JP2014076477A - Laser cutter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress equipment cost, to achieve space saving, and to increase maintainability.SOLUTION: A laser cutter 10 comprises: a support stage 20 which is installed above a base 11 with a distance and has a support surface 20a supporting an object to be processed W; and a laser head 14 which is relatively movable with respect to the support stage 20 and emits a laser beam toward the support surface 20a of the support stage 20. The support stage 20 has a plurality of through holes 25 which penetrate the support surface 20a, and an opposite surface 20b which faces the support surface 20a. A reflective member 30 may be provided which is installed so as to face the opposite surface 20b of the support stage 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser cutting machine.

  The laser cutting machine sets a processing object on a support base and cuts the processing object by moving the processing object and the nozzle relative to each other while irradiating laser light from a nozzle facing the processing object. .

  In such a laser cutting machine, the laser beam applied to the workpiece penetrates the workpiece to the side opposite to the side where the nozzle is provided. Then, a laser beam is irradiated to a support stand that supports the workpiece, and reflection and scattering occur. Therefore, in order to prevent the laser light from being scattered around, the entire laser cutting machine is covered with a cover or a water curtain (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2010-46686 A Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-33438

  However, covering the entire laser cutting machine with a cover or a water curtain contributes to an increase in equipment cost. In addition, the laser cutting machine occupies a large space, which may hinder effective use of the work space. Furthermore, when performing maintenance or the like, there is a problem that the cover must be removed, which takes time.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laser cutting machine capable of reducing equipment cost, saving space, and improving maintainability.

In order to solve the above problems, the laser cutting machine of the present invention employs the following means.
That is, the laser cutting machine of the present invention is provided on the base with a spacing from the base and has a support surface for supporting the workpiece, and the relative movement with respect to the support base A laser head that emits laser light toward the support surface of the support table, and the support table has a plurality of penetrating holes that penetrate the support surface and a surface facing the support surface. It has a hole.
In such a laser cutting machine, the workpiece is supported by the support surface of the support table, and the laser head is moved relative to the support table while irradiating the laser head from the laser head toward the workpiece. Then, the workpiece is cut into a desired shape. By cutting the object to be processed, the laser light that has penetrated the object to be processed passes through the through hole of the support base and is reflected by a base or the like that is spaced from the support base. When the reflected light enters the through hole obliquely, it is reflected multiple times in the through hole, and the energy density of the laser light is attenuated.

Here, it is preferable that the laser cutting machine of the present invention further includes a reflecting member provided to face the facing surface of the support base.
The reflecting member may have an inclined surface inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the laser light from the laser head. By reflecting the laser light on the inclined surface, the reflected light can be incident on the through hole obliquely. Then, the reflected light is multiple-reflected in the through hole, and the energy density of the laser light can be efficiently attenuated.
The reflecting member having an inclined surface may be provided with a plurality of inclined plates that are inclined with respect to the optical axis direction and are arranged at intervals.
The reflective member having an inclined surface may be provided with a plurality of triangular protrusions arranged side by side.

Further, the reflective member is a string-like member made of a magnetic and flexible material suspended from the opposing surface in a plurality of rows spaced from each other along the opposing surface of the support base, It is also possible to include a magnet member that is arranged between the string-like members adjacent to each other and that adsorbs the leading ends of the string-like members in both rows by a magnetic force.
By attracting the tip end portions of the string-like members in the rows on both sides by the magnet member, a space that narrows as it goes to the tip end portion is formed. The laser light transmitted through the through hole of the support base is diffusely reflected and multiple-reflected in this space, so that the energy density of the laser light is attenuated.
An example of such a string-like member having magnetism and flexibility is a chain. Further, when a chain is used for the string-like member, the laser beam can be diffusely reflected in various directions on the surface of the chain, thereby effectively contributing to the attenuation of the energy density of the laser beam.
In addition, by forming a space that narrows as it goes to the tip portion below the support base in this way, it is possible to capture the molten metal that is generated when the workpiece is cut. And if adsorption | suction of the front-end | tip part of a string-like member by a magnet member is released, a string-like member will suspend vertically with dead weight, and the space which narrowed as it went to the front-end | tip part will be open | released below. Thereby, the captured molten metal can be discharged downward.
Here, the magnet member can adsorb the distal ends of the string-like members or release the adsorption by moving forward and backward from the lower toward the distal end of the string-like members, for example. In addition, by using an electromagnet as the magnet member, it is possible to switch the adsorption / release between the tip portions.

