenlaser, wie etwa der Yb:YAG-Laser (= Ytterbium-dotierter Yttrium-Aluminium-Granat-Laser oder "Ytterbium-Laser").

As a laser beam source conventional beam sources can be used. Frequently used beam sources in the laser joining of metals are in particular

• - the CO2 laser (= carbon dioxide laser) or
• - The solid-state laser, for example
• - the fiber laser,
• The Nd: YAG laser (= neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser or "neodymium laser") or
• The disk laser, such as the Yb: YAG laser (= ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser or "ytterbium laser").

In In this context, the CO2 beam is guided through the air and over the Beam deflection optics to the weld directed. By contrast, the beam of the solid-state laser, in particular the Nd: YAG-Lasers, Fasergängig, this means the beam is over an optical waveguide or over a fiber optic cable passed into the beam deflecting optics or laser welding optics, the the beam on the to be welded surface focused.

• – im Artikel "TRUMPF baut Führung in der Lasertechnik aus: Neue Strahlquellenkonzepte erstmals auf der Laser 2003", vgl. http://www.trumpf-laser.com/207.presse5759_print.html sowie
• – im Artikel "Yb:YAG-Scheibenlaser – eine ideale Strahlquelle für das 3D-Remote-Schweißen" im Jahresbericht 2004 des Fraunhofer-Instituts für Werkstoff- und Strahltechnik, Seite 48; vgl. http://www.iws.fraunhofer.de/projekte/jb_pdf/jb_2004_dtsch.pdf

beschrieben.Such beam sources are for example

• - in the article "TRUMPF expands leadership in laser technology: New beam source concepts for the first time at Laser 2003", cf. http://www.trumpf-laser.com/207.presse5759_print.html as well
• - in the article "Yb: YAG disk laser - an ideal beam source for 3D remote welding" in the year Report 2004 of the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology, page 48; see. http://www.iws.fraunhofer.de/projekte/jb_pdf/jb_2004_dtsch.pdf

described.

through of the present invention are better and / or adapted metallurgical Properties of the joined Reachable area. Furthermore, due to adapted gas supply the feed rate during joining can be increased.

Regarding the advantages realized by the present invention the person skilled in the field of laser remote technology further to estimate know that the surface or improves the appearance, the geometry and / or the appearance of the joint seam and penetration scores are avoided or reduced. through Thus, the present invention can provide a better edge connection during joining, in particular a better wetting, can be achieved.

The Finally, the present invention relates to the use of at least an inert gas or at least one inert gas mixture at least two different laser works by means of the laser remote method, in particular at least two different scanner welding works and / or at least two different scanner soldering jobs, in one and the same workspace or working space of the laser beam using at least one device according to the above Type and / or a method according to the above Art.

According to the present Invention can be at Such use of inert gas and / or inert gas mixtures by means of the single possible Response of the nozzles at every weld different joining work, in particular different welding operations or different soldering operations, such as in terms of seam appearance, seam look and / or seam geometry, such as the seam width and / or the seam depth, each convincing Result be accomplished.

Special Benefits can be achieved when the protective gas used and / or the protective gas mixture used in the claim 14 and / or the properties described in claim 15 and / or in claim 16 having.

Short description the drawings

As already discussed above, there are various possibilities for embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand to the claim 1, the claim 8 and the claim 13 claims referenced, on the other hand, further embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will be described below, inter alia, with reference to the two 1 and through 2 illustrated embodiments explained in more detail.

It shows:

1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention, which operates according to the method according to the present invention; and

2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention, which operates according to the method according to the present invention.

Same or similar embodiments, elements or features are in 1 and in 2 provided with identical reference numerals.

best way for execution of the present invention

In order to avoid superfluous repetitions, the following explanations concerning the embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention (unless stated otherwise) refer to both the 1 illustrated first embodiment of the segmented process gas supply device 100 as well as on in 2 illustrated second embodiment of the segmented process gas supply device 100 ' ,

Basically, by the device 100 respectively. 100 ' the process gas supply within a workspace or workspace with multiple welds segmented such that at the respective welds the appropriate process gas for the different materials can be provided. The two exemplary embodiments subsequently name different gas mixtures and different materials that are processed at the welds.

