JP4303010B2 - Laser processing apparatus and processing method using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laser processing apparatus and a processing method capable of processing, for example, a fiber into a fine fiber by irradiating the laser beam.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when an ultrafine fiber is obtained, the fiber is spun into a sea-island type so that the B component fiber is thinner than the fiber in the A component fiber, and then the A component is removed to obtain a fiber. There is a way to get it. There is also a method of obtaining ultrafine fibers by cutting into a plurality of fibers along the length direction of the fibers. However, the above-described fiber processing method has a limit in the dimension in which the fiber can be thinned, and requires expensive capital investment.
[0003]
As other methods for obtaining ultrafine fibers, various laser processing apparatuses obtained by heating and stretching a fiber with laser light have been proposed. 11 to 13 are schematic views showing main parts of a conventional laser processing apparatus.
[0004]
FIG. 11 shows a laser processing apparatus 50 in which the laser light source 10 is installed in the vicinity of the fiber F, the laser beam is irradiated from one direction to the fiber F, and the fiber F is heated. Further, FIG. 12 shows that the fiber F can be rotated by the rotational driving force of the motor M, and the fiber F is irradiated with laser light from one direction while rotating the fiber F. This is a laser processing apparatus 60 that irradiates F with laser light from the entire circumference. Further, in FIG. 13, a plurality of laser light sources 10 </ b> A, 10 </ b> B, and 10 </ b> C are arranged at equal intervals around the fiber F so that the fiber F can be irradiated with laser light from different directions. This is a laser processing apparatus 70.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional laser processing apparatuses 50, 60, and 70 have the following problems.
[0006]
That is, in the laser processing apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 11, the laser beam can be irradiated only from one direction, and a temperature difference is generated between the portion irradiated with the laser beam and the portion not irradiated with the laser beam. There is a high possibility that fibers that cannot be drawn and inferior in rigidity are generated.
[0007]
Further, the laser processing devices 60 and 70 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are configured so that laser light can be irradiated from the periphery of the fiber F in order to eliminate the problem of temperature unevenness in the laser processing device 50 shown in FIG. is there. However, in the laser processing apparatus 60, it is technically difficult to rotate the fiber F, and in the laser processing apparatus 70, a plurality of laser light sources are required, and thus there is a problem that the equipment cost is high. is there. Furthermore, in the laser processing apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 13, a state in which the fiber F is irradiated from three directions is illustrated. However, if the fiber is irradiated from multiple directions, the equipment cost is further increased. .
[0008]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a laser processing apparatus and a processing method that can uniformly heat a fiber and are inexpensive.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention is intended for irradiationTo thingsHeat with laser light,in frontThe object to be irradiatedSoftenIn the laser processing device to be deformed,
  Multiple reflective surfaces that are independent of each otherThe irradiation objectAre placed in different directions, and each reflective surface is placed in a different directionAnd
  The laser beam irradiated on the irradiation object and passed through the irradiation object isAnyReflective surfacesoReflected and directed in a direction different from the direction in which the irradiation object exists, the laser light isJust beforeReflectionReflected surface andDifferent positionsOther inDepending on the reflective surfaceAntiTo the object to be irradiated.And the direction of the last irradiationDifferent directionRashoShotThe same irradiation object is heated a plurality of times by the same laser light that is repeated without being divided in the region surrounded by the reflecting surface.It is characterized by this.
[0010]
In the said invention, since it can irradiate from the several direction around an irradiation target object with a single laser light source, an irradiation target object can be heated uniformly and also installation cost can be restrained low. Moreover, since it can heat uniformly, it becomes possible to obtain a highly rigid raw material.
[0011]
For example, the laser light emitted from the laser light source can be divided into a plurality of parts, and the divided laser lights can be incident on the irradiation object from different directions. As a result, it is possible to irradiate the irradiation object from more directions in a shorter time than when the laser light is incident from one direction.
[0012]
  Also,pluralReflectionFaceIt can be configured to be arranged in a circular shape, an oval shape, or an elliptical shape so as to surround the irradiation object. For example, theReflective surfaceAre arranged in an elliptical shape, and the plurality of irradiation objects are located inside the elliptical shape.
[0013]
Further, the reflection surface may be formed by a plane mirror.
Further, at least a part of the reflecting surface is formed by a concave mirror, and the focal point of the concave mirror is positioned at the position of the irradiation object or before and after the irradiation object.
