JP2023023145A - Laser processor, press machine and laser processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a laser processor which can accurately determine a processing state of laser processing and can properly sort and carry out processed products according to the determined processing state.SOLUTION: A laser processor 1A comprises: a laser processing control unit 42A for sequentially performing laser processing on a plurality of components; a processing state level determination unit 44 for sequentially acquiring information indicating a processing state during the laser processing on the plurality of components and determining a processing state level of each of the components on the basis of the acquired information; a carry-out information generation unit 45 as a carry-out destination identifying unit for identifying a carry-out destination of each of the components on the basis of the processing state level determined by the processing state level determination unit 44; and a carry-out/in device 30 as a carry-out mechanism unit for carrying out a component on which has been the laser processing has been applied by the laser processing control unit 42A to the carry-out destination identified by the carry-out information generation unit 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a laser processing machine, a press, and a laser processing method.

When performing laser processing on sheet metal, the laser processing machine acquires the measured value of the amount of light of a specific wavelength as data that indicates the state of the processed area using a spectroscopic sensor attached to the laser head, and processing defects are detected based on the acquired measured value. It is determined whether or not an abnormality such as

At this time, the laser processing machine determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on whether or not the measured value obtained by the spectroscopic sensor exceeds a preset threshold value. For example, when performing laser cutting, a laser processing machine determines that processing has been performed normally if the measured value indicating the unevenness of the cut end surface and the degree of adhesion of dross is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Further, when the measured value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cutting process, and the laser processing machine is stopped.

Japanese Patent No. 6725572 EP 3455028 Japanese Patent No. 3832682

However, when determining the presence or absence of an abnormality based on whether or not the measured value obtained by the spectroscopic sensor exceeds a preset threshold value as described above, setting a high threshold value reduces the accuracy of processing defect detection. There is a risk that processing defects will be mixed in the product because the occurrence of anomalies cannot be detected appropriately. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to separate the workpieces according to the level of the machining state.

One aspect of the present invention is a laser processing machine, a press, and a laser processing method capable of appropriately sorting and unloading workpieces according to the processing state.

A laser processing machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a laser processing control unit that sequentially performs laser processing on a plurality of parts, and sequentially acquires and acquires information indicating a processing state during laser processing on the plurality of parts. a machining state level determination unit for determining a machining state level for each part based on the information; and a carry-out destination specifying unit for specifying a carry-out destination for each part based on the machining state level determined by the machining state level determination unit. and a carry-out mechanism unit for carrying out the part for which laser processing by the laser processing control unit has been completed to the destination specified by the carry-out destination specifying unit.

Further, the press machine of one aspect of the present invention includes a press processing control unit that sequentially performs press processing on a plurality of parts, and sequentially acquires and acquires information indicating a processing state during press processing on the plurality of components. a machining state level determining unit for determining a machining state level for each of the parts based on the information obtained by the processing, and a carrying-out destination for specifying a carrying-out destination for each of the parts based on the machining state level determined by the machining state level determining unit. and an unloading mechanism unit for unloading the parts for which the press processing by the press processing control unit has been completed to the destination specified by the unloading destination specifying unit.

Further, a laser processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a laser processing control step of sequentially executing laser processing on a plurality of parts, sequentially acquiring information indicating a processing state during laser processing on the plurality of parts, A machining state level determination step of determining a machining state level of each part based on the acquired information, and a carry-out specifying a carry-out destination of each part based on the machining state level determined in the machining state level determination step The method includes a destination specifying step and a carry-out step of carrying out the part for which the laser processing by the laser processing control step has been completed to the carrying destination specified in the carry-out destination specifying step.

The laser processing machine, the press machine, and the laser processing method configured as described above determine the processing state level of each part during processing of a plurality of parts, thereby appropriately sorting and carrying out the workpieces according to the processing status. can do.

According to the laser processing machine, the press machine, and the laser processing method of one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine the processing state in the processing process, and appropriately sort and carry out the workpieces according to the determined processing state. can.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of laser processing machines 1A and 1B of first and second embodiments; FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing n sheet metals W1, W2, W3 . (a) is an example of the source code of the machining program information stored in the NC unit 40A used in the laser processing machine 1A of the first embodiment, and (b) is an example of items of the carry-out program. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed by an NC device 40A and a loading/unloading device 30 used in the laser processing machine 1A of the first embodiment; FIG. It is an example of determination table information held by the processing state level determination unit 44 of the laser processing machine 1A of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the number of times of measurement values of a predetermined level detected during execution of cutting by the laser processing machine 1A of the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed by an NC device 40B and a loading/unloading device 30 used in the laser processing machine 1B of the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed by an NC device 40B and a loading/unloading device 30 used in the laser processing machine 1B of the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of a cutting process performed by the laser processing machine 1B of the second embodiment; It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 1 C of laser processing machines of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing processes executed by an NC device 40C and a carry-in/out device 30 used in the laser processing machine 1C of the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing processes executed by an NC device 40C and a carry-in/out device 30 used in the laser processing machine 1C of the third embodiment; FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a sheet metal Wa to be tapped with a punch press according to another embodiment and parts Pa1 to Pa8 to be tapped on the sheet metal Wa;

<<1st Embodiment>>
<Configuration of Laser Processing Machine According to First Embodiment>
A laser processing machine according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a laser processing machine 1A of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a laser processing machine 1A is a laser processing machine that cuts sheet metal with a laser, a punching machine that punches holes in sheet metal, or a combined punch/laser machine that punches and cuts sheet metal, and laser processing unit 10A. , a shelf device 20, a loading/unloading device 30, and an NC device 40A.

