JP2846160B2 - Laser processing apparatus and laser processing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser processing apparatus for irradiating a workpiece with laser light to perform processing such as cutting, and a laser.
It relates to a processing method .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional laser processing apparatus of this type, an apparatus for carrying a work in and out of a processing position where laser processing is performed is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-8957 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-30596. Such a configuration is known.

In the former work loading / unloading device, a relay conveyor having an upper conveying path and a lower conveying path is installed to face the laser processing machine, and one side of the relay conveyor has an upper conveying path and a lower conveying path. A transfer conveyor that can be moved up and down is installed at a position corresponding to, and a discharge conveyor that can be moved up and down is installed at a position corresponding to the upper and lower transfer paths of the relay conveyor on the other side of the relay conveyor.

When the pallet on which the work is set is placed on the carry-in conveyor while the carry-in and carry-out conveyors are raised, the pallet is carried from the carry-in conveyor to the upper conveying path of the relay conveyor, and the Laser processing is performed by the processing machine, and a pallet supporting the processed work is carried out from the upper conveying path of the relay conveyor onto the carry-out conveyor. Also, after the processed work is removed from the pallet on this unloading conveyor,
With the carry-in and carry-out conveyors lowered, empty pallets are sent back from the carry-out conveyor to the carry-in conveyor via the lower conveyor path of the relay conveyor.

Further, in the latter work loading / unloading device, a processing station is provided opposite to the laser processing machine, and a mounting work station for mounting a work to a pallet is provided on one side of the processing station. At the same time, on the other side of the processing station, a removal work station for performing the work of removing the work from the pallet is installed, and between the mounting work station and the removal work station, a side of the work station is bypassed. A pallet feed-back conveyor is laid.

Then, after the work is mounted on the pallet at the mounting work station, the pallet is carried into the processing station from the mounting work station, and laser processing is performed by a laser processing machine.
The pallet supporting the processed work is removed from the processing station and carried out to the work station. After the processed work is removed from the pallet at the removal station, the empty pallet is sent back from the removal work station to the mounting work station by the conveyor, bypassing the side of the work station.

[0007]

However, in the above two conventional apparatuses, the mounting work position for mounting the work on the pallet and the removal work position for removing the processed work from the pallet are performed by laser processing. Since the work is mounted on both sides of the pallet, it is not possible to concentrate the work on the pallet in one place.
There is a problem that it is difficult to operate the apparatus unattended by automating the work loading / unloading operation.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems existing in the prior art as described above. It is an object of the present invention to store a plurality of pallets on which works are mounted in a multi-stage stocker in advance. In addition, a laser processing apparatus capable of continuously processing all the workpieces in the stocker by unmanned operation by automating a pallet loading / unloading operation, and
It is to provide a laser processing method .

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a plurality of pallets for supporting a workpiece.
Equipped with a stocker for storing
Take out the pallets one by one and transport them to the laser processing machine
In the laser processing apparatus to be laser-processed,
A pallet and out means for selectively performing out pallets from mosquitoes, pallet placed is by the pallet and out means
And an intermediate transfer station provided with transfer means for transferring the pallet into and out of the laser processing machine ,
The intermediate transfer station is provided adjacent to the intermediate transfer station.
Transporter for loading and unloading pallets to and from the transport station
It is equipped with a step and is designed to
The main point is that a business station has been established . Claim
The invention according to claim 2 provides the laser processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The pallet access means is provided at the intermediate transfer station.
Above the pallet to the intermediate transfer station.
The gist is to make it possible to wait for carry-out. Claim 3
Of the present invention relates to a plurality of pallets stored in a multi-stage in a stocker.
Work individually supported by the laser cutting machine
Therefore, in the laser processing method of laser processing, the laser
Pallet supporting the workpiece to be processed next during processing
Out of the stocker by pallet access
Processed while waiting above the transfer station
Unload the pallet supporting the work from the laser processing machine
Through the intermediate transfer station and the intermediate transfer station
After transporting to a work station adjacent to the
The waiting pallet passes through the intermediate transfer station and
It is carried into a processing machine for laser processing, and
Pallet where the work was supported by the work station during construction
Via the intermediate transfer station and pallet access means
The gist is to store in a predetermined position of the stocker.

