JP2005088015A - Laser beam machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser beam machine which prevents the damage to a beltlike work when moving it in a Y direction, and the constitution of which is made compact. <P>SOLUTION: The laser beam machine 10 comprises: a laser beam irradiating part 14; a work transferring mechanism 16; an sucking table 18; and an XY stage 20. The work transferring mechanism 16 comprises a work unwinding part 34 and a work winding part 34 on both sides of the sucking table 18. Then, the sucking table 18, work unwinding part 34 and work winding part 36 are mounted on a supporting base 38 and move in the X direction and the Y direction as one unit. Thus, a beltlike work W is not damaged when the sucking table 18 is moved in the Y direction. Further, the constitution of the laser beam machine 10 is made compact, and the laser beam machine 10 is miniaturized on the whole. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser processing machine, and more particularly to a laser processing machine suitable for continuously processing a strip-shaped workpiece formed in a tape shape by moving it in the X and Y directions.

  In a conventional laser processing machine, when performing fine hole processing by irradiating a laser beam to the belt-like workpiece, the work area of the belt-like workpiece drawn out from the unwinding reel is made to face the suction table, and the workpiece area is vacuum-sucked Then, the belt-shaped workpiece is irradiated with laser light in a state of being sucked by the suction table.

  The suction table is driven in the X and Y directions by the XY stage so as to move relative to the laser irradiation unit. On one side of the suction table, an unwinding reel around which the belt-like work is wound is provided on the fixed base, and on the other side of the suction table, a take-up reel for winding the belt-like work that has passed through the suction table is provided on the fixed base. Is provided.

  Further, between one side of the suction table and the take-up reel, and between the other side of the suction table and the take-up reel, there are a tension roller for applying tension to the belt-like workpiece and a step roller for guiding the belt-like workpiece. Is provided. The tension roller and the step roller are rotatably supported by a shaft supported by a fixed base, and are formed longer than the width in the Y direction of the belt-like workpiece.

  When the suction table is moved in the Y direction (front-rear direction of the apparatus) and the processing point of the processing area is moved to the laser irradiation position, the belt-like workpieces mounted on both sides of the suction table are moved between the tension roller and the step roller. It shifts in the axial direction (Y direction) while sliding on the outer periphery. As a result, the belt-like workpiece may be rubbed and damaged by the tension roller or the step roller. In particular, when machining a strip-shaped workpiece having a large width dimension, the moving distance in the axial direction (Y direction) increases accordingly, and the roller sliding contact portion of the strip-shaped workpiece is easily damaged.

  In order to solve such problems, there is a configuration in which a tension support, a step roller, a take-up reel, and a reel support base that supports a take-up reel are provided so as to be movable in the axial direction (Y direction) (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

In this case, when the suction table moves in the Y direction, the reel support is moved in the Y direction by the motor to prevent the belt-like work from being rubbed against the roller in the Y direction. It is configured not to be damaged.
JP 2001-105170 A

  However, in the conventional laser processing machine, since the support table is moved in the Y direction in synchronization with the movement of the suction table in the Y direction as described above, a linear guide or a support table for guiding the support table in the Y direction is used. It is necessary to provide a ball screw mechanism and a Y direction drive motor for driving in the Y direction, which not only complicates the configuration, but also increases the overall size of the apparatus and requires a larger installation space.

  Further, in the conventional laser processing machine, when the moving speed of the suction table in the Y direction and the moving speed of the reel support base in the Y direction do not match, the operation timings of both of them shift. There is a risk that the belt-like workpiece will be rubbed and damaged by the roller.

  Furthermore, in the conventional laser processing machine, when the belt-shaped workpiece is wound, the table is lowered so that the belt-shaped workpiece does not come into contact with the suction table. However, since the weight of the suction table is large, the apparatus becomes larger. It was.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the laser processing machine which solved the said subject.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a work unwinding unit for unwinding a strip-shaped workpiece before processing, a table for holding the strip-shaped workpiece pulled out from the workpiece unwinding unit, and a laser beam on the strip-shaped workpiece held on the table. A laser processing machine having a laser irradiation unit for irradiation, a workpiece winding unit for winding a processed band-shaped workpiece irradiated with laser light from the laser irradiation unit, and an XY stage for moving the table in the X direction and the Y direction The work unwinding part is integrally provided on the work supply side of the support base that supports the table, and the work take-up part is integrally provided on the work discharge side of the support base. It has been.