The laser processing unit 10A includes a cutting mechanism 11 and a processing state measuring sensor 12. As shown in FIG. The cutting mechanism 11 uses a laser to cut parts of a predetermined shape from a plurality of locations on the sheet metal (work) W to be processed based on instructions from the NC device 40A. The machining state measuring sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a camera device installed at the tip of a laser head (not shown) in the cutting mechanism 11, a light measuring device, a sound measuring device, and the like. Measured values indicating the processing state including the shape of the processed portion are acquired.

The shelf device 20 includes a work storage section 21 and a parts storage section 22 . The work storage unit 21 stores a work W to be cut. The parts storage section 22 includes a first storage section 221 , a second storage section 222 and a third storage section 223 . The first storage unit 221 stores parts of the first processing state level that are normally cut and can be used as products. The second storage unit 222 stores parts of the second processing state level that have some defects but can be used as products by performing post-processing. The third storage unit 223 stores parts of the third processing state level, which cannot be used as products because the degree of defects is large and many man-hours are required for post-processing. That is, the shelf device 20 sorts and stores the cut parts according to the level of the processed state.

The loading/unloading device 30 is a line device that transports the work W and each part between the laser processing unit 10A and the shelf device 20, and includes a work loading/unloading mechanism unit 31, a parts loading/unloading mechanism unit 32, and a loading/unloading control unit. 33. The work loading/unloading mechanism section 31 loads the work W stored in the work storage section 21 of the shelf device 20 into the laser processing unit 10A for laser processing. The parts carry-out mechanism section 32 carries out the parts cut by the laser processing unit 10</b>A and stores them in the corresponding locations in the parts storage section 22 . The loading/unloading control unit 33 acquires transport program information from the program information storage unit 41 of the NC unit 40A, which will be described later, and controls the workpiece loading/unloading mechanism unit 31 and the parts loading/unloading mechanism unit 32 based on the acquired transport program information.

The NC unit 40A has a laser processing control unit 42A that sequentially performs laser processing on a plurality of parts, sequentially acquires information indicating the processing state during laser processing on a plurality of parts, and based on the acquired information, the parts a machining state level determination unit 44 that determines the machining state level of each part; and an information generator 45 . The NC device 40A also includes a program information storage section 41 and a sensor information acquisition section 43 .

The program information storage unit 41 stores processing program information for executing cutting processing for cutting out a plurality of parts from the workpiece W, which is generated in advance by a program generation device (not shown), and processing program information for carrying out the cut parts. store the export program information. 42 A of laser processing control parts output the instruction|indication regarding the cutting processing to the workpiece|work W to the laser processing unit 10A based on the program information memorize|stored in the program information storage part 41. FIG.

The sensor information acquisition unit 43 acquires information indicating the laser processing state detected by the processing state measurement sensor 12 at predetermined time intervals.

The processing state level determination unit 44 holds in advance a plurality of threshold values for determining a processing state level related to laser processing, obtains a measurement value related to the processing state as information indicating the processing state, and classifies according to the plurality of threshold values. The machining state level of each part is determined based on the number of times of detection of the measured value counted for each range of the measured value. The machining state level determination unit 44 selects a first machining state level, a second machining state level, a third machining state level, or a third machining state level, which is preset in order from a good machining state, as the machining state level. One of the four machining state levels is determined.

The carry-out information generation unit 45 specifies the first storage unit 221 as the carry-out destination for the part whose machining state level is determined to be the first machining state level by the machining state level determination unit 44 . In addition, the carry-out information generation unit 45 specifies the second storage unit 222 as the carry-out destination for the part whose machining state level is determined to be the second machining state level. In addition, the carry-out information generation unit 45 specifies the third storage unit 223 as the carry-out destination for the part whose machining state level is determined to be the third machining state level. In addition, the carry-out information generation unit 45 determines that the part whose machining state level is determined to be the fourth machining state level cannot be carried out. The carry-out information generation unit 45 generates a part carry-out request including information indicating the specified destination or the like or information of a carry-out impossibility notification indicating that the part cannot be carried out for each part, and transmits the information to the carry-in/out device 30 .

<Operation of Laser Processing Machine According to First Embodiment>
Next, an example of the operation of the laser processing machine 1A according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing n works W1, W2, W3, . be. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the laser processing unit 10A continuously performs processing for cutting out rectangular parts P1 to P30 from 30 locations indicated by dotted lines in a plurality of works W1 to Wn.

In this embodiment, processing program information for executing cutting processing for cutting out parts P1 to P30 for each of works W1 to Wn and carry-out program information for carrying out the cut parts are generated in advance, and the NC unit 40A is stored in the program information storage unit 41 of the .

An example of the source code of the machining program information generated for each work W1-Wn is shown in FIG. 3(a). From "M103" to "M104" in the source code shown in FIG. 3(a) is a portion indicating execution of the cutting process.