[0010]

[Operation] In the laser processing apparatus configured as described above, if a plurality of pallets supporting the work are stored in the stocker in advance, the pallets are transferred one by one from the stocker to the intermediate transfer station by the pallet access means. After being sent to the pallet, the workpiece is transported to a laser processing machine, and the workpiece on the pallet is subjected to laser processing. Next processing
The pallet that supports the work to be moved
Is removed from the stocker by the
Waiting above the window. The pallet supporting the processed work passes through the intermediate transfer station to
While being transported to the station,
Is transferred to the laser processing machine via the intermediate transfer station.
Is done. Next, the processed machine transported to the work station
The pallet supporting the work is returned to the intermediate transfer station
Through ® emissions sent by the pallet and out means in the stocker, Palais pallet supporting the following workpiece from the stocker
It is taken out by the slot access means.

In the work station, a laser
Tomo When desorption of the machined workpiece and the unmachined workpiece is performed on the pallet as needed even during processing
In addition, since the work can be attached to and detached from the pallet in one place,
Business efficiency increases. Moreover, it has been processed sequentially during laser processing
By exchanging workpieces and unprocessed workpieces,
It is possible to continuously process the work including inside and outside. Also,
By automating desorption operation of the work at the work station, it is possible to continuously process the plurality of workpieces including outside the stocker in unmanned operation.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a laser processing apparatus embodying the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a stocker 1 serving as a pallet accommodating means is formed in a box shape with an open front surface, and a plurality of pallets P supporting a work W therein.
Are housed in a multi-stage form. The intermediate transfer station 2 is installed in front of the stocker 1 in the drawing, and a pallet P is put in and out between the stocker 1 and the intermediate transfer station 2 by a pallet input / output mechanism 3 provided as a pallet input / output means provided in the stocker 1. The processing station 4 is installed on the right side of the intermediate transfer station 2 in the figure, and an auxiliary transfer device 5 is installed between the processing station 4 and the intermediate transfer station 2.

The laser processing machine 6 includes the processing station 4
The processing machine body 9 and the processing table 8
1, a laser head 7, a laser oscillator 10, a chiller unit 37, a control panel 38 with an operation panel, and the like. Then, the work table 81 and the laser head 7 of the laser processing machine 6 move with respect to the work W on the pallet P transferred from the intermediate transfer station 2 to the processing table 81 of the processing station 4 via the auxiliary transfer device 5. The laser beam is emitted from the laser head 7 to perform laser processing.

A work station 8 is installed on the left side of the intermediate transfer station 2 in the figure, and a pallet P is carried in and out between the work station 8 and the intermediate transfer station 2. The work W can be attached to and detached from the pallet P transferred from the intermediate transfer station 2 to the work station 8.

Next, the structures of the stocker 1 and the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3 will be described in detail. As shown mainly in FIGS.
Is arranged in parallel in the vertical direction on the inner surface of the rear wall. A plurality of pairs of support arms 12, which form a pair on the left and right, are attached to both attachment angles 11 at predetermined intervals, and extend substantially horizontally toward the front. Then, the pallet P supporting the work W is removably mounted on the pair of left and right support arms 12 and is accommodated and arranged in the stocker 1 in a multistage manner.

A pair of left and right guide vertical rails 13 are fixed to inner surfaces on both sides of the stocker 1 so as to extend in parallel in the vertical direction. The elevating body 14 is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view, and a plurality of right and left regulating rollers 16 and front and rear regulating rollers 17 are supported on both side surfaces thereof via mounting plates 15. And the right and left regulating roller 16 is the vertical rail 1
3 and the front and rear regulating rollers 17 engage with the front and rear side surfaces of the vertical rail 13 so that the elevating body 14 is supported so as to be able to move up and down along the vertical rail 13. .

