DE102010042777A1 - Laser cutting arrangement comprises first laser cutting unit enclosed by a impermeable cabin for laser beams exhibiting a lock for introducing sheet metal molded parts to be processed, and a second laser cutting unit within the lock - Google Patents

Abstract

Laser cutting arrangement comprises at least a first laser cutting unit (2a, 2b, 2c) enclosed by a impermeable cage (1) for laser beams, where the cabin exhibits a lock (3) for introducing sheet metal molded parts (4, 4a, 4b) to be processed in the cabin and a second laser cutting unit (8) is provided within the lock. An independent claim is also included for cutting a part comprising providing the laser cutting arrangement, opening the lock, placing the part to be machined in the second laser cutting unit, light tight clamping the part between the tool and the counter tool of the second laser cutting unit, machining the part by the second laser cutting unit, transporting the machined part from the second laser cutting unit to the first laser cutting unit and further processing of the part by the first laser cutting unit.

Description

The invention relates to a laser cutting arrangement, in which at least a first laser cutting device is enclosed by a laser-impermeable cabin, wherein the cabin has a lock for introducing parts to be machined into the cabin.

According to the state of the art, laser cutting devices for cutting metal sheets or sheet metal parts are enclosed by a light-tight cabin for protection against injuries. Such a cabin can be provided for introducing parts to be processed into the cabin with a lock. Such a lock is designed so that no light passes from the cabin into the environment when the parts to be processed are introduced.

If many apertures, sections or cut-outs are to be produced from a sheet-metal shaped part with a laser cutting arrangement, it comprises a plurality of laser cutting units in succession. Then, for example, robots are provided for transferring a shaped sheet metal part from one laser cutting device to the next laser cutting device, which are likewise accommodated inside the cabin. The provision of multiple laser cutting devices and robots requires a relatively large amount of space. As a result, the cabin must be sized accordingly large. This in turn causes a relatively high cost and production costs for the cabin.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a laser cutting arrangement should be specified, which can be operated with a comparable cabin performance with a reduced cabin. Furthermore, a method is to be specified, which allows operation of a laser cutting arrangement with a reduced cabin.

This object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 13. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the features of claims 2 to 12 and 14 to 17.

According to the invention, a laser cutting arrangement is proposed in which a second laser cutting device is provided within the lock. - This can be reduced in a surprisingly simple way, the size of the cabin. By processing the parts to be worked into the cabin already in the lock, handover steps can be saved. Advantageously, the step of inserting the part to be processed into the lock can be combined with the step of inserting into the second laser cutting device. Likewise, the step of discharging the part from the sluice may be combined with the step of discharging from the second laser cutting device. The proposed laser cutting arrangement is more compact and allows more efficient production of openings, cuts and / or cut-outs in parts, such as sheet metal parts or the like.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the lock on a cabin interior facing the inner lock gate and the cabin interior facing away from the outer lock gate. The sluice gates are expediently lifting gates. This allows easy and fast opening and closing of the lock gates.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second laser cutting device on a tool and a relative thereto movable corresponding counter tool, between which the part to be machined is light-tight clamped. In this case, the tool and the counter tool on an outer contour, which correspond to a desired contour of the part to be machined. Ie. by clamping the part to be machined between the tool and the counter tool takes the part to be machined on his target contour. Furthermore, the part to be machined is clamped in a light-tight manner between the tool and the counter tool, so that openings can be produced therein, for example by means of laser cutting heads.

Appropriately, a control is provided, so that the second laser cutting device is only operable when the part to be machined between the tool and the counter tool is clamped in a predetermined minimum distance. This ensures that, for example, when inserting a defective part and a consequent, not complete closing of the tool and the counter tool up to a predetermined minimum distance processing by laser because of the risk of leakage of laser beams is impossible. The predetermined minimum distance between the tool and the counter tool can be measured, for example, by means of conventional displacement transducers.

According to a particularly advantageous further embodiment, the first laser cutting device is connected via a first beam conductor and the second laser cutting device via a second beam conductor with a laser beam splitter, which is connected via a third beam conductor with a laser beam source. The provision of the laser beam splitter enables alternate operation of the first and second laser cutting devices with only one laser beam source.

Preferably, by means of the control, the laser beam splitter is controlled such that the first laser cutting device is operated when the inner sluice gate and / or the outer sluice gate is / are closed. By controlling the function of the lock gates as well as the function of the laser beam splitter with the control, it is possible safely and reliably to avoid unwanted leakage of laser beams from the area of the lock.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the second laser cutting device comprises a vertical movement device, by means of which the tool is movable relative to the counter tool. Conveniently, the tool and / or the counter tool is provided with a plurality of laser cutting heads for producing openings in the part to be machined.

