JP4073605B2 - Cleavage groove formation method and cleavage groove formation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cleavage groove forming method and a cleavage groove forming apparatus for forming a groove while leaving a desired thickness on a plate-shaped workpiece.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent automobiles, an air bag system is mounted for safety measures, and an instrument panel that accommodates automobile instruments may be provided with a separate member formed with an air lid or an air bag lid. Is formed on the instrument panel itself.
[0003]
The airbag lid is opened by the pressure when the airbag is inflated to guide the airbag to the passenger side. The airbag lid has a thin wall for achieving its purpose. Grooves are formed leaving a thickness.
[0004]
When a separate member is attached to the instrument panel, a step between the instrument panel and the separate member can be seen from the surface side, giving the passenger a sense of discomfort. On the other hand, in an instrument panel in which an airbag lid is formed, there is no level difference, and the groove is formed on the back surface. Does not give a sense of incongruity. Therefore, it is expected that the number of automobiles with airbag lids on the instrument panel will increase in the future.
[0005]
Conventionally, as a method of forming a groove on the back surface of an instrument panel, for example, there are methods described in the following documents 1 and 2.
Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-290169 Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-85966 In the method of processing an instrument panel with an airbag lid disclosed in Document 1, the laser beam for forming a groove is oscillated. A groove is formed while oscillating by a mirror and irradiating the back surface of the instrument panel, which is a workpiece, and controlling the output of laser light applied to the instrument panel according to the angle of oscillation. Whether or not a desired groove has been formed is determined by the light transmitted through the instrument panel by irradiating light from the back side of the instrument panel in an inspection process after laser processing. Even in the case of a material having a recess on the workpiece surface, the laser light output is not particularly controlled in consideration of the thickness.
[0006]
In the method of creating a linear weak portion using the laser shown in Document 2, the process of emitting pulsed laser light locally to a flat material is repeated a plurality of times. Here, the remaining thickness of the bottom of the blind hole is estimated by detecting the light transmitted through the thinned part of the bottom of the blind hole, and the on / off of the laser light is controlled according to this estimation result By doing so, the remaining thickness of the blind hole is made constant.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional methods described in Documents 1 and 2 have the following problems.
[0008]
In the processing method of Document 1, since the laser beam is swung and the back surface of the instrument panel is scanned, the configuration of the laser processing apparatus can be simplified. However, since the intensity of the laser beam is controlled only in accordance with the swing angle, when a concave portion is formed on the surface of the instrument panel, for example, an instrument having a concave portion formed by dipping to improve the appearance. In the case of an instrument panel, even if an attempt is made to form a groove leaving a thin wall thickness, it is assumed that the groove breaks the recess and the front side and the back side of the instrument panel penetrate. Or the remaining thickness of a recessed part becomes thin and an instrument panel with desired intensity | strength cannot be formed.
[0009]
In the method described in Document 2, since the laser processing is performed while detecting the remaining thickness by the laser beam transmitted through the instrument panel, a groove that leaves a desired constant thickness is formed even if there is a recess. Can do. However, the laser light transmission characteristics vary depending on the material of the instrument panel, the pigment concentration, or the coating state. Depending on the material, the pigment concentration, or the coating state, the groove is formed by leaving a desired thickness from the surface including the concave portion. It could not be formed, and the production of instrument panels was difficult.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a first invention among the inventions according to claims 1 to 5 of the present application (hereinafter referred to as “first to fifth inventions”) is a workpiece having a recess on the surface. The following method is used in the method for forming a groove in the work by forming a groove in the workpiece by a cutting means for cutting from the back surface.
[0011]
That is, a distance measuring unit that measures the distance from the distance measuring unit itself to the surface of the workpiece including the concave portion facing the cut position on the back surface of the workpiece is provided on the surface side of the workpiece, and the distance measuring unit is provided in the cutting unit. A support unit that is supported; and a sensor that is supported by the support unit and that measures a distance to the surface of the workpiece. The depth of the groove is controlled by the incision unit according to a distance measurement result to the surface of the workpiece. Thus, the groove is formed on the surface side of the workpiece leaving a desired thickness.
[0012]
By adopting such a configuration, even if the workpiece has a recess, the distance to the recess is measured from the surface side of the workpiece, and thereby the remaining thickness of the workpiece can be detected. Therefore, since the wall thickness is not measured by the light transmitted through the workpiece, there is no restriction on the workpiece material or coating, and even if a material with a recess on the workpiece surface is used, the groove is left with the desired wall thickness. Can be formed. As a result, the degree of freedom regarding work design can be improved. The sensor is supported by the support means, and the depth of the surface at the position of the surface of the workpiece corresponding to the position where the cutting means cuts is measured by the sensor. Thereby, the control of the cutting depth is always appropriate.