The reflection member may have a claw member opposed to each other with a gap along the facing surface of the support base, and the claw members may be configured such that tip portions of the claw members can approach and separate from each other. it can. In this manner, by bringing the tip portions of the claw members facing each other closer to each other, a space that becomes narrower as it goes to the tip portion can be formed as in the case of the above-described string-like member.
Then, the molten metal is captured in the space narrowed as it goes to the tip, and the claw member is bent by its weight, so that the tips of the claw members facing each other can be released. Thereby, the supplemented molten metal can be discharged downward.
The claw member may be opened and closed by an actuator (not shown), but in that case, the structure becomes complicated.

  In addition, the laser cutting machine of the present invention may further include an energy absorbing material that is provided facing the facing surface of the support base and absorbs the energy of the laser light.

  The laser cutting machine of the present invention may further include a shield member that covers the periphery of the laser head and shields laser light that penetrates to the support surface side through the through hole of the support base. it can.

  Furthermore, the support base may be configured such that a part on the support surface side can be divided from the remaining part on the facing surface side, and only a part on the support surface side can be replaced.

  According to the present invention, the energy density of the laser beam is attenuated by the multiple reflection of the reflected beam of the laser beam within the through hole. Thereby, the influence which a laser beam has on the circumference | surroundings can be reduced significantly. As a result, the cover that covers the entire laser cutting machine can be reduced in size or omitted to reduce the equipment cost, save space, and improve the maintainability.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the laser cutting machine in 1st Embodiment of this invention. In the laser cutting machine of this invention, it is a conceptual diagram for setting the dimension of each part from the injection | emission height to the exterior of a laser beam. It is a figure which shows the structure of the laser cutting machine in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the laser cutting machine in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the laser cutting machine in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the laser cutting machine in 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Below, a plurality of embodiments of a laser cutting machine concerning the present invention are described with reference to drawings.
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the laser cutting machine 10 is disposed below the base 11 and below the laser head 14, and supports the workpiece W on its upper surface (support surface) 20a. And a scattering plate (reflecting member) 30 disposed below the support table 20.

  The laser head 14 irradiates laser light output from a laser light source (not shown) from the nozzle 15. The nozzle 15 focuses the laser beam on the workpiece W in order to increase the energy density of the laser beam. The laser head 14 can be moved in two directions orthogonal to each other within a plane parallel to the upper surface 20a of the support base 20 by a driving mechanism (not shown).

The support base 20 has a rectangular shape when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the upper surface 20a, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a predetermined height.
The support base 20 is formed in a rectangular tube shape in which the outer periphery of each side is vertically penetrated by outer plates 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D. The inner side of these outer plates 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D is a constant pitch between the partition plates 22, 22 arranged at a constant pitch between the outer plates 21A, 21C facing each other and the outer plates 21B, 21D facing each other. Are arranged in a lattice shape in plan view. Thereby, in the support base 20, in the internal space surrounded by the outer plates 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, a plurality of rectangular cylindrical spaces (through holes) 25 penetrating the upper surface 20a and the lower surface 20b are formed in a matrix. Has been placed.
Such a support base 20 is supported above the base 11 by a bracket (not shown) in a state of being vertically spaced from the base 11.

  In addition, on the upper surface 20a of the support base 20, the upper end portions of the partition plates 22 and 23 can be formed with serrations in a sawtooth shape. This prevents the workpiece W from sticking to the upper surface 20a.

  The scattering plate 30 includes a flat base plate 31 provided on the base 11 and a plurality of reflecting plates 32 provided integrally on the base plate 31.

  Each reflector 32 has a rectangular shape extending in parallel with one side 31 a of the base plate 31. These reflecting plates 32 form an inclined surface 32a inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis direction of the laser irradiated from the laser head 14, and are arranged at regular intervals along another side 31b orthogonal to one side 31a of the base plate 31. Is arranged for each.

