JP2566910Y2 - Torch changer for plasma processing machine - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a torch changing device for a plasma processing machine, and more particularly, to a torch changing device for a plasma processing machine capable of automatically changing a predetermined torch as required. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The life of a torch nozzle and an electrode in a conventional plasma processing machine is very short, about 1 to 3 hours in use. In addition, when the cut thickness of a workpiece changes, the required current value is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to change the nozzle diameter according to the current. Therefore, replacement of nozzles and electrodes is required many times a day.

[0003]

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, usually,
The nozzle portion of the torch is screwed in two or three times, and the torch replacement operation is manually performed using a tool or a jig. Therefore, the replacement operation on the machine is a very time-consuming and troublesome operation. In addition, if the torch is not completely attached at the time of replacement, the plasma arc becomes unstable, and a proper function may not be obtained. Then, there is a problem that the operating rate of the machine is reduced due to waste of time required for replacement.

The purpose of the present invention is to pay attention to such a conventional technique, and it is intended for a plasma processing machine capable of performing a short-time and high-precision exchange by automating the exchange of a torch. A torch exchange device is provided.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention relates to a plasma processing machine having a lower torch fixing plate provided on a Z-axis slider which can be vertically adjusted and an upper torch fixing plate. The upper torch fixing plate is provided with a chuck device that supports the torch for plasma processing so that it can be vertically moved and tilted, and a plurality of torches that are detachably mounted on the chuck device. An indexing plate which is detachably supported in the up-down direction is movable in a direction approaching and separating from the chuck device, and an indexed torch is provided so as to be positioned at a position below the chuck device, and the lower torch is fixed. A sensor for detecting the vertical movement or inclination of the upper fixed plate with respect to the plate is provided.

The chuck device is provided with a concave portion capable of engaging the upper portion of the torch, and is provided with a plurality of balls which can be disengaged and disengaged in circumferential grooves formed in the upper portion of the torch engaged with the concave portion. A socket movably provided, a chucking member which is fitted to the outside of the socket so as to be vertically movable and which presses the ball inward, and which is urged downwardly, and which resists the urging force. And a cylinder chamber formed between the socket and the chucking member to move the chucking member upward.

Further, when the torch is attached to and detached from the chuck device, the power tube and the gas tube provided in the socket are connected to and disconnected from the electrode and the gas tube provided in the torch.

[0008]

In the above arrangement, the index plate is moved in the direction approaching the chuck device to position the desired torch supported by the index plate below the chuck device, and then moved up and down by the plasma processing machine. The torch can be mounted on the chuck device by lowering the freely provided Z-axis slider and engaging the torch on the index plate with the chuck device provided on the Z-axis slider.

After the torch is mounted on the chuck device, the Z-axis slider is raised to separate the torch from the index plate, and then the index plate is separated from the chuck device.
Plasma processing can be performed by a torch mounted on the chuck device.

By performing the operation opposite to the above, the torch mounted on the chuck device can be returned to the index plate. At this time, whether or not the torch is supported by the indexing plate can be detected by the sensor, and whether or not the torch has contacted the workpiece during processing can be detected by the sensor.

Further, with the above structure, when the torch is attached to or detached from the socket in the chuck device, the chucking member is moved up and down by supplying and discharging the working fluid to and from the cylinder chamber. As a result, the ball is moved in the radial direction to engage and disengage with the upper groove of the torch, and the torch can be automatically and easily attached to and detached from the chuck device.

Further, since the power supply tube and gas tube of the torch in the chuck device can be freely connected to and disconnected from the electrodes and the gas tube provided in the torch, even if the torch is attached to or detached from the chuck device, the electric power can be removed. , Gas can be reliably supplied.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 shows an entire plasma processing machine 3 equipped with the torch exchange device 1 according to the present invention.

In the plasma processing machine 3, a side frame 7 is erected at the right end of the lower frame 5 in the drawing, and the upper frame 9 is parallel from the side frame 7 to an intermediate position in the left-right direction above the lower frame 5. It is provided. Therefore, the frame has a U-shape as a whole in which the upper side is shorter than the lower side, and the power supply device 11 for plasma is provided inside the lower frame 5.

A guide rail 13 is provided on the upper surface of the lower frame 5 along the Y-axis direction in FIG.
Are provided as a pair. These guide rails 13
A pair of movable tables 17 disposed on both front and rear sides of a fixed table 15 fixed on the lower frame 5 are movably supported. The movable table 17 is integrally mounted on a carriage base 19 extending in the X-axis direction while straddling the fixed table 15.

The carriage base 19 is moved and positioned in the Y-axis direction by a combination of a drive motor (not shown) and a ball screw 21. The carriage base 19
Is provided with a carriage 23 movable in the X-axis direction along the carriage base 19, and the carriage 23 has a clamp 25 for gripping one end of a plate-like work.
Is equipped.

