DE20308097U1 - Laser processing device for workpiece processing has beam producer emitting at least one laser beam, used in welding operations - Google Patents

Abstract

A laser device for processing, especially welding, of workpieces, comprises a beam producer (106) emitting at least one laser beam (112) where the laser beam producer has several individual independently controllable production modules (107, 108), which emit several separated partial beams, which emerge together in a beam bundle (113) from the laser producer.

Description

The The invention relates to a laser device for processing, in particular for welding of workpieces, with the features in the preamble of the main claim.

such Laser devices are known from practice. You own one Beam generator that emits a laser beam that is emitted by a robot-guided Laser head directed onto the workpiece by means of a focusing device becomes. The laser beam generator can, depending on the power and size Laser head can be integrated or arranged externally. With external arrangement the laser beam is transmitted through a suitable transmission system, for example optical fiber cables, pipe guide with mirrors, branches and switches or the like to the laser head guided. The laser beam can exit the laser head as a single beam. There is also a variant of beam splitting using a suitable one Optics, where the single laser beam is divided into several beams becomes. The laser beam can work with continuous or pulsed power be generated. With the known technology, the relative movement between laser beam and workpiece by moving the laser head relative to the workpiece or vice versa. There are also laser devices as so-called Remote lasers are known, in which the laser beam has suitable scanner optics deflected with movable scanner mirrors and in one to three axes is moved.

It It is an object of the present invention to improve laser technology and other possible uses to develop.

The Invention solves this task with the features in the main claim.

By the module formation can individually controllable and separately next to each other from the laser device emerging partial beams are generated. In contrast to the previously known Beam division, the modular partial beams are independent of each other. This can locally and in the beam partial beams active at different times are generated. This allows the formation of partial beam patterns with variable local Training and through a corresponding module circuit also the Generation of partial beams that migrate or circulate in the beam.

For a modular Partial beam generation is particularly suitable according to the current state of technology Fiber lasers and disk lasers that already have modular training to have. So far, this module training has only been used to increase performance and used to generate a single laser beam.

With the individual switchable partial beams in the beam can be different Process requirements in workpiece machining are met. Therefor it is advantageous to use a process controller to control the generator modules connect to.

The Alignment and arrangement of the partial beams in the beam is freely selectable and can also be changed if necessary become. The beam arrangement can be a one-dimensional row arrangement be provided. A two-dimensional field arrangement is preferred, the more options for beam pattern formation. The partial beams can be grouped in the beam be loaded with power at the same time, size and arrangement the sub-beam group can vary. By group connection the laser power in the beam can also be varied.

The with the ray bundle feasible machining operations can of any kind. Except the preferred welding are also soldering, Cutting, engraving, targeted component heating etc. possible. By the local and time-variable laser power can also be used for other purposes operate successfully. The partial beams can for example cross to The direction of feed of the laser head oscillates back and forth, what with Success in laser hybrid welding for targeted pendulum guidance of a Arc can be used. In addition, any other application areas are possible.

The Invention enables it, the laser power and the energy distribution in any form locally and to change over time. This also allows temporal and local energy management. This in turn offers the possibility Laser generators or generator modules with a low average Performance and correspondingly lower costs for the machining processes to use than previously possible was. Despite the low average power, there are high pulse peak power possible. By appropriately loading the generator modules and partial beam formation can Repetition rates for beam generation and recombination times on the workpiece are optimally coordinated with each other.

By It is possible to simultaneously form several closely adjacent partial beams increase the effective width or beam width of the beam. This has advantages Covering larger tolerance ranges with regard to beam position and gap geometry on the workpieces. moreover Is it possible, to produce wider welds than was previously possible with a single, narrowly focused laser beam.

In addition to the laser device, the subject of the invention is the complete laser processing device and also a cell or station or several laser devices or laser processing devices.

In the subclaims further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified.

The Invention is exemplary and schematic in the drawings shown. In detail show:

1 : a station with a laser processing device in side view and

2 to 20 : Different variants of laser beam bundles and wiring sequences.

