DE102008048059A1 - Device for conveying a welding wire to working position during laser welding, comprises a transport device and a guiding tube arranged downstream to the transport device for the welding wire - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises a transport device and a guiding tube (3) arranged downstream to the transport device for a welding wire (2). The transport device and the guiding tube are equipped as a conveyor system (1) with an adjusting mechanism so that one end of the guiding tube is movable with a wire discharge opening against laser beam (4) and the guiding tube possesses an arc form. The first part of the guiding tube is arranged predominantly parallel to the laser beam and the second part of the guiding tube is arranged angularly to the first part. The device comprises a transport device and a guiding tube (3) arranged downstream to the transport device for a welding wire (2). The transport device and the guiding tube are equipped as a conveyor system (1) with an adjusting mechanism so that one end of the guiding tube is movable with a wire discharge opening against laser beam (4) and the guiding tube possesses an arc form. The first part of the guiding tube is arranged predominantly parallel to the laser beam and the second part of the guiding tube is arranged angularly to the first part so that the wire discharge opening points out in the direction of the laser beam and/or the working position. The conveyor system is pivotable over a pivot joint in a plain and the conveyor system is coupled with a drive so that the conveyor system is adjustable in its height against the working position and/or the distance between the wire discharge opening of the guiding tube and the laser beam. The conveyor system revolving over the pivot joint is guidably movable in the direction of the laser beam. A hand-operated or motoric drive is coupled to the conveyor system, which is arranged to x-y-z positioning system and is guidable through the x-axis angular to the laser beam, through the y-axis parallel to the laser beam and/or through the z-axis in its height against the working position. The drive operated in x-axis, y-axis and z-axis on the x-y-z-positioning system. The drive mechanism of the transport device and the drive are interconnected to the conveyor system with a control. The end area of the welding wire coming out from the guiding tube, the discharge opening of the welding wire or the edge area of the guiding tube are arranged in imaging optical manner. A device coupling the laser beam possesses one of the working position in imaging optical manner or arranged on the device coupling the laser beam in imaging optical manner so that the end area of the guiding tube with the discharge opening of the welding wire including its end area, the end area of the welding wire or the discharge opening of the welding wire are imaged. The imaging optic and the drive of the conveyor system are interconnected with the control. The control is a computer system and a module for processing the image of the imaging optic is realized in the computer system so that the form and/or the position of the end area of the welding wire seizes with determined form in the computer system and the position of the working position and the end area of the guiding tube determines the positions. A light source is arranged so that the light beams fall on the end area of the welding wire stepping from the guiding tube and the imaged optic is arranged so that the shadow of the end area of the welding wire coming out from the guiding tube and/or the end area of the guiding tube seizes on the workpiece. The height of the welding wire or the guiding tube is determined with regard to the surface of the workpiece. The drive of the transport system and the positioning system are automatically controlled.

Description

The The invention relates to devices for supplying welding wire to the processing point during laser welding with a Transport device and a downstream guide tube for the welding wire.

wire conveyor for the supply of additional material for Welding processes are well known.

For example, by the document DE 43 20 405 C2 (Device for slip-free conveying of wire) a wire conveyor with a means for detecting the curvature of the wire known. In the wire storage unit is thereby ensured that a closed wire loop is present in front of a wire guide device. A control unit continues to control a wire feed unit.

By the DE 197 32 379 C2 (Method and device for conveying welding wire), a solution is known, wherein compensated by means of an elastically deformable element fluctuations in force within a drive for wire feeding can be compensated.

These Solutions serve as far as possible to ensure a continuous supply of welding wire as additional material during the welding process.

Of the The invention defined in claim 1 is based on the object Welding wire simply placed and targeted at the processing point To supply laser welding.

These Task is with the features listed in claim 1 solved.

The Devices for supplying welding wire on the machining point during laser welding with a transport device and a downstream guide tube for the Welding wire are characterized in particular by the fact that welding wire simply placed and selectively fed to the processing station is. This is the transport device and the guide tube provided as a conveyor system with an adjustment mechanism so that at least the end of the guide tube with the wire outlet opening is movable relative to the laser beam. Furthermore owns the guide tube an arc shape, wherein a first part of the guide tube predominantly parallel to the laser beam and a second part are arranged at an angle to the first part, then that the wire outlet opening in the direction of the laser beam and / or the processing point points.