Accordingly, the positioning of the work is controlled by moving the carriage 23 equipped with the clamp 25 for gripping the work in the X-axis direction along the carriage base 19 and moving the carriage base 19 along the guide rail 13 in the Y-axis direction. This is performed by controlling the movement.

On the other hand, on the distal end surface (left end surface in the figure) 27 of the upper frame 9, a punching section 29 provided on the base end side (right side in the figure) for punching a work is provided.
And a plasma processing unit 31 that performs plasma processing adjacent to the punching unit 29 and the torch exchange device 1.

The punching section 29 has nine punch holders and nine die holders arranged vertically and horizontally, and a nine-track punch holder 35 having a punch 33 and a die (not shown) mounted thereon.
And a hydraulic ram cylinder 37 that strikes a striker (not shown) positioned right above a desired punch 33.

Accordingly, in the punching section 29, the hydraulic ram cylinder 37 hits the striker positioned just above the desired punch 33 on the workpiece positioned in the processing area as described above, thereby performing the punching processing. Is applied.

Referring also to FIG. 3, a plasma processing section 31 includes a processing torch 39 for performing plasma processing on a workpiece.
And a Z-axis slider 4 mounted on a Z-axis slider guide 41 which is vertically movable with the processing torch 39 mounted thereon.
3 is provided. At the lower end of the Z-axis slider 43, a chuck device as a torch mounting portion for the processing torch 39 is provided, and a torch fixing plate 47 for fixing a socket 45 of the chuck device is provided. The torch fixing plate 49 on the side is supported from below.

That is, an upwardly protruding portion 47a provided on the torch fixing plate 47 on the Z-axis slider 43 side.
Is the recess 4 of the torch fixing plate 49 on the socket 45 side.
9a prevents misalignment. A sensor 51 for detecting a tilt is provided between the torch fixing plates 47 and 49.

The mounting of the processing torch 39
This is performed by engaging a steel ball 53 as a ball provided at the lower end of the socket 45 on the Z-axis slider 43 with a circumferential groove 39a formed at the upper end of the Z-axis slider 43 to prevent the steel ball 53 from falling off. The steel ball 53 is constantly urged downward by a chucking spring 55 and is pressed by a chucking member 57 having a tapered tip, so that the processing torch 39 is securely held. Then, with the processing torch 39 attached to the socket 45 on the Z-axis slider 43 side, the air pipe 59, the power supply pipe 61, the gas pipe 63
Is securely connected. The air pipe 59 is for press-fitting air as a working fluid into the unclamping cylinder chamber 65, and the power supply pipe 61 is for supplying power during plasma processing. The gas pipe 63 emits a high-temperature gas from the processing torch 39 at the time of plasma processing to cut a workpiece or the like.

When the air is supplied from the air pipe 59 to the unclamping cylinder chamber 65 provided between the chucking member 57 and the socket 45, the processing torch 39 is removed by the urging force of the chucking spring 55. This is performed by pushing up the chucking member 57 and removing the steel ball 53 from the circumferential groove 39a of the processing torch 39. Thereby, the processing torch 39 can be easily removed.

To adjust the height position of the tip of the processing torch 39, the Z-axis screw 67 is rotated by a motor, and the Z-axis slider 43 is slowly lowered, so that the work on the fixed table 15 or a jig for height adjustment is used. The tip of the processing torch 39 is brought into contact with the torch 39, and adjustment is performed with the Z-axis screw 67 (see FIG. 1).
However, in order to prevent the work from hitting the tip of the processing torch 39 and damaging the processing torch 39 during the plasma processing, when the work comes into contact with the processing torch 39, the torch fixing plate 49 on the socket 45 side tilts and falls. The detection sensor 51 is turned off (or turned on) by separating from the upper surface of the torch fixing plate 47 on the Z-axis slider 43 side, and the plasma processing machine 3 is stopped.

With the above-described configuration, during plasma processing, the Z-axis slider 43 is lowered to bring the processing torch 39 close to the work W, and processing is performed while positioning the work W at a predetermined position as described above. is there.

That is, an arc is generated between the work (not shown) attached to the tip of the power supply tube 61 and the work inside the processing torch 39, and the gas press-fitted from the gas tube 63 is heated to a high temperature by this arc. The plasma processing for cutting the work or the like by ejecting the nozzle 69 at a high speed at a high speed is performed.

Returning to FIG. 5 again, the processed product WA falls from the fixed table 15 onto a belt conveyor 71 provided below the fixed table 15 and is carried out of the machine. Are collected in a product tray 73 provided below the left end of the product tray.