As shown in FIG. 5, two pairs of upper and lower sprockets 18 and 19 are rotatably supported by the stocker 1 at the upper and lower ends of the vertical rails 13, respectively. A pair of right and left chains 20 are fixed at both ends.
1 is attached to the mounting plates 15 on both sides of the elevating body 14, and is mounted on a pair of upper and lower sprockets 18 and 19 at an intermediate portion thereof. The balance weight 22 is the chain 20
And is arranged in the vertical rail 13 so as to be able to move up and down.

An elevating motor 23 is disposed above the stocker 1. The rotation of the elevating motor 23 causes a pair of upper sprockets 18 via a reduction gear 24, a driving sprocket 25, a chain 26 and a driven sprocket 27.
Are rotated integrally. And the upper sprocket 18
Is rotated clockwise in FIG.
The lifting body 14 is lifted through the upper sprocket 18
Is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.
Is lowered via the chain 20.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, a pair of left and right horizontal rails 28 are laid in both side frames of the elevating body 14, and extend in the front-rear direction in parallel. A flat, substantially U-shaped drawer 29 is supported on both sides of the horizontal rail 28 so as to be movable back and forth, and a pair of support protrusions for receiving a pallet P from the support arm 12 in the stocker 1 are provided on both upper surfaces thereof. An article 30 is provided.

A pair of front and rear sprockets 31 and 32 correspond to the front and rear ends of the one lateral rail 28, respectively.
Is rotatably supported in one side frame portion. Chain 3
Numeral 3 is fixed to the outer surface of one side of the drawer body 29 at both ends by fixing brackets 34, and is mounted on a pair of sprockets 31 and 32 at an intermediate portion thereof.

An access motor 35 is provided on the outer surface of one side of the elevating body 14, and the rear sprocket 32 is rotated via a speed reducer 36 by the rotation of the access motor 35.
When the rear sprocket 32 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7, the drawer 29 is moved forward from the stocker 1 via the chain 33, and the rear sprocket 3 is rotated.
2 is rotated clockwise in FIG.
9 is moved backward into the stocker 1 via the chain 33.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drawer 29 is moved up and down to a position corresponding to a predetermined pallet P in the stocker 1 by driving a motor 23 for raising and lowering. 1 after being moved back into the
Is raised by a predetermined amount, the pallet P is transferred from the support arm 12 to the support protrusion 30 of the drawer body 29. Further, the drawer body 29 supporting the pallet P is moved together with the elevating body 14 with a predetermined support arm 1 in the stocker 1.
After the drawer 29 is moved back and forth into the stocker 1 in a state of being moved up and down to a position corresponding to 2, the elevating body 1
The pallet P is transferred from the drawer 29 to the support arm 12 by lowering the pallet 4 by a predetermined amount.

Next, the structure of the intermediate transfer station 2 will be described in detail. As shown mainly in FIGS. 8 and 9, a pair of belt conveyors 39 is composed of two drive rollers 40.
It is rotatably disposed on the frame 41 in a state of being stretched in between. The transport motor 42 is disposed at the rear of the frame 41. By the rotation of the transport motor 42, each belt conveyor 39 is driven by the drive roller 40 via the reduction gear 43, the plurality of transmission sprockets 44, and the transmission chain 45. It is rotationally driven integrally. Incidentally, reference numeral 47 denotes an idle roller.

The lowering space 46 is provided with the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3.
Is provided in the frame 41 of the intermediate transfer station 2 so as to correspond to the lower side of the elevating body 14 in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the pallet P supporting the work W is placed on the drawer 29, and the elevating body 14 is lowered into the lowering space 46, as shown in FIG. It is delivered to the belt conveyor 39 from above. When the lifting body 14 is lifted from the lowering space 46 with the pallet P placed on the belt conveyor 39, the pallet P is transferred from the belt conveyor 39 to the drawer 29.

A plurality of regulating rollers 48 are disposed on the frame 41 near the belt conveyor 39, and the regulating rollers 48 engage with the leading edge and the trailing edge of the pallet P on the intermediate transfer station 2, and The front and rear positions of the pallet P are regulated.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, a pair of left and right stopper cylinders 49 with shock absorbers are disposed on both front sides of the frame 41, and rocking stoppers 50 with rollers are mounted on the upper ends of the piston rods. Have been. When the pallet P is transferred from the processing station 4 to the intermediate transfer station 2, the stopper 50 on the left side of the drawing is protruded to an upper position and engages with the left edge of the pallet P in a buffering manner. Is stopped at a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer station 2. or,
When the pallet P is transported from the work station 8 to the intermediate transport station 2, the stopper 50
Is projected upward and engages with the right edge of the pallet P in a buffering manner, so that the pallet P is stopped at a predetermined position on the intermediate transfer station 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, a storage medium 51 is provided on the front of each pallet P, and this storage medium 51 has a type of pallet P, a type of work W, a type of work W
And various information such as the pallet P storage position in the stocker 1 are stored in advance. In this embodiment, as the pallet P, a plurality of support members for the work W, such as a lattice, a wire mesh, a sword-like shape, and a honeycomb shape, are prepared. A suitable pallet P can be selected to support the work W.

The reader 52 is connected to the intermediate transfer station 2
When the pallet P, which is disposed at the front of the pallet and supports the work W, is placed on the intermediate transfer station 2, the pallet P
The upper storage medium 51 is arranged to face the reader 52.
Then, various information stored in the storage medium 51 is read by the reader 52 and sent to the control panel 38 of the laser processing machine 6. Thereafter, when the pallet P is transferred to the processing station 4, the work W
The pallet P is stored at a predetermined address in the stocker 1 by the pallet input / output mechanism 3 when the pallet is stored. When pallet information is registered in the control panel with control panel 38 in the sequence program in advance, processing and pallet storing operation can be performed based on the registered information. In this case, the information read by the reader 52 can be simply transmitted as the passage information of the pallet P.
Therefore, the reader 52 can be simply replaced with a proximity sensor. Next, the configuration of the auxiliary transport device 5 will be described in detail. As shown mainly in FIGS. 8 and 10 to 12, the pair of belt conveyors 55
It is rotatably disposed on the frame 57 in a state of being stretched between them. By the rotation of the transfer motor 42 of the intermediate transfer station 2, the two belt conveyors 55 are integrally rotated by the drive roller 56 via the speed reducer 43, the plurality of transmission sprockets 58, and the transmission chain 59. .

The pallet pressing mechanism 60 is arranged at an intermediate portion between the two belt conveyors 55, and the belt conveyor 55
The pallet P conveyed from the intermediate conveyance station 2 to the processing station 4 by the rotation of the pallet is positively pushed in from the rear side in the traveling direction. That is, the rotation lever 61 is rotatably attached to the frame 57 by the support shaft 62 at an intermediate portion, and a pressing roller 64 is supported at the upper end thereof via the attachment arm 63. The support lever 65 is rotatably attached to the frame 57 by a support shaft 66 at the lower end so as to extend in parallel with the rotation lever 61, and the upper end thereof is connected to the mounting arm 63.

The cylinder 67 is rotatably attached at its base end to the frame 41 of the intermediate transfer station 2, and its piston rod 68 is connected to the lower end of the rotation lever 61. Then, when the pallet P is conveyed to the processing station 4 side, when the trailing edge of the pallet P in the traveling direction approaches the right end of the belt conveyor 55, the piston rod 68 of the cylinder 67 is retracted and rotated. The lever 61 and the support lever 65 are shown in FIG.
The pallet P is rotated from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line, and the pressing roller 64 presses and moves the pallet P in the traveling direction.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, a pallet retraction mechanism 69 is disposed above the belt conveyor 55 so as to oppose the pallet P supporting the processed work W from the processing station 4 to the intermediate transfer station. When the pallet P is conveyed to the second side, the pallet P is pressed onto the belt conveyor 55 and drawn into the auxiliary conveying device 5.

That is, the pair of front and rear support arms 70 are rotatably attached to the frame 57 by the support shaft 71 at the base end, and the pressing roller 72 corresponding to the belt conveyor 55 so as to be able to contact and separate from the belt conveyor 55 is supported at the tip. At the same time, a connecting shaft 73 is provided at the intermediate portion. The cylinder 74 is rotatably attached to the frame 57 at the lower end, and an operating pin 75 that is loosely fitted to the connecting shaft 73 is fixed to the tip of the piston rod. The spring 76 is interposed between the tip of the operation pin 75 and the connecting shaft 73, and the pressing roller 72 is urged toward the belt conveyor 55 by the spring 76.

