JP2008212954A - Laser beam machining apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a laser beam machining apparatus in which collision between a machining head and a workpiece clamp is easily avoided. <P>SOLUTION: The laser beam machining apparatus performs laser beam machining on a workpiece while it is clamped by a workpiece clamp so that the workpiece placed on a machining table is prevented from shifting thereon. In this apparatus, on the basis of a position of a machining head emitting a laser beam to the workpiece, and of an entry prohibition region of the machining head in a region set for each clamp based on a press-down region for a clamp to hold the workpiece and on a region in the periphery of the press-down region; a controller 19 discriminates the entry of the machining head into the entry prohibition region during the transfer of the machining head, and also stops its transfer in the event of the entry into the prohibition region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser processing apparatus that performs laser processing of a workpiece while holding the workpiece with a workpiece clamp.

  Conventionally, a laser processing apparatus performs laser processing on a workpiece by placing a workpiece (workpiece) on a processing table. When a workpiece is laser processed with such a laser processing apparatus, the workpiece may be displaced due to movement of the processing table, or the workpiece may be deflected due to a temperature rise of the workpiece due to laser irradiation. For this reason, when the workpiece is placed on the processing table and laser processing is performed, it is necessary to fix the end portion of the workpiece on the processing table by the work clamp.

  Since this work clamp presses the end portion of the work from the upper surface, the work clamp protrudes to a position higher than the work surface of the work when the work is pressed. For this reason, when the machining head that performs laser irradiation moves on the workpiece, the machining head may collide with the workpiece clamp. Since the collision of the machining head with the work clamp causes damage to the machining head and the work clamp, the collision between the machining head and the work clamp must be avoided.

  The laser processing data creation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs figure cutting on a material based on parameters such as the material dimensions, the clamp position, and the coordinates of the machining figure when creating the laser processing data. Laser machining data is created so that the machining head avoids workpiece clamping from the parameters such as the clamp position.

  The laser processing machine described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a first detector having a first contact on one side in the left-right direction of a work clamp provided in the laser processing machine, and a second contact on the other side. It is detected that the workpiece is not clamped at an inappropriate position where the workpiece is inclined.

JP-A-3-174996 JP-A-6-23639

  In the former prior art, it is necessary to create a new machining program for each laser machining in order to avoid collision between the machining head and the work clamp. For this reason, every time the position of the work clamp is changed, it is necessary to create a new machining program, and there is a problem that labor and time are required.

  In the latter prior art, it is possible to detect whether or not the workpiece is clamped at an improper position, but there is no means for judging the work clamp mounting position. There was a problem that it could not be avoided.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a laser processing apparatus that can easily avoid a collision between a processing head and a work clamp.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a work clamp that fixes the work piece with a work clamp so that the work piece placed on the work table does not shift on the work table. In the laser processing apparatus that performs laser processing, the work clamp is based on a position of a processing head that irradiates the processing work with laser light, a pressing area where the work clamp presses the processing work, and a peripheral area of the pressing area. And determining whether or not the machining head enters the entry prohibition area when moving the machining head based on an entry prohibition area that prohibits entry of the machining head in an area set every time, and A control unit for stopping the movement of the machining head when the machining head enters the entry prohibition area; To.

  According to the present invention, since the movement of the machining head is stopped when the machining head enters the entry prohibition area, it is possible to easily avoid a collision between the machining head and the work clamp.

  Embodiments of a laser processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the laser processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The laser processing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that sequentially laser-processes each processing position by moving the processing head to each processing position on the workpiece (processing workpiece). In the region where the processing head collides with the workpiece clamp. Control is made to stop the movement of the machining head when attempting to enter. The laser processing apparatus 1 includes an input unit 11, a display unit 12, a clamp position storage unit 13, a processing unit 14, a processing program storage unit 15, and a control unit 19.