[0014]
Moreover, the structure which a one part reflective surface is formed with a convex mirror, and the laser beam irradiated to this convex mirror is transmitted to the other reflective surface different from the said irradiation target object may be sufficient.
[0015]
Thus, since it can comprise only reflecting mirrors, such as a plane and a concave surface, it can manufacture at low cost.
[0018]
  For example, all or some of the reflective surfaces are mirror surfacesIt is.
[0019]
For example, the laser light is emitted from a laser light source using a solid, liquid, gas, or semiconductor as a laser medium. In particular, when the laser medium is carbon dioxide, it is particularly effective in terms of heating efficiency when heating fibers formed of synthetic resin.
[0020]
  Further, a configuration is provided in which an optical component is provided to partially or substantially uniformize the light intensity between the central portion and its peripheral portion by partially reflecting a high light intensity region at the central portion of the laser light. It may be. With such a configuration, the irradiation object and the irradiation position of the laser beamofEven if the positional relationship changes, the irradiation object can be irradiated with uniform light intensity, and the heating temperature of the irradiation object can be made uniform. In addition, it is effective that the optical component is installed between the laser light source and the irradiation object before the irradiation object is irradiated with the laser light.
[0021]
The processing method of the present invention is characterized in that a single linear object is heated as an irradiation object using the laser processing apparatus described above.
[0022]
Further, another processing method of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of linear objects are heated as an irradiation object using the laser processing apparatus described above.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the main part of the laser processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the entire laser processing apparatus. In addition, in this Embodiment, although fiber is mentioned as an example and demonstrated as an irradiation target object, it is not limited to this, The raw material used other than a fiber may be sufficient.
[0024]
In the laser processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a laser light source 10 is provided on a side of a fiber (irradiation target) F at a predetermined interval. The fiber F shown in FIG. 1 extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface.
[0025]
The fiber F is a single spun fiber, for example, a thermoplastic fiber such as PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), or a composite fiber of PE and PET, PE and PP composite fiber, for example, PET or PP on the core side and PE core-sheath composite fiber on the sheath side.
[0026]
The laser light source 10 is a so-called carbon dioxide gas (CO 2) which is a kind of gas laser.₂) A laser that can emit light in the infrared region having a wavelength of about 10.6 μm. When a laser light source using a carbon dioxide gas laser is used for processing the fiber F, the fiber F absorbs light and can be efficiently converted into thermal energy when the fiber F is softened.
[0027]
  The laser light source is not limited to a carbon dioxide laser, and may be a gas laser using another gas as a medium, orsolidA laser using a liquid or a semiconductor as a laser medium can be applied. In this case, it is preferable to select the laser light source according to the type of material of the irradiation object.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, a half mirror 11 is provided between the laser light source 10 and the fiber F. When the half mirror 11 is provided, the laser light L emitted from the laser light source 10 can be transmitted and reflected to be split into laser light L1 and L2. At this time, the laser beam L1 is incident on the fiber F, and the laser beam L2 is further totally reflected by the reflection mirror 12 and incident on the fiber F.
[0029]
Around the fiber F, a total of ten reflecting surfaces 20a to 20e and 21a to 21e are provided at equal intervals every 30 degrees in the circumferential direction except for the region where the laser beams L1 and L2 are incident. ing. However, the installation angle of the reflection surface is not limited to 30 degrees, and can be appropriately changed according to the number of reflection surfaces to be installed. In the present embodiment, a plurality of reflecting members are constituted by the reflecting surfaces.
[0030]
The reflection surfaces 20a to 20e and 21a to 21e are all plane mirrors, and the mirror surface portions are installed facing inward. Further, in the reflection surfaces 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, the reflection surfaces 20b and 20c and the reflection surfaces 20d and 20e are installed so as to face each other with the fiber F interposed therebetween. Similarly, the reflecting surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, and 21e are also installed so that the reflecting surfaces 21b and 21c and the reflecting surfaces 21d and 21e face each other with the fiber F interposed therebetween.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 1, the laser light L1 emitted from the laser light source 10 and transmitted through the half mirror 11 is directly incident on the fiber F, and the fiber F is heated. The laser beam L1 that has passed without being absorbed by the fiber F reaches the reflecting surface 20a, and is totally reflected toward another reflecting surface 20b provided at a position not passing through the fiber F. The laser beam L1 reaching the reflection surface 20b is totally reflected toward the fiber F by the reflection surface 20b, and is irradiated again to the fiber F from a direction different from the incident direction, thereby heating the fiber F. The laser light L1 that has passed without being absorbed by the fiber F reaches the reflecting surface 20c, is totally reflected toward the reflecting surface 20d provided at a position not passing through the fiber F, and is further reflected by the reflecting surface 20d. The laser beam L1 irradiates the fiber F again from another direction.