[0013]
The second invention is an invention of a cleaving groove forming apparatus that cuts from the back surface of a workpiece having a concave portion on the front surface and forms a groove leaving the desired thickness on the surface side of the workpiece, and has the following configuration. ing.
[0014]
That is, a distance measuring means for measuring the distance from the distance measuring means themselves on the surface side of the workpiece to the workpiece surface including the recess opposite the place to cut the rear surface, the distance measuring means, supported by the cutting means A control unit that includes a support unit and a sensor that is supported by the support unit and measures a distance to the workpiece surface, and that controls the depth of cut of the groove by the cut unit according to the measurement result of the measurement unit. And.
[0015]
By adopting such a configuration, the moving means moves the cutting means, and the cutting means cuts the workpiece from the back surface. At this time, the distance measuring means has a distance to the surface including the concave portion of the workpiece surface. Measure. By this measurement, the thickness of the workpiece is estimated. The control unit controls the depth of cut by the cutting means according to the measurement result of the distance measuring means, and forms a groove on the surface side of the workpiece leaving a desired thickness. In other words, as with the first aspect of the invention, the thickness of the workpiece is not measured with the laser beam transmitted through the workpiece, so there is no restriction on the surface shape, material, coating, etc. of the workpiece, and the degree of freedom in design depending on the type of workpiece is improved. it can. The sensor is supported by the support means, and the depth of the surface at the position of the surface of the workpiece corresponding to the position where the cutting means cuts is measured by the sensor. Thereby, the control of the cutting depth is always appropriate.
[0018]
In a second aspect of the present invention, in the cleavage groove forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the cutting means includes a laser that generates laser light for cutting the groove, and the control unit A groove is cut into the workpiece by controlling the output.
[0019]
By adopting such a configuration, the cut from the back surface to the workpiece is performed by a laser beam having a narrow cut width. Therefore, for example, processing that does not affect other parts other than the groove can be performed.
[0020]
According to a third aspect , in the cleavage groove forming apparatus according to the second aspect , there is provided laser output measuring means for measuring the laser beam output from the laser oscillator, and the output of the laser oscillator according to the measurement result of the laser output measuring means. The output of the laser beam to be controlled is controlled to a predetermined value.
[0021]
By adopting such a configuration, not only a fine concave portion on the workpiece surface, even when bent, are energy properly controlled laser beam applied to the workpiece, the groove of leaving a thickness desired meat Formation becomes possible.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a cleavage groove forming method and a cleavage groove forming apparatus embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cleavage groove forming apparatus of the present embodiment outputs a CO 2 gas laser beam L to cut the back surface 1 b of the instrument panel 1 that is a work, and the surface 1 a of the instrument panel 1. A distance sensor 20 which is a distance measuring means for measuring the depth, a laser output measuring means 21 for measuring the laser light L outputted from the cutting means 10, an output signal S20 of the distance sensor 20 and a laser output measuring means 21 , And a control unit 22 that supplies a control signal S23 corresponding to the output signal S21 to the cutting means 10.
[0024]
The cutting means 10 has a laser oscillator 11 that generates a laser beam L. The laser beam L generated by the laser oscillator is reflected by a plurality of reflecting mirrors 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, and is collected by a condenser lens 17. The light is condensed and applied to the instrument panel 1. For example, the reflection mirror 14 of the plurality of reflection mirrors 12 to 16 transmits a part of the incident laser beam L and supplies it to the laser output measuring means 21.
[0025]
When the airbag lid is formed on the instrument panel 1, for example, a portal type laser processing machine as shown in FIG. 2 is used. This portal type laser processing machine includes an X-axis drive mechanism 31 installed on a bed 30. The X-axis drive mechanism 31 moves a table 32 placed on the top in the horizontal X-axis direction, and an instrument panel 1 (not shown) fixed to a jig (not shown) on the table 32. Z)) can be placed. Above the X-axis drive mechanism 31, a Y-axis drive mechanism 35 supported by support columns 33 and 34 erected from the bed 30, and a Z-axis drive mechanism 36 incorporated in the Y-axis drive mechanism 35, Is provided.