The basis 1 illustrated first embodiment of a device 100 for laser joining one or more objects to be joined, for example one or more components to be welded, by means of the laser remote method, namely for scanner welding, according to the present invention has as a laser beam source 10 a CO2 laser (carbon dioxide laser) on, which directly with a Strahlablenkoptik 20 namely with a so-called optical scan head or op table scanner head, is connected.

The CO2 laser beam 12 . 14 , which may also be a laser pulse, for example, becomes the beam deflection optics through the air 20 guided and by this beam deflection optics 20 then directed to the respective weld.

The fine movement of the laser beam 12 . 14 takes place by means of the optical scan head 20 , which contains two electronically controlled tilting mirrors that the high-energy laser beam 12 . 14 In a flash, jump from one spot to the next spot.

• – an zwei innen unterteilenden Trennteilen oder Trennwänden 52 und
• – an vier nach außen begrenzenden Seitenteilen oder Seitenwänden 54

angeordnet.Furthermore, the device 100 according to 1 a gas supply device 30 namely, a process gas supply, with a plurality of process gas nozzles 32 . 34 . 36 on. These process gas nozzles 32 . 34 . 36 are on a grid-shaped receiving unit 50 , namely

• - on two partitioning dividers or partition walls 52 and
• - At four outwardly bounding side panels or side walls 54

arranged.

• – über die an einem ersten Raster der Aufnahmeeinheit 50 angeordneten Prozessgasdüsen 32 ein erstes Schutzgas 40 oder eine erste Schutzgasmischung 40,
• – über die an einem zweiten Raster der Aufnahmeeinheit 50 angeordneten Prozessgasdüsen 34 ein zweites Schutzgas 42 oder eine zweite Schutzgasmischung 42 und
• – über die an einem dritten Raster der Aufnahmeeinheit 50 angeordneten Prozessgasdüsen 36 ein drittes Schutzgas 44 oder eine dritte Schutzgasmischung 44

zugeführt werden kann.The arrangement of the plurality of process gas nozzles 32 . 34 . 36 takes place such that the work area or working space of the laser beam 12 . 14

• - About the on a first grid of the recording unit 50 arranged process gas nozzles 32 a first inert gas 40 or a first inert gas mixture 40 .
• - About the on a second grid of the recording unit 50 arranged process gas nozzles 34 a second inert gas 42 or a second inert gas mixture 42 and
• - On the on a third grid of the recording unit 50 arranged process gas nozzles 36 a third inert gas 44 or a third inert gas mixture 44

can be supplied.

To enable a flexible choice of protective gas and a flexible inert gas supply, the device 100 according to 1 Furthermore, one with the respective process gas nozzles 32 . 34 . 36 and with the respective gas sources 40 . 42 . 44 connected, in particular between the respective process gas nozzles 32 . 34 . 36 and the respective gas sources 40 . 42 . 44 switched, control unit 60 on, for driving and for regulating / regulating the gas supply device 30 is trained. The respective connections of the control unit 60 with the gas supply device 30 or with the gas sources 40 . 42 . 44 are in 1 shown as dashed lines.

The basis 2 illustrated second embodiment of a device 100 ' for laser joining one or more objects to be joined, for example one or more components to be welded, by means of the laser remote method, namely for scanner welding, according to the present invention has as a laser beam source 10 a solid-state laser in the form of a Nd: YAG laser (= neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser), which via an optical waveguide 16 , namely via a fiber optic cable, with a beam deflection optics 20 , namely with a so-called optical scan head or optical scanner head, is connected.

The optical scan head 20 and the over the fiber optic cable 16 directed at least one laser beam 12 . 14 can by means of a guiding element 22 , namely, by means of a robot arm, in a uniform continuous movement over the at least one object to be joined, for example, over the at least one component to be joined, are moved away.