[0032]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam L1 is configured so that the fiber F is irradiated from three different directions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another reflection surface is provided. The laser beam L1 reaching the reflection surface 20e may be totally reflected toward the other reflection surface, and the fiber F may be further irradiated.
[0033]
On the other hand, the laser beam L2 is directly irradiated toward the fiber F from a position having an incident angle different from that of the laser beam L1 by 30 degrees. The laser light L2 incident on the fiber F heats the fiber F, and the laser light L2 that has passed through the fiber F without being absorbed by the fiber F reaches the reflecting surface 21a. Then, the laser beam L2 reflected by the reflecting surface 21a is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 21b, and the fiber F is irradiated again from a direction different from the above. Further, the laser beam L2 that has passed through the fiber F is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 21c to reach the reflecting surface 21d, and the fiber F is irradiated again from a direction different from the above by the laser beam L2 that is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 21d. . The laser beam L2 that has passed through the fiber F reaches the reflecting surface 21e. In this case as well, as described above, the fiber F is not limited to being irradiated from three different directions, and the laser beam L2 reflected by the reflecting surface 21e is provided with another reflecting surface and directed toward the reflecting surface. Then, the fiber F may be further irradiated.
[0034]
As described above, in the laser processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the laser beam L1 and the laser beam L2 can be irradiated from six different directions around the fiber F. As a result, it becomes possible to heat the fiber F uniformly without generating temperature unevenness, and a highly rigid fiber can be obtained. In addition, since the fiber F can be irradiated a plurality of times with one laser beam in this way, energy loss can be minimized.
[0035]
In this embodiment, the half mirror 11 is used to divide one laser beam and irradiate each laser beam toward the fiber F. However, each reflection is performed without dividing the laser beam into a plurality of laser beams. You may make it irradiate the fiber F, making it reflect on a surface. The same can be applied to the laser processing apparatuses 20 and 30 shown below.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 2, the laser processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured with a pair of roller members 13 and a roller member 14. The main part of the laser processing apparatus 1 is provided between the roller member 13 and the roller member 14. In this case, the roller member 13 is controlled by a predetermined control unit such that the roller member 13 rotates at a rotational speed w1 and the roller member 14 rotates at a rotational speed w2 in the clockwise direction with respect to the paper surface. At this time, by setting the rotation speed w <b> 2 higher than the rotation speed w <b> 1, a tensile force in the P direction is generated on the fiber F between the roller member 13 and the roller member 14.
[0037]
Thereby, the softened fiber F heated by the laser processing apparatus 1 is stretched by the tensile force in the P direction, and an ultrafine fiber having a smaller diameter than the fiber F before heating can be obtained.
[0038]
The apparatus for applying a tensile force to the fiber F is not limited to the pair of roller members 13 and 14 described above, and one of the fibers in the longitudinal direction is fixed and the other is movable in the longitudinal direction. May be provided.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a modification of the laser processing apparatus of FIG. In this laser processing apparatus 20, a part of the reflection surface installed around the fiber F is set as a concave mirror instead of a plane mirror, and the concave part of each concave mirror is set to face inward. In the laser processing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 3, only the optical path of the laser beam L1 is shown, and the optical path of the laser beam L2 is not shown. In addition, a plurality of reflecting members are constituted by the reflecting surfaces (the same applies to the laser processing apparatus 30 described below).
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 3, the laser light L1 emitted from the laser light source 10 becomes parallel light and is irradiated onto the fiber F. At this time, a collimator lens is provided between the laser light source 10 and the fiber F. The laser light L1 emitted from the laser light source 10 may be adjusted to parallel light.