  The input unit 11 includes a mouse and a keyboard, and inputs information regarding the position (coordinates) and size of the work clamp C1 (clamp position information 101 described later) (position information), instruction information to the laser processing apparatus 1, and the like. To do. The clamp position information 101 input to the input unit 11 is sent to the clamp position storage unit 13 and the control unit 19.

  The display unit 12 includes character and image display means (such as a liquid crystal monitor). The display unit 12 displays, for example, information on the clamp position information 101 and the workpiece machining state by the laser machining apparatus 1.

  The clamp position storage unit 13 stores the clamp position information 101 sent from the input unit 11. The clamp position information 101 is stored in advance in the clamp position storage unit 13 before laser processing is started.

  The processing unit 14 includes a processing table (a processing table 21 described later) on which a workpiece (a workpiece 22 described later) is placed, a processing head (a processing head 23 described later) for irradiating the workpiece with laser light, and the workpiece on the processing table. A work clamp (such as a work clamp C1 described later) to be fixed is provided. The processing unit 14 performs laser processing on the workpiece based on an instruction sent from the control unit 19.

  The machining program storage unit 15 stores a machining program used when the machining processing unit 14 performs laser machining of a workpiece. This machining program is stored in advance in the machining program storage unit 15 before the laser machining apparatus 1 starts laser machining. The machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 15 may be acquired via the input unit 11 or read from an information recording medium (not shown) such as an FD (flexible disk) or a CD (Compact Disk). You may get it. Moreover, when the laser processing apparatus 1 is provided with a communication means, you may acquire a processing program via a communication means. The machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 15 includes information related to the movement path of the machining head on the workpiece (movement path information).

  The control unit 19 controls the input unit 11, the display unit 12, the clamp position storage unit 13, the processing unit 14, and the processing program storage unit 15. The control unit 19 causes the processing unit 14 to perform laser processing of the workpiece based on the processing program stored in the processing program storage unit 15.

  The control unit 19 according to the present embodiment includes an interference area setting unit 41 and a collision determination unit 42. The interference area setting unit 41 sets an area where the machining head and the work clamp are likely to cause collision (interference) as the machining head entry prohibition area (interference area). The interference area setting unit 41 sets an interference area based on the clamp position information 101 stored in the clamp position storage unit 13.

  The collision determination unit 42 determines in advance whether or not the machining head collides with the workpiece clamp when the machining head is moved from the machining position on the workpiece to the next machining position. The collision determination unit 42 determines whether or not the machining head collides with the work clamp based on the machining program stored in the machining program storage unit 15 and the interference area set by the interference area setting unit 41. When the collision determination unit 42 determines that the machining head and the workpiece clamp collide, the control unit 19 causes the machining processing unit 14 to stop laser machining of the workpiece (movement of the machining head 23).

  Next, a work clamp for fixing the work on the processing table will be described. 2 and 3 are views for explaining the relationship between the workpiece and the workpiece clamp. 2 shows a top view of the processing table, and FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the processing table. Here, for convenience of explanation, the long side direction of the rectangle constituting the processing table 21 is described as the X axis, and the short side direction is described as the Y axis. Moreover, in FIG. 3, only one work clamp is shown and illustration of other work clamps is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the workpiece 22 is placed on the processing table 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the processing table 21 supports the workpiece 22 with a plurality of convex portions 31. When the workpiece 22 is placed on the machining table 21, the workpiece 22 is placed so that at least one side of the workpiece 22 overlaps one side of the machining table 21 in order to fix the workpiece 22 on the machining table 21 with a workpiece clamp. Put. Here, a case is shown in which the workpiece 22 and the machining table 21 are overlapped on one side (side S) which is a side parallel to the X axis and located on the lower side (minus side) in the Y axis direction. .