1 shows a schematic side view of a laser processing device ( 101 ) for workpieces ( 104 ). It consists of a suitable multi-axis manipulator ( 102 ), preferably an articulated arm robot with six or more axes and a laser device ( 105 ). The robot ( 102 ) has a robot controller, in which preferably also a process controller ( 103 ) is integrated. The laser processing device ( 101 ) is part of a processing cell or station and can be present there several times.

The laser device ( 105 ) consists of a laser beam generator ( 106 ) and a laser head ( 115 ), from which at least one laser beam in the form of a beam consisting of several partial beams ( 113 ) is emitted. The laser head ( 115 ) is at the hand of the robot ( 102 ) and is attached by it along a preprogrammed path relative to the workpiece ( 104 ) guided. Alternatively, a kinematic reversal of the relative movements or a combination of the movements is possible. In a further modification as a remote laser, the beam ( 113 ) with a suitable scanner device in the laser head ( 115 ) are deflected after one, two or three axes.

The laser beam generator ( 106 ) depending on the size and power in the laser head ( 115 ) be integrated. In this case, the robot ( 102 ) can be moved. Alternatively, the laser beam generator ( 106 ), be arranged externally and with the laser head ( 115 ) be connected via a suitable laser beam transmission system. This can be, for example, a flexible fiber optic cable, a pipe guide with mirrors, etc. With the external laser beam generator ( 106 ) it is also possible to use several laser heads ( 115 ) to operate simultaneously or alternately and, if necessary, to split the laser beam or to switch it with a beam splitter.

The laser beam generator ( 106 ) has several generator modules ( 107 . 108 ), each of which generates a laser beam. The generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) can be controlled individually and independently of each other. They are preferably connected via one or more suitable lines ( 114 ) with process control ( 103 ) connected. At the laser device ( 105 ), especially on the laser head ( 115 ) the partial beams come next to each other and preferably parallel to each other in a beam ( 113 ) out. 2 to 20 show various design options.

The laser beam generator ( 106 ) is designed in any suitable manner. It is preferably designed as a fiber laser or as a disk laser. Other variants are also possible. The individual generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) can for example also be designed as a small diode laser. The generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) preferably have the same laser power. Alternatively, you can vary in performance. The generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) can work in constant mode and emit partial beams of medium power. Alternatively, they can work in pulse mode and generate partial beams with higher and short-term peak power. The generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) can have the same or different repetition rates. It is also possible to switch between cost-effective and pulsed operation.

The generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) each have their own outgoing fiber ( 109 ) to emit their partial beams. The guide fibers ( 109 ) of several generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) can form one or more fiber bundles ( 110 ) can be summarized. The guide fibers ( 109 ) can also be used with a downstream common focusing device ( 111 ) connect. Alternatively, each guide fiber ( 109 ) have their own focusing device. Intermediate solutions are also possible, for example, in which several fiber bundles ( 110 ) are present and each fiber bundle ( 110 ) has its own focusing device. The focusing device ( 111 ) can be designed in any suitable manner. It is also possible to 109 ) divided into active and coupled passive fibers.

2 to 20 illustrate various design options for the radiation beams ( 113 ). The aforementioned fiber bundles ( 110 ) can have the same arrangement and orientation. The cross-sectional shape of the respective bundle ( 110 . 113 ). The individual partial beams or guide fibers ( 109 ) are shown here with a regular hexagonal cross section for the sake of simplicity. However, the cross-sectional shape can be selected as desired. In practice, it is usually circular or oval.

In the fiber or ray bundle ( 110 . 113 ) are the conduction fibers ( 109 ) or partial beams in en neighborhood arranged side by side. The emitted partial beams preferably run parallel, but can also have angular deviations from one another. The beam or fiber array can be designed as a substantially one-dimensional array 8th to 11 or as a two-dimensional array arrangement according to the other 2 to 7 and 12 to 20 be trained.