With the adjustment can advantageously the position of the End of the guide tube in relation to the laser beam so be set that the welding wire predetermined the Processing point can be fed. This is done advantageously depending on the welding wire material, the Diameter of the welding wire and the machining point amount of welding wire to be supplied. It can advantageously also the shape of the guide tube emerging welding wire taken into account become.

Of the Adjusting mechanism is designed to be hand-operated or coupled to at least one drive. For this the conveyor system is over mounted at least one hinge, with an x, y positioning system or a combination thereof. This is the end area of the guide tube with the outlet opening of the Welding wire in the x-axis to the laser beam and through the y-axis can be moved in the plane parallel to the machining point.

In order to can the position of the guide tube according to the technological Conditions pre-set or during editing be adapted according to the processing conditions.

The Guide tube can also run relatively long be.

Farther is the device in its base opposite the machining surface can be carried out in a space-saving manner, so that the most diverse mounting options are also given to existing laser welding systems.

The Device for supplying welding wire the machining point during laser welding is a separate one Device that simply by equipping the place of work added. Of course, this can also be a wire magazine, For example, a wire roll, a part of the device be. As a result, a compact device is available.

advantageous Embodiments of the invention are in the claims 2 to 15 indicated.

The Conveyor system is according to the embodiment of the claim 2 via at least one hinge in at least one plane pivotable. Furthermore, the conveyor system is at least coupled to a drive.

With a level swivel can thus the end of the guide tube with the discharge opening of the welding wire easy be moved in the direction of the laser beam or away.

at two coupled hinges can be the end of the guide tube additionally in the plane parallel to the processing point be panned.

The Movements are made by means of the drives, which are manually operated or motorized.

The above The swivel joint swiveling conveyor system is after continuing education of the patent claim 3 guided movable. Furthermore, that is Conveyor system coupled with drives so that the conveyor system in its height opposite the processing station and the distance between the wire outlet opening of the guide tube and laser beam is adjustable. In addition to the position of the outlet opening opposite the laser beam is thus the position of the outlet opening adjustable relative to the machining point.

The Conveyor system is according to the embodiment of the claim 4 out in the direction of the laser beam or away movable. Furthermore, a working in the guide axis Hand-operated or motorized drive to the conveyor system coupled.

In order to can the distance between the end of the guide tube and the Laser beam can be adjusted easily. By means of a controlled Motor can also do this during welding.

The Conveyor system is according to the embodiment of the claim 5 is arranged on an x-y positioning system, wherein the conveyor system through the x-axis at an angle to the laser beam and through the y-axis can be moved parallel to the laser beam. Furthermore, one each in the x-axis and a hand-operated in the y-axis or motor drive coupled to the x-y positioning system. This allows the distance between the end of the guide tube with the outlet opening of the welding wire and Laser beam and the end in a plane parallel to the processing point proceed and be set. That can be done both once before the start the work process, but also during the work process respectively. This allows optimal settings accordingly Both the conditions of laser welding and the be used to be used welding wire, so that a high quality of the weld can be achieved.

In The continuation is the promotion system after further education of claim 6 arranged on an x-y-z positioning system, wherein the conveyor system through the x-axis at an angle to the laser beam and through the y-axis parallel to the laser beam as well as through the z-axis in its height opposite the processing station is movable. Furthermore, one in the x-axis, one in the y-axis and a z-axis working hand-operated or motor drive coupled to the x-y-z positioning system. This can be the end of the guide tube with the outlet opening for the welding wire additionally in the Move height opposite to the processing point and be adjusted.

Of the Drive mechanism of the transport device and the at least a drive for the conveyor system are after the Further development of patent claim 7 interconnected with a controller. This can advantageously both the movements the end of the guide tube and the feed motion the welding wire through the transport device accordingly controlled by the technological conditions of the welding process become. This can set optimal working conditions become.

To the development of claim 8 is the device for supplying welding wire to a laser beam decoupling device. With the guidance of the laser beam over The workpiece takes place at the same time advantageously the movement of the guide tube. This makes it a lot easier Construction given.

According to the embodiment of claim 9, at least one at least the end region of the emerging from the guide tube welding wire, the outlet opening of the welding wire 2 or the end portion of the guide tube imaging optics arranged. Thus, the position and the position of the end region of the welding wire and / or the geometry of the emerging from the guide tube end portion of the welding wire can be determined and determined. These can be used as setting values for optimum feeding of the welding wire.