  In the invention according to claim 2, when processing the strip-shaped workpiece, the workpiece unwinding portion and the workpiece winding portion are lowered so that the strip-shaped workpiece is held on the table, and when the strip-shaped workpiece is wound, the strip-shaped workpiece is removed from the table. Elevating means for raising the work unwinding part and the work take-up part so as to be separated from each other is provided to prevent the belt-like work from being damaged.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the support base includes a first base that supports the table, a second base that supports the workpiece unwinding portion, and a third base that supports the workpiece winding portion. The second and third bases can be raised and lowered individually with respect to the first base.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first base is driven in the X direction and the Y direction by the XY stage, and the second and third bases are moved together with the first base.

  The invention according to claim 5 is provided with a first drive unit that drives the work unwinding unit on the second base, and a second drive unit that drives the work take-up unit on the third base, The workpiece winding unit and the workpiece winding unit can be moved together.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first tension applying means for applying a predetermined tension to the belt-shaped workpiece drawn out from the workpiece unwinding section and the belt-shaped workpiece mounted on the table are applied with the predetermined tension. And a second tension applying means for preventing the belt-like workpiece from being damaged.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the work unwinding portion, the table, and the work winding portion are driven in the X direction and the Y direction by the XY stage in a state where the work unwinding portion, the table, and the work winding portion are mounted on the support base. When the table is moved in the Y direction, the belt-like workpiece is not damaged, the configuration is compact, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size. Therefore, the installation space for the laser beam machine can be small, and it can be installed in a narrow place.

  According to invention of Claim 2, when winding a strip | belt-shaped workpiece, by raising a workpiece | work unwinding part and a workpiece | work winding-up part, when transferring a strip | belt-shaped workpiece, a strip | belt-shaped workpiece is separated from a table, The belt-like workpiece is not rubbed against the table during the transfer process, and the belt-like workpiece can be prevented from being damaged, and the apparatus can be miniaturized by raising and lowering the workpiece unwinding portion and the workpiece winding portion that are lighter than the table.

  According to invention of Claim 3, the 2nd base which supports a workpiece | work unwinding part and the 3rd base which supports a workpiece | work winding-up part are independently provided with respect to the 1st base which supports a table. It is possible to prevent the belt-like workpiece from being damaged by being moved up and down and not being rubbed against the table in the process of transferring the belt-like workpiece.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the second and third bases provided on both sides of the first base are moved to the first base by driving the first base in the X direction and the Y direction by the XY stage. It is possible to move in the X direction and the Y direction integrally with the base, and the belt-like workpiece is not rubbed against the table even during the movement by moving in the X direction and the Y direction, and the belt-like workpiece can be prevented from being damaged.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the second base is provided with the first drive unit that rotationally drives the take-up reel, and the third base is provided with the second drive unit that rotationally drives the take-up reel. This makes it possible to move the first and second drive units together with the table in the X direction and the Y direction.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first and second tension applying means are applied together with the table in the X direction and the Y direction by applying a predetermined tension to the belt-like workpiece by the first and second tension applying means. The belt-like workpiece is not rubbed against the table even during movement, and the belt-like workpiece can be prevented from being damaged.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a laser beam machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the laser processing machine. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the laser processing machine. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a two-dot chain line indicates an operating range.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the laser processing machine 10 includes a laser beam irradiation unit 14, a workpiece transfer mechanism 16, a suction table 18, and an XY stage inside a box-shaped housing 12. 20 are housed. The XY stage 20 includes an X-direction linear drive unit 20A that drives the support base 38 that supports the suction table 18 in the X direction, and a Y-direction linear drive unit 20B that drives the X-direction linear drive unit 20A in the Y direction.

  Further, on both sides of the housing 12, a control device 26 that controls the laser beam irradiation unit 14, the workpiece transfer mechanism 16, the suction table 18, and the XY stage 20 is disposed. The laser light irradiation unit 14 performs fine hole processing by irradiating a predetermined region (hereinafter referred to as “processed region”) of the belt-like workpiece W with laser light under the control of the control device 26. At that time, the processing point of the belt-like workpiece W and the optical axis of the laser beam irradiation unit 14 are aligned by the control device 26 driving the XY stage 20 to move the suction table 18 and the workpiece transfer mechanism 16 in the X direction and the Y direction. Do it by driving. And the workpiece transfer mechanism 16 will wind up the strip | belt-shaped workpiece | work W and will transfer the next workpiece | work area | region to the position facing the workpiece | work adsorption | suction surface 18a of the adsorption | suction table 18 when the laser processing with respect to the workpiece | work area | region of the strip | belt-shaped workpiece W is complete | finished. .