FIG. 3(b) shows an example of items of the unloading program generated for each of the works W1 to Wn. As shown in FIG. 3B, the carry-out program includes, for each of the parts P1 to P30, the standby position of the parts carry-out mechanism 32 at the time of carrying out, the suction position in the part by the parts carry-out mechanism 32, the parts after the cutting process, and the The first unloading position that is the unloading destination in the case of the first machining state level, the second unloading position that is the unloading destination in the case of the second machining state level, and the third unloading that is the unloading destination in the case of the third machining state level Information indicating the position and the contents of the processing in the case of the fourth machining state level, that is, in the case of undischarge is set.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed by the NC device 40A and the loading/unloading device 30 used in the laser processing machine 1A of the first embodiment. The laser processing control unit 42A of the NC unit 40A first acquires from the program information storage unit 41 the program information for executing the processing of cutting out the parts P1 to P30 from 30 locations in the work W1 by loop (1). start the process to

When the laser processing control unit 42A starts processing the work W1, it transmits a work loading request to the loading/unloading device 30 to load the work W1 into the laser processing unit 10A (S1). In the loading/unloading device 30, the loading/unloading control unit 33 sends an instruction to the work loading/unloading mechanism unit 31 to load the work W1 into the laser processing unit 10A based on the work loading request transmitted from the laser processing control unit 42A. do. The work loading/unloading mechanism section 31 takes out the work W1 from the work storage section 21 of the shelf device 20 and carries it into the laser processing unit 10A based on the instruction from the loading/unloading control section 33 (S2).

After sending the instruction to carry in the workpiece W1, the loading/unloading control unit 33 issues a parts carrying-out information request to the laser processing control unit 42A for information for carrying out the parts cut out in the processing of the workpiece W1. Send (S3).

When the laser processing control unit 42A acquires the parts carry-out information request from the carry-in/out control unit 33, the process of loop (2) is started. When the processing of loop (2) is started, the laser processing control unit 42A moves the laser head (not shown) in the cutting mechanism 11 to a position corresponding to the part P1 based on the processing program information. to the cutting mechanism 11. The cutting mechanism 11 cuts the part P1 based on the instruction from the laser processing control unit 42A (S4).

When the cutting of the part P1 starts, the processing state measuring sensor 12 of the laser processing unit 10A starts acquiring information on the processing state, including the shape of the processed portion on the workpiece W1, and transmits the acquired information to the NC device 40A. Send.

In the NC device 40A, the sensor information acquisition section 43 sequentially acquires the information transmitted from the laser processing unit 10A and sends the information to the processing state level determination section 44 . The processing state level determination unit 44 determines the processing state level of the cut part P1 based on the information sent from the sensor information acquisition unit 43 and a plurality of threshold values held in advance (S5).

When the machining state level determination process is completed, the carry-out information generation unit 45 generates a part carry-out information including the carry-out information of the corresponding part P1 based on the determined machining state level and the carry-out program stored in the program information storage unit 41. A request or unloading notification information is generated and transmitted to the loading/unloading device 30 (S6). This carry-out information includes the standby position of the part carry-out mechanism 32 when the part P1 is carried out, the suction position within the part P1 by the part carry-out mechanism 32, and carry-out destination information. The details of the machining state level determination process and the information generation process of the part carry-out request or the carry-out prohibition notification will be described later.

When the carry-in/carry-out device 30 acquires the part carry-out request or the carry-out prohibition notification regarding the part P1 from the NC device 40A, it starts the processing of loop (3). When the processing of loop (3) is started, the loading/unloading control unit 33, if the information acquired from the NC unit 40A is a parts loading request ("YES" in S7), causes the loading/unloading control unit 33 to operate the parts loading/unloading mechanism. An instruction to carry out the part P1 to the position indicated by the carry-out destination information included in the part carry-out request is sent to the unit 32 . Based on an instruction from the carry-in/out control unit 33, the parts carry-out mechanism unit 32 carries the parts P1, which have been cut by the laser processing unit 10A, to the shelf device 20, and the parts P1 are indicated by the carry-destination information in the parts storage unit 22. (S8).

When the carrying-out process by the parts carrying-out mechanism section 32 ends, the carry-out/in control unit 33 transmits a carry-out completion notification to the laser processing control unit 42A (S9). The laser processing control unit 42A recognizes that the unloading process of the work W1 has been completed by acquiring the unloading completion notification from the loading/unloading control unit 33 .

In step S7, when the loading/unloading device 30 acquires the unloading notification from the NC unit 40A (“NO” in S7), the loading/unloading control section 33 does not cause the part loading/unloading mechanism section 32 to carry out the process of loading the part. .

The cutting process and the part carry-out process in steps S4 to S9 are also sequentially executed for each of the parts P2 to P30. When the processing of steps S4-S9 is completed for all parts P1-P30, loop (2) and loop (3) are terminated.

Regarding the parts P1 to P30, the processing state level determination processing executed by the processing state level determination unit 44 and the carry-out information generation processing executed by the carry-out information generation unit 45 will be described in detail. The machining state level determination unit 44 acquires a measured value related to the machining state as information indicating the machining state, and counts the measured values for each range of the measured values classified by the plurality of threshold values based on the number of detections of the measured value. to determine the machining state level for each part.