According to the embodiment of claim 10 has a laser beam auskoppelnde device at least one processing location imaging optics or on the laser beam decoupling device arranged a processing point imaging optics, so that in addition to the processing point and at least the end portion of the guide tube with the outlet opening of the welding wire including whose end region, the end region of the welding wire or the outlet opening of the welding wire is imaged. Thus, the processing point, the position of the end region of the welding wire, the position of the end region of the welding wire and / or the geometry of the emerging from the guide tube end portion of the welding wire can be determined, determined and / or controlled. This can provide optimal conditions for the Ar beitsprozess be achieved.

The imaging optics and the drives of the conveyor system are according to the embodiment of claim 11 with a controller interconnected, so that the individual movements accordingly the shape, position and / or geometry of the welding wire controllable and thereby optimal welds can be achieved.

• – die Form und/oder die Lage des aus dem Führungsrohr heraustretenden Endenbereichs des Schweißdrahtes erfasst,
• – mit bestimmten Formen im Datenverarbeitungssystem verglichen,
• – einer Form zugeordnet und
• – daraus die Antriebe der Transportvorrichtung und des Positioniersystems automatisch gesteuert.

The controller is a data processing system according to the embodiment of claim 12, wherein in the data processing system, a module for image processing of the image of the imaging optics is realized. This will be advantageous

• Detecting the shape and / or the position of the end region of the welding wire emerging from the guide tube,
• - compared to certain forms in the data processing system,
• - assigned to a form and
• - From the drives of the transport device and the positioning automatically controlled.

• – die Positionen der Bearbeitungsstelle und wenigstens des Endenbereichs des Führungsrohres mit der Austrittsöffnung des Schweißdrahtes einschließlich dessen Endenbereich erfasst,
• – wenigstens die Positionen zueinander bestimmt und
• – daraus die Antriebe der Transportvorrichtung und des Positioniersystems automatisch gesteuert.

The control is according to the embodiment of claim 13, a data processing system, wherein in the data processing system, a module for image processing of the image of the imaging optics is realized. This will be advantageous

• Detects the positions of the machining point and at least the end region of the guide tube with the outlet opening of the welding wire including its end region,
• - at least the positions determined to each other and
• - From the drives of the transport device and the positioning automatically controlled.

To the embodiment of claim 14 is a light source so arranged that the light rays at least on the out of the guide tube passing end portion of the welding wire fall. Farther the imaging optics is arranged so that the shadow of the out the guide tube emerging end portion of the welding wire and / or the end portion of the guide tube on the workpiece recorded and from it in the data processing system the height of the welding wire or the guide tube in Determined with respect to the surface of the workpiece becomes.

To The development of claim 15 are a light source and arranged the imaging optics.

To the One falls thereby the rays of light at least on the from the Guide tube passing end portion of the welding wire and cast a shadow on the surface of the workpiece.

To the Others become the processing station by means of the imaging optics, the end region of the guide tube with the outlet opening of the welding wire including its end portion as well the shadow of the end region emerging from the guide tube of the welding wire and / or the end portion of the guide tube detected the workpiece. This will be in the data processing system the height of the welding wire or guide tube determined with respect to the surface of the workpiece.

One Embodiment of the invention is in the drawings each shown in principle and will be closer in the following described.

It demonstrate:

1 a device for supplying welding wire to the processing point during laser welding at a device which decouples the laser beam,

2 a conveyor system with a guide tube and a transport device for the welding wire on an adjusting mechanism and

3 a device for supplying welding wire to the processing point during laser welding at a device which decouples the laser beam with a data processing system.

A device for supplying welding wire 2 to the processing point during laser welding consists essentially of a conveyor system 1 with a transport device 8th and a downstream guide tube 3 for the welding wire 2 ,

The 1 shows a device for supplying welding wire 2 to the processing point during laser welding to a laser beam 4 decoupling device 5 in a schematic representation.

The guide tube 3 has an arched shape, with a first part 3a of the guide tube 3 mostly parallel to the laser beam 4 and a second part 3b angled to the first part 3a are arranged, so that the wire outlet opening in the direction of the laser beam 4 and / or the processing point of the workpiece 6 has.

The conveyor system 1 consisting of the guide tube 3 and the transport device 8th is provided with at least one adjusting mechanism so that the end of the guide tube 3 with the wire outlet opening opposite the laser beam 4 is movable.