Next, the torch exchange device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The torch exchange device 1 includes a plurality of spare torches 7
Indexing plate 77 on which the device 5 can be mounted on the circumference;
The indexing base 79 is controlled so that it can be freely moved toward and away from the position of the processing torch 39 mounted on the Z-axis slider 43.
And

The indexing plate 77 has an arc-shaped notch 81 for mounting six (one example, any number of) torches 39, 75 along the circumference thereof. Each notch 81 is provided with a torch positioning key 83 for determining the direction of the preliminary torch 75 and securely mounting the same. The indexing plate 77 is rotatable about an indexing rotation shaft 85 as a center of rotation. A torch presence sensor 87 is provided below the index plate 77 and always faces the replacement position without rotating with respect to the index plate 77.
The notch 81 used for exchanging the torches 39 and 75 can detect whether or not the torches 39 and 75 are present.

Indexing motor 8 for indexing rotation of indexing plate 77
9 is attached to the right side in FIG. 1 of the indexing base 79, and a Geneva gear 91A and a mounting ring 9 are provided.
The indexing plate 77 is driven to rotate via 1B, and the dog 93 attached to the Geneva gear 91A is detected by an indexing confirmation sensor 95 attached to the indexing motor 89 via a block member. As a result, an accurate indexing plate is indexed. In the example shown in FIG.
For example, if 9 rotates once, indexing plate 77 rotates 60 degrees.
That is, as described above, the six torches 39 and 75 can be mounted along the circumference of the indexing plate 77, so that when the indexing motor 89 makes one rotation, the spare torch 75 mounted next to the indexing motor 89 is removed. It can be indexed. Therefore,
When changing the number of the torches 39 and 75 mounted on the index plate 77, the ratio of the Geneva gear 91A may be changed.

The indexing base 79 is mounted on the indexing guide 97 with the indexing plate 77 rotatably indexable as described above. The indexing guide 97 is reciprocally movable along an indexing guide rail 101 fixed to a top plate 99 projecting from the upper frame 9.

Accordingly, when the drive cylinder 103 moves the indexing guide 97, the movement is controlled so that the indexing plate 77 approaches and separates from the position of the processing torch 39 mounted on the Z-axis slider 43. . That is,
The index plate 77 is reciprocated between the exchange position of the torches 39 and 75 and the index position (retreat position).

Next, the operation of replacing the torches 39 and 75 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

At the time of ordinary plasma processing, the indexing plate 77 is mounted on the processing torch 3 already mounted on the Z-axis slider 43.
9 and stops at the indexing position (retreat position). Therefore, the index plate 77 has at least one empty notch 81. Then, before the exchange of the processing torch 39 and the spare torch 75 is started, the Z-axis slider 43 is raised.

First, at the index position, the torch presence sensor 87 provided below the index plate 77 is
It is confirmed that there is no spare torch 75 at the replacement position, and that the empty notch 81 is indexed and positioned.
Then, the indexing plate 7 is driven by the indexing base driving cylinder 103.
7 is moved toward the Z-axis slider 43. That is,
The indexing plate 77 is moved above the plasma processing position, and the empty notch 81 is positioned below the processing torch 39 mounted on the Z-axis slider 43.

Next, the Z-axis slider 43 is driven to lower the processing torch 39, and the processing torch 39 is moved to the empty notch 81.
And the flange 39b of the processing torch 39 is
7, the torch fixing plates 47 and 49 are separated from each other as described above, so that the sensor 51 for detecting the fall is turned off. Thereby, the descent of the Z-axis slider 43 is stopped, and air is sent from the air pipe 59 to the unclamping cylinder 65 for unclamping.

Since the processing torch 39 is detached from the Z-axis slider 43, when the Z-axis slider 43 is raised, only the processing torch 39 remains and is held by the index plate 77. Then, after the Z-axis slider 43 stops ascending, the indexing plate 77 is moved to the indexing position by the indexing base driving cylinder 103, and the indexing plate 77 is rotated and indexed to move the desired spare torch 75 to the replacement position. Position.

After the indexing plate 77 is again moved to the position of the Z-axis slider 43 by the indexing base drive cylinder 103, the Z-axis slider 43 is lowered and the lower portion of the socket 45 is placed on the upper portion of the preliminary torch (working torch) 75. Fit it. Then, when the air from the unclamping cylinder 65 is released, the chucking spring 55 pushes down the chucking member 57 and the steel ball 53 is engaged with the upper end of the processing torch 75 to be chucked as a new processing torch 39.

After the Z-axis slider 43 is raised to take out a new machining torch 39 from the indexing plate 77, the indexing plate 77 is moved to the indexing position (retreat position) by the indexing base drive cylinder 103.