The processing state level determination unit 44 holds in advance three thresholds (first threshold, second threshold, and third threshold) for determining the processing state level related to laser processing. The first of these thresholds is the lowest value and is used to detect low level defects due to cutting. The third threshold is the highest value and is used to detect high-level defects due to cutting. The second threshold is a height value between the first threshold and the third threshold, and is a level between the defect level determined by the first threshold and the defect level determined by the second threshold. used to detect defects in

The processing state level determination unit 44 also holds in advance determination table information for determining the processing state level regarding laser processing. FIG. 5 is an example of determination table information held by the processing state level determination unit 44 of the laser processing machine 1A of the first embodiment. In the judgment table of FIG. 5, information on the machining state level to be judged is stored for each part, for each range of the measurement value x measured by the machining state measuring sensor 12 and for each range of detection times.

According to this determination table information, during execution of the cutting process, the number of times the measurement value x that is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold (detection level [low]) is detected 10 times or less, less than or equal to the second threshold and less than the third threshold (detection level [medium]) is 2 times or less, and the number of times of detection of the measurement value of the third threshold or more (detection level [high]) is 0 times, the machining state level of the part is It is judged as 1 processing state level. In addition, the number of times of detection of the measured value x with the detection level [low] is 11 times or more and the number of times of detection of the measured value x with the detection level [medium] is 2 times or less, or the number of times of detection of the measured value x with the detection level [low] is 10 times or less, the number of detections of the measurement value x with the detection level [medium] is 3 to 5 times, and the number of detections of the measurement value x with the detection level [high] is 0 times, the machining state level of the part is determined as the second machining state level. In addition, regardless of the number of detections of the measurement value x with the detection level [low], if the number of detections of x is 6 or more and the number of detections of the measurement value x with the detection level [high] is 0, the part is processed. The condition level is determined as the third machining condition level. Also, regardless of the number of times the measured value x with the detection level [low] is detected and the number of times the measured value x with the detection level [medium] is detected, if the measured value x with the detection level [high] is detected even once, the relevant The machining state level of the part is determined as a fourth machining state level.

The above-described first processing state level is a level in which the part is normally cut and is in a good processing state, and the part can be handled as a product. Further, the second processing state level is a state in which, for example, slight dross is generated, but is a level at which the part can be handled as a product by performing post-processing. Further, the third processing state level is a level at which, for example, a large amount of dross is generated and the part concerned cannot be handled as a product because post-processing requires a large number of man-hours. The fourth machining state level is a level in which the machining state is extremely poor and it is impossible to cut out parts from the workpiece.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the number of measured values of a predetermined level detected during execution of cutting by the laser processing machine 1A of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, when the measurement value x of the detection level [medium] is detected once during the execution of the cutting process by the program codes M103 to M104 for the part P1, the machining state level determination unit 44 Based on the determination table information, the machining state level of the part P1 is determined as the first machining state level.

When the machining state level of the part P1 is determined to be the first machining state level, the carry-out information generation unit 45 determines the first carry-out position, which is the carry-out destination when the part P1 is at the first machining state level, based on the carry-out program. , a predetermined position in the first storage section 221 of the shelf device 20 is specified. Then, the carry-out information generation unit 45 determines the standby position of the part carry-out mechanism 32 when the part P1 is carried out, which is set by the carry-out program, the suction position within the part P1 by the part carry-out mechanism 32, and the specified carry-out destination of the part P1. and a parts carry-out request to the carry-in/carry-out device 30 .

In the loading/unloading device 30, based on the information transmitted from the loading/unloading information generation unit 45, the parts loading/unloading mechanism unit 32 unloads the part P1 from the laser processing unit 10A and places it at a predetermined position in the first storage unit 221 of the shelf device 20. Store in

Further, when the measured value x of the detection level [high] is detected once during the execution of the cutting of the part P2 by the program codes M103 to M104, the machining state level determination unit 44 determines based on the determination table information of FIG. , the machining state level of the part P2 is determined as the fourth machining state level.

When the machining state level of the part P2 is determined to be below a predetermined level, specifically, the fourth machining state level in this embodiment, the laser processing control unit 42A interrupts the cutting processing of the part P2 and resumes the subsequent processing. is skipped, and the process proceeds to the cutting processing of the part P3. Further, based on the carry-out program, the carry-out information generation unit 45 generates information of a carry-out failure notification indicating that the part P2 cannot be carried out as a process when the part P2 is in the fourth machining state level, and 30.

In the loading/unloading device 30, the loading/unloading control unit 33 does not cause the part loading/unloading mechanism unit 32 to carry out the part P2 based on the loading/unloading notification transmitted from the loading/unloading information generation unit 45. FIG.

Further, when the measured value x of the detection level [medium] is detected five times during the execution of the cutting process for the part P3 by the program codes M103 to M104, the machining state level determination unit 44 determines based on the determination table information of FIG. , the machining state level of the part P3 is determined as the second machining state level.