  In the suction table 18, a plurality of air suction holes 18b (see FIG. 6) for sucking air to the work suction surface 18a are aligned in the X and Y directions, and the vacuum suction device (not shown) defines the air suction holes 18b. The work area of the strip-shaped workpiece W is adsorbed by sucking air.

  On the upper part of the housing 12, a laser oscillation unit 28 that outputs laser light, an optical system 30 that guides the laser light from the laser oscillation unit 28 to the laser light irradiation unit 14, and a light source device 31 that drives the laser oscillation unit 28. And a personal computer 32 for inputting each control data (parameter).

  The workpiece transfer mechanism 16 includes a workpiece unwinding portion 34 disposed on one side of the suction table 18 and a workpiece winding portion 36 disposed on the other side of the suction table 18. The suction table 18 is supported by a support base 38, and the XY stage 20 moves the support base 38 in the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction. The support base 38 is also equipped with a workpiece unwinding portion 34 and a workpiece winding portion 36, and the suction table 18, the workpiece unwinding portion 34, and the workpiece winding portion 36 are combined as one unit in the X direction and the Y direction. Move to.

  Accordingly, when the suction table 18 is moved in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the laser beam irradiation unit 14, the workpiece unwinding unit 34 and the workpiece winding unit 36 can also be moved integrally. The belt-like workpiece W mounted between the portion 34 and the workpiece winding portion 36 is not damaged when the suction table 18 is moved in the Y direction.

  Further, in the laser processing machine 10, the configuration of the work unwinding part 34 and the work take-up part 36 becomes compact, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size. It becomes possible to do.

  Here, the configuration of the workpiece transfer mechanism 16 and the suction table 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view showing the workpiece transfer mechanism 16 and the suction table 18. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view showing the workpiece transfer mechanism 16 and the suction table 18. FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the workpiece transfer mechanism 16 and the suction table 18. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the two-dot chain line indicates the operating range.

  4 to 6, the support base 38 includes a first base 40 on which the suction table 18 is mounted, a second base 42 on which the workpiece unwinding section 34 is mounted, and a workpiece winding section. This is a combination of the third base 44 on which 36 is mounted. Further, on both sides of the first base 40, elevating mechanisms (elevating means) 46 and 48 are provided.

  The first base 40 is provided with an air suction path (not shown) communicating with the air suction hole 18b of the suction table 18, and this air suction path is provided from a vacuum generator (not shown). The tube is in communication.

  The second base 42 is provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the first base 40 by an elevating mechanism 46. Further, the third base 44 is provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the first base 40 by a lifting mechanism 48. The elevating mechanisms 46 and 48 lower the work unwinding part 34 and the work take-up part 36 so that the belt-like work W is attracted to the suction table 18 when the belt-like work W is irradiated with laser light. When winding the strip-shaped workpiece W, the workpiece unwinding section 34 and the workpiece winding section 36 are raised so that the strip-shaped workpiece W is separated from the suction table 18.

  Thus, when winding the strip-shaped workpiece W, the workpiece unwinding portion 34 and the workpiece take-up portion 36 are raised to separate the strip-shaped workpiece W from the suction table 18 when the strip-shaped workpiece W is transferred. In the process of transferring W, the belt-like workpiece W is not rubbed against the suction table 18, and the belt-like workpiece W can be prevented from being damaged. Furthermore, since the elevating mechanisms 46 and 48 are configured to raise and lower the work unwinding part 34 and the work take-up part 36 that are lighter than the suction table 18, the apparatus can be reduced in size.

  The work unwinding unit 34 includes an unwinding reel 50 around which the band-shaped workpiece W is wound, and a first tension applying unit 52 that applies a predetermined tension (tension) to the band-shaped workpiece W pulled out from the unwinding reel 50. Have The first tension applying unit 52 includes a driving roller 54 that rotates in the transfer direction of the belt-like workpiece W, a pressing roller 56 that presses the belt-like workpiece W against the outer periphery of the driving roller 54, the pressing roller 56, and the suction table 18. And a guide roller 58 for aligning the height position of the belt-like work W with the work suction surface 18a of the suction table 18.

  Furthermore, a drive motor 60 that rotationally drives the shaft 50 a of the take-up reel 50 and a drive motor 62 that rotationally drives the shaft 54 a of the drive roller 54 are attached to the back surface of the second base 42. These drive motors 60 and 62 are controlled to rotate by the control device 26 so as to be driven when the processing by the laser beam irradiation unit 14 on the region to be processed of the belt-like workpiece W is completed.