Furthermore, the device 100 ' according to 2 a gas supply device 30 ' namely, a process gas supply, with two for supplying inert gas 40 . 42 or of inert gas mixtures 40 . 42 suitable process gas nozzles 32 ' . 34 ' on.

To enable a flexible choice of protective gas and a flexible inert gas supply, the device 100 ' according to 2 Furthermore, one with the respective process gas nozzles 32 ' . 34 ' and with the respective gas sources 40 . 42 connected, in particular between the respective process gas nozzles 32 ' . 34 ' and the respective gas sources 40 . 42 switched, control unit 60 ' on, for driving and for regulating / regulating the gas supply device 30 ' is trained. The respective connections of the control unit 60 ' with the gas supply device 30 ' or with the gas sources 40 . 42 are in 2 shown as dashed lines.

• – mit zwei unterschiedlichen Schutzgasen 40, 42 oder
• – mit zwei unterschiedlichen Schutzgasmischungen 40, 42 oder
• – mit einem Schutzgas 40 und mit einer Schutzgasmischung 42

geflutet, wobei eine im Innenraum der Wanne 50' angeordnete, die Wanne 50' in zwei etwa gleich große Arbeitsräume oder Arbeitsbereiche unterteilende (, ebenfalls nicht unbedingt erforderliche) Trennwand 52' verhindert, dass sich die zugeführten unterschiedlichen Gase 40, 42 vermischen.The component to be welded is in an optical scanning head 20 open, container or trough-shaped receiving unit 50 ' brought and is in this recording unit 50 ' the process gas nozzles 32 ' . 34 ' facing. This recording unit or sink 50 ' in practice for a successful use of the device 100 ' according to 2 and for a successful use of this device 100 ' underlying method of operation according to the present invention is not essential

• - with two different shielding gases 40 . 42 or
• - with two different inert gas mixtures 40 . 42 or
• - with a protective gas 40 and with a protection gas mixture 42

flooded, with one in the interior of the tub 50 ' arranged, the tub 50 ' in two approximately equally large workrooms or work areas dividing (, also not necessarily required) partition 52 ' prevents the supplied different gases 40 . 42 mix.

As the (also not necessarily required) side panels or side walls 54 ' the trough-shaped receiving unit 50 ' are higher than the component to be machined or as the workpiece to be machined, which are in the tub 50 ' immersed to be joined areas of the component or workpiece completely from the supplied inert gases and / or inert gas mixtures 40 . 42 surround.

The gas supply can be from the side of the tank or from the optical scan head 20 facing area of the tub 50 ' out. When using protective gases and / or protective gas mixtures 40 . 42 heavier than air, the gas falls 40 . 42 then like water from a tap in the tub 50 ' ,

In a preferred embodiment of the tub 50 ' the gas supply takes place from the bottom of the tub in order to generate as few turbulences as possible. Feeders are advantageous at several points on the floor or in the lower wall area 54 ' the tub 50 ' proved.

Also advantageous is the supply of gases 40 . 42 through perforated hoses down into the tub 50 ' are inserted. A higher number of openings allows a lower gas velocity and reduces the turbulence. When the protective gas 40 . 42 then clocked or continuously in this tub 50 ' is guided Lufterwirbelungen, which occur by the introduction of the component or workpiece from the outside, displaced.

It is also possible, the (not essential) tub 50 ' to put over the object to be joined, in which case advantageously the laser beam 12 . 14 supplied from below and protective gases or inert gas mixtures 40 . 42 easier to use than air, so that these gases or gas mixtures 40 . 42 under the tub 50 ' can collect.

As the respective protective gas or respective protective gas mixture 40 . 42 . 44 (cf., first embodiment according to FIG 1 ) respectively. 40 . 42 (see second embodiment according to 2 ) can in the device 100 (cf., first embodiment according to FIG 1 ) respectively. 100 ' (see second embodiment according to 2 ), for example, for joining uncoated steel sheets in each case a predominantly inert protective gas, for example nitrogen, argon and / or helium, or a predominantly inert protective gas mixture can be used.