When the machining state level of the part P3 is determined to be the second machining state level, the carry-out information generation unit 45 determines the second carry-out position, which is the carry-out destination when the part P3 is at the second machining state level, based on the carry-out program. , a predetermined position in the second storage section 222 of the shelf device 20 is specified. Then, the carry-out information generation unit 45 determines the standby position of the part carry-out mechanism 32 when the part P3 is carried out, which is set by the carry-out program, the suction position within the part P3 by the part carry-out mechanism 32, and the specified carry-out destination of the part P3. and a parts carry-out request to the carry-in/carry-out device 30 .

In the loading/unloading device 30, based on the information transmitted from the loading/unloading information generation unit 45, the parts loading/unloading mechanism unit 32 unloads the part P3 from the laser processing unit 10A and places it at a predetermined position in the second storage unit 222 of the shelf device 20. Store in This completes the description of the machining state level determination process and the carry-out information generation process.

In the present embodiment, the processing state level determination unit 44 holds three threshold values, and the processing state level to be determined is four types. , or when there are four or more, or when there are two, three, or five or more types of processing state levels.

Returning to the sequence diagram of FIG. 4, when the NC unit 40A completes the processing of loop (2), the laser processing control unit 42A outputs an all parts carry-out completion signal indicating that all parts P1 to P30 have been carried out. 30 (S10). In the loading/unloading device 30, the loading/unloading control unit 33 acquires the all-parts loading/unloading completion signal, and enters a state of waiting for a loading/unloading request for the workpiece W1 (S11).

After that, the laser processing control unit 42A transmits a request to carry out the work W1 to the carry-out/in-out device 30 (S12), and the carry-in/out control unit 33 that acquires the carry-out request instructs the work carry-in/out mechanism unit 31 to carry out the work W1 with a laser beam. An instruction to carry out from the processing unit 10A is sent. The work loading/unloading mechanism section 31 unloads the work W1 from the laser processing unit 10A based on the instruction from the loading/unloading control section 33 and stores the work W1 at a predetermined position in the work storage section 21 of the shelf device 20 (S13).

The processing of steps S1 to S13 is also continuously executed for each of the works W2 to Wn. When the processing of steps S1 to S13 is completed for all works W1 to Wn, loop (1) ends.

According to the above-described first embodiment, the cutting state in laser processing can be accurately determined step by step, and the parts processed according to the determined processing state can be properly sorted and carried out.

In the laser processing machine, if there is only one threshold for judging the processing state level related to laser processing, and if the threshold is set low in order to increase the sensitivity of defect detection, the laser processing machine will not be affected by slight noise during processing. However, it may be determined to be abnormal. In this case, even if the level of noise does not pose a problem in using the workpiece as a proper product, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the laser processing machine stops during processing and continuous processing is interrupted. It will stop in the middle and the processing efficiency will decrease. On the other hand, the laser processing machine of the first embodiment described above sets a plurality of thresholds and determines the corresponding level from a plurality of processing state levels based on these thresholds, so that it can be used as it is as a product. It is possible to separate and collect processed materials that can be used as products by adding simple post-processing, and processed materials that cannot be used as products, improving the efficiency of processing. can be improved. In addition, by skipping the unloading process for parts that cannot be cut out from the workpiece due to extremely poor processing conditions, and moving to the unloading process for the next part, multiple parts can be cut and cut continuously. It is possible to efficiently execute the processing without stopping the unloading process as much as possible.

<<Second embodiment>>
<Configuration of Laser Processing Machine According to Second Embodiment>
Since the configuration of the laser processing machine 1B of the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the laser processing machine 1A described in the first embodiment, detailed description of portions having the same functions will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the laser processing control unit 42B of the NC device 40B causes the laser processing of the plurality of parts to be sequentially executed up to an intermediate step in which a predetermined processed portion is left as a post-processing portion for each part, and then the processing is performed. Laser processing is sequentially performed on the post-processed portions of the parts determined by the processed state level determining unit to have a processed state level equal to or higher than a predetermined level.

<Operation of Laser Processing Machine According to Second Embodiment>
Next, as an example of the operation of the laser processing machine 1B according to the present embodiment, the operation when continuously cutting out rectangular parts P1 to P30 from the respective works W1 to Wn shown in FIG. 2, as in the case of the first embodiment. will be explained.

7A and 7B are sequence diagrams showing processes executed by the NC device 40B and loading/unloading device 30 used in the laser processing machine 1B of the second embodiment. The laser processing control unit 42B of the NC device 40B first acquires from the program information storage unit 41 the program information for executing the processing of cutting out the parts P1 to P30 from 30 locations in the work W1 by loop (4). start the process to

The laser processing control unit 42B starts processing the workpiece W1, and the processing executed in steps S21 to S23 is the same as the processing in steps S1 to S3 described in the first embodiment, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the laser processing control unit 42B acquires the parts carry-out information request from the carry-in/out control unit 33 by the process of step S23, the process of loop (5) is started. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure of the cutting process executed by the laser processing machine 1B of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the laser processing control unit 42B performs a cutting process from the vertex Q1 to the vertex R1, leaving one side of the dotted line connecting the vertex Q1 and the vertex R1 in the part P1 as a post-processing portion. An instruction to cut the three sides is sent to the cutting mechanism 11 as indicated by the thick line arrows. The cutting mechanism 11 cuts three sides from the vertex Q1 to the vertex R1 of the part P1 based on the instruction from the laser processing control unit 42B (S24).