[0041]
The laser light L1 incident on the fiber F heats the fiber F and a part of the laser light L1 is irradiated as parallel light on the reflecting surface 20a. The laser beam L1 reflected by the reflecting surface 20a is transmitted to the reflecting surface 22b as parallel light. Since the reflecting surface 22b is formed by a concave mirror, the focal point of the laser light L1 is focused toward the fiber F, and the focal point is made coincident with the position of the fiber F. At this time, the curvature of the concave mirror and the direction of the mirror surface of the reflecting surface 22b formed by the concave mirror are set so that the focal point of the laser beam coincides with the position of the fiber F. When the concave mirror is used in this way, the heating efficiency can be further increased than when the laser light is irradiated onto the fiber F with parallel light.
[0042]
Further, the laser beam L1 that has passed through the fiber F reaches the reflecting surface 22c. Since the reflecting surface 22c is formed by a convex mirror, the laser beam L1 is reflected as parallel light toward the reflecting surface 22d. Since the reflecting surface 22d is formed of a concave mirror like the reflecting surface 22b, the focal point of the laser beam L1 is made coincident with the position of the fiber F, and the fiber F is heated. And the laser beam which passed the fiber F reaches the reflective surface 20e.
[0043]
Similarly to the laser beam L2, the reflection surfaces 23b and 23d are formed as concave mirrors, and the reflection surface 23c is formed as a convex mirror, so that the laser beams L2 are reflected by the reflection surfaces 23b and 23d, respectively. The fiber F is heated efficiently by focusing at the position of.
[0044]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the focal point is matched at the position of the fiber F. However, the focal point is not necessarily matched at the position of the fiber F, and the focal point is matched before and after the fiber F. May be set.
[0045]
Moreover, although only the reflective surface which irradiates the laser beam to the fiber F was made into the concave mirror, all the reflective surfaces may be formed with the concave mirror. Further, on the optical path of the laser light L1 incident on the fiber F from the laser light source 10, the laser light L1 is positioned between the fiber F and the fiber F so that the focal point of the laser light L1 is aligned before or after the fiber F A predetermined optical lens or the like may be installed.
[0046]
Also in the case of the laser processing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 3, the main part of the laser processing apparatus 20 can be installed between the roller member 13 and the roller member 14 as shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the fiber F is heated and softened and then stretched to obtain a fiber that is thinner than the unprocessed fiber.
[0047]
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the main part of the laser processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this laser processing apparatus 30, a plurality of reflecting surfaces 31a, 31b, ..., 31j, 31k are arranged in an elliptical shape, and three fibers F1, F2, F3 are provided inside these reflecting surfaces 31a to 31k. Yes. Each fiber F1, F2, F3 is fed by a pair of roller members shown in FIG. 2 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. However, the number of reflection surfaces to be installed and the number of fibers to be installed are not limited to this, and are not limited to an elliptical shape, and may be arranged in other shapes such as a circular shape or an oval shape.
[0048]
In the laser processing apparatus 30, the laser light emitted from the laser light source 10 is emitted toward the reflecting surface 31a. At this time, since the fibers F1, F2, and F3 are linearly positioned on the optical path of the laser light, the laser light reaches the reflecting surface 31a while irradiating the fibers F1, F2, and F3 from the same direction.
[0049]
The laser beam reflected by the reflecting surface 31a is totally reflected toward the reflecting surface 31b that does not pass through any of the positions of the fibers F1, F2, and F3. The laser beam reflected by the reflecting surface 31b is irradiated again from the direction different from the above toward the fiber F1. The laser beam that has passed through the fiber F1 is applied to the fiber F2 through the reflective surfaces 31c and 31d, and further applied to the fiber F3 through the reflective surfaces 31e and 31f. The fibers F2 and F3 at this time are irradiated with laser light from substantially the same direction as when the fibers F1 are irradiated.
[0050]
And the laser beam which reached the reflective surface 31g is again irradiated toward the fiber F1. Then, the laser beams reflected by the reflecting surfaces 31h and 31i are irradiated again toward the fiber F2, and the laser beams reflected by the reflecting surfaces 31j and 31k are irradiated again toward the fiber F3. In this case, the laser light is irradiated from substantially the same direction to any of the fibers F1, F2, and F3.
[0051]
As described above, the laser light emitted from the laser light source 10 can irradiate the respective fibers F1, F2, and F3 from three different directions, so that each fiber F1, F2, and F3 has a temperature difference inside the fiber. It can heat uniformly without producing. Also, since the fibers F1, F2, and F3 can be irradiated from substantially the same direction, the heating temperatures of the fibers F1, F2, and F3 can be made uniform, and the fibers F1, F2, and F3 are stretched almost uniformly. it can.