• – bei Verwendung eines CO2-Lasers Helium als Schutzgas 40, 42, 44 und
• – bei Verwendung eines Festkörperlasers, zum Beispiel eines Nd:YAG-Lasers, Argon als Schutzgas 40, 42

einzusetzen.It is particularly advantageous for joining uncoated steel sheet to uncoated sheet steel

• - When using a CO2 laser helium as a protective gas 40 . 42 . 44 and
• - When using a solid-state laser, for example, a Nd: YAG laser, argon as inert gas 40 . 42

use.

When joining an uncoated steel sheet to a coated steel sheet, on the other hand, expediently a reactive or chemically active inert gas 40 . 42 (, 44 ) or a reactive or chemically active inert gas mixture 40 . 42 (, 44 ) used.

For example, the process gas 40 . 42 (, 44 ) for joining uncoated steel sheet to coated steel sheet of oxygen, helium and argon.

When joining coated steel sheets is advantageously an even more reactive or more chemically active process gas 40 . 42 (, 44 ) used.

For example, the process gas 40 . 42 (, 44 ) for joining coated steel sheet to coated steel sheet of carbon dioxide, optionally of helium and of argon or of an argon mixture.

• – Bauteile aus Aluminium und aus Stahl oder
• – Bauteile aus unterschiedlichen Stahlsorten, etwa aus unterschiedlich legierten Stahlsorten, zum Beispiel aus niedrig- bis hochlegierten Stahlsorten, einschließlich Bauteilen aus hoch- und höchstfesten Stahlsorten, oder
• – Bauteile aus Aluminium und aus unterschiedlichen Stahlsorten

mit jeweils angepasstem Prozessgas 40, 42 (, 44) zu fügen.In addition to welding differently coated steel sheets, it is also possible in the receiving unit 50 (cf., first embodiment according to FIG 1 ) respectively. 50 ' (see second embodiment according to 2 ) Components made of different materials, for example

• - Components made of aluminum and steel or
• - Components made of different types of steel, such as different alloyed steel grades, for example, from low to high alloy steel grades, including components made of high and ultra high strength steel grades, or
• - Components made of aluminum and different steel grades

each with adapted process gas 40 . 42 (, 44 ).

Overall, therefore, are in 1 and in 2 an adapted process gas selection and an adapted process gas supply for the laser beam welding with scanner systems 100 (cf tes embodiment according to 1 ) respectively. 100 ' (see second embodiment according to 2 ), in particular for laser beam scanner welding or for laser beam remote welding.

100

Device for laser joining, in particular for scanner welding and / or for scanner soldering, by means of the laser remote method (first exemplary embodiment; 1 )

100 '

Device for laser joining, in particular for scanner welding and / or for scanner soldering, by means of the laser remote method (second exemplary embodiment; 2 )

10

Laser beam source, in particular CO2 laser (= carbon dioxide laser) or solid-state laser, For example, fiber laser, Nd: YAG laser (= neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser or neodymium lasers) or disk lasers, such as Yb: YAG lasers (ytterbium-doped Yttrium aluminum garnet laser or ytterbium laser)

12

Laser beam, in particular first laser beam

14

Another Laser beam, in particular second laser beam

16

Connection between laser beam source 10 and beam deflection optics 20 , in particular optical waveguides, for example fiber optic cable

20

beam deflection, in particular tiltable mirror system and / or flexible scanner optics

22

Guide element of the beam deflection optics 20 , in particular robotic arm

30

Gas supply device, in particular process gas supply (first embodiment; 1 )

30 '

Gas supply device, in particular process gas supply (second embodiment; 2 )

32

first gas supply unit of the gas supply device 30 , in particular with the first inert gas 40 or with the first inert gas mixture 40 supplied gas supply unit (first embodiment; 1 )

32 '

first gas supply unit of the gas supply device 30 ' , in particular with the first inert gas 40 or with the first inert gas mixture 40 supplied gas supply unit (second embodiment; 2 )

34

second gas supply unit of the gas supply device 30 , in particular with a second inert gas 42 or with second inert gas mixture 42 supplied gas supply unit (first embodiment; 1 )

34 '

second gas supply unit of the gas supply device 30 ' , in particular with a second inert gas 42 or with second inert gas mixture 42 supplied gas supply unit (second embodiment; 2 )

36

third gas supply unit of the gas supply device 30 , in particular with third inert gas 44 or with third inert gas mixture 44 supplied gas supply unit (first embodiment; 1 )

40

first Protective gas or first inert gas mixture

42

second Inert gas or second inert gas mixture

44

third Inert gas or third inert gas mixture

50

Receiving unit, in particular grid-shaped receiving unit (first embodiment; 1 )

50 '

Receiving unit, in particular a container-like or trough-shaped receiving unit (second embodiment; 2 )

52

Separator or partition of the receiving unit 50 (first embodiment; 1 )

52 '

Separator or partition of the receiving unit 50 ' (second embodiment; 2 )

54

Side part or side wall of the receiving unit 50 (first embodiment; 1 )

54 '

Side part or side wall of the receiving unit 50 ' (second embodiment; 2 )

60

Control unit for controlling and / or regulating the gas supply device 30 (first embodiment; 1 )

60 '

Control unit for controlling and / or regulating the gas supply device 30 ' (second embodiment; 2 )

Claims (16)

Contraption ( 100 ; 100 ' ) for laser joining by means of the laser remote method, in particular for scanner welding and / or for scanner soldering, comprising - at least one beam deflection optics ( 20 ), in particular at least one tiltable mirror system and / or at least one flexible scanner optics, by means of which or by means of which at least one laser beam ( 12 . 14 ) can be guided over at least one region to be joined, in particular to be welded and / or soldered, and - at least one gas supply device ( 30 ; 30 ' ), in particular at least one process gas supply, the - at least one of the laser beam ( 12 . 14 ) is assigned to the working area or workspace and two or more gas supply units suitable for supplying at least one inert gas or at least one inert gas mixture (US Pat. 32 . 34 . 36 ; 32 ' . 34 ' ), in particular process gas nozzles, characterized in that at least two of the gas supply units ( 32 . 34 . 36 ; 32 ' . 34 ' ), in particular by means of at least one control unit ( 60 ; 60 ' ), selectively addressable and / or individually controllable, in particular simultaneously or in chronological succession adjustable or adjustable, are. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two of the gas supply units ( 32 . 34 . 36 ; 32 ' . 34 ' ) by means of the gas supply device ( 30 ; 30 ' ) - at least two different shielding gases ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - at least two different inert gas mixtures ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - at least one inert gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and at least one inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ), in particular that at least two of the gas supply units ( 32 . 34 . 36 ; 32 ' . 34 ' ) individually or more by means of the gas supply device ( 30 ; 30 ' ) substantially simultaneously or sequentially - with at least two different shielding gases ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - with at least two different inert gas mixtures ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - with at least one inert gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and with at least one inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) are available. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by means of the gas supply device ( 30 ; 30 ' ) - at least two of the gas supply units ( 32 . 34 . 36 ; 32 ' . 34 ' ) the respective inert gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and / or the respective inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) with different, in particular freely selectable, gas pressure and / or gas flow can be fed and / or - the supply of the respective protective gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and / or the respective inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) essentially with the joining of the laser beam ( 12 . 14 ), in particular with at least one welding sequence and / or with at least one soldering sequence, can be synchronized. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gas supply device ( 30 ; 30 ' ) at least one receiving unit for receiving the respective protective gas and / or the respective protective gas mixture, in particular a container, grid and / or trough-shaped receiving unit (US Pat. 50 ; 50 ' ) assigned. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the receiving unit ( 50 ; 50 ' ) - is designed to accommodate at least the area to be joined and / or - at least over the area to be joined is inverted and / or - is designed for segmenting the workspace or workspace, so that the supplied different protective gases ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and / or inert gas mixtures ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) do not mix with each other. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the protective gases ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and / or at least one of the protective gas mixtures ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) - substantially at least one gas heavier than air, in particular argon and / or carbon dioxide, and / or - essentially at least one predominantly reactionary or chemically less active gas, in particular at least one inert gas, for example nitrogen, argon and / or helium, and optionally further comprising oxidizing components such as carbon dioxide and / or oxygen. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that as a laser beam source ( 10 ) - at least one CO2 laser (= carbon dioxide laser) or - at least one solid-state laser, for example - at least one fiber laser, - at least one Nd: YAG laser (= neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser or neodymium laser) or - at least one disk laser, such as at least one Yb: YAG laser (= ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser or ytterbium laser) is provided, wherein the protective gas and / or the protective gas mixture optionally - in the case of CO2 Laser essentially comprises helium and / or - in the case of the solid-state laser, in particular the Nd: YAG laser, substantially argon. Method for laser joining by means of the laser remote method, in particular for scanner welding and / or for scanner soldering, wherein - at least one laser beam ( 12 . 14 ) by means of at least one beam deflecting optics, in particular by means of at least one tiltable mirror system and / or by means of at least one flexible scanner optics, within at least one of the laser beam ( 12 . 14 ) reachable workspace or work space is passed over at least one area to be joined, in particular to be welded and / or soldered, and - the area to be joined at least one inert gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or at least one inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ), characterized in that the at least one protective gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or the at least one inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) is selectively supplied to the respective work area or working space, in particular in areas or zones. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the work area or work space - at least two different shielding gases ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - at least two different inert gas mixtures ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - at least one inert gas and at least one inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ), in particular that at least two regions of the working area or working space to be joined are arranged essentially simultaneously or successively in time - with at least two different protective gases ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - with at least two different inert gas mixtures ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - with at least one inert gas and with at least one inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) are supplied. A method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that - the respective protective gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and / or the respective inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) is supplied with different, in particular freely selectable, gas pressure and / or gas flow and / or - the respective inert gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and / or the respective inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) substantially simultaneously or substantially synchronously with the joining of the laser beam ( 12 . 14 ), in particular with at least one welding sequence and / or with at least one soldering sequence, is supplied. Method according to at least one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that - at least one of the protective gases ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and / or at least one of the protective gas mixtures ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) - substantially at least one gas heavier than air, in particular argon and / or carbon dioxide, and / or - essentially at least one predominantly reactionary or chemically less active gas, in particular at least one inert gas, for example nitrogen, argon and / or helium, and optionally further comprising oxidizing components such as carbon dioxide and / or oxygen. Process according to at least one of the claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the joining by means of the method - CO2 lasers (= Carbon dioxide lasers) or - The solid-state lasers, for example - fiber lasers, - of Nd: YAG lasers (= Neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers or neodymium lasers) or - of Disc lasers, such as the Yb: YAG lasers (= ytterbium-doped Yttrium aluminum garnet lasers or ytterbium lasers), he follows. Use of at least one shielding gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or at least one inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) in at least two different Laserfügearbeiten by the laser remote method, in particular at least two different scanner welding and / or at least two different Scannerlötarbeiten, in the same workspace or workspace of the laser beam ( 12 . 14 ) using at least one device ( 100 ; 100 ' ) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7 and / or a method according to at least one of claims 8 to 12. Use according to claim 13, characterized by - at least two different shielding gases ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - at least two different inert gas mixtures ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) or - at least one inert gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and at least one inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ). Use according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by the joining - different materials, in particular different materials, and / or - differently coated materials, especially differently coated Materials. Use according to at least one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the inert gas ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) and / or the inert gas mixture ( 40 . 42 . 44 ) - When joining at least two uncoated steel sheets substantially at least one predominantly inert or chemically inert gas, in particular at least one inert gas, for example - substantially nitrogen, - when joining by means of at least one CO2 laser (carbon dioxide laser) substantially helium and / or - when joining by means of at least one solid-state laser, in particular by means of at least one Nd: YAG laser (= neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser or neodymium laser), substantially argon, - when joining at least one uncoated steel sheet and at least one coated steel sheet has oxygen, helium and argon and / or - when joining at least two coated steel sheets carbon dioxide, argon and optionally helium.