In a first embodiment of the adjustment mechanism is the conveyor system 1 pivotable about at least one hinge in at least one plane and coupled to at least one drive.

In a second embodiment of the adjustment mechanism is the conveyor system 1 pivotable over at least one hinge in at least one plane. Furthermore, the rotary joint is guided parallel to the laser beam 4 movable, so that the height relative to the surface of the workpiece is changeable. For this purpose, preferably drives are coupled so that the movements are manually operated or motorized. In the latter case, the drives are advantageously connected to a controller. In a third embodiment of the adjustment mechanism is the conveyor system 1 on an xyz positioning system 7 arranged, wherein through the x-axis, the guide tube 3 to the laser beam 4 and the first part through the y-axis 3a of the guide tube 3 parallel to the laser beam 4 and by the z-axis, the guide tube 3 in its height relative to the processing point of the workpiece 6 is movable. Each one in the x-axis, one in the y-axis and one in the z-axis working hand-operated or motor drive is to the xyz positioning system 7 coupled.

The 2 shows a conveyor system 1 with a guide tube 3 and a transport device 8th on an adjusting mechanism in a basic representation.

In the 2 is the complete adjustment mechanism as xyz positioning system 7 shown.

The drive mechanism of the transport device 8th for the welding wire 2 and the drives of the xyz positioning system 7 for the conveyor system 1 are interconnected with a controller.

A transport device 8th for the welding wire 2 is known. This is the welding wire 2 guided in the simplest case between two rollers, wherein at least one of the rollers is driven.

In front of the transport device 8th is the wire magazine. This is, for example, a welding wire roller, which is also on or in the device for supplying welding wire 2 can be rotatably mounted.

In a further embodiment of the embodiment, at least one imaging optics is a component of the laser beam 4 decoupling device 5 and / or the device for supplying welding wire 2 , This is, for example, a CCD (charge-coupled device) sensor 9 on the from the machining point of the workpiece 6 and at least the end region of the guide tube 3 with the exit opening of the welding wire 2 including its end portion reflected light falls and are converted into intensity-dependent electrical impulses. The CCD sensor 9 is with a data processing system 10 interconnected as a controller.

The 3 shows a device for supplying welding wire 2 to the processing point during laser welding to a laser beam 4 decoupling device 5 with a data processing system 10 in a schematic representation.

In the data processing system 10 a module for image processing of the image of the imaging optics is realized.

As a result, in one embodiment of the data processing system 10 detects the shape and / or the position of the emerging from the guide tube end portion of the welding wire, compared with certain forms in the data processing system, associated with a mold and from there the drives of the transport device 8th and the positioning system 7 automatically controlled.

In a further embodiment of the data processing system 10 become the positions of the machining point and at least the end portion of the guide tube 3 with the exit opening of the welding wire 2 including its end region, the end region of the welding wire 2 or the exit opening of the welding wire 2 detected, at least determines the positions to each other and from there the drives of the transport device 8th and the positioning system 7 automatically controlled.

In a further embodiment, a light source and the imaging optics are arranged so that the light rays at least on the out of the guide tube 3 passing end portion of the welding wire 2 fall. By means of the imaging optics become the processing point, the end region of the guide tube 3 with the exit opening of the welding wire 2 including its end area and the shadow of the guide tube 3 emerging end portion of the welding wire 2 and / or the end region of the guide tube 3 detected on the workpiece. This will be in the data processing system 10 the height of the welding wire 2 or the guide tube 3 in relation to the surface of the workpiece 6 determined.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 4320405 C2 [0003]
• - DE 19732379 C2 [0004]

Claims (15)