Then, the piston rod of the cylinder 74 always projects, and the pressing roller 72 is
5 is held at a position apart from the reference numeral 5. Further, when the pallet P supporting the processed work W is transported from the processing station 4 to the intermediate transport station 2 side, when the front edge in the traveling direction of the pallet P reaches the upper right end of the belt conveyor 55, The piston rod of the cylinder 74 is retracted, and the pressing roller 72 is
The pallet P on the belt conveyor 55 is pressed by the urging force of No. 6 to assist the belt conveyor 55 in drawing the pallet P.

Next, the configuration of the processing station 4 will be described in detail. As shown mainly in FIGS. 2 and 13 to 17, a pair of rails 79 are mounted on a frame 80 of the processing station 4 in parallel in the left-right direction in the figure. The processing table 81 is movably supported on the rail 79. The drive nut 82 is rotatably supported by the frame 80, and a driven toothed pulley 83 is fitted on the outer periphery thereof. The screw rod 84 is fixed to the lower portion of the processing table 81 so as to extend in the left-right direction in the figure, and is screwed to the drive nut 82 so as to be relatively movable.

A moving motor 85 is provided on the frame 80, and a toothed belt 87 is mounted between a pulley 86 having driven teeth and a pulley 83 having driven teeth fixed on the motor shaft. ing. And the processing table 81
When laser processing is performed on the work W on the pallet P mounted thereon, the drive nut 82 rotates via the double toothed pulleys 86 and 83 and the toothed belt 87 due to the rotation of the moving motor 85. Then, the processing table 81 is moved via the screw rod 84.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a plurality of lower rollers 88 are disposed on both front and rear edges of the upper portion of the processing table 81, and are transferred from the intermediate transfer station 2 to the processing table 81 of the processing station 4. The incoming pallet P is movably supported on the lower roller 88. A plurality of regulating rollers 89 are disposed on both front and rear side edges of the upper portion of the processing table 81, and the regulating rollers 89 engage with the front edge and the rear edge of the pallet P on the processing table 81, and the front and rear of the pallet P Position is regulated.

A plurality of pressing bodies 90 are provided on the processing table 81.
And is connected to the cylinder 91. When the pressing body 90 is pressed forward by the cylinder 91 while the pallet P is loaded on the processing table 81, the pallet P is moved to the pressing body 90.
And the regulating roller 89 at the front, and is positioned and held at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction.

A pair of front and rear retracting claws 92 are rotatably supported on the upper right side of the processing table 81 in the figure, and a lever 93 is provided.
Are connected to the piston rod of the cylinder 94 through the like. When the pallet P is loaded from the intermediate transfer station 2 onto the processing table 81, the cylinder 94
As a result, the retraction claw 92 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 14 to engage with the inner peripheral edge of the right end of the pallet P, and the pallet P is retracted to a predetermined position on the processing table 81. That is, the pressing body 90, the regulating roller 89, and the pull-in claw 92 constitute pallet holding means 81a.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, a pair of cylinders 95 are provided to extend in the left-right direction on the right side in the drawing of the processing table 81, and dampers 96 are respectively attached to the distal ends of the piston rods. . When the pallet P is pulled rightward in the drawing on the processing table 81 by the pull-in claw 92, the damper 96 is buffer-engaged with the right edge of the pallet P, and the pallet P Stationary in position. Processing table 81
A plurality of lifter engaging portions 123 are attached to a lifter-equipped pallet P such as a pallet P having, for example, a sword pin on the processing table 81 so as to face a right edge of the pallet P. ing. Then, the rotation is transmitted to the lifter of the pallet P via the lifter engaging portion 123 by an actuator (not shown), and the lifter that raises and lowers the work W can be operated.

As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 16, a pair of cylinders 97 are disposed on the left side of the processing table 81 so as to extend obliquely in the front-rear direction, and a pressing roller 98 is provided at the upper end of the piston rod. Each is rotatably supported. When the pallet P is stopped on the processing table 81 and the piston rod of the cylinder 97 is retracted, the pressing roller 98 moves the pallet P
16 is moved from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 16 so that the pallet P is positioned between the pressing roller 98 and the damper 96, and the pallet P It is held at a predetermined position.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 17, the extrusion cylinder 99 is disposed to extend leftward and rightward on the right rear portion of the processing table 81 in the drawing, and an extruded body 100 is attached to the tip of the piston rod. Then, after the laser processing is performed on the work W on the pallet P supported on the processing table 81 by the laser processing machine 6, the pressing body 90, the drawing claw 92, and the pressing roller 9 against the pallet P are processed.
In a state where the engagement of the push rod 8 is released, the piston rod of the push-out cylinder 99 is caused to protrude, whereby the push-out body 10 is pushed.
0 is moved to the left in the figure, and the pallet P supporting the processed work W is pushed out from the processing table 81 to the auxiliary transfer device 5 side.

Next, the configuration of the work station 8 will be described in detail. As shown mainly in FIGS. 18 to 20, a pair of belt conveyors 103 is composed of two drive rollers 1.
In a state of being stretched between the frames 04, it is rotatably disposed on the frame 105. The transport motor 106 is mounted on the frame 10
5, the rotation of the transfer motor 106 causes the reduction gear 107 and the plurality of transmission sprockets 108 to rotate.
Each of the belt conveyors 103 is integrally rotated by a driving roller 104 via a transmission chain 109. Reference numeral 110 denotes an idle roller.

A plurality of regulating rollers 111 are disposed on the frame 105 near the belt conveyor 103,
The regulating roller 111 engages with the leading edge and the trailing edge of the pallet P on the intermediate transfer station 2, and regulates the front-back position of the pallet P.

As shown in FIG. 18, the cylinders 112 are provided to extend leftward and rightward at two places on the left side of the frame 105 in the figure, and a damper 113 is attached to the tip of the piston rod. And the intermediate transfer station 2
When the pallet P is transported to the work station 8 from above, the damper 113 engages with the left edge of the pallet P in a buffering manner, and the pallet P is stopped at a predetermined position on the work station 8.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the lifting device 114 is disposed in the frame 105, and when the work W is detached from the pallet P at the work station 8, the work W is palletized. It lifts from the upper surface of P. That is, each pair of opening / closing legs 115 and 116 is connected to the frame 105 via the support plate 117.
The lifting table 118 is supported between the upper ends of the inner bottom. A pair of lifting bodies 119 project upward from both front and rear edges on the lifting platform 118, and a plurality of balls 120 that can be engaged with the front and rear edges of the pallet P from below at the upper ends thereof. Attached to.

The pair of cylinders 121 are mounted on the support plate 117.
The piston rod is disposed above and is connected to an inner opening / closing leg 115 via an operating shaft 122. When the elevator 118 is lifted from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 20 through the opening / closing legs 115 and 116 by the operation of the cylinder 121, as shown by the chain line in FIG. Engages the work W on the pallet P from below, and the work W is lifted from the upper surface of the pallet P by a predetermined amount.

Next, the operation of the laser processing apparatus configured as described above will be described. Now, in this laser processing apparatus, if a plurality of pallets P supporting the work W are stored in the stocker 1 in advance, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, the operation of loading / unloading the work W to / from the processing station 4 is automated. Thus, the device can be operated unattended.

That is, the pallet Pa supporting the first work W is pulled out from the predetermined stage of the stocker 1 onto the intermediate transfer station 2 by the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3, and is transferred from the intermediate transfer station 2 to the processing station 4. Then, in the processing station 4, the laser processing is performed on the work W on the pallet Pa by the laser processing machine 6 (step S1). This first work W
Pb supporting the work W of the next processing during the processing of
Is pulled out of the stocker 1 by the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3 and is held above the intermediate transfer station 2 in a standby state. When the processing of the first work W is completed, the pallet Pa supporting the processed work W is transferred from the processing station 4 to the work station 8 via the intermediate transfer station 2 (step S2).