  One to a plurality of work clamps C1 to Cn (n is a natural number) for fixing the work 22 to the processing table 21 are arranged on the side S side. Each of the work clamps C1 to Cn presses the work 22 from the upper surface side in the vicinity of the side S, and fixes the work 22 on the processing table 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each work clamp C <b> 1 to Cn is joined to the pressing table 35 having a U-shaped groove shape and one end 37 </ b> B of the pressing unit 35 and to the processing table 21. And a base 36 to be fixed. In each work clamp C1 to Cn, when the work 22 is pressed, the bottom surface 38 of the groove of the holding portion (C-shaped cross section) faces the upper surface (working surface) of the work 22. When the workpiece clamps C <b> 1 to Cn are pressed against the workpiece 22, the base portion 36 and one end portion 37 </ b> B side (side surface of the groove) of the pressing portion 35 joined to the base portion 36 are outside the machining table 21. And the side surface of the processing table 21 are in contact with each other on the side S side, and the other end portion (upper portion of the wall surface forming the groove) 37A of the pressing portion 35 presses the upper surface of the workpiece 22.

  In the present embodiment, an area in which the machining head 23 is not allowed to enter the periphery of each work clamp C1 to Cn (clamp area) (pressing area) in a state where each work clamp C1 to Cn presses the work 22 ( An unworkable area A) is provided. The unworkable area A is an area where the machining head 23 may cause a collision with the work clamps C1 to Cn when the machining head 23 moves on the work 22. For this reason, the area | region which combined the clamp area | region of each work clamp C1-Cn, and the process impossible area | region A becomes an area | region which may cause a collision (interference) with the process head 23 and the work clamp C1-Cn.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a region obtained by combining the clamp region and the non-processable region A is set as an interference region (entrance prohibition region) of the processing head 23. Here, the interference area of the work clamp C1 is the interference area E1, the interference area of the work clamp C2 is the interference area E2, and the interference area of the work clamp Cn is the interference area En. FIG. 2 shows a case where the size of the interference area of the work clamp Cn is L1 in the X-axis direction and L2 in the Y-axis direction.

  In the unworkable area A, areas having different sizes and shapes may be provided for the work clamps C1 to Cn, or areas having a common size and shape may be provided for the work clamps C1 to Cn.

  Information on the position (coordinates) at which each work clamp C1 to Cn fixes the work 22 to the processing table 21, information on the size of each work clamp C1 to Cn, and the like are clamp position information 101 regarding the position of each work clamp C1 to Cn. Yes, it is registered in the clamp position storage unit 13 of the laser processing apparatus 1. The coordinates of the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn are set with, for example, one vertex constituting the workpiece 22 as a reference (origin). FIG. 2 shows a case where the rightmost vertex on the side S of the workpiece 22 is the origin P (0, 0). The coordinates of each work clamp C1 to Cn are the coordinates of one vertex (for example, the right end on the side S) of each work clamp C1 to Cn.

  Below, the operation | movement procedure of the laser processing apparatus 1 concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the laser processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A machining program is input in advance to the laser machining apparatus 1 from the input unit 11 or the like (step S10). This machining program is stored in the machining program storage unit 15. Next, the workpiece 22 is placed on the machining table 21, and the workpiece 22 is fixed on the machining table 21 by the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn.

  When the workpiece 22 is fixed on the processing table 21 by the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn, clamp position information 101 is input from the input unit 11 as information regarding the positions of the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn used for fixing. When the clamp position information 101 is input from the input unit 11, the clamp position information 101 is input while displaying a registration screen of the clamp position information 101 on the display unit 12.

  The clamp position information 101 here includes positions (coordinates on the workpiece 22) for the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn used for fixing the workpiece 22, sizes of the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn, and the like. The clamp position information 101 input to the input unit 11 is sent to the clamp position storage unit 13, and the clamp position storage unit 13 stores the clamp position information 101 (step S20).

  Here, the configuration of the clamp position information 101 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of clamp position information. The clamp position information 101 is information in which the position where the work clamp is disposed and the size of the work clamp are associated with each of the work clamps C1 to Cn.

  The workpiece clamps C1 to Cn here and the origin P (0, 0) on the workpiece 22 are all arranged on the side S (X axis). For this reason, all the work clamps C1 to Cn have a Y coordinate of zero. Therefore, in FIG. 5, only the distance (coordinate on the X axis) from the origin P (0, 0) of each work clamp C1 to Cn is shown as the position of each work clamp C1 to Cn.

  In FIG. 5, for example, the position of the work clamp C1 is a position separated from the origin P (0, 0) by minus 400.00 mm in the X-axis direction, and the size of the work clamp C1 is 65.00 mm in the X-axis direction, Y The case where it is 34.00 mm in the axial direction is shown.

  Further, the case where the position of the work clamp Cn is a position separated from the origin P (0, 0) by L3 in the X-axis direction, and the size of the work clamp Cn is L1 in the X-axis direction and L2 in the Y-axis direction. Show.

  When there is a work clamp that is not used for fixing the work 22 among the work clamps C1 to Cn, information on the work clamp that is not used for fixing (information for specifying the work clamp) (clamp arrangement information 102 described later) is input. User input from the unit 11 may be stored in the clamp position storage unit 13. For example, a work clamp used for fixing the work 22 is designated by an input of “0”, and a work clamp not used for fixing the work 22 is designated by an input of “1”. The machining head 23 can enter the position of the workpiece clamp that was not used for fixing the workpiece 22.

  Next, the interference area setting unit 41 of the control unit 19 is based on the clamp position information 101 stored in the clamp position storage unit 13 and the unworkable area A, and the interference areas E1 to En for the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn. Is set (step S30). The unworkable area A may be stored in advance in storage means such as the clamp position storage unit 13 and the processing program storage unit 15 or may be included in the clamp position information 101 and registered in the processing program storage unit 15. Also good. Further, in the non-workable area A, a different area (size) may be set for each work clamp C1 to Cn, or the same area may be set for all the work clamps C1 to Cn.

  Thereafter, the processing unit 14 of the laser processing apparatus 1 starts laser processing of the workpiece 22 fixed to the processing table 21 by the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn (step S40). The control unit 19 transmits a processing instruction to the processing unit 14 based on the processing program in the processing program storage unit 15, and the processing unit 14 performs laser processing of the workpiece 22 based on the processing instruction from the control unit 19. Do. The processing unit 14 laser-processes each processing position in turn by moving the processing head 23 to each processing position on the workpiece 22.

  When performing laser processing on the workpiece 22, the clamp position information 101 and the clamp arrangement information 102 registered in the clamp position storage unit 13 are displayed on the display unit 12. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of clamp position information displayed on the display unit. For example, the clamp position information 101 is displayed on a part of the screen displayed on the display unit 12. The clamp position information 101 here indicates a case where each work clamp (CLAMP POSITIONS 1 to 4) has the same size (X direction is 65.000, Y direction is 34.000). In addition, although FIG. 6 demonstrated the case where each work clamp was the same size, each work clamp may be a different size. In this case, the size of the work clamp shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of clamp arrangement information displayed on the display unit. The clamp arrangement information 102 is information indicating whether or not each clamp is used for fixing the workpiece 22. For example, the workpiece clamp used for fixing the workpiece 22 is displayed as “0”, and the workpiece clamp not used for fixing the workpiece 22 is displayed as “1”. Work clamps not used for fixing the work 22 are excluded from the interference area setting targets.

  The clamp position information 101 shown in FIG. 6 and the clamp arrangement information 102 shown in FIG. 7 may be displayed when the clamp position information 101 and the clamp arrangement information 102 are input from the input unit 11.

  When the collision determination unit 42 of the control unit 19 completes the laser processing for one processing position, the next processing position is extracted from the processing program (step S50). The collision determination unit 42 confirms the movement path when the machining head 23 moves to the next machining position based on the current machining position (coordinates) and the next machining position (coordinates) (step S60). Then, the collision determination unit 42 determines whether or not the machining head 23 enters any of the interference areas E1 to En when the machining head 23 moves to the next machining position (step S70). At this time, even when the interference area is set, the collision determination unit 42 determines that the work clamp that is not used for fixing the work 22 (the work clamp designated “1”) is the work head 23. It is excluded from the collision target.

  When the machining head 23 enters any of the interference areas E1 to En (step S70, Yes), the collision determination unit 42 instructs the machining unit 14 to stop laser processing. Thereby, the machining head 23 stops on the workpiece 22, and the machining process of the workpiece 22 stops (step S80).

  On the other hand, when the machining head 23 does not enter any of the interference regions E1 to En (step S70, No), the control unit 19 moves the machining head 23 to the next machining position (step S90). Thereafter, when the machining head 23 performs laser machining of the workpiece 22 at the machining position after movement (next machining position), the control unit 19 determines whether or not all laser machining on the workpiece 22 has been completed ( Step S100).

  If all the laser processing on the workpiece 22 has not been completed (No at Step S100), the control unit 19 repeats the processes at Steps S50 to S100 until all the laser processing is completed.

  The clamp position information 101 stored in the clamp position storage unit 13 may be stored even after the workpiece 22 has been processed, and may be used for subsequent laser processing if necessary. When the stored clamp position information 101 is used for subsequent laser processing, the clamp position information 101 may be used as it is, or the clamp position information 101 may be corrected and used.

  The machining program input process, the workpiece 22 fixing process using the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn, and the clamp position information 101 input process may be performed in any order. Further, the collision determination unit 42 may determine whether or not the machining head 23 enters the interference areas E1 to En at any timing. For example, even if laser machining is performed at the m (m is a natural number) th machining position, it is determined whether or not the machining head 23 has entered the interference areas E1 to En when moving to the (m + 1) th machining position. Good.

  When it is determined that the machining head 23 enters the interference areas E1 to En, the machining head 23 may be stopped at any position other than the interference areas E1 to En. For example, when it is determined that the machining head 23 enters the interference areas E1 to En, the movement of the machining head 23 may be stopped immediately, or the machining head 23 is moved along the movement path and the interference areas E1 to E1. The movement of the machining head 23 may be stopped before En.

  Further, the determination of whether or not the machining head 23 enters the interference areas E1 to En is not limited to the movement from the machining position to the machining position. For example, the machining head 23 is moved to the interference areas E1 to En based on the movement path when the machining head 23 moves to the retracted position (for example, outside the machining table 21) after the laser machining at all the machining positions is completed. It may be determined whether or not to enter. Further, it may be determined whether or not the machining head 23 enters the interference areas E1 to En based on a movement path when the machining head 23 moves from the retracted position to the first machining position at the start of laser machining. .

  In this embodiment, the clamp position information 101 is input by the user, but the interference areas E1 to En may be input by the user. In this case, the interference region setting unit 41 is not necessary in the laser processing apparatus 1. Further, registration of the non-processable area A in the laser processing apparatus 1 becomes unnecessary.

  In the present embodiment, the case where each of the work clamps C1 to Cn has a U-shaped cross section has been described. However, the shape of each of the work clamps C1 to Cn is not limited to this shape, and may be other shapes. May be.

  In the present embodiment, each work clamp C1 to Cn and the origin P (0, 0) on the work 22 are all arranged on the side S (X axis). C1 to Cn and the origin P (0, 0) on the workpiece 22 may be any positions. When the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn and the origin P (0, 0) on the workpiece 22 are not aligned on the side S, the position of the clamp position information 101 is set by the X coordinate and the Y coordinate. .

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the machining head 23 and the work clamps C1 to Cn collide using the interference areas E1 to En independent of the machining program. Even if a simple machining program (such as laser machining data created without considering the collision between the machining head and the clamp) is used, the presence or absence of a collision between the machining head 23 and the work clamps C1 to Cn can be easily determined. It becomes possible to do. Thereby, the collision between the machining head 23 and the work clamps C1 to Cn can be easily avoided, and the breakage of the machining head 23 and the work clamps C1 to Cn can be prevented.