[0052]
In addition, the said laser processing apparatus 30 is not restricted to embodiment shown in FIG. 4, The number of installation of the reflection path | route of a laser beam and a reflective surface can be changed suitably. Further, the number of treated fibers can be set to 4 or more. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the laser light from the laser light source 10 may be split into a plurality of light beams so as to be incident from a plurality of different directions. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a part or all of the plane mirror can be changed to a concave mirror.
[0053]
Further, a plurality of the laser processing apparatuses 1 and 20 may be installed in parallel so that a plurality of fibers can be processed at the same time to increase production efficiency.
[0054]
FIG. 5A is a distribution diagram showing the relationship between the light intensity and the distance from the center of the laser light. As shown in FIG. 5A, the laser light source 10 using carbon dioxide gas has a distribution in which the intensity of light at the center of the laser light is strong and the intensity decreases as the distance from the center decreases. If the feed position of the fiber F changes with respect to the laser beam irradiation position when feeding F with the roller, the fiber F cannot be irradiated at the position of the center O of the laser beam, and the fiber is weaker than the center portion. Irradiation with F causes uneven temperature on the fiber F. As a result, the stretch ratio of the fiber is high in a certain portion of the fiber, and the stretch ratio of the fiber is low in a certain portion, the stretch rate of the fiber is non-uniform, and the fiber diameter is non-uniform. If the fiber diameter is not uniform, the fiber stiffness may be non-uniform and the fiber stiffness may be reduced.
[0055]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, an optical component 40 having a region R1 that reflects part of the laser light at the center and a region R2 that transmits all of the laser light around the region R1 is replaced with a laser light source 10 and a half mirror. If it is installed between the laser beam 11 and the laser beam 11, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), it is possible to obtain a laser beam in which the light intensity is substantially constant at the central portion and its peripheral portion. Therefore, even if the irradiation position of the laser beam on the fiber F is shifted, the fiber F can always be heated at a constant temperature, and the fiber F can always be stretched with a constant diameter.
[0056]
In addition, an optical component having a region that partially reflects the central portion of the laser beam and a region that totally reflects the periphery of the central portion is formed, and this optical component is formed on the reflecting surfaces 20a and 21a shown in FIG. In place of the reflective surface 31a shown in FIG. 4, the intensity of the central portion of the laser beam reflected by the reflective surfaces 20a, 21a, 31a is set to be uniform with the intensity of the peripheral portion to prevent uneven heating of the fibers. You may make it do.
[0057]
  As shown in FIG.As a reference exampleAs shown in FIG. 7A, the laser processing apparatus 40 </ b> A is formed so that the reflection surface 41 a surrounds the fiber F that is the irradiation target on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 41.. in frontThe reflecting surface 41a on the inner surface of the recording cylinder 41 has a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG.Reference exampleThen, the reflection surface 41a formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 41 is elongated in the direction in which the fibers F extend.
[0058]
In the laser processing apparatus 40A thus formed, the laser light L is emitted from the laser light source 10 provided in the vicinity thereof, the laser light L is applied to the fiber F, and the reflection surface 41a is applied to the laser F or laser. Light L is incident on the reflecting surface 41a and incident on the fiber F from an opening at the end of the cylinder 41 or from a small-diameter through hole (not shown) formed on the side of the cylinder 41. Be made. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7B, after the laser beam L is irradiated to the fiber F, it is reflected by the reflecting surface at another position of the reflecting surface 41a and irradiated with the fiber F, and this is repeated. Thus, the laser light L is irradiated from a plurality of different directions around the fiber F. As a result, the fibers F are heated uniformly.
[0059]
  As shown in FIG.Reference exampleThen, as shown in FIG. 7B, it is efficient that the irradiation to the fiber F and the reflection on the reflection surface 41a are alternately repeated, but the laser light L is continuously reflected on the reflection surface 41a a plurality of times. The fiber F may be irradiated after being reflected.
[0060]
The laser processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is a modification of the laser processing apparatus 40A shown in FIG. 7, and includes a cylindrical body 42 in which the reflecting surface 42a is formed in a polygonal shape (an octagon in FIG. 8). is there. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG. The polygonal shape is not limited to an octagon.
[0061]
  As shown in FIG.Reference exampleThen, the laser light L of the laser light source 10 is incident on the cylindrical body 42 from an opening at an end thereof or a through hole (not shown) formed on a side surface thereof. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8B, the fiber F is irradiated by the laser light L, and is reflected by the reflecting surface 42a, and the fiber F is irradiated again. By repeating the irradiation to the fiber F and the reflection on the reflecting surface 42a in this way, the laser light L is irradiated to the fiber F from a plurality of directions around it, and the fiber F is uniformly distributed. Can be heated.
[0062]
  In addition,As a reference example,In the cylinders 41 and 42, the reflecting surfaces 41a and 42a can be formed with mirror surfaces or diffusing surfaces. FIG.Reference examples shown inThese show the optical path of the laser beam L when the reflecting surface 43a of the cylinder 43 is a diffusing surface. In the laser processing apparatus shown in FIG. 9, the laser light L is emitted from the laser light source 10 toward the fiber F. At this time, the laser light L irradiated with the fiber F and transmitted through the fiber F is irregularly reflected by the reflecting surface 43a. Then, the fiber F is irradiated again. Thus, even when the laser beam L is irregularly reflected, the fiber F is irradiated from a plurality of directions around it, and the fiber F can be heated evenly. The reflecting surface 43a made of a diffusing surface can be formed by roughening the surface of a metal or resin whose surface is mirror-finished.
[0063]
  FIG.Of other reference examplesThis is a laser processing apparatus 40 </ b> B, in which a cylinder 45 is further provided inside the cylinder 44. However, the cylindrical body 45 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a columnar shape.
[0064]
The reflecting surface 44a formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical body 44 and the reflecting surface 45a formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 45 so as to face the reflecting surface 44a are both polygonal shapes made of octagons and similar to each other. It is. The centers O of the octagons coincide with each other. The reflecting surfaces 44a and 45a are subjected to the same mirror surface treatment, but are not limited thereto.
[0065]
  As shown in FIG.Reference exampleThen, when an extension line connecting the center O and one vertex P1 of the cylinder 45 (reflection surface 45a) is T, the extension line T is defined as the vertices P2 and P3 of the cylinder 44 (reflection surface 44a). The directions of the cylindrical body 44 and the cylindrical body 45 are set so that the point when a perpendicular is dropped to the midpoint of one side to be connected is located at the midpoint of the straight line P2-P3. FIG. 10 shows only a part thereof, but the other parts are the same as described above.
[0066]
  Also shown in FIG.Reference exampleThen, the some fiber F as an irradiation target object is arrange | positioned in the space between the reflective surface 44a of the cylinder 44, and the reflective surface 45a of the cylinder 45. FIG. In FIG. 10, eight fibers F are arranged at equal intervals on a line indicated by a circular broken line R1, and further, eight fibers F are arranged at equal intervals on a line of a circular broken line R2, and further a circular broken line. Eight fibers F are arranged at equal intervals on the lines R3 and R4. In addition,eachThe fibers F are arranged so as to be concentrated in the vicinity of the extension line T, and are arranged so as to be alternately shifted in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction with respect to the extension line T.
[0067]
In the laser processing apparatus 40B formed as described above, the laser light L emitted from the laser light source 10 provided outside the laser processing apparatus 40B is incident on the space between the inner surface of the cylindrical body 44 and the outer surface of the cylindrical body 45. However, at this time, the laser light L incident on the inside of the cylindrical body 44 is continuously irradiated to the two fibers F arranged on the extension line of the incident light La. And the reflected light Lb reflected by the reflective surface 45a of the inner cylinder 45 is continuously irradiated to the two fibers F located on the extension line. And the reflected light Lc reflected by the outer reflective surface 44a is continuously irradiated to the two fibers F located on the extension line. Thus, all the fibers F are irradiated while the single laser beam L (La, Lb, Lc,...) Is reflected by the reflecting surfaces 44a and 45a.
[0068]
  Also shown in FIG.Reference exampleIn this case, each fiber F is irradiated with the laser light L from one direction and the fibers F are heated evenly. The laser beam may be incident between the reflecting surface 44a and the reflecting surface 45a, and each fiber F may be irradiated from a plurality of directions around it.
[0069]
  AboveThe ultrafine fibers formed by the laser processing apparatuses 1, 20, 30, 40A, and 40B can be processed into a non-woven fabric and used for, for example, a wiping cloth or a filter. Further, the raw material of the fiber is not limited to synthetic resin, and quartz (Si0₂) And other materials may be used as raw materials to form fibers. Further, the irradiation object may be an inorganic material such as a metal. Moreover, you may apply to things other than being used as a fiber.
[0070]
  The processing method of the present invention is the laser processing apparatus 1, 20, 30 described above.TheUsed to heat a single linear object or a plurality of linear objects as an irradiation object. Note that the linear object of the present invention is not limited to fibers as described above, but may be other types of synthetic resins or inorganic materials such as quartz.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention described above, laser light can be irradiated simultaneously from a plurality of directions around the fiber, so that the fiber can be heated uniformly, and the structure is simple and inexpensive.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a main part of a laser processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the entire laser processing apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of a modification of the laser processing apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the laser processing apparatus of the present invention;
FIGS. 5A and 5B show intensity distribution diagrams of laser light, where FIG. 5A shows before optical components are installed, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an optical component;
FIG. 7 shows a laser processing apparatus according to the present invention.Reference example(A) is an external perspective view, (B) is a plan view showing an example of a reflected light path of laser light,
8 shows a modification of the laser processing apparatus of FIG. 7, (A) is an external perspective view, (B) is a plan view showing an example of a reflected light path of laser light,
9 is a plan view showing a modification of the reflecting member provided in the laser processing apparatus of FIG. 7 and an example of a reflected light path of laser light;
FIG. 10 shows a laser processing apparatus according to the present invention.Reference exampleA plan view showing,
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a conventional laser processing apparatus,
FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing another conventional laser processing apparatus;
FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing still another conventional laser processing apparatus;
[Explanation of symbols]
F, F1, F2, F3 fiber (irradiation object)
1, 20, 30, 40A, 40B Laser processing equipment
10 Laser light source
11 Half mirror
12 Reflection mirror
13, 14 Roller member
20a-20e, 21a-21e, 22b-22d, 23b-23d, 31a-31k, 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a, 45a Reflecting surface
40 Optical components
44, 45 cylinder

Claims (12)

In the laser processing apparatus is heated by applying a laser beam, deforming the pre Symbol irradiation object by softening the irradiation target object,
A plurality of reflective surfaces independent of each other are arranged surrounding the irradiation object, and the respective reflective surfaces are installed in different directions ,
Is irradiated on the irradiation target object laser beam passing through the irradiation target object, either directed is reflected by the reflecting surface to the orientation direction different to the presence of the irradiated object, the laser beam just before is anti-Isa by the other reflecting surface in reflected reflecting surfaces different positions, said relative illumination object is Isa previous irradiated orientation direction different or RaTeru, this is repeated, the reflection A laser processing apparatus , wherein the same irradiation object is heated a plurality of times by the same laser light that travels without being divided within a region surrounded by a surface . The laser light emitted from the laser light source is divided into a plurality of parts, and each of the divided laser lights is given to the region surrounded by the reflection surface independently of each other and irradiated onto the irradiation object. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of reflection surfaces are arranged in a circular shape, an oval shape, or an elliptical shape so as to surround the irradiation object. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reflection surface is arranged in an elliptical shape, and the plurality of irradiation objects are positioned inside the elliptical shape. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the reflecting surfaces is formed by a plane mirror.   The laser processing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a part of the reflecting surface is formed by a concave mirror, and a focal point of the concave mirror is located at a position of the irradiation object or before and after the irradiation object. apparatus. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein a part of the reflecting surface is formed by a convex mirror, and the laser beam reflected by the concave mirror and applied to the convex mirror is transmitted to another reflecting surface different from the irradiation object. . The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all the reflecting surfaces are mirror surfaces . 9. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is emitted from a laser light source using any one of solid, liquid, gas, and semiconductor as a laser medium. The laser processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the laser medium is carbon dioxide gas. By partially reflecting a region with high light intensity in the center of the laser beam, the center and claim the optical component to be equalized or substantially equalized intensity of light between the peripheral portion is provided 9 Or the laser processing apparatus of 10 . Laser processing method characterized by claims 1 to using lasers machining apparatus according to any one of 11, heating the linear material as an object to be irradiated.

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