  Further, the drive roller 54 rotates and stops the rotation of the unwinding reel 50, and after the predetermined length of the belt-like workpiece W (the length corresponding to the region to be processed) is transferred, Thus, it functions as a tension applying means for applying a back tension to the belt-like workpiece W by rotating in the reverse direction.

  The workpiece take-up unit 36 includes a take-up reel 64 that takes up the strip-shaped workpiece W, and a second tension applying unit 66 that applies a predetermined tension (tension) to the strip-shaped workpiece W that has passed through the suction table 18. The second tension applying unit 66 includes a tension roller 68 that rotates in the transfer direction of the belt-like workpiece W, a pressure roller 70 that presses the belt-like workpiece W against the outer periphery of the tension roller 68, the pressure roller 70, and the suction table 18. And a guide roller 72 for aligning the height position of the belt-like workpiece W with the workpiece suction surface 18a of the suction table 18.

  Further, a drive motor 74 that rotationally drives the shaft 64 a of the take-up reel 64 and a drive motor 76 that rotationally drives the shaft 68 a of the tension roller 68 are attached to the back surface of the third base 44. The drive motors 74 and 76 are controlled to rotate by the control device 26 so that the drive motors 74 and 76 are driven when the processing by the laser beam irradiation unit 14 on the processing region of the strip-shaped workpiece W is completed.

  Further, the tension roller 68 rotates in the transfer direction of the belt-like workpiece W even after the winding reel 64 rotates and stops and the predetermined length of the belt-like workpiece W (the length corresponding to the region to be processed) is transferred. Function as tension applying means for applying tension to the belt-like workpiece W.

  Here, the procedure of the control process executed by the control device 26 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In S11 of FIG. 7, when the take-up reel 64 around which the unprocessed belt-like work W is wound is mounted and the start switch (not shown) is turned on, the control device 26 inputs a work take-up instruction. To see if it was done. When the workpiece winding instruction is input, the process proceeds to S12, where the workpiece unwinding portion 34 and the workpiece winding portion 36 are raised by a predetermined height by the elevating mechanisms 46 and 48, and the belt-like workpiece W is removed from the suction table 18. The workpiece is separated from the workpiece suction surface 18a.

  In S13, the unwinding side drive motors 60 and 62 and the unwinding side drive motors 74 and 76 are rotated to rotate the unwinding reel 50 and the driving roller 54 in the unwinding direction. The take-up reel 64 and the tension roller 68 are rotated in the take-up direction.

  In next S14, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined length of the belt-like workpiece W (a length corresponding to the region to be processed) has been transferred. In S14, when the belt-like work W is transferred by a predetermined length and the next work area faces the work suction surface 18a of the suction table 18, the process proceeds to S15, and the unwinding side drive motors 60 and 62 and the winding side drive are driven. The energization of the motors 74 and 76 is stopped, and the rotation of the take-up reel 50, the drive roller 54, the take-up reel 64, and the tension roller 68 is stopped.

  When performing this stop control, the drive roller 54 is rotated in the direction opposite to the transfer direction of the belt-like workpiece W, and a back tension is applied to the belt-like workpiece W. Thus, the work area of the strip-shaped workpiece W can be opposed to the workpiece suction surface 18a of the suction table 18 in a flat state without wrinkles.

  In next S <b> 16, the work unwinding part 34 and the work take-up part 36 are lowered by the elevating mechanisms 46 and 48 to bring the belt-like work W close to the work suction surface 18 a of the suction table 18. Subsequently, in S17, air in the air suction hole 18b formed in the workpiece suction surface 18a is sucked by a vacuum generator (not shown), thereby sucking the work area of the strip-shaped workpiece W onto the workpiece suction surface 18a. .

  As described above, when the belt-like workpiece W is attracted to the workpiece suction surface 18a, the process proceeds to S18, and the XY stage 20 is driven based on the XY coordinate data of the processing point to move the belt-like workpiece W in the X direction and the Y direction. . Since the work unwinding part 34 and the work take-up part 36 are also mounted on the support base 38 driven by the XY stage 20, the suction table 18, the work unwinding part 34, and the work take-up part 36 are integrally formed with the X. Move in the direction and Y direction. Therefore, when the belt-like workpiece W sucked on the workpiece suction surface 18a is moved in the X direction and the Y direction, the workpiece unwinding portion 34 and the workpiece winding portion 36 can also move together. Can be operated so as not to damage.