The switch-on phase of the individual guide fibers ( 109 ) is in the drawings 2 to 20 each identified by hatching. This also illustrates the currently generated and emitted partial beam and the actually existing cross-sectional shape of the beam ( 113 ). The switch-off status is indicated by a white inner surface. There is currently no partial beam here. In this case, the area outline shows the fiber cross section and the potential partial beam and bundle cross section.

For the control and activation of the generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) and the generation of the partial beams there are different possibilities. A local arrangement of, for example, the passive fibers of fiber-coupled generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) is an assignment of the laser energy to the guide fiber ( 109 ) both locally and temporally possible. For example, guide fibers ( 109 ) are controlled in parallel and pulsed at the same time. This results in longer pauses between the pulses. Individual conductive fibers ( 109 ) are controlled sequentially one after the other. This corresponds to a higher repetition rate.

In the embodiment of 2 to 4 are four fibers ( 109 ) or partial beams into an essentially center-symmetrical fiber or beam bundle ( 110 . 113 ) summarized. In this embodiment, for example, all single fibers or single beams 1 to 7 pulsed at the same time or alternately switched on and off. In this way, a laser beam with the entire cross-section of the bundle is generated at times and in pulses. The switch-on or pulse duration and the switch-off time can be set as desired within the scope of the laser technology.

In the variant of 5 to 7 are nineteen partial beams or guide fibers ( 109 ) to a larger and also essentially symmetrical bundle ( 110 . 113 ) joined together. The individual fibers or partial beams are controlled in groups. The first group on the inside is made up of fibers or partial beams 1 to 7 educated. The other fibers or partial rays 8th to 19 form the second group, which surrounds the inner group on the outside. 5 shows the off state by all fibers or partial beams 1 to 19 are switched off. In the following first switching stage according to 6 becomes the said inner group of fibers or partial rays 1 to 7 switched on while the outer group remains switched off. Then according to 7 the inner group switched off again and now the outer group with the partial beams or fibers 8th to 19 switched on. Then the cycle can again 5 kick off. Alternatively, any other pulse sequences and switch-on sequences are possible.

8th to 11 show a different wiring variant and bundle geometry. Here are the partial beams or guide fibers ( 109 ) aligned in a straight row next to each other. The in the fiber or

Ray bundle ( 110 . 113 ) arranged partial beams or individual fibers 1 - 7 are controlled alternately one after the other. 8th - 11 show the switching or pulse sequence of the guide fibers 1 - 7 , Due to the sequential wiring and pulse sequence, the emitted individual partial beam travels in the bundle ( 110 . 113 ) forward and possibly back.

The bundle of rays ( 113 ) can, for example, cross the path of movement between the laser head ( 115 ) and workpiece ( 104 ) be aligned so that the pulse sequence causes a transverse pendulum movement of a single partial beam. Accordingly, the base points or impact points of the partial beam on the workpiece ( 104 ) back and forth. Such a variant can be used, for example, as a pendulum control for an arc in laser hybrid welding. In this case the laser head ( 115 ) of 1 supplemented with an arc welding head. The on the workpiece ( 104 ) Partial beam striking destroys any oxide layers, ionizes the surrounding gas atmosphere (possibly protective gas) and improves the conduction conditions for the arc. As a result, the arc, with its base point on the workpiece, follows the oscillating and moving base point of the partial beam. In this way, inertia-free arc oscillation can be achieved during the feed in the welding process. The laser power can be so low that it can only be used to improve the guiding conditions for the arc on the workpiece ( 104 ) is sufficient. Alternatively, with a higher partial beam power, a welding effect or a piercing of the partial beam on the workpiece ( 104 ) be achieved.

12 to 15 show a twofold modified variant, in which on the one hand a wider row shape of the fiber and ray bundle ( 110 . 113 ) by adjacent partial beams or guide fibers arranged alternately offset to the left and right ( 109 ) is formed. In addition, group shading of conductive fibers ( 109 ) displayed in conjunction with a running effect. The As a result, fiber connection varies locally and in time. In 13 are the distanced individual fibers 1 . 5 turned on. In the next step they are switched off and the next individual fibers 2 . 6 applied. According to 14 and 15 The two partial beams then run over the individual fibers 3 . 7 and 4 . 8th further. In a modification of this exemplary embodiment, the respective group can also have more than two partial beams, which also have a different mutual arrangement or assignment.