The vertical movement device may, for example, be a press with an upper and a lower crosshead. For example, at the upper crosshead, the tool may be provided with a first contact surface whose outer contour at least partially corresponds to a desired contour of a first outer side of a sheet metal part. In the first contact surface further recesses may be provided, in which the laser cutting heads are housed. At the lower crosshead, a counter tool may be provided, on which or in which the sheet metal part can be placed. The counter-tool has a second contact surface, which corresponds at least in sections to a desired contour of the first outer side opposite the second outer side of the sheet-metal molded part. By moving the counter tool against the tool, the sheet metal part - which may have a deviating from the nominal contour actual contour - is forced between the first and the second contact surface. As a result, it assumes its nominal contour. Subsequently, the laser cutting heads can be used to produce breakthroughs in the sheet metal part in a particularly exact and accurate manner. At least a portion of the apertures produced can be used in further production steps for particularly positionally accurate recording on corresponding recording devices. Ie. the breakthroughs may therefore be reference holes or so-called RPS holes.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first transport device for automatically feeding the parts to be processed to the second laser cutting device is provided outside the car. Furthermore, a second transport device for discharging the machined parts from the second laser cutting device and for feeding to the first laser cutting device can be provided inside the cabin. The first and / or second transport device can advantageously be a robot. The provision of the first and second transport means enables automated introduction of the part to be processed into the cabin as well as supply and removal of the part to and from the first laser cutting device.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of cutting a part is proposed by the following steps:
Providing a laser cutting arrangement according to the invention,
Opening the lock,
Inserting a part to be machined into the second laser cutting device and light-tight clamping of the part to be machined between a tool and a counter-tool of the second laser cutting device,
Machining the part by means of the second laser cutting device,
Transporting the machined part from the second laser cutting device to the first laser cutting device, and
further processing of the part by means of the first laser cutting device.

The proposed method makes it possible to save handling steps and is therefore particularly efficient. At the same time it can - compared to the prior art - be operated with a reduced cabin.

According to an advantageous embodiment, during the insertion of the part into the second laser cutting device, a preceding part is processed in the first laser cutting device. The "previous part" has previously been processed by the second laser cutting device and then transferred to the first laser cutting device. This allows alternate operation of the first and second laser cutting devices. Such operation may advantageously be performed with a single laser beam source providing a laser beam splitter. It can thus be dispensed with the effort for the provision of relatively expensive further laser beam sources.

Conveniently, when inserting the part in the second laser cutting device, the inner lock gate is completely closed. This allows operation of the first laser cutting device without laser beams from the area of the cabin penetrating into the environment.

Advantageously, during a removal of the processed part from the first laser cutting device, a following part is processed in the second laser cutting device. This process step also allows an alternation Operating the first and the second laser cutting device. It is expedient to use the time of removal of a machined part from the first laser cutting device to simultaneously operate the second laser cutting device.

Advantageously, during a removal of the machined part from the second laser cutting device, the outer lock gate is completely closed. This prevents laser beams from entering the environment from the cabin.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1 a top view of a laser cutting assembly,

2 a perspective view according to 1 .

3 a schematic view of the essential components of the laser cutting assembly,

4 a schematic cross-sectional view of a second laser cutting device in a first method step,

5 the second laser cutting device according to 4 in a second process step,

6 a schematic sectional view of a further second laser cutting device in a first method step,

7 the further second laser cutting device according to 6 in a second method step and

8th a flowchart of the essential steps of the laser cutting assembly.

In the in the 1 and 2 shown laser cutting assembly are within a laser-opaque cabin 1 three first laser cutting devices 2a . 2 B and 2c intended. At the cabin 1 For example, a canopy is omitted for the sake of clarity. At the first laser cutting devices 2a . 2 B . 2c this is - as in this example - Cartesian laser cutting equipment. Instead of such Cartesian laser cutting devices, robot-guided laser cutting heads can also be provided. With the reference number 3 is a lock referred to, which is the introduction of parts to be machined, such as sheet metal parts 4a . 4b , in the cabin 1 serves. The lock 3 has an outer lock gate 5 and an inner lock gate 6 on. The floodgates 5 . 6 are executed here as lifting gates. As in particular from 2 is apparent within a through the floodgates 5 . 6 as well as through lock side walls 7a . 7b surrounded interior of the lock 3 a second laser cutting device 8th added. Towards the top of the lock 3 enclosed space by an ingredient, eg. B. by an upper crosshead 9 , the second laser cutting device 8th limited. With the reference number 10 is called a first robot, which is outside the cab 1 is arranged so that therewith a sheet metal part 4a gripped and into the inside of the lock 3 recorded second laser cutting device 8th can be inserted.