  The scattering plate 30 and the support base 20 are arranged at an interval in the vertical direction. The periphery of the scattering plate 30 is covered with a cover 35 that is continuous with the outer plates 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D of the support base 20.

In such a laser cutting machine 10, the workpiece W is set on the upper surface 20 a of the support base 20, and the laser head 14 is moved along the upper surface 20 a of the support base 20 according to a predetermined processing program. The workpiece W on the support table 20 is cut into a predetermined shape by irradiating laser light from the nozzle 15 while moving along the locus.
When the workpiece W is cut by irradiating the laser beam, the transmitted light B of the laser beam that has passed through the cutting portion S of the workpiece W passes through the rectangular cylindrical space 25 of the support base 20 and is below the scattering plate. Reach 30. At this time, since the laser beam is condensed on the workpiece W by the nozzle 15, the laser beam diffuses below the workpiece W and irradiates a wider area on the scattering plate 30.

In the scattering plate 30, the transmitted light B is reflected by the inclined reflecting plate 32. A part of the reflected light R (hereinafter sometimes referred to as reflected light R1) is directed obliquely upward, and from the lower surface (opposing surface) 20b of the support base 20 positioned above the rectangular tubular space 25. Is incident on. Within the rectangular cylindrical space 25, the reflected light R1 is repeatedly reflected and emitted upward from the upper surface 20a of the support base 20. Further, the remaining portion of the reflected light R (hereinafter sometimes referred to as reflected light R2) hits the adjacent reflecting plate 32 and repeats reflection toward the base plate 31 side.
At this time, the energy density of the reflected light R <b> 1 passing through the rectangular tube space 25 is attenuated by multiple reflection in the rectangular tube space 25. Similarly, the energy density of the reflected light R2 that repeats reflection between adjacent reflectors 32 is attenuated by multiple reflection.

Here, in order to ensure the safety of the worker around the laser cutting machine 10, even if the reflected light R2 from the scattering plate 30 does not reflect on the rectangular cylindrical space 25 of the support base 20 and penetrates upward as it is, It is preferable not to hit the person.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the thickness of the support base 20 is H1 and the width of the rectangular tube space 25 is W, the reflected light R2 is not reflected by the rectangular tube space 25 and directly penetrates upward. The minimum inclination angle θ is
θ = tan-1 (H1 / W)
It becomes.
Then, assuming that the height of the upper surface 20a of the support table 20 from the upper surface of the base 11 is H2, and the distance that the operator can approach the support table 20 is X, the reflected light at a position away from the support table 20 by the distance X The arrival height H3 of R2 is
H3 = X × tan θ + H2
It becomes.
Therefore, the height H3 is such that the reflected light R2 never hits the operator even when the operator stands at a position separated from the support base 20 by the distance X, for example, H3 = 2500 mm or more. It is preferable to set the dimensions.

  As described above, the energy density of the reflected light R2 can be reduced by the support base 20 having a plurality of square cylindrical spaces 25 and the scattering plate 30 provided below the support base 20, respectively. The energy density of the laser light scattered around can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to simplify or reduce the cover provided around the laser cutting machine 10 and the safety protector to be worn by the operator. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the installation cost of the laser cutting machine 10, the effort of a maintenance, etc., and the effective utilization of space can also be aimed at.

  In the first embodiment, the support base 20 can be divided into a plurality of parts on the upper surface 20a side and the lower surface 20b side. With such a configuration, when the upper surface 20a side of the support base 20 is damaged by the laser beam, it can be replaced at a low cost. Moreover, the partition plate 22 and the partition plate 23 may be assembled by being engaged with each other instead of being integrated. Thereby, the partition plate 22 and the partition plate 23 can be replaced | exchanged separately.

  Hereinafter, other embodiments of the laser cutting machine of the present invention will be described. Here, in each embodiment described below, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The following second to fourth embodiments show configurations that can be employed in place of the scattering plate 30 shown in the first embodiment.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the scattering plate 30 includes a plurality of inclined reflecting plates 32. However, in the present embodiment, instead of this, as shown in FIG. The scattering plate (reflecting member) 30 ′ may be formed by arranging a plurality of triangular protrusions 33 with a gradually decreasing width.