[0026]
The Y-axis drive mechanism 35 moves the Z-axis drive mechanism 36 in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The Z-axis drive mechanism 36 moves the Z-axis saddle 37 in the vertical Z-axis direction. It is to be moved. Two axes of a machining head 38 constituting a part of the cutting means 10 are rotatably attached to the lower side of the Z-axis saddle 37 so that the machining head 38 moves up and down as the Z-axis saddle 37 moves. It has become. The entire operation of the machining head 38 is controlled by a control device (not shown). The control unit 22 is provided in the control device.
[0027]
The processing head 38 forms a light guide path for the laser beam L, and includes a first head 38a as shown in FIG. 3 and a second head 38b rotatably attached to the first head 38a.
[0028]
The reflection mirrors 13 and 14 in FIG. 1 are disposed on the first head 38a, and the reflection mirrors 15 and 16 are disposed on the second head 38b. The laser beam L incident from the Z-axis saddle 37 side is refracted by the reflecting mirrors 13 and 14 disposed on the first head 38a and the reflecting mirrors 15 and 16 disposed on the second head 38b, and the second head. The lens holder 40 arranged at 38b is reached.
[0029]
The reflection mirror 14 is formed of a semi-transmission mirror and transmits a part of the laser light L. A lens 17 is attached to the lens holder 40, and a nozzle 41 is attached to the tip of the lens holder 40. The laser beam L is output from the nozzle 41 together with the assist gas CO ₂ gas. The X-axis drive mechanism 31, the Y-axis drive mechanism 35, the Z-axis drive mechanism 36, and the machining head 38 constitute a moving unit that moves the machining position of the instrument panel 1 relative to the nozzle 41. It has become.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4, one end of a supporting arm for supporting the distance sensor 20 and a sensor arm 50 as a distance measuring means is attached to the second head 38b of the machining head 38 constituting the cutting means with a bolt or the like. A distance sensor 20 using an interferometer is attached to the other end of the sensor arm 50. The sensor arm 50 supports the distance sensor 20 so that the detection point of the distance sensor 20 faces the tip of the nozzle 41, and the instrument panel 1 is inserted between the distance sensor 20 and the nozzle 41. .
[0031]
Next, a cleavage groove forming method using the cleavage groove forming apparatus configured as described above will be described.
In advance, a model panel to be a model of the instrument panel 1 is fixed to the jig and placed on the table 32, and the model panel is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis drive mechanism 31. Then, the nozzle 41 is moved by the Y-axis drive mechanism 35, the Z-axis drive mechanism 36, and the machining head 38, and a groove forming path is taught to a control device (not shown). In this teaching, teaching is performed so that the direction of the tip of the nozzle 41 is substantially perpendicular to the back surface of the model panel.
[0032]
After the teaching is completed, the instrument panel 1 that is actually processed instead of the model panel is fixed to the jig. The control device drives the X-axis drive mechanism 31, the Y-axis drive mechanism 35, the Z-axis drive mechanism 36, and the machining head 38 as taught. Thereby, the nozzle 41 scans the groove formation scheduled path on the back surface 1b of the instrument panel 1, and the detection point of the distance sensor 20 scans the position corresponding to the groove formation planned path on the surface 1a of the instrument panel 1. become.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the distance sensor 20 is used for distance measurement from the surface 1a side as shown in FIG. 5 (b) in contrast to the instrument panel 1 in which the surface 1a has innumerable dimples 2 formed thereon. Light is irradiated, the reflected light is received, and the distance to the surface 1a of the instrument panel 1 is determined based on the reflected light. The distance to the surface is input to the control unit 22 as an output signal S20.
[0034]
On the other hand, the laser oscillator 11 generates a pulsed laser beam L that repeatedly turns on and off, for example. The laser beam L is reflected by the plurality of reflecting mirrors 12 to 16, collected by the lens 17, and emitted to the back surface 1 b of the instrument panel 1. The instrument panel 1 is cut by the laser beam L. Here, the reflection mirror 14 transmits a part of the laser light L and gives it to the laser output measuring means 21. The laser output measuring means 21 measures the output of the laser light L from the incident light, and gives the measurement result to the control unit 22 as an output signal S21.
[0035]
When the input signal S20 indicates that the distance l ₁ from the distance sensor 20 to the surface 1a of the instrument panel ₁ is short, the control unit 22 determines that the distance l ₂ between the distance sensor 20 and the nozzle 41 is constant. Since the distance l ₃ from the tip of 41 to the surface of the instrument panel 1 is long, the output of the laser light L generated by the laser oscillator 11 is made higher than a predetermined value.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the signal S20 indicates that the distance from the distance sensor 20 to the surface 1a of the instrument panel 1 is long, the reason is that the recess 41 is present, for example, from the tip of the nozzle 41 to the surface 1a of the instrument panel 1. The distance l ₃ is short, and the control unit 22 reduces the output of the laser light L. In this way, by controlling the output of the laser beam L, the depth of cut at the portions other than the recesses 2 and the recesses 2 changes as shown in FIG. 5C, and the remaining thickness becomes constant. By continuously performing such control, a groove is formed on the back surface 1b side, leaving a thin and constant thickness on the front surface 1a side of the instrument panel 1, as shown in FIG. 5 (d).