With the reference number 11 a second robot is designated, with which a machined sheet metal part from the second laser cutting device 8th taken and to one inside the cabin 1 provided recording device 12 can be set.

With the reference number 13 is a third robot called, with a further processed sheet metal part 4b from the receiving device 12 lifted and for removal from the cabin 1 another lock 14 can be supplied. With the reference number 14a are containers for transporting the processed sheet metal parts 4b designated.

With the reference numerals 15a . 15b and 15c are designated a first, second and third laser beam sources, which outside the cabin 1 are arranged.

As in particular from 3 can be seen, are the first laser cutting devices 2a . 2 B and 2c over first beam conductor 16a . 16b and 16c each with a laser beam splitter 17a . 17b and 17c connected. Each of the laser beam turnouts 17a . 17b . 17c is via in each case one (not shown here) third beam conductor with the respective laser beam source 15a . 15b . 15c connected.

The laser beam turnouts 17a and 17c are also by means of second beam conductors 18a . 18c with (not shown in detail) laser cutting heads of the second laser cutting device 8th connected.

The 4 and 5 show a schematic sectional view of a second laser cutting device 8th , The second laser cutting device 8th is designed in the manner of a press, in which an upper cross head 9 is fixedly mounted. At the upper cross head 9 is a tool 20a attached, the first contact surface K1 at least in sections one to a first outer side A1 of a sheet metal part 4 having corresponding nominal contour. On a movable lower crosshead 19 is a counter-tool 20b recorded, which one has a second contact surface K2 corresponding to a second outer side A2 opposite the first outer side A1. The second contact surface K2 has a nominal contour corresponding at least in sections to the second outer side A2.

With the reference number 21a . 21b . 21c are laser cutting heads, which by means of second beam conductor 18a with the laser beam splitter 17a are connected. The laser cutting heads 21a . 21b and 21c are in recesses 22a . 22b and 22c of the tool 20a added.

The function of the second laser cutting device 8th is the following:
First, a sheet metal part to be machined 4 on the counter tool 20b placed so that an actual contour of the sheet metal part 4 rests on the second contact surface K2. Subsequently, the lower crosshead 19 against the upper crosshead 9 proceed until the sheet metal part 4 is clamped between the first K1 and the second contact surface K2 and thus deformed into its desired contour. When the sheet metal part 4 properly between the tool 20a and the counter tool 20b is clamped, corresponds to a distance between the tool 20a and the counter tool 20b about the thickness of the sheet. By means of a conventional displacement measuring device, it is detected whether a predetermined minimum distance between the tool located in the region of the thickness of the metal sheet 20a and the counter tool 20b has been achieved. If that, for example, by a faulty doubling the sheet metal part 4 , not the case, are the laser cutting heads 21a . 21b . 21c not put into operation. Otherwise, by a corresponding control of the laser beam splitter 17a the laser cutting heads 21a . 21b and 21c operated consecutively. They can be moved by means of movement (not shown in detail here) in such a way that breakthroughs into the sheet-metal shaped part are achieved 4 get cut.

In the in the 6 and 7 shown further second laser cutting device is in contrast to that in the 4 and 5 shown second laser cutting device, the upper crosshead 9 movable and the lower crosshead 19 fixed formed.

8th shows in a flow chart using the in the 1 and 2 shown laser cutting assembly feasible method.

A, for example, on a conveyor belt, fed sheet metal part 4a is from a first robot 10 resorted. The outer lock gate 5 the lock 3 will be opened. At the same time, the inner lock gate remains 6 completely closed. Subsequently, by means of the first robot 10 the sheet metal part 4a in the second laser cutting device 8th , especially on the counter tool 20b , placed. Then the sheet metal part is 4a between the tool 20a and the counter tool 20b clamped so that it assumes its nominal contour and the sheet metal part 4a is enclosed in a light-tight manner. The outer lock gate 5 will be closed; the inner lock gate 6 will be closed. Meanwhile, the laser cutting heads 21a . 21b . 21c by switching the laser beam splitter 17a operated sequentially and breakthroughs in the sheet metal part 4a produced.

If - as in 3 shown - two groups of laser cutting heads 21a . 21c each with two separate laser beams 17a . 17c with two different laser sources 15a . 15c can also be two or more laser cutting heads 21a . 21b . 21c be operated simultaneously. The with the respective laser beam source 15a . 15b . 15c connected first laser cutting devices 2a . 2 B . 2c are not operated during this time. It can meanwhile z. B. another processed sheet metal part 4b by means of the third robot 13 from the receiving device 12 lifted and into the further lock 14 be filed.