  In the next S19, when the belt-like workpiece W moves in the X direction and the Y direction and the processing point of the belt-like workpiece W coincides with the optical axis of the laser beam irradiation unit 14, the laser beam output from the laser oscillation unit 28 is optical system. The laser beam is incident on the laser beam irradiation unit 14 via 30, and the processing point of the strip-shaped workpiece W is irradiated from the laser beam irradiation unit 14. Then, it progresses to S20 and it is confirmed whether the process of the said to-be-processed area | region was complete | finished. In S20, when XY coordinate data that has not been processed still remains, the process returns to S18, and the XY stage 20 is driven based on the XY coordinate data of the next processing point to move the belt-like workpiece W in the X direction and the Y direction. Move to.

  In S20, when there is no XY coordinate data that has not been processed yet, the process proceeds to S21, where the laser oscillation unit 28 is stopped and the workpiece suction by the suction table 18 is stopped. Subsequently, in S22, it is confirmed whether or not the processing data of the next processing area is registered.

  In S22, when the processing data of the next region to be processed is registered, the process proceeds to S23 to check whether or not the strip-shaped workpiece W is wound around the unwinding reel 50. In S22, if the machining data for the next machining area is not registered, the current process is terminated.

  In S23, when the belt-like workpiece W is wound around the unwinding reel 50, the process returns to S12, and the processes after S12 are repeated. If the belt-like workpiece W is not wound on the unwinding reel 50 in S23, the process proceeds to S24, the operator is notified of the replacement of the unwinding reel 50, and the current process is terminated.

  As described above, when the belt-like workpiece W is moved in the X direction and the Y direction with respect to the optical axis of the laser beam irradiation unit 14, the unwinding reel 50, the suction table 18, and the take-up reel 64 move integrally. When the suction table 18 is moved in the Y direction, the belt-like workpiece W is not rubbed and damaged by the roller, the configuration is compact, and the entire apparatus can be miniaturized.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where hole processing is performed by irradiating the belt-like workpiece W with a laser beam has been described as an example. Of course.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the air suction hole is provided on the upper surface of the suction table to suck the belt-like workpiece has been described. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the belt-like workpiece is held by a method other than vacuum suction. It is possible to use a table.

It is a front view which shows one Example of the laser processing machine which becomes this invention. It is a side view of a laser beam machine. It is a top view of a laser beam machine. It is a front view which expands and shows the workpiece | work transfer mechanism 16 and the suction table 18. FIG. It is a side view which expands and shows the workpiece | work transfer mechanism 16 and the suction table 18. FIG. It is a top view which expands and shows the workpiece | work transfer mechanism 16 and the suction table 18. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of control processing executed by a control device 26;

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Laser processing machine 14 Laser beam irradiation part 16 Work transfer mechanism 18 Suction table 20 XY stage 26 Controller 28 Laser oscillation part 34 Work unwinding part 36 Work winding part 38 Support base 40 First base 42 Second base 44 Third base 46, 48 Elevating mechanism 50 Unwinding reel 52 First tension applying section 54 Driving roller 60, 62, 74, 76 Driving motor 64 Take-up reel 66 Second tension applying section 68 Tension roller

Claims (6)

A workpiece unwinding section for unwinding the strip-shaped workpiece before processing;
A table for holding the strip-shaped workpiece drawn out from the workpiece unwinding section;
A laser irradiation unit for irradiating the belt-shaped workpiece held on the table with a laser beam;
A workpiece take-up unit that winds the processed belt-like workpiece irradiated with the laser beam from the laser irradiation unit;
An XY stage for moving the table in the X and Y directions;
In a laser processing machine having
The work unwinding unit is integrally provided on a work supply side of a support base that supports the table,
A laser processing machine, wherein the work winding part is integrally provided on the work discharge side of the support base.   When processing the strip-shaped workpiece, the workpiece unwinding portion and the workpiece winding portion are lowered so that the strip-shaped workpiece is held on the table, and when the strip-shaped workpiece is wound, the strip-shaped workpiece is removed from the table. 2. The laser beam machine according to claim 1, further comprising elevating means for raising the workpiece unwinding section and the workpiece winding section so as to be separated from each other. The support base is
A first base supporting the table;
A second base for supporting the workpiece unwinding portion;
A third base for supporting the work winding part;
The laser processing machine according to claim 2, wherein:   4. The laser beam machine according to claim 3, wherein the first base is driven in the X direction and the Y direction by the XY stage. A first drive unit for driving the work unwinding unit is provided on the second base,
4. The laser beam machine according to claim 3, wherein a second drive unit that drives the workpiece winding unit is provided on the third base. First tension applying means for applying a predetermined tension to the belt-like work drawn from the work unwinding section;
Second tension applying means for applying a predetermined tension to the belt-like work mounted on the table;
The laser processing machine according to claim 1, comprising:

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