Then, the pallet Pb in the standby state is placed on the intermediate transfer station 2 by the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3 and transferred from the intermediate transfer station 2 to the processing station 4 or processed at the same time or with a time delay. Is transported from the work station 8 to the intermediate transport station 2 (steps S3 to S4). As soon as the pallet Pb is carried into the processing station 4, the work W on the pallet Pb is subjected to laser processing, and the pallet Pa supporting the processed work W is moved from the intermediate transfer station 2 by the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3 to the stocker. It is sent to and stored in the first predetermined stage (steps S5 to S6).

Thereafter, returning to step S2, the operations of steps S2 to S6 are repeatedly performed, and the pallets P supporting the unprocessed work W stored in the stocker 1 are sequentially sent to the processing station 4 one by one. Then, the laser processing is performed, and the pallets P supporting the processed work W are sequentially stored in the stocker 1.

Therefore, the work W to the processing station 4
Can be automatically and efficiently performed, and the laser processing apparatus can be operated unattended using nighttime to improve productivity. Further, even if the types and processing conditions of the work W on the pallets P stored in the stocker 1 are different from each other, the storage medium 51 provided on each pallet P
The work W on each pallet P can be automatically processed according to the conditions specified in advance by reading the information inside the pallet P by the reader 52 provided in the intermediate transfer station 2. Further, since a large number of pallets P supporting the work W are accommodated in one stocker 1 in a multi-stage manner, the installation space of the apparatus can be reduced.

Further, as shown in steps S7 to S9 of FIG. 21, the work station 8 performs the work of attaching the unprocessed work W to the pallet P and the work of removing the processed work W, By automating the loading / unloading operation of the workpiece W, an infinitely large number of workpieces W can be continuously processed.

That is, when the pallet Pa supporting the first work W is pulled out from the stocker 1 to the intermediate transfer station 2 by the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3 and placed thereon,
At the work station 8, the work W for the next processing is mounted on the pallet Pb (step S7). In this state,
At the same time as the pallet Pa supporting the first work W is transferred from the intermediate transfer station 2 to the processing station 4 or with a time delay, the pallet Pb supporting the work W for the next processing is transferred from the work station 8 to the intermediate transfer station 2. (Step S8). Then, the work W on the pallet Pa is subjected to laser processing in the processing station 4, and the pallet Pb supporting the work W to be processed next is sent from the intermediate transfer station 2 to the predetermined stage of the stocker 1 by the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3 and stored. Is performed (step S9).

Thereafter, the operations of steps S2 to S6 described above are repeatedly performed, and the pallets P supporting the unprocessed work W are sequentially sent to the processing station 4 one by one, and laser processing is performed. In this case, in step S3, every time the pallet P supporting the processed work W is transported to the work station 8, the processed work W is removed from the pallet P and the unprocessed work W is removed. Attach and supply. Therefore, according to this processing method, the work of attaching and detaching the work W to and from the pallet P can be intensively performed at one location, and a large number of works W equal to or larger than the number of storage stages of the stocker 1 can be sequentially and smoothly processed. , Workability can be improved.

Further, when laser processing is performed while the work W is being attached to and detached from the pallet P at the work station 8, the pallet P is moved to the position shown in FIGS.
May be transported as shown in FIG.

That is, steps S10 to S10 shown in FIG.
In S11, the pallet Pc to which the unprocessed work W is attached at the work station 8 is transferred to the processing station 4 via the intermediate transfer station 2, and the work W on the pallet Pc is processed. The pallet Pc supporting the work W is transported from the processing station 4 to the work station 8 via the intermediate transport station 2 or sent into the stocker 1 via the intermediate transport station 2 to be stored therein. In addition, in step S12 of FIG. 23, the pallet Pd stored in the stocker 1 is drawn out and placed on the intermediate transfer station 2 by the pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3, and then is transferred to the work station 8 side.