Once by means of the second laser cutting device 8th the breakthroughs in the sheet metal part 4a are made, the counter-tool 20b from the tool 20a removed by a vertical movement. The processed sheet metal part 4a is by means of the second robot 11 gripped and on the first laser cutting devices 2a . 2 B . 2c associated recording device 12 set. Here are some of the means of the second laser cutting device 8th produced openings as reference holes, which when placed on the receiving device 12 intervene in protruding centering mandrels.

Thereafter, by simultaneously operating the first laser cutting devices 2a . 2 B and 2c the sheet metal part 4b further edited. During this process becomes the inner lock gate 6 closed and the outer lock gate 5 open. By means of the third robot 13 becomes the processed sheet metal part 4b from the receiving device 12 taken and in the other lock 14 placed.

With the proposed method can be quickly and efficiently produce breakthroughs, cutouts and cuts on a sheet metal part. In this case, the laser cutting arrangement can be made compact by the second laser cutting device 8th inside the lock 3 is housed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cabin

2a, 2b, 2c

first laser cutting device

3

lock

4, 4a, 4b

Sheet metal part

5

outer lock gate

6

inner lock gate

7a, 7b

Lock side wall

8th

second laser cutting device

9

upper crosshead

10

first robot

11

second robot

12

recording device

13

third robot

14

another lock

14a

container

15a, 15b, 15c

laser beam source

16a, 16b, 16c

first beam conductor

17a, 17b, 17c

Soft laser beam

18a, 18c

second beam conductor

19

lower crosshead

20a

Tool

20b

counter-tool

21a, 21b, 21c

Laser cutting head

22a, 22b, 22c

recess

A1

first outside

A2

second outside

K1

first contact surface

K2

second contact surface

Claims (17)

Laser cutting arrangement, wherein at least a first laser cutting device ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) of a laser-impermeable cabin ( 1 ) is enclosed, the cabin ( 1 ) a lock ( 3 ) for introducing parts to be processed ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) in the cabin ( 1 ), characterized in that within the lock ( 3 ) a second laser cutting device ( 8th ) is provided. Laser cutting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the lock ( 3 ) an interior lock gate facing a cabin interior ( 6 ) and an outer lock gate facing away from the cabin interior ( 5 ) having. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock gates ( 5 . 6 ) Are lifting gates. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) a tool ( 20a ) and a correspondingly movable corresponding counter-tool ( 20b ), between which the part to be processed can be clamped in a light-tight manner. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a control is provided, so that the second laser cutting device is only operable when the part to be machined between the tool and the counter tool is clamped at a predetermined minimum distance. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first laser cutting device ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) via at least one first beam conductor ( 16a . 16b . 16c ) and the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) via at least one second beam conductor ( 18a . 18c ) with a laser beam splitter ( 17a . 17b . 17c ), which via a third beam conductor with a laser beam source ( 15a . 15b . 15c ) connected is. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by means of the control the laser beam splitter ( 17a . 17b . 17c ) is controlled so that the first laser cutting device ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) is operated when the inner lock gate ( 6 ) and / or the outer lock gate ( 5 ) is closed / are. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) comprises a vertical movement device, by means of which the tool ( 20a ) relative to the counter tool ( 20b ) is movable. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool ( 20a ) and / or the counter tool ( 20b ) with several laser cutting heads ( 21a . 21b . 21c ) is provided for producing openings in the part to be machined. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein outside the cabin ( 1 ) a first transport device for automatically feeding the parts to be processed ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) to the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) is provided. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein inside the cabin ( 1 ) a second transport device for discharging the machined parts ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) from the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) and for feeding to the first laser cutting device ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) is provided. Laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second transport device is a robot ( 10 . 11 ). Method for cutting a part ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) with the following steps: Provision of a laser cutting arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, opening of the lock ( 3 ), Inserting the part to be machined ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) in the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) and light-tight clamping of the part to be machined between a tool ( 20a ) and a counter tool ( 20b ) of the second laser cutting device ( 8th ), Editing the part ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) by means of the second laser cutting device ( 8th ), Transporting the machined part ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) from the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) to the first laser cutting device ( 2 . 2a . 2 B ), and further editing of the part ( 4 . 4a . 4b ) by means of the first laser cutting device ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ). Method according to claim 13, wherein during the insertion of the part ( 4a ) in the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) a previous part ( 4b ) in the first laser cutting device ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) is processed. The method of claim 14, wherein upon insertion of the part ( 4a ) in the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) the inner lock gate ( 6 ) is completely closed. Method according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein during a removal of the processed part ( 4b ) from the first laser cutting device ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) a following part ( 4a ) in the second laser cutting device ( 8th ) is processed. A method according to claim 16, wherein during a removal of the processed part ( 4b ) from the second laser cutting device ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) the outer lock gate ( 5 ) is completely closed.

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