  In addition, since the interference areas E1 to En can be set for each of the work clamps C1 to Cn used for fixing the work 22, even if the attachment positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn are changed, the machining head 23 and the work clamp Collisions with C1 to Cn can be easily avoided.

  Moreover, since the presence or absence of a collision between the machining head 23 and the work clamps C1 to Cn is determined using the interference area of the work clamp used for fixing the work 22, the work clamp is removed when the work clamp is removed. This area becomes a processable area, and the machining area of the workpiece 22 can be used effectively.

  Further, since the work clamp used for fixing the work 22 and the work clamp not used for fixing the work 22 are set as the clamp arrangement information 102, the setting of the interference area can be easily changed when the work clamp is removed. Can be performed.

  In addition, since the clamp position information 101 and the interference areas E1 to En can be input from the input unit 11, the clamp position information 101 and the interference areas E1 to En can be easily registered with a simple configuration.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn are automatically detected, and the presence or absence of a collision between the machining head 23 and the work clamps C1 to Cn is determined.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the laser processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Among the constituent elements in FIG. 8, constituent elements that achieve the same functions as those of the laser processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are assigned the same numbers, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  In the laser processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the processing unit 14 includes a clamp position detection unit 50. The clamp position detection unit 50 detects the positions (coordinates) of the work clamps C1 to Cn, and stores the detection results in the clamp position storage unit 13 as the clamp position information 101.

  In the present embodiment, an object to be detected (such as an object to be detected X1 described later) is disposed below the work clamps C1 to Cn at positions corresponding to the positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn. And the clamp position detection part 50 detects the position of each workpiece | work clamp C1-Cn by detecting a to-be-detected body.

  Next, an operation procedure of the laser processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the laser machining apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the description about the procedure which performs the same operation | movement as the laser processing apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 is abbreviate | omitted.

  A machining program is input in advance from the input unit 11 or the like to the laser machining apparatus 1 (step S110). This machining program is stored in the machining program storage unit 15. Next, the workpiece 22 is placed on the machining table 21, and the workpiece 22 is fixed on the machining table 21 by the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn. At this time, the detected object is disposed on the lower surface side of the processing table 21. The detected object is disposed at a position that becomes the coordinates (coordinates on the work 22) of the work clamps C1 to Cn.

  When the workpiece 22 is fixed on the machining table 21 by the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn, the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn are moved by running the machining table 21 (step S120). At this time, the clamp position detector 50 detects the positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn (step S130).

  Here, the position detection of the work clamps C1 to Cn will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the position detection of the work clamp. As shown in the figure, the detected bodies X1 to Xn are disposed on the lower surface side of the processing table 21 at positions corresponding to the coordinates of the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn. The detection objects X1 to Xn are made of metal, magnetic material, dog, lever, or the like. The detected bodies X1 to Xn move according to the movement of the processing table 21. In FIG. 10, the detected object X1 is disposed at a position that is the coordinate of the work clamp C1, the detected object X2 is disposed at a position that is the coordinate of the work clamp C2, and the detected object Xn is the coordinate of the work clamp Cn. The case where it is arrange | positioned in the position which becomes is shown.

  The clamp position detection unit 50 includes a proximity switch 51, a workpiece coordinate detection unit 52, and a coordinate calculation unit 53. The clamp position detector 50 (proximity switch 51) does not move even if the processing table 21 moves. The proximity switch 51 detects the detected objects X1 to Xn, and the workpiece coordinate detection unit 52 detects the coordinates of the proximity switch 51 with respect to the workpiece 22. The coordinate calculation unit 53 detects the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn at the workpiece 22 based on the timing when the proximity switch 51 detects the detected objects X1 to Xn and the coordinates of the proximity switch 51 detected by the workpiece coordinate detection unit 52. Calculate the coordinates.

  When the workpiece 22 is fixed to the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn and the workpieces X1 to Xn are disposed below the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn, the workpiece table X1 is moved to the workpiece table X1. ˜Xn sequentially pass over the proximity switch 51.

  When the machining table 21 travels, the workpiece coordinate detection unit 52 detects the coordinates of the proximity switch 51 on the workpiece 22 according to the movement of the machining table 21. The workpiece coordinate detection unit 52 inputs the detected coordinates of the proximity switch 51 to the coordinate calculation unit 53.

  The proximity switch 51 detects each detected body X1 to Xn when each detected body X1 to Xn passes over the proximity switch 51. When the proximity switch 51 detects the detected objects X1 to Xn, the proximity switch 51 inputs a detection signal to the coordinate calculation unit 53.

  When receiving the detection signal from the proximity switch 51, the coordinate calculation unit 53 sets the coordinates of the proximity switch 51 at the time of receiving the detection signal as the coordinates of the work clamp. When there are a plurality of work clamps, the proximity switch 51 detects the work clamps in order, and the coordinate calculation unit 53 calculates the coordinates of the work clamps in order. Here, the coordinate calculation unit 53 calculates the coordinates of the work clamps C1 to Cn. When the workpiece 22 is passed over the proximity switch 51 from one end to the other, the travel of the processing table 21 is stopped, and the processing table 21 is moved to a position when starting the processing. The coordinate calculation unit 53 associates the calculated coordinates of the respective work clamps C1 to Cn with the sizes of the respective work clamps C1 to Cn, and stores (sets) them as the clamp position information 101 in the clamp position storage unit 13 (step S140). .

  Thereafter, the interference area setting unit 41 of the control unit 19 includes the clamp position information 101 stored in the clamp position storage unit 13, a preset non-workable area A, and a preset work clamp. Based on the sizes of C1 to Cn, the interference areas E1 to En for each of the work clamps C1 to Cn are set (step S150). And the process part 14 of the laser processing apparatus 1 starts the laser processing of the workpiece | work 22 fixed to the process table 21 by the workpiece clamps C1-Cn (step S160). The laser processing apparatus 1 performs laser processing while determining whether or not the processing head 23 collides with the work clamps C1 to Cn when the processing head 23 moves. The processing in steps S150 to S220 here corresponds to the processing in steps S20 to S100 in FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the proximity switch 51 is used to detect the detected objects X1 to Xn, but a proximity sensor may be used to detect the detected objects X1 to Xn. The positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn may be acquired by means other than the clamp position detection unit 50. For example, the positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn may be detected using laser light, ultrasonic waves, infrared rays, or the like, or the positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn are detected based on an image captured from the upper part of the work 22. May be.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although one to-be-detected body X1-Xn was arrange | positioned for every work clamp C1-Cn, multiple (for example, two) to-be-detected bodies X1-Xn are provided to each work clamp C1-Cn. It may be arranged. For example, the detected bodies X1 to Xn may be disposed at both ends in the X-axis direction of the work clamps C1 to Cn. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser processing apparatus when a plurality of detection objects are provided in one work clamp. Thereby, the clamp position detection part 50 becomes possible [acquiring the information of the size (area | region) of each work clamp C1-Cn with the coordinate of each work clamp C1-Cn.

  Moreover, you may arrange | position to-be-detected body X1-Xn of the same size as the work clamps C1-Cn. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a laser processing apparatus in the case where an object to be detected having the same size as the work clamp is disposed. Also in this case, the clamp position detection part 50 can acquire the information of the size of each work clamp C1-Cn with the coordinate of each work clamp C1-Cn. Moreover, you may arrange | position to-be-detected body X1-Xn of the same size as each interference area | region E1-En. This eliminates the need to register the interference area setting unit 41 and the unprocessable area A.

  Further, the laser processing apparatus 1 may include a plurality of proximity switches 51. For example, the proximity switch 51 is provided for each work clamp C1 to Cn. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a laser processing apparatus when a plurality of proximity switches are provided. Thereby, the moving distance of the processing table 21 when detecting the positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn is shortened, and the position information of the work clamps C1 to Cn can be acquired in a short time.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the laser processing apparatus 1 includes the clamp position detection unit 50, and the detected bodies X1 to Xn corresponding to the workpiece clamps C1 to Cn are arranged on the processing table 21. Therefore, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of a collision between the machining head 23 and the work clamps C1 to Cn more easily than the laser machining apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.

  In addition, since the clamp position detection unit 50 detects the positions of the work clamps C1 to Cn, the clamp position information 101 can be easily registered. Further, when the clamp position detection unit 50 acquires information on the sizes of the work clamps C1 to Cn, it is possible to easily register the interference areas E1 to En with a simple configuration.

  As described above, the laser processing apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for laser processing while holding a workpiece with a workpiece clamp.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure (1) for demonstrating the relationship between a workpiece | work and a workpiece clamp. It is a figure (2) for demonstrating the relationship between a workpiece | work and a workpiece clamp. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the laser machining apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of clamp position information. It is a figure which shows an example of the clamp position information displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the clamp arrangement | positioning information displayed on a display part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the laser processing apparatus concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the laser machining apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the position detection of a work clamp. It is a figure which shows the structure of the laser processing apparatus at the time of arrange | positioning several to-be-detected body in one work clamp. It is a figure which shows the structure of the laser processing apparatus at the time of arrange | positioning the to-be-detected body of the same size as a work clamp. It is a figure which shows the structure of the laser processing apparatus at the time of arrange | positioning a some proximity switch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser processing apparatus 10 Control part 11 Input part 12 Display part 13 Clamp position memory | storage part 14 Processing part 15 Processing program memory | storage part 19 Control part 21 Processing table 22 Work 23 Processing head 41 Interference area | region setting part 42 Collision judgment part 50 Clamp position Detection unit 51 Proximity switch 52 Work coordinate detection unit 53 Coordinate calculation unit 101 Clamp position information 102 Clamp arrangement information A Unprocessable area C1 to Cn Work clamp E1 to En Interference area X1 to Xn Detected object

Claims (6)

In a laser processing apparatus for performing laser processing of the processed workpiece while fixing the processed workpiece with a work clamp so that the processed workpiece placed on the processing table does not shift on the processing table,
The processing is performed in a region set for each work clamp based on the position of the processing head that irradiates the processing workpiece with laser light, the pressing region where the work clamp presses the processing workpiece, and the peripheral region of the pressing region. And determining whether or not the machining head enters the entry prohibition area when moving the machining head based on the entry prohibition area that prohibits entry of the head, and the machining head enters the entry prohibition area. A laser processing apparatus comprising a control unit for stopping the movement of the processing head when entering. An input unit for inputting position information regarding a position where the work clamp is attached;
The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the entry prohibition region based on position information input from the input unit and the pressing region for each work clamp. The input unit inputs the entry prohibition area,
The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the processing head enters the entry prohibition region based on an entry prohibition region input from the input unit. A position detector for detecting a clamp position on a workpiece to which the workpiece clamp is attached;
The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the entry prohibition region based on a clamp position detected by the position detection unit and the pressing region for each work clamp. The position detection unit detects the pressed area for each work clamp,
The laser processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit sets the entry prohibition region based on a pressed region and a clamp position detected by the position detection unit. The input unit inputs, for each work clamp, information indicating whether or not the work clamp is attached to the processing table.
When the information indicating that the work clamp is not attached to the input unit is input to the control unit, the control unit moves the work clamp corresponding to the information indicating that the work clamp is not attached to the entry prohibition area. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser processing apparatus is excluded from setting targets.

Images