In such a scattering plate 30 ′, the same effect as the scattering plate 30 shown in the first embodiment can be realized by reflecting the transmitted light B on the inclined surface 33 a of the protrusion 33.
By the way, the reflected light R3 reflected by the top 33c of the ridge 33 passes through the rectangular cylindrical space 25 of the upper support 20 as it is and hits the upper laser head 14, and its energy density is attenuated.

[Third Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, it replaces with the scattering plate 30 shown in the said 1st Embodiment, and is provided with the scattering member (reflective member) 50 shown below.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the scattering member 50 is a chain (in which a large number of the scattering members 50 are suspended in a row L along the lower ends of the outer plates 21B and 21D and the partition plates 23 on the support base 20). A string member 51) and a magnet member 52 disposed between the rows L and L of the chains 51 and 51 suspended from the adjacent 23 and 23.
The magnet member 52 can be advanced and retracted in the vertical direction by a cylinder mechanism 54 (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4B, when the magnet member 52 is lifted, the lower ends 51a and 51a of the chains 51 and 51 constituting the rows L and L are adsorbed by magnetic force on both sides thereof. Thereby, the lower ends 51a and 51a of the chains 51 and 51 of the rows L and L on both sides are closed to form a bag shape, and a space S1 that narrows as it goes downward is formed.

In such a scattering member 50, the transmitted light B that has passed through the rectangular cylindrical space 25 of the upper support base 20 is formed by chains 51, 51 that form rows on both sides and have lower ends 51a, 51a closed in a bag shape. Scattered. Thereby, the energy density of the laser beam can be attenuated. Also by this, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.
Further, the molten metal M generated by the irradiation of the laser beam when the workpiece W is cut is captured by the rows L and L of the chains 51 and 51 closed in a bag shape. As shown in FIG. 4 (c), after the laser cutting is completed, the captured molten metal M lowers the magnet member 52 and separates the lower ends 51a and 51a of the chains 51 and 51 of the rows L and L on both sides. As a result, it is discharged downward.

[Fourth Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, a scattering member (reflecting member) 60 shown below is provided instead of the scattering plate 30 shown in the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the scattering member 60 includes claw members 61 suspended from the outer plates 21 </ b> B and 21 </ b> D and the lower ends of the partition plates 23 in the support base 20. The claw member 61 has a lower end 61a curved in a J shape. The claw members 61 and 61 adjacent to each other form a space S2 that closes when the lower end portions 61a and 61a abut against each other and narrows as it goes downward.
The claw member 61 is, for example, a thin plate made of a shape memory alloy.

In such a scattering member 60, the transmitted light B that has passed through the rectangular cylindrical space 25 of the upper support base 20 is scattered by the claw members 61 and 61 that are arranged on both sides and whose lower ends 61 a and 61 a are closed. The Thereby, the energy density of the laser beam can be attenuated. Also by this, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.
Further, the molten metal M generated by the laser beam irradiation when the workpiece W is cut is captured by the claw members 61 and 61 whose lower ends 61a and 61a are closed. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the trapped molten metal M accumulates to some extent, the lower end portions 61a and 61a of the claw members 61 and 61 are elastically deformed and opened by its own weight, and the molten metal M is discharged downward. .

[Fifth Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, an energy absorbing member 70 shown below is provided instead of the scattering plate 30 shown in the first embodiment.
The energy absorbing member 70 includes a tray 71 provided so as to face the lower surface 20 b of the support base 20 with a space therebetween, and an energy absorbing material 75 such as water injected into the inside of the tray 71.

In such an energy absorbing member 70, the transmitted light B that has passed through the rectangular cylindrical space 25 of the upper support 20 is irradiated to the energy absorbing material 75 such as water injected therein, and thereby the energy is absorbed. Density is attenuated.
Also by this, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the laser head 14 can be provided with a shield box (shield member) 80 so as to cover the periphery of the nozzle 15.
With such a shield box 80, it is possible to capture reflected light that is irradiated from the nozzle 15 and reflected by the workpiece W, and reflected light that passes through the rectangular cylindrical space 25 of the support base 20.

  Thereby, the energy density of the laser beam scattered around the laser cutting machine 10 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to simplify or reduce the cover provided around the laser cutting machine 10 and the safety protector to be worn by the operator. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the installation cost of the laser cutting machine 10, the effort of a maintenance, etc., and the effective utilization of space can also be aimed at.

  In the fifth embodiment, the tray 71 can be filled with a large number of granular stones instead of water. With such stones, the laser light is diffusely reflected in various directions, and the energy density of the laser light can also be reduced.

In addition, as long as the structure shown by said each embodiment is in the range of the main point of this invention, you may change and select an appropriate structure suitably.
For example, in the configuration shown in the first embodiment, the scattering plate 30 can be eliminated, and the laser beam energy attenuation effect can be obtained only by the cradle 20.
Moreover, you may combine the shield box 80 shown in the said 5th Embodiment with the structure shown in the said 1st-4th embodiment.
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the laser head 14 is moved with respect to the support base 20 to perform cutting along a predetermined locus. However, depending on the size of the support base 20, the laser head 14 side may be changed. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the support base 20 side is moved with respect to the laser head 14.
In addition, the rectangular tube-shaped space 25 is not limited to the rectangular tube shape, and can be appropriately changed to other shapes such as a cylindrical shape and a triangular prism shape. Furthermore, this space may be shaped to gradually narrow as it goes downward.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Laser cutting machine 11 Base 14 Laser head 15 Nozzle 20 Support stand 20a Upper surface (support surface)
20b Lower surface (opposite surface)
21A, 21B, 21C, 21D Outer plate 22, 23 Partition plate 25 Square cylindrical space (through hole)
30, 30 'scattering plate (reflective member)
31 Base plate 32 Reflector 33 Projection 33a Top 35 Cover 50 Scattering member (reflective member)
51 chain (string member)
51a Lower end 52 Magnet 60 Scattering member (reflection member)
61 Claw member 61a Lower end 70 Energy absorbing member 71 Tray 75 Energy absorbing material 80 Shield box (shield member)
B Transmitted light R, R1, R2, R3 Reflected light W Work object X Distance θ Minimum tilt angle

Claims (10)

On the base, the support is provided with a gap from the base and has a support surface for supporting the workpiece.
A laser head that is movable relative to the support base and irradiates a laser beam toward the support surface of the support base; and
The laser cutting machine, wherein the support base has a plurality of through holes that pass through the support surface and an opposing surface facing the support surface.   The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, further comprising a reflecting member provided to face the facing surface of the support base.   The laser cutting machine according to claim 2, wherein the reflection member has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to an optical axis direction of the laser light from the laser head.   4. The laser cutting machine according to claim 3, wherein the reflecting member is provided with a plurality of inclined plates that are inclined with respect to the optical axis direction so as to be spaced apart from each other. 5.   The laser cutting machine according to claim 3, wherein the reflecting member is provided with a plurality of protrusions having a triangular cross section. The reflective member is
A string-like member made of a magnetic and flexible material suspended from the opposing surface in a plurality of rows spaced from each other along the opposing surface of the support base;
A magnet member that is disposed between rows of the string-like members adjacent to each other, and that adsorbs the leading ends of the string-like members in both rows by a magnetic force;
The laser cutting machine according to claim 2, comprising: The reflective member has claw members that are opposed to each other at an interval along the facing surface of the support base,
The laser cutting machine according to claim 2, wherein tip portions of the claw members are capable of approaching and separating from each other.   2. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, further comprising an energy absorbing material provided opposite to the facing surface of the support base and absorbing energy of the laser light.   The shield member which covers the circumference | surroundings of the said laser head, and shields the laser beam which penetrates to the said support surface side through the said through-hole of the said support stand is further provided. The laser cutting machine described in 1.   10. The support table according to claim 1, wherein a part of the support surface side is separable from the remaining part of the opposing surface side, and only a part of the support surface side is replaceable. The laser cutting machine as described in any one of Claims.

Images