When the cutting of the part P1 starts, the processing state measuring sensor 12 of the laser processing unit 10B starts acquiring information on the processing state, including the shape of the processed portion on the workpiece W1, and transmits the acquired information to the NC device 40B. Send.

In the NC device 40B, the sensor information acquisition section 43 sequentially acquires the information transmitted from the laser processing unit 10B and sends the information to the processing state level determination section 44 . The processing state level determination unit 44 determines the processing state level of the cut part P1 based on the information sent from the sensor information acquisition unit 43 and a plurality of threshold values stored in advance, as in the first embodiment. (S25).

The processes of steps S24 and S25 are also sequentially executed for each of the parts P2 to P30. At that time, after the cutting processing of one of the parts ends, the laser processing control unit 42B starts the cutting processing of the next part without waiting for the end of the determination processing regarding the part. In other words, the laser processing control unit 42B continuously executes the cutting processing in step S24 and the processing state level determination processing in step S25 for the parts P1 to P30 at independent timings. When the processes of steps S24 and S25 are completed for all parts P1 to P30, the process of loop (5) is completed.

When the processing of loop (5) ends, the laser processing control unit 42B starts the processing of loop (6), and determines that the processing state level is the first processing state level and the second processing state level in the processing state level determination processing for the part P1. It is checked whether or not it is determined to be the machining state level or the third machining state level (S26).

Here, if the machining state level of the part P1 is determined to be the first machining state level, the second machining state level, or the third machining state level ("YES" in S26), the laser machining control unit 42B still An instruction is sent to the cutting mechanism 11 to cut the last side which is the uncut post-processing portion, specifically, the side connecting the vertices Q1 and R1. The cutting mechanism 11 cuts the last side of the part P1 based on the instruction from the laser processing control section 42B (S27).

When the cutting mechanism 11 cuts the last side of the part P1, the carry-out information generation unit 45 performs the processing of the first embodiment based on the determined machining state level and the carry-out program stored in the program information storage unit 41. In the same manner as in the above case, a part carry-out request or carry-out notification information including the carry-out information of the part P1 is generated and transmitted to the carry-in/carry-out device 30 (S28).

At this time, the carry-out information generation unit 45 issues a part carry-out request for parts whose machining state level is determined to be the first machining state level, the second machining state level, or the third machining state level in the machining state level determination process. and generate a carry-out prohibition notice for the part determined as the fourth machining state level.

When the carry-in/carry-out device 30 acquires the part carry-out request or the carry-out prohibition notification regarding the part P1 from the NC device 40B, the process of loop (7) is started. When the process of loop (7) is started, if the information acquired from the NC unit 40B is a parts carry-out request ("YES" in S29), the carry-out/carry-out control unit 33 starts the parts carry-out mechanism. An instruction to carry out the part P1 to the position indicated by the carry-out destination information included in the part carry-out request is sent to the unit 32 . Based on the instruction from the carry-in/out control unit 33, the parts carry-out mechanism unit 32 carries the parts P1 that have been cut by the laser processing unit 10B to the shelf device 20, and the parts P1 are indicated by the carry-destination information in the parts storage unit 22. It is housed in a position where it can be seen (S30).

When the carrying-out process by the parts carrying-out mechanism section 32 ends, the carry-out/in control unit 33 transmits a carry-out completion notification to the laser processing control unit 42B (S31). The laser processing control unit 42B acquires the carry-out completion notification from the carry-in/out control unit 33, thereby recognizing that the carry-out process for the work W1 has been completed.

In step S29, when the loading/unloading device 30 acquires the unloading notification from the NC unit 40B ("NO" in S29), the loading/unloading control unit 33 does not cause the parts loading/unloading mechanism unit 32 to carry out the processing for loading the part. .

The cutting process and the part carry-out process in steps S26 to S31 are also sequentially executed for each of the parts P2 to P30. When the processing of steps S26-S31 is completed for all parts P1-P30, loop (6) and loop (7) are completed.

Since the processes executed in steps S32 to S35 are the same as the processes in steps S10 to S13 described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the above-described second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the processing state in laser processing is determined step by step with high accuracy, and the processed products are appropriately sorted according to the determined processing state. Processing can be efficiently executed without stopping continuous processing. Further, at that time, after the cutting processing of any part is finished, the cutting mechanism 11 can start cutting the next part without waiting for the end of the processing state level determination processing of the part. The cutting processing time for a plurality of works can be shortened as compared with the case of the embodiment.

In the second embodiment described above, in setting the post-processing portion in the part, since the post-processing portion is not subject to abnormality detection processing, depending on the shape and material of the workpiece, defective cutting is unlikely to occur, such as a straight line portion Alternatively, in consideration of the influence of heat, it is preferable to set it at a portion that is not adjacent to the surrounding cut portion. By setting such a portion as a post-processing portion, it is possible to accurately determine the processing state of a properly cut and processed part and discharge it.

<<Third embodiment>>
<Configuration of Laser Processing Machine According to Third Embodiment>
A laser processing machine 1C of a third embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the laser processing machine 1C is a single laser machine that cuts sheet metal with a laser. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a laser processing machine 1C of the third embodiment. The configuration of the laser processing machine 1C is the same as the configuration of the laser processing machine 1A described in the first embodiment, except that the shuttle 50 is further provided and the laser processing unit 10C includes the shuttle carry-out mechanism 13. Therefore, detailed descriptions of portions having the same functions are omitted.

The shuttle carry-out mechanism section 13 carries out to the shuttle 50 a plurality of parts for which the laser processing by the laser processing control section 42C has been completed. The shuttle 50 temporarily holds the parts unloaded by the shuttle unloading mechanism 13 at predetermined positions. The parts carry-out mechanism section 32 of the carry-in/out device 30 carries out the plurality of parts from the positions held by the shuttle 50 to the destination specified by the carry-out information generation section 45 .

<Operation of Laser Processing Machine According to Third Embodiment>
Next, as an example of the operation of the laser processing machine 1C according to the present embodiment, the operation when continuously cutting out rectangular parts P1 to P30 from the respective works W1 to Wn shown in FIG. 2 as in the case of the first embodiment. will be explained.

10A and 10B are sequence diagrams showing processes executed by the NC device 40C and loading/unloading device 30 used in the laser processing machine 1C of the third embodiment. The laser processing control unit 42C of the NC device 40C first acquires from the program information storage unit 41 the program information for executing the processing of cutting out the parts P1 to P30 from 30 locations in the work W1 by loop (8). start the process to

When starting the processing for the work W1, the laser processing control unit 42C transmits a work loading request for loading the work W1 into the laser processing unit 10C to the loading/unloading device 30 (S41). In the loading/unloading device 30, the loading/unloading control unit 33 sends an instruction to the work loading/unloading mechanism unit 31 to load the work W1 into the laser processing unit 10C based on the work loading request transmitted from the laser processing control unit 42C. do. The work loading/unloading mechanism section 31 takes out the work W1 from the work storage section 21 of the shelf device 20 and carries it into the laser processing unit 10C based on the instruction from the loading/unloading control section 33 (S42).

When the work W1 is carried into the laser processing unit 10C, the laser processing control section 42C starts processing of loop (9). When the processing of loop (9) is started, the cutting mechanism 11 executes the cutting processing of the parts under the control of the laser processing control unit 42C (S43), and the processing state of the cut parts is determined by the processing state level determination unit 44. Level determination processing is executed (S44). The parts cutting process and the machining state level determination process for the cut parts are the same as the processes in steps S4 and S5 described in the first embodiment, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The processes of steps S43 and S44 are also sequentially executed for each of the parts P2 to P30. At that time, after the cutting processing of one of the parts ends, the laser processing control unit 42C starts the cutting processing of the next part without waiting for the end of the determination processing regarding the part. That is, the laser processing control unit 42C continuously executes the cutting processing in step S43 and the processing state level determination processing in step S44 for the parts P1 to P30 at independent timings. When the processing of steps S43 and S44 is completed for all parts P1-P30, the processing of loop (9) is completed.

When the processing of loop (9) is completed, the laser processing control unit 42C transmits a shuttle carry-out request to the shuttle carry-out mechanism unit 13 to cause the shuttle 50 to carry out the cut parts P1 to P30. In accordance with a request from the laser processing control unit 42C, the shuttle carry-out mechanism unit 13 carries out the cut parts P1 to P30 to predetermined positions on the shuttle 50 while maintaining their mutual relative positional relationships (S45).

Next, the loading/unloading control unit 33 starts loop (10), and transmits a parts loading/unloading information request requesting information for loading the parts P1 to P30 to the laser processing control unit 42C (S46). The laser processing control unit 42C starts loop (11), and the carry-out information generation unit 45 includes the carry-out information of the part P1 based on the determined machining state level and the carry-out program stored in the program information storage unit 41. Information of a part carry-out request is generated and transmitted to the carry-in/carry-out device 30 (S47).

At this time, the carry-out information generation unit 45 issues a parts carry-out request only for parts whose machining state level is determined to be the first machining state level, the second machining state level, or the third machining state level in the machining state level determination process. However, no part take-out request is generated for the parts determined as the fourth machining state level. Further, the generated parts carry-out request includes the position information of the relevant parts on the shuttle 50 specified based on the machining program information.

When the loading/unloading control unit 33 acquires the parts loading request for the part P1 from the NC unit 40C, the loading/unloading control unit 33 instructs the parts loading/unloading mechanism unit 32 to move the part from the position on the shuttle 50 included in the parts loading request to the location indicated by the loading destination information. An instruction to carry out the part P1 is sent. Based on an instruction from the carry-in/out control unit 33, the parts carry-out mechanism unit 32 carries the part P1 temporarily stored in the shuttle 50 to the shelf device 20, and places it in the parts storage unit 22 at the position indicated by the destination information. Store (S48).

When the carrying-out process by the parts carrying-out mechanism section 32 ends, the carry-out/in control unit 33 transmits a carry-out completion notification to the laser processing control unit 42B (S49). The laser processing control unit 42C recognizes that the unloading process of the work W1 has been completed by acquiring the unloading completion notification from the loading/unloading control unit 33. FIG.