Means for supplying welding wire to the processing point in laser welding with a transport device and a downstream guide tube for the welding wire, characterized in that the transport device ( 8th ) and the guide tube ( 3 ) as a conveyor system ( 1 ) is provided with an adjusting mechanism so that at least the end of the guide tube ( 3 ) with the wire outlet opening with respect to the laser beam ( 4 ) is movable and that the guide tube ( 3 ) has an arc shape, wherein a first part ( 3a ) of the guide tube ( 3 ) predominantly parallel to the laser beam ( 4 ) and a second part ( 3b ) at an angle to the first part ( 3a ) are arranged so that the wire outlet opening in the direction of the laser beam ( 4 ) and / or the processing point points. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor system ( 1 ) is pivotable over at least one hinge in at least one plane and that the conveyor system ( 1 ) is coupled to at least one drive. Device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the pivotable about the hinge conveyor system ( 1 ) is movable and that the conveyor system ( 1 ) is coupled with drives in such a way that the conveyor system ( 1 ) in its height relative to the processing point and the distance between the wire outlet opening of the guide tube ( 3 ) and laser beam ( 4 ) is adjustable. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor system ( 1 ) in the direction of the laser beam ( 4 ) or guided away from this and that a working in the guide axis hand-operated or motor drive to the conveyor system ( 1 ) is coupled. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor system ( 1 ) is arranged on an xy positioning system, wherein the conveyor system ( 1 ) through the x-axis at an angle to the laser beam ( 4 ) and through the y-axis parallel to the laser beam ( 4 ), and that in each case one in the x-axis and one working in the y-axis hand-operated or motor drive is coupled to the xy positioning system. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor system ( 1 ) on an xyz positioning system ( 7 ), the conveyor system ( 1 ) through the x-axis at an angle to the laser beam ( 4 ) and through the y-axis parallel to the laser beam ( 4 ) as well as by the z-axis in height with respect to the processing point is movable, and that in each case an operating in the x-axis, in the y-axis and in the z-axis manually operable or motor drive to the xyz positioning system ( 7 ) is coupled. Device according to claim 1 and at least one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the drive mechanism of the transport device ( 8th ) and the at least one drive for the conveyor system ( 1 ) are interconnected with a controller. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) for supplying welding wire ( 2 ) at one the laser beam ( 4 ) decoupling device ( 5 ) is located. Device according to claim 1 and at least one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that at least one at least the end portion of the out of the guide tube ( 3 ) emerging welding wire ( 2 ), the exit opening of the welding wire ( 2 ) or the end region of the guide tube ( 3 ) imaging optics is arranged. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a laser beam ( 4 ) decoupling device ( 5 ) has at least one the processing point imaging optics or at the laser beam ( 4 ) decoupling device ( 5 ) is arranged, the machining point imaging optics, so that in addition to the processing point and at least the end region of the guide tube ( 3 ) with the outlet opening of the welding wire ( 2 ) including its end region, the end region of the welding wire ( 2 ) or the discharge opening of the welding wire ( 2 ) is displayed. Device according to at least one of the claims 2 to 6 and 9 or 10, characterized in that the imaging optics and the drives of the conveyor system ( 1 ) are interconnected with a controller. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the controller is a data processing system ( 10 ) and that in the data processing system ( 10 ) a module for image processing of the image of the imaging optics is realized, so that the shape and / or the position of the guide tube ( 3 ) emerging end portion of the welding wire ( 2 ) with certain forms in the data processing system ( 10 ), assigned to a mold and from there the drives of the transport device ( 8th ) and the positioning system are controlled automatically. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the controller is a data processing system ( 10 ) and that in the data processing system ( 10 ) a module for image processing tion of the image of the imaging optics is realized, so that the positions of the processing point and at least the end portion of the guide tube ( 3 ) with the outlet opening of the welding wire ( 2 ) including its end region, determines at least the positions relative to one another and from this the drives of the transport device ( 8th ) and the positioning system are controlled automatically. Device according to claim 1 and claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a light source is arranged so that the light rays at least on the out of the guide tube ( 3 ) passing end portion of the welding wire ( 2 ), and that the imaging optics are arranged so that the shadow of the out of the guide tube ( 3 ) emerging end portion of the welding wire ( 2 ) and / or the end region of the guide tube ( 3 ) on the workpiece ( 6 ) and in the data processing system ( 10 ) the height of the welding wire ( 2 ) or the guide tube ( 3 ) with respect to the surface of the workpiece ( 6 ) is determined. Device according to claim 1 and claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a light source and the imaging optics are arranged so that the light rays at least on the out of the guide tube ( 3 ) passing end portion of the welding wire ( 2 ) fall and that by means of the imaging optics, the processing point, the end portion of the guide tube ( 3 ) with the outlet opening of the welding wire ( 2 ) including its end region and the shadow of the guide tube ( 3 ) emerging end portion of the welding wire ( 2 ) and / or the end region of the guide tube ( 3 ) on the workpiece ( 6 ) and in the data processing system ( 10 ) the height of the welding wire ( 2 ) or the guide tube ( 3 ) with respect to the surface of the workpiece ( 6 ) be determined.