[0037]
According to the cleavage groove forming apparatus and the cleavage groove forming method of the above embodiment, the following features can be obtained.
Since the distance sensor 20 is provided and the depth of the surface 1a of the instrument panel 1 is measured, the thickness of the bottom of the groove can be controlled to be constant without being affected by the material of the instrument panel 1 or the coating. Therefore, the freedom degree in design of the instrument panel 1 which forms a cleavage groove improves.
[0038]
Since the sensor arm 50 that supports the distance sensor 20 is provided and the detection point of the distance sensor 20 is always directed to the place of the front surface 1a opposite to the place where the back surface 1b of the instrument panel 1 is cut, the instrument panel 1 It is possible to form a groove anywhere on the back surface 1b.
[0039]
Since the groove is formed by the laser beam L generated by the laser oscillator 11, an ideal groove having a narrow cutting width can be formed as compared with the case where the groove is formed by a drill, for example, a groove forming tool.
[0040]
Since the laser output measuring means 21 is provided and the output of the laser beam L is measured, by using this for control, management of the thickness of the bottom of the groove is ensured, and for example, a curved instrument Even in the panel 1, it is possible to form a groove leaving a desired thickness.
[0041]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. It is as its modification is, for example, as follows.
In the above embodiment, an example in which a groove is formed on the instrument panel 1 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to the instrument panel, and when a groove having a desired remaining thickness is formed on another workpiece for the purpose of cleavage. Is also applicable.
[0042]
Although the instrument panel 1 is cut with the laser beam L, it may be cut with a mechanical tool.
-The groove | channel formed in the instrument panel 1 may be a continuous groove | channel, and may be formed discretely like a perforation.
[0043]
The cutting means 10 outputs the pulsed laser beam L, but may output the laser beam L having a constant power.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a basic configuration of a cleavage groove forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portal type laser beam machine which is an example of the cutting means 10 in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the machining head 38 in FIG. 2;
4 is an explanatory diagram of a sensor arm 50 that supports a distance sensor 20. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cleavage groove forming method.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Instrument panel as a workpiece, 2 ... Recessed part, 10 ... Cutting means, 11 ... Laser oscillator, 20 ... Distance sensor as distance measuring means , 21 ... Laser output measuring means, 22 ... Control part, 50 ... Support means, and Sensor arm as distance measuring means, L ... Laser light

Claims (4)

In the cleavage groove forming method of forming a groove in the workpiece by a cutting means for cutting from the back surface to the workpiece having a recess on the front surface,
Distance measuring means for measuring a distance to the workpiece surface including the recess opposite from the distance measuring means themselves on the surface side of the workpiece where the cut of the workpiece rear surface provided,
The distance measuring means includes a support means supported by the cutting means, and a sensor that is supported by the support means and measures a distance to the workpiece surface.
Cleaving, characterized in that the groove is formed leaving a desired thickness on the surface side of the workpiece by controlling the cutting depth of the groove by the cutting means according to the measurement result of the distance to the workpiece surface. Groove forming method. In the cleaving groove forming apparatus that performs cutting from the back surface of the workpiece having a recess on the surface, and forms a groove leaving the desired thickness on the surface side of the workpiece,
A distance measuring means for measuring a distance to the workpiece surface from the distance measuring unit itself includes the recess opposite the place where cutting of the workpiece rear surface on the surface side of the workpiece,
The distance measuring means includes a supporting means supported by the cutting means, and a sensor for measuring a distance to the workpiece surface supported by the supporting means;
Moving means for moving a cutting means for performing the cutting from the back surface;
A cleaving groove forming apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls a cutting depth of the groove by the cutting means according to a measurement result of the measuring means. The cutting means includes a laser oscillator that generates laser light for cutting the groove,
  The cleaving groove forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller cuts a groove in the workpiece by controlling the output of the laser beam. Laser output measuring means for measuring the laser light output from the laser oscillator is provided, and a groove is formed in the workpiece by controlling the laser light output from the laser oscillator to a predetermined value according to the measurement result of the laser output measuring means. The cleavage groove forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the slit is formed.

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