In the variant of 16 and 17 is the row shape of the fiber and ray bundle ( 110 . 113 ) even wider and again consists of guide fibers arranged laterally offset in relation to each other ( 109 ) or partial beams. With the three individual fibers 1 - 13 two partial beam groups are formed by selective local exposure. The first beam group in 16 consists of the individual fibers arranged at the end of each row 1 - 4 and 10 - 13 , They are switched on in this exemplary embodiment. The individual fibers in between 5 - 9 form the second group. How 17 clarifies, these two groups are switched on and off alternately.

18 shows another bundle variant with individual fibers 1 - 17 in an elongated cross-sectional shape. In the variant of 19 are the single fibers 1 - 10 arranged in a substantially triangular bundle cross section. 20 shows another variant with single fibers 1 - 25 in an approximate diamond shape.

In addition to the selection of design options shown, any other variants are feasible. This applies both to the geometric design of the bundle cross sections or the fiber and partial beam distribution, as well as the number of guide fibers ( 109 ) or partial beams.

For example, it is possible to have individual beams or a group of partial beams burned permanently and to generate other individual partial beams or partial beam groups next to them in pulses. This brings a combination of constant power and pulse power, whereby a local and temporal change of the partial beams is also possible here. The wiring of the generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) and the jet stream formation can be adapted to different machining processes and the respective process requirements.

Modifications to the exemplary embodiments shown are possible in various ways. In the 2 to 20 The variants shown can be combined and interchanged as required. The design of the processing device ( 101 ) may vary. The station shown can have several robots ( 102 ) with laser heads ( 115 ) exhibit. Furthermore, several independent beams ( 113 ) be generated. It is also possible to split a radiation beam ( 113 ) to share and reproduce.

101

processing device

102

robot

103

Control, process control

104

workpiece

105

laser device

106

laser beam generator

107

generator module

108

generator module

109

Leitfaser

110

fiber bundles

111

focusing

112

laser beam

113

ray beam

114

management

Claims (20)

Laser device for processing, especially for welding workpieces ( 104 ), with a laser beam generator ( 106 ) for the emission of at least one laser beam ( 112 ), characterized in that the laser beam generator ( 106 ) several individually and independently controllable generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) which emit several separate partial beams, which are arranged side by side in a beam ( 113 ) on the laser device ( 105 ) emerge. Laser device according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser beam generator ( 106 ) is designed as a fiber laser or as a disk laser. Laser device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the beam ( 113 ) locally different partial beams can be generated. Laser device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that in the beam ( 113 ) temporally different partial beams can be generated. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the beam ( 113 ) several partial beams can be generated in groups. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the partial beams are pulsed. Laser device according to one of the preceding existing claims, characterized in that the beam ( 113 ) has a two-dimensional beam arrangement. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) have the same performance. Laser device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) have different performances. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) have the same repetition rates. Laser device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) have different repetition rates. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) own fibers ( 109 ) to emit the partial beams. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide fibers ( 109 ) to at least one fiber bundle ( 110 ) are summarized. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide fibers ( 109 ) with a common focusing device ( 11 ) are connected. Laser device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the guide fibers ( 109 ) each have their own focusing device. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the generator modules ( 107 . 108 ) with a process control ( 103 ) are connected. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser device ( 105 ) at least one laser head ( 105 ) with a focusing device ( 111 ) and an integrated or externally arranged laser beam generator ( 106 ) having. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser device ( 105 ) on a manipulator ( 102 ), preferably a multi-axis robot. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser device ( 105 ) Part of a laser processing device ( 101 ) is. Laser device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser device ( 105 ) Part of a cell or station with one or more laser processing devices ( 101 ) is.