Therefore, by arbitrarily combining the operations shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 with the operations shown in FIG.
The pallet P supporting the work W can be freely transferred and moved between the stocker 1, the processing station 4 and the work station 8 via the intermediate transfer station 2, so that laser processing can be performed efficiently. . The arrangement of the stockers and each station is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a stocker may be provided between the processing station and the intermediate transfer station, or a stocker may be arranged at the upper stage of the processing station. Good. In addition, the work station does not need to be specially provided for work attachment / detachment work, and the intermediate transfer station can also have the same function. The number of each station in these alternative examples is set as needed. Also in the above alternative examples, combinations other than the above-described combination of a series of operations are set, and the combinations are appropriately selected according to the processing time and the processing order.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and includes, for example, a stocker 1, an intermediate transfer station 2, a pallet loading / unloading mechanism 3, a processing station 4, an auxiliary transfer device 5, and a work station 8. The configuration and number of each unit may be arbitrarily changed and embodied without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as by appropriately changing the specific configuration.

[0060]

According to the present invention, as described above, a large number of pallets for supporting a work are accommodated in a single stocker in a multistage manner, so that the installation space of the apparatus can be reduced. Can be. In addition, by storing multiple pallets with workpieces in a multi-stage stocker in advance and automating the loading and unloading operations of the pallets, all workpieces in the stocker can be continuously processed by unmanned operation. Can be improved . Further work
Station is provided, during laser processing
Even if the unprocessed work and processed
Work is centralized in one place, which reduces work efficiency.
The rate has been greatly improved, and
As well as newly installed at the work station
Work can be processed countlessly continuously.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a laser processing apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a cross section of a part of the laser processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the laser processing apparatus.

4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a stocker in the laser processing apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 4;

8 is an enlarged plan view particularly showing an intermediate transfer station and an auxiliary transfer device in the laser processing apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing the intermediate transfer station further enlarged.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing the auxiliary transport device in a further enlarged manner.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view showing a pallet pressing mechanism in the auxiliary transport device.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view showing a pallet retraction mechanism in the auxiliary transport device.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view particularly showing a processing station in the laser processing apparatus of FIG. 2;

14 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line DD in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial plan view showing a portion F in FIG. 13;

17 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line GG of FIG.

18 is an enlarged plan view showing a work station in the laser processing apparatus of FIG. 2 in particular.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged front view of the work station.

FIG. 20 is a side sectional view showing the work station further enlarged.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a moving order of pallets during unmanned operation.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the order of moving pallets during manned driving.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a moving order of pallets during manned driving.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 stocker as pallet storage means, 2 intermediate transfer station, 3 pallet loading / unloading mechanism as pallet loading / unloading means, 4 processing station, 6 laser processing machine,
8 work station, 14 elevating body, 29 drawer, 77 elevating drive means, 78 in / out drive means, 8
1 Processing table, 81a Pallet holding means, P pallet, W work.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of pallets for supporting a work in multiple stages
Equipped with stockers for storing
The laser beam is taken out and transported to a laser processing machine for laser processing.
In a laser processing apparatus, when a pallet is placed by the pallet in / out means for selectively taking in / out a pallet from the stocker ,
Moni, an intermediate transfer station having a transfer means for loading and unloading the pallet in the laser processing machine, provided adjacent to the intermediate transfer station, between intermediate
Transporter for loading and unloading pallets to and from the transport station
It is equipped with a step and is designed to
And a laser processing apparatus provided with a business station . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pallet in / out means is provided with the intermediate conveyance
Above the station,
The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pallet can be unloaded . 3. A plurality of multi-stage storages in a stocker.
Laser processing of workpieces individually supported by pallets
In the laser processing method of performing laser processing by a machine, the pallet supporting the workpiece to be processed next time during laser processing
The tray is taken out of the stocker by the pallet
While waiting above the intermediate transfer station.
Carry the pallet supporting the finished work from the laser processing machine
Out of the intermediate transfer station through the intermediate transfer station.
After transporting to a work station adjacent to the station,
The waiting pallet passes through the intermediate transfer station and
Laser processing machine to carry out laser processing.
The work is supported by the work station during machining.
Let the intermediate transfer station and pallet
And stored in a predetermined position of the stocker.
Laser processing method.