The parts carry-out process of steps S46 to S49 is also sequentially executed for each of the parts P2 to P30. When the processing of steps S46-S49 is completed for all parts P1-P30, loop (10) and loop (11) are completed.

Since the processes executed in steps S50 to S53 are the same as the processes in steps S10 to S13 described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the third embodiment described above, even in a single laser machine that performs processing such that cut parts are temporarily stored in a shuttle before being stored in a shelf device when performing cutting, the processing state in laser processing can be changed. It is possible to carry out processing efficiently without stopping the continuous processing as much as possible while accurately judging in stages and properly sorting the processed products according to the determined processing state.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the case where the laser processing machine that performs cutting processing changes the conveying destination according to the processing state level when cutting out a plurality of parts from a work has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in tapped hole processing using a punch press machine or a punch/laser composite machine, it is also possible to change the destination of the workpiece according to the processing state.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a sheet metal Wa to be tapped with a press (punch press) according to another embodiment, and parts Pa1 to Pa8 set on the sheet metal Wa to be tapped. In Fig. 11, when the punch press machines four tapped holes in each of the parts Pa1 to Pa8 in sequence, the tap breaks when three tapped holes are machined in the part Pa3, and the subsequent tapped holes cannot be machined. Indicates an unprocessed state.

In this case, the punch press machine determines the processing state level due to the broken tap and the absence of a spare tap, and skips the subsequent processing of the workpiece Wa according to the determined level and sends it to a predetermined delivery destination. be carried out to By unloading the work Wa to a predetermined unloading destination, the fourth tap hole and the tap holes after Pa4 of the part Pa3 of the work Wa can be tapped later.

Also, in the welding process by the laser processing machine, the processing state level after the processing of the welded portion may be determined, and the delivery destination may be sorted according to the determined level. By sorting the delivery destinations in this way, it is possible to repair minor processing defects later and handle them as products.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1A, 1B, 1C Laser processing machine 10A, 10B, 10C Laser processing unit 11 Cutting mechanism 12 Processing state measurement sensor 13 Shuttle carry-out mechanism 20 Shelf device 21 Work storage unit 22 Parts storage unit 30 Loading/unloading device 31 Work loading/unloading mechanism Section 32 Part carry-out mechanism section 33 Carry-in/carry-out control section 40A, 40B, 40C NC device 41 Program information storage section 42A, 42B, 42C Laser processing control section 43 Sensor information acquisition section 44 Processing state level determination section 45 Carry-out information generation section 50 Shuttle 221 1st storage part 222 2nd storage part 223 3rd storage part

Claims (6)

a laser processing control unit that sequentially performs laser processing on a plurality of parts;
a processing state level determination unit that sequentially acquires information indicating a processing state during laser processing of the plurality of parts and determines a processing state level of each of the parts based on the acquired information;
a carry-out destination specifying unit that specifies a carry-out destination for each part based on the machining state level determined by the machining state level determination unit;
A laser processing machine comprising: a carry-out mechanism section for carrying out a part for which laser processing by the laser processing control section has been completed to the destination specified by the carry-out destination specifying section. The processing state level determination unit preliminarily holds a plurality of thresholds for determining a processing state level related to laser processing, obtains a measurement value related to the processing state as information indicating the processing state, and classifies according to the plurality of thresholds. 2. The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the processing state level of each part is determined based on the number of times of detection of the measured value counted for each range of the measured value. When the processing state level determination unit determines that the processing state level of the part being processed is equal to or less than a predetermined level, the laser processing control unit interrupts laser processing of the component and starts laser processing of the next component. death,
The carry-out destination identification unit determines that the parts whose machining state level is determined to be below a predetermined level by the machining state level determination unit cannot be carried out,
3. The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein said carry-out mechanism unit does not carry out the carry-out process for the part determined as uncarryable by said carry-out destination specifying unit. The laser processing control unit causes the laser processing of the plurality of parts to be sequentially performed up to an intermediate step in which a predetermined processed portion is left as a post-processed portion for each of the components, and then determines the processed state level of the processed portion. 4. The laser processing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the laser processing is sequentially performed on the post-processed portions of the parts determined to be at a processing state level equal to or higher than a predetermined level in the processing section. a press processing control unit that sequentially performs press processing on a plurality of parts;
a machining state level determination unit that sequentially acquires information indicating a machining state during the press processing of the plurality of parts and determines a machining state level for each of the parts based on the acquired information;
a carry-out destination specifying unit that specifies a carry-out destination for each part based on the machining state level determined by the machining state level determination unit;
A press machine comprising: a carry-out mechanism section for carrying out a part for which the press processing by the press processing control section has been completed to the destination specified by the carry-out destination specifying section. a laser processing control step for sequentially executing laser processing on a plurality of parts;
a processing state level determination step of sequentially acquiring information indicating a processing state during laser processing of the plurality of components and determining a processing state level of each of the components based on the acquired information;
a carry-out destination specifying step of specifying a carry-out destination for each part based on the machining state level determined in the machining state level determination step;
and a carrying-out step of carrying out the part for which laser processing by the laser processing control step has been completed to the carrying-out destination specified in the carrying-out-destination specifying step.

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