After the Z-axis slider 43 is lowered and the tip height of the processing torch 39 is corrected as described above, the Z-axis slider 43 is raised to complete replacement and preparation for processing.

By repeating the above, the processing torch 39 can be automatically replaced without manual intervention. However, the nozzle 6 in the preliminary torch 75
9. Although the replacement of the electrodes and the like is performed manually, it can be easily removed from the indexing plate 77, so that it can be performed easily and accurately outside the machine.

As described above, since the processing torch 39 can be automatically exchanged, it is not necessary to stop the plasma processing machine 3 for a long time and perform a setup change as in the related art. For this reason, the working efficiency of the plasma processing machine 3 is greatly improved.

If the position of the preparatory torch 75 and the diameter of the nozzle 69 of each performance are input as data to the control device, even if the thickness of the work W changes and the current value needs to be changed, the processing torch by hand is required. Since the replacement of 39 is unnecessary, long continuous cutting can be performed even when the thickness of the work W changes.

Further, since the nozzle 69 and the electrode are exchanged outside the machine, and the spare torch 75 can be integrally set on the index plate 79, it can be exchanged accurately and quickly, and it is very efficient. In the above embodiment, since the six torches 39 and 75 including the spare torch 75 can be automatically replaced, if the torches 39 and 75 having the same performance are used, a total of about 1 is obtained.
8 hours of continuous processing can be performed.
The number of the spare torches 75 that can be attached to the is optional. Also,
It is also possible to use various spare torches 75.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be implemented in other modes by making appropriate changes.

[0049]

As can be understood from the above description of the embodiment, in the present invention, the upper torch fixing plate 49 is provided on the lower torch fixing plate 47 provided on the Z-axis slider 43 so as to be vertically movable and tiltable. The upper torch fixing plate 49 that supports and is provided with a chuck device that supports the torch 39 in a detachable and replaceable manner. Further, a sensor 51 for detecting the vertical movement or the inclination of the upper torch fixing plate 49 with respect to the lower torch fixing plate 47 is provided.

Therefore, the plurality of torches 75 supported by the indexing plate 77 and the torch 39 supported by the chuck device can be exchanged to perform plasma processing, and the torch can be exchanged. Time, Torch 3
Whether or not 9 is supported by the indexing plate 77 can be detected by the sensor 51, and the timing of the unclamping operation of the chuck device can be easily determined.

Further, at the time of machining, whether or not the torch has contacted the work can be detected by the sensor 51. By stopping at the time of contact, the torch can be prevented from being damaged.

That is, the sensor 51 can detect whether or not the torch is supported by the indexing plate 77 when the torch is attached, detached or replaced, and also detects whether or not the torch has contacted the workpiece during machining. Can be
The configuration is further simplified by using the sensor for both purposes.

Further, since the torch can be replaced without stopping the plasma processing machine for a long time as in the prior art, the use efficiency of the machine is greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a torch exchange device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing details of an index plate.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing a mounting portion of the processing torch.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a torch replacement procedure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an entire plasma processing machine equipped with the torch exchange device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Torch exchange device 3 Plasma processing machine 39 Processing torch 45 Socket (torch attachment part) 75 Spare torch (replacement torch) 77 Indexing plate 79 Indexing base W Work (workpiece)

Claims (3)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A lower torch fixing plate (47) provided on a Z-axis slider (43) provided on a plasma processing machine so that the vertical position can be adjusted. An upper torch fixing plate (49) is supported to be vertically movable and tiltable. A plurality of torches (75) are provided on the upper torch fixing plate (49) for detachably supporting a torch (39) for plasma processing, the plurality of torches (75) being detachably attached to the chuck device. Indexing plate (7
7) is provided so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the chuck device and to be positioned at a position below the chuck device so as to be freely positioned, and the upper torch fixing plate with respect to the lower torch fixing plate (47). (4
9) Sensor (51) for detecting vertical movement or inclination
A torch exchange device for a plasma processing machine, comprising: 2. The chuck device according to claim 1, wherein the torch includes a concave portion which is engageable with an upper portion of the torch, and a plurality of balls (e.g., a plurality of balls) which are engageable and disengageable with a circumferential groove (39a) formed on the upper portion of the torch engaged with the concave portion. 53) a socket (45) having a radially movable (53), and a tapered portion fitted to the outside of the socket (45) to be vertically movable and pressing the ball (53) inward. And the socket (4) for moving the chucking member (57) upward against the urging force.
The torch exchange device for a plasma processing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a cylinder chamber (65) formed between the chucking member (5) and the chucking member (57). 3. A power supply tube (61) and a gas tube (63) provided in a socket (45) are connected to and disconnected from an electrode and a gas tube provided in a torch when a torch is attached to and detached from a chuck device. The torch exchange device for a plasma processing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: