JP4611620B2 - Quality control method in laser welding - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a quality control method in laser welding for controlling the quality to perform excellent welding. <P>SOLUTION: A work 4 is welded by irradiating laser beams L1 and L2 on the work 4 from a laser beam condensing head 2 while moving the laser beam condensing head 2 with respect to the overlapped works 4. In this condition, the temperature at an irradiation beam spot B2 set backwardly in the moving direction of the laser beam condensing head 2 out of beam spots B1 and B2 of the laser beams L1 and L2 irradiated on the work 4 is measured, and the welding condition of the work 4 is controlled based on the temperature measured at the beam spot B2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&amp;NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a quality in laser welding in which a laser irradiation unit is irradiated with a laser from a laser irradiation unit to weld the workpiece while moving the laser irradiation unit relative to the workpieces such as superposed resins. It relates to the management method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When laser welding is performed by irradiating the workpiece with laser light, the output of the laser oscillator that performs welding is set according to the thickness, material, and shape of the workpiece. However, if the output of the laser oscillator is simply set under these conditions, the initial temperature of the workpiece is not uniform or the temperature of the workpiece is increased due to heat conduction from the part already welded as welding progresses. It may not be possible to cope with fluctuations in the penetration depth and melt width of the weld due to the above, and uniform and high-quality welding may not be performed. In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-261576 discloses a heat processing apparatus that can stably measure the surface temperature distribution of an object to be welded during welding. By detecting the temperature distribution with high accuracy, it is possible to set conditions according to the temperature distribution.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-261576
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the heat processing apparatus disclosed in the above publication, the temperature distribution can be simply measured, and no specific means for improving the welding quality is disclosed. Therefore, although the temperature distribution was measured, it was impossible to know what welding conditions should be set.
[0005]
Then, the subject of this invention is providing the quality control method in the laser welding which manages quality in order to perform favorable welding.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The quality control method in laser welding according to the present invention that has solved the above problems is as follows.Light transmissive resinWith the upper layer workpieceLight absorbing resinLaser welding means for welding the workpiece by irradiating the workpiece with the laser beam from the laser irradiation means while moving the laser irradiation means relative to the workpiece to be superposed on the lower layer workpiece. In managing the welding state of the welded material, the laser irradiation means move in the moving direction of the laser beam irradiated from the upper layer workpiece side to the welding interface between the upper layer workpiece and the lower layer workpiece. On the other hand, the temperature of the weld interface between the upper layer workpiece and the lower layer workpiece is measured in the temperature measurement region set at the rear, and the welding state of the workpiece is measured based on the temperature measured in the temperature measurement region. It is characterized by managing.
[0007]
When laser welding is performed in which the workpiece is welded by irradiating the workpiece from the laser irradiation means while moving the workpiece relative to the laser irradiation means, the temperature of the irradiation region of the laser beam By measuring the welding state, it is possible to determine the welding state to some extent. Here, when the laser beam profile is constant, if the temperature is measured at the front position in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means in the laser beam irradiation region, the temperature can be increased by the subsequent laser irradiation. It is difficult to predict how much temperature rise. Therefore, even if the temperature measurement is performed at the front position in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means in the laser beam irradiation region, it cannot be said that the accuracy can be increased.
[0008]
  In this regard, the quality control method in laser welding according to the present invention measures the temperature at the rear position in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means in the laser beam irradiation region. The rear position in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means in the laser beam irradiation region is a position where the temperature is high in the laser beam irradiation region. At a position where the temperature is high, it can be appropriately determined that the material to be melted evaporates or is not melted at all. Therefore, by measuring the temperature at the rear position in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means in the laser beam irradiation region, which is the highest temperature point in the laser beam irradiation region, and managing the welding state based on the measured temperature, Good quality control can be performed.
  Moreover, it can be set as the aspect which measures the temperature of a welding interface with an infrared detector.
[0009]
Here, it is preferable to determine that there is a welding defect when the temperature measured in the temperature measurement region is out of the predetermined temperature range. By making such a determination, it is possible to accurately determine a welding failure.
[0010]
Further, it is preferable that the predetermined temperature range is determined based on the welding conditions of the workpiece. By determining the temperature range based on the welding conditions of the workpiece, quality control according to the workpiece can be performed satisfactorily. Examples of the welding conditions for the workpiece include the shape of the workpiece, the laser light absorption characteristics, and the melting point.
[0011]
Furthermore, it is preferable that the temperature measurement region is set at the rear end portion in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means in the laser irradiation region. When the laser irradiation region is a group of a plurality of laser beams, the maximum temperature in the laser irradiation region is the rear end portion in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means. Therefore, by setting the temperature measurement area at the rear end of the laser irradiation area in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means, the quality control of the workpiece can be performed more satisfactorily.
[0012]
On the other hand, the laser irradiation means irradiates the workpiece with two laser beams separated along the moving direction of the laser irradiation means, and the laser on the rear side in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means of the two laser beams. It is preferable that the temperature measurement region is set at the irradiation position of the beam.
[0013]
  As described above, when the laser irradiation unit irradiates the workpiece with two laser beams separated along the moving direction of the laser irradiation unit, the laser beam irradiation on the rear side in the moving direction of the laser irradiation unit. The temperature in the range reflects the welding state of the workpiece. Therefore, by setting the temperature measurement region in the laser beam irradiation range on the rear side in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means, the quality control of the workpiece can be performed satisfactorily.
  Moreover, it can be set as the aspect whose upper layer to-be-welded object is a light transmissive resin, and a lower layer to-be-welded object is a light absorptive resin.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, each drawing has a part exaggerated or omitted for easy understanding of the description, and the dimensional ratio does not necessarily match the actual one.
[0015]
1A and 1B are diagrams schematically illustrating a state in which laser welding according to a first embodiment of the present invention is performed, in which FIG. 1A is a side sectional view and FIG. 1B is a plan view. As shown in FIG. 1, a laser welding apparatus 1 used in a quality control method for laser welding according to this embodiment includes laser focusing heads 2 and 3 which are laser irradiation means of the present invention. A laser oscillator (not shown) is connected to the laser focusing heads 2 and 3, and a laser emitted from the laser oscillator is supplied to the laser focusing heads 2 and 3. In the laser condensing heads 2 and 3, the supplied laser is condensed and emitted as laser beams L1 and L2, respectively. A bar-shaped workpiece 4 that is an object to be welded according to the present invention is disposed below the laser focusing heads 2 and 3. The workpiece 4 is formed by superposing a light-transmitting resin layer 5 made of an upper light-transmitting resin and a light-absorbing resin layer 6 made of a lower layer and receiving light to melt. Then, the laser focusing heads 2 and 3 irradiate the workpiece 4 with two laser beams L1 and L2 that are separated along the moving direction (hereinafter referred to as “scanning direction”). Thus, by irradiating the workpiece 4 with the laser beams L1 and L2, the light-absorbing resin layer 6 is melted, and the light-transmitting resin layer 5 and the light-absorbing resin layer 6 are welded.
[0016]
Further, the laser condensing heads 2 and 3 are attached to a moving device (not shown) that moves along the direction in which the work 4 extends, and the laser condensing heads 2 and 3 are attached to the work 4 by the moving device. Can be moved along. Thus, the workpiece 4 can be moved relative to the laser focusing heads 2 and 3, the first laser focusing head 2 is disposed at the front position in the scanning direction, and the second position is positioned at the rear position in the scanning direction. A laser focusing head 3 is arranged. Hereinafter, the expressions “front” and “rear” are based on the scan direction unless otherwise specified.
[0017]
Further, in the beam spots (laser spots) B1 and B2 shown in FIG. 1B, which are the irradiation regions of the laser beams L1 and L2 on the workpiece 4, the temperature is measured by temperature sensors (not shown). Thus, in this embodiment, both beam spots B1 and B2 are the temperature measurement region of the present invention. Based on the temperature measured in this temperature measurement region, the welding state of the workpiece 4 is managed. The temperature is measured independently for the temperature at the front beam spot B1 and the temperature at the rear beam spot B2. By performing such twin spot welding, heat input management can be performed, and further, the gap between the light-transmitting resin layer 5 and the light-absorbing resin layer 6 can be minimized.
[0018]
The procedure of laser welding using the laser welding apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration and quality control when performing this laser welding will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. Here, the temperature change in the beam spot when welding is performed will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of a time-temperature curve when the temperature is observed at a certain point of a well-welded workpiece. In the temperature change shown in FIG. 3, the temperature rises with time, and the first peak P1, which is the first peak, appears. Then, once the temperature is lowered, it turns back at the lowest point M1 and starts to rise again, the second peak P2 as the second appears, and then the temperature gradually decreases. The first peak P1 is the optimum welding temperature. Further, the melting point temperature of the light absorbing resin layer 6 exists between the lowest point M1 and the second peak P2. The first peak P1 appears when the front laser beam L1 is irradiated, and the second peak P2 appears when the rear laser beam L2 is irradiated. The portion until the temperature reaches the first peak P1 is the time T1 when the front laser beam L1 is irradiated, and the portion until the temperature reaches the second peak P2 is irradiated with the rear laser beam L2. It is time T2. At time T1, the light-absorbing resin layer 6 is mainly melted and welded to the light-transmitting resin layer 5, and at time T2, the welded workpiece 4 is reheated to ensure the welding. It is thought that it plays the role of
[0019]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the shape W of the heat-affected layer when irradiated with the laser beams L1 and L2 is adjusted so as to be substantially elliptical when viewed from the side. When welding is performed by a normal single spot, as shown in FIG. 4A, rapid volume expansion occurs at the welding interface due to rapid heating by laser light. At this time, a large pressure is generated from the liquid side toward the solid side at the interface between the solid and the liquid as shown in FIG. At this time, since the solid side is not deformed, the melted work material concentrates on the solid-liquid interface, resulting in high density, resulting in distortion. When the processing speed is high, the laser beam L1 serving as a heat source immediately leaves the place, and thus rapid cooling occurs. When the process of rapid heating to rapid cooling is performed, the distortion generated at the time of melting is not alleviated and the welding is completed from solidification, and a welding failure is likely to occur. Therefore, the two laser focusing heads 2 and 3 are used to form twin spot welding by irradiating the two laser beams L1 and L2, and the portion where the distortion remains is reheated. By performing this reheating, the distortion generated in the welded portion can be alleviated, and welding failure can be prevented.
[0020]
However, in such twin spot welding, if the temperature at the time of reheating is too high, distortion remains at the welding position, but distortion is reduced by minimizing volume expansion. Therefore, the temperature of the rear beam spot, which is the temperature at the time of reheating, is managed. In the rear beam spot B2, the temperature is maintained near the melting point. The reason is that the thermal distortion caused by the front beam spot is relaxed by the rear beam spot. In this way, by performing the temperature management of the rear beam spot B2, a welding failure of the workpiece 4 can be suitably prevented.
[0021]
Therefore, when controlling the welding quality of laser welding, when measuring the temperature of the front and rear beam spots, it is only necessary to determine whether the front beam spot is within the optimum welding temperature range, and the rear beam spot is abrupt. What is necessary is just to judge whether it exists in the temperature range which can correct the distortion by volume change. However, in order to make a determination in the above temperature range, it is premised that the surface accuracy of the workpiece 4 is high and the light-transmitting resin layer 5 and the light-absorbing resin layer 6 have good adhesion to each other. Therefore, it is considered that an appropriate judgment cannot be made when the adhesion is not good. As the case where the adhesion is not good, it is conceivable that the shape accuracy of the workpiece is low, the surface accuracy of the workpiece is low, or there is a recess or the like.
[0022]
First, consider the case where the shape accuracy of the workpiece is low. FIG. 5 shows the temperature change when the shape accuracy of the workpiece is low. In FIG. 5, the temperature of the front beam spot is indicated by 1st exposure, and the temperature of the rear beam spot is indicated by 2nd exposure. Now, when the shape accuracy of the workpiece is high, the pressure applied to the workpiece is uniform, but when the shape accuracy of the workpiece is low, the pressure applied to the workpiece is non-uniform. For this reason, the heat conduction to the light-transmitting resin layer 5 is deteriorated in the portion where no pressure is applied, and therefore, the temperature of the front beam spot is high in the portion where no pressure is applied. On the other hand, the temperature of the rear beam spot is substantially uniform. From this result, it can be seen that, even when the shape accuracy is low, if the temperature is uniform at the rear beam spot, the welding is completed in a state where the adhesion is sufficiently maintained. Therefore, by managing the temperature of the rear beam spot, it can be confirmed whether or not the welding has been performed satisfactorily.
[0023]
Next, consider the case where the surface accuracy of the workpiece is low. FIG. 6 shows the temperature change when the surface accuracy of the workpiece is low. In FIG. 6, similarly to FIG. 5, the temperature of the front beam spot is indicated by 1st exposure, and the temperature of the rear beam spot is indicated by 2nd exposure. When the surface accuracy of the workpiece is low, a minute gap exists on the welding surface. Due to this minute gap, the temperature of the beam spot in front is high and unstable. On the other hand, the temperature of the rear beam spot is substantially uniform. From this result, it can be seen that, as in the case where the shape accuracy is low, even when the surface accuracy is low, if the temperature is uniform at the rear beam spot, the welding is performed with sufficient adhesion. Therefore, by managing the temperature of the rear beam spot, it can be confirmed whether or not the welding has been performed satisfactorily.
[0024]
Further, consider the case where there is a depression or the like. In order to investigate the temperature change when there is a depression, a depression is intentionally formed between the light-transmitting resin layer 5 and the light-absorbing resin layer 6, and the light-transmitting resin layer 5 and the light-absorbing resin layer 6 The beam was welded. The result of the temperature measurement at that time is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen that when there is a depression in the welded portion, it is not uniform even after welding by the rear laser beam. This is due to the fact that the gap was not filled even when melted at the front spot.
[0025]
Based on the determination when the adhesion is not good, laser welding and a quality control procedure when performing this laser welding will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of laser welding using the laser welding apparatus according to the present embodiment and its quality control.
[0026]
When laser welding starts, the laser condensing heads 2 and 3 start moving with respect to the workpiece 4, and the laser beams L1 and L2 emitted from the two laser condensing heads 2 and 3 are eventually irradiated onto the workpiece 4. (S1). At this time, the intensity of the beam spot B1 of the laser beam L1 irradiated from the front first laser focusing head 2 is a region where a sufficient bonding strength can be maintained in so-called single spot welding, specifically, a glass transition point or more. To do. The intensity of the beam spot B2 of the laser beam L2 irradiated from the rear second laser focusing head 3 is such that the distortion caused by heating and cooling the light-absorbing resin layer 6 with the laser beam L1 can be alleviated ( Adjust the temperature so that the temperature is equal to or higher than the glass transition point. As described above, from the time when both the laser beams L1 and L2 are irradiated onto the workpiece 4, the temperature at the beam spot which is the temperature measurement region set at the laser irradiation position of the workpiece 4 is measured, and those temperatures are acquired ( S2). When the temperature of the front and rear beam spots is acquired, it is determined whether or not the temperature at the beam spot of the front laser beam L1 corresponds to the welding reference value (S3). The welding reference value can be set to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range set in a range equal to or higher than the glass transition point.
[0027]
As a result, when the front beam spot corresponds to the welding reference value, the welding by the front laser beam L1 is performed well, so whether the amplitude of the front beam spot corresponds to the amplitude reference value next. It is determined whether or not (S4). As a result, if it is determined that it corresponds to the amplitude reference value, since the welding is stable, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the rear beam spot corresponds to the temperature reference value (S5). The temperature reference value of the rear beam spot can be set to a temperature within a range having a predetermined width from the melting point at least above the glass transition point of the light-absorbing resin layer 6.
[0028]
As a result, when the temperature of the rear beam spot corresponds to the temperature reference value, it can be determined that the welding has been performed satisfactorily. On the other hand, if the temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range and does not correspond to the temperature reference value, the condition is the same as being equivalent to a single spot (S6), so the strength of the workpiece 4 is predicted (S7). As a result of strength prediction, when it is determined that there is sufficient strength, it is determined as a non-defective product, and when it is determined that there is not sufficient strength, re-welding is performed (S9).
[0029]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S3 that the temperature at the beam spot of the front laser beam L1 does not correspond to the welding reference value, it is considered that sufficient welding has not been performed. If it is determined in step S4 that the amplitude of the front beam spot does not correspond to the amplitude reference value, it is considered that the welding itself is unstable. Therefore, in these cases, it is determined whether or not the amplitude of the rear beam spot corresponds to the amplitude reference value (S8). As a result, when it is determined that it corresponds to the amplitude reference value, re-welding is performed in accordance with the principle (S9). On the other hand, when it is determined that it does not correspond to the amplitude reference value, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the rear beam spot suddenly becomes high (S10). Whether or not the temperature is suddenly high can be determined based on whether or not the temperature is suddenly high, as shown in the graph of FIG. As a result, when the temperature is suddenly high, it can be determined that a large depression has occurred. In this case, it is determined as a defective product. On the other hand, when it is determined that the temperature is not suddenly high, re-welding is performed as a rule (S9).
[0030]
In this way, good quality control can be performed by performing quality control of the workpiece 4 beam-welded based on the temperature of the rear beam spot and the temperature of the front beam spot.
[0031]
Next, quality control performed based on only the temperature of the rear beam spot using the same laser welding apparatus will be described. In this aspect, only the rear beam spot becomes the temperature measurement region, and the welding state of the workpiece is managed based on the temperature measured in this temperature measurement region. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing procedures in quality control performed based on only laser welding using a laser welding apparatus and the beam spot temperature at the rear.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 8, when laser welding is started, the laser focusing heads 2 and 3 start moving with respect to the workpiece 4, and eventually the laser beams L1 and L1 emitted from the two laser focusing heads 2 and 3, respectively. L2 is irradiated onto the workpiece 4 (S11). Next, the temperature in the beam spot which is the temperature measurement region set at the laser irradiation position of the workpiece 4 is measured, and those temperatures are acquired (S12). Up to this point, the procedure is similar to the case where the temperature of the front beam spot shown in FIG. 2 is also used. However, in step S12, the temperature of only the rear beam spot may be measured.
[0033]
When the temperature of the beam spot is measured, it is determined whether or not the amplitude of the rear beam spot corresponds to the amplitude reference value (S13). As a result, when it is determined that it corresponds to the amplitude reference value, it is considered that the welding is stable, and it is subsequently determined whether or not the temperature of the rear beam spot corresponds to the welding reference value (S14). Here, the welding reference value can be a temperature within a range having a predetermined width from the melting point at least above the glass transition point of the light-absorbing resin layer 6. When it is determined that the temperature of the rear beam spot corresponds to the welding reference value, it can be determined that the welding has been performed satisfactorily.
[0034]
If it is determined in step S13 that the amplitude of the rear beam spot does not correspond to the amplitude reference value, the surface accuracy is not improved and the welding itself is considered unstable. Welding. However, when the temperature is suddenly high, it is considered that there is a portion where there is a large depression and the light-transmitting resin layer 5 and the light-absorbing resin layer 6 are not in contact with each other. It is determined whether the temperature is high (S15). As a result, when a sudden high temperature occurs, it is determined as a defective product.
[0035]
If no sudden high temperature has occurred, it is determined whether the temperature of the rear beam spot is higher (HI) than the temperature within the range determined as the welding reference value (S16). On the other hand, even if it is determined in step S14 that the temperature of the rear beam spot does not correspond to the welding reference value, whether or not the temperature of the rear beam spot is higher (HI) than the temperature within the range determined as the welding reference value. Is determined (S16). As a result, if it is determined that the temperature of the rear beam spot is higher than the temperature within the range determined as the welding reference value, it is equivalent to single spot welding (S17), and strength prediction is performed (S18). . As a result of the strength prediction, when it is determined that there is sufficient strength, it is determined as a non-defective product, and when it is determined that there is not sufficient strength, re-welding is performed (S19). Further, when it is determined in step S16 that the temperature of the rear beam spot is not higher than the temperature within the range determined as the welding reference value, re-welding is performed (S19).
[0036]
Thus, good quality control can be performed only by managing the temperature of the rear beam spot.
[0037]
In the laser welding according to the present embodiment described above, the laser welding apparatus 1 including the two laser focusing heads 2 and 3 shown in FIG. 1 is used. Instead, the laser welding apparatus shown in FIG. 9 is used. 10 can also be used. A laser welding apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 9 includes a laser focusing head 11. A laser oscillator (not shown) is connected to the laser focusing head 11, and a laser emitted from the laser oscillator is supplied to the laser focusing head 11. The laser focusing head 11 divides the supplied laser into two and emits two laser beams L11 and L12. The laser condensing head 11 is attached to a moving device (not shown), and the laser condensing heads 2 and 3 can be moved along the workpiece 4 by the moving device. Then, the two laser beams L11 and L12 are irradiated along the scan direction of the laser focusing head 11 and irradiated onto the workpiece 4. By using such a laser welding apparatus 10, it is possible to perform laser welding similar to the above-described procedure and quality control when performing this laser welding.
[0038]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, a so-called twin beam type laser welding apparatus is used, but in this embodiment, a single beam type laser welding apparatus is used.
[0039]
FIG. 10 is a side sectional view schematically showing a state in which laser welding according to the second embodiment of the present invention is performed. As shown in FIG. 10, the laser welding apparatus 20 used in the quality control method for laser welding according to the present embodiment includes a laser focusing head 21. A laser oscillator 22 is connected to the laser focusing head 21, and a laser is supplied from the laser oscillator 22 to the laser focusing head 21. The laser condensing head 21 condenses the supplied laser and emits it as a laser beam L. A work 4 is disposed below the laser focusing head 21. The work 4 has a two-layer structure of a light transmissive resin layer 5 and a light absorptive resin layer 6 as in the first embodiment.
[0040]
Further, a temperature sensor 23 is provided on the side of the laser focusing head 21 and is attached to a moving means (not shown). The temperature sensor 23 measures the temperature of the temperature measurement region S shown in FIG. 11 set at the rear of the beam spot B of the laser beam L emitted from the laser focusing head 21. The temperature measurement region S is set at the rear end of the beam spot B, and measures the temperature of the portion of the beam spot B where the temperature is highest. The temperature sensor 23 is connected to a temperature monitor 24 serving as an infrared detector, and displays the temperature of the temperature measurement region S output from the temperature sensor 23 on the temperature monitor 24. Based on the temperature displayed on the temperature monitor 24, the welding state of the workpiece 4 is managed.
[0041]
Next, the reason why the temperature measurement region S is set at the rear end portion of the beam spot B will be described. If the profile of the laser beam is constant with respect to the scanning direction, the workpiece will continue to be heated while the laser strikes. In order to determine whether the workpiece is evaporated or not melted, it is most preferable to observe the highest temperature point in the spot. Since it is not possible to predict how much the temperature will rise after the spot in the scanning direction, measuring the temperature at the end (rear end) with respect to the scanning direction will favorably evaporate or unmelt the workpiece. Can be confirmed.
[0042]
In addition, it is effective to measure the temperature of the rear end portion in the scanning direction when finding a welding defect. Although it depends on the size of the spot, if the unevenness of the front welding surface of the beam spot B is leveled and the welding is performed with good quality at the rear part, the temperature measurement result is constant and stable. However, when the unevenness is not formed in the front part of the beam spot B and a gap remains, the spot rear part temperature becomes very unstable. From this, it is possible to find a welding defect or the like by setting a temperature measurement region at the rear end of the scanning direction.
[0043]
Now, quality control when performing laser welding using the laser welding apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. The simplest method for quality control is to simply set a threshold value for the optimum welding temperature range, and determine that the product is defective when the optimum temperature range is exceeded. The method will be described below.
[0044]
First, a method for determining a temperature threshold value for judging welding defects such as work evaporation, unmelting, and welding defects will be described. The first method for determining the threshold value is based on an empirical rule, and this method is the simplest method. In order to determine the threshold value, several samples are produced on a trial basis, and the threshold value is determined based on empirical rules from the data of the non-defective products and defective products. Here, FIG. 12 shows the result of actually producing a workpiece in a stable state and determining the strength in order to determine the threshold value. As shown in FIG. 12, a phenomenon is observed in which the strength decreases when the temperature rises from 340 ° C. to 360 ° C., and this is presumed to be caused by foaming of the weld surface (decomposition of the resin). Therefore, for example, the condition for determining a good product is a welding temperature of 4000 N / mm.²If it is equal to or higher than (MPa) and no bubbles are present on the welding surface, the optimum welding temperature range can be set to 270 ° C to 330 ° C. In an actual production line, welding is unstable outside the determined threshold range, and processing is performed as a defective product. This example is an example of a criterion for determining the threshold value, and differs depending on the material, product specifications, and the like.
[0045]
As a second method for determining the threshold value, a method using a neural network is also conceivable. This method will be described. Similar to the method of determining by empirical rule, several samples are produced on a trial basis, the data is learned by a neural network, and the threshold value is determined by the neural network. In an actual production line, those outside the determined threshold range are determined to be unstable, and are processed as defective products. Even in this method, the criterion for determining the threshold value varies depending on the material and product specifications.
[0046]
Then, from the data of FIG. 12 and the non-defective product conditions, the optimum welding temperature range is 270 ° C. to 330 ° C., the minimum temperature 270 degrees at this time is Tmin, the maximum temperature is Tmax, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 23 is Judgment is made based on whether it is within the range. When the welding state is very stable and good welding is performed, a substantially constant temperature change is exhibited as shown in FIG.
[0047]
Further, for example, in the temperature change shown in FIG. 14 (a), after the start of welding, it once exceeds Tmax and then returns to the optimum temperature range for welding, but this time is less than Tmin and then returns to the optimum temperature range for welding again. Furthermore, it exceeds Tmax. Thereafter, the temperature is finally brought to about room temperature after leaving the optimum welding temperature range. Next, in the temperature change shown in FIG. 14 (b), the temperature continues to rise and enters the optimum welding temperature range, and after exceeding Tmax, the temperature falls and returns to the optimum welding temperature range. Thereafter, the temperature is finally brought to about room temperature after leaving the optimum welding temperature range. Furthermore, in the temperature change shown in FIG. 14 (c), after entering the welding optimum temperature range, the temperature change exceeds Tmax several times and falls below Tmin. Then, the temperature is finally brought to about room temperature after leaving the optimum welding temperature range. As described above, in any of the cases shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, after the measured temperature enters the welding optimum temperature range, it is finally from the welding optimum temperature range until it is out of the welding optimum temperature range. There is a temperature that is off. In such a case, all are judged as welding defects and handled as defective products.
[0048]
Further, in the temperature change shown in FIG. 15 (a), once entering the optimum welding temperature range, the temperature is repeatedly moved up and down several times. However, the optimum welding temperature range is finally reached without leaving the optimum welding temperature range. The temperature will come out to about room temperature. Next, in the temperature change shown in FIG. 15 (b), once entering the optimum welding temperature range, the temperature is repeatedly moved up and down many times. However, the optimum welding temperature is finally reached without leaving the optimum welding temperature range. Out of the range, the temperature is about room temperature. Thus, after the measured temperature enters the welding optimum temperature range, there is no temperature that deviates from the welding optimum temperature range until it finally departs from the welding optimum temperature range. In such a case, it is judged that good welding has been achieved in all cases, and are handled as non-defective products.
[0049]
In this way, whether or not welding is good is determined by measuring the temperature change and determining whether or not the welding optimum temperature range is deviated. By the way, when there is a gap between the light-transmitting resin layer 5 and the light-absorbing resin layer 6, heat is unilaterally accumulated only in the light-absorbing resin layer 6, so that the temperature rapidly increases and the workpiece 4 It will foam. In order to determine whether this foaming phenomenon has occurred or conversely, it is preferable to detect the maximum temperature. In this regard, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the temperature measurement region S is set at the rear end portion of the beam spot B, and therefore, in the temperature measurement region S set at the rear end portion of the beam spot B, The maximum temperature at the beam spot B is measured. Therefore, since the unmelted state of the workpiece 4 and the foaming phenomenon occurring in the workpiece 4 can be reliably detected, it is possible to accurately determine the welding failure and perform good quality control.
[0050]
In the present embodiment, a resin material is used as the workpiece 4. Resins have lower heat responsiveness (heat transferability) than metals. For this reason, it is possible to detect the temperature more accurately when measuring the temperature behind the beam spot B than when measuring the front. From this point as well, good quality control can be performed by setting the rear end portion of the beam spot B as the temperature measurement region S as in this embodiment.
[0051]
Next, a procedure for quality control that is more sophisticated than simple quality control will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the quality control procedure of the laser welding apparatus according to this embodiment.
[0052]
When welding is started by the laser welding apparatus 20 (S21), data on the welding temperature is collected (S22). After collecting the temperature data, determine whether the measured temperature is within the optimum welding temperature range (reference value) in the entire range from entering the optimum welding temperature range until it is finally below the optimum welding temperature range. (S23). As a result, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), when it is within the reference value in all regions, no welding failure has occurred as in the case of simple quality control, so that it can be made non-defective. . On the other hand, if the reference value is not met, some problem has occurred.
[0053]
Therefore, when the value is outside the reference value, it is determined whether the welding optimum temperature range (Tmin ≦ T ≦ Tmax) is exceeded (Tmax <T, high) or below (T <Tmin, low) (S24). As a result, if the welding optimum temperature range has been exceeded (high), it is determined whether or not there is an abnormally high temperature exceeding the welding optimum temperature range (S25). As a result, as shown in FIG. 17C, when there is an abnormally high temperature, there is a recess, and there is a gap between the light-transmitting resin layer 5 and the light-absorbing resin layer 6. Therefore, in this case, it is determined as a defective product. Further, when the temperature is not abnormally high, there is a minute gap or the like on the weld surface, not a recess. In this case, if the strength is sufficient, there is no problem in appearance, and if the strength is sufficient, it can be a good product. Therefore, if the temperature is not abnormally high, the strength is measured to determine whether the strength is sufficient (S26). As a result, when the strength is sufficient, it is determined as a non-defective product, and when it is not sufficient (insufficient), it is determined as a defective product.
[0054]
Also, as shown in the graph of FIG. 17B, when it is determined in step S24 that the temperature change has not exceeded the optimum welding temperature range (high) and is only lower (low), there is foreign matter on the interface. It may be mixed. Therefore, it is determined whether or not foreign matter is mixed (S27). As a result, when foreign matter is mixed, even if re-welding is performed, the temperature is lowered at the same location, so that it is regarded as a defective product. On the other hand, when it is determined that no foreign matter is mixed, since the damage to the workpiece 4 is relatively small, it can be re-welded, so that it is re-welded (S28) and the process returns to step S21.
[0055]
In this way, it is possible to perform quality control that is more sophisticated than quality control based only on the optimum melting temperature region. Further, in performing such quality control, the temperature measurement region S is set at the rear end of the beam spot B as shown in FIG. It will be. Therefore, since the unmelted state of the workpiece 4 and the foaming phenomenon occurring in the workpiece 4 can be reliably detected, it is possible to accurately determine the welding failure and perform good quality control.
[0056]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, although resin is used as a workpiece in the preferred embodiment, the workpiece may be a metal. In addition, when the workpiece shape is complicated or the material changes in the middle, it is also possible to set the threshold value, the optimum melting temperature range, etc. appropriately according to the shape and material. it can.
[0057]
Furthermore, for the temperature measurement in the first embodiment, it may be a rear beam spot, the temperature at any position in the rear beam spot may be used, the temperature is measured at a plurality of positions, It can also be set as the average value of them.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a quality control method in laser welding for managing quality in order to perform good welding.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams schematically illustrating a state in which laser welding according to a first embodiment is performed, in which FIG. 1A is a side sectional view and FIG. 1B is a plan view;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of laser welding using a laser welding apparatus and quality control thereof.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of a time-temperature curve when the temperature is observed at a certain point of a workpiece that is well welded.
4A is a side sectional view schematically showing the shape of a heat-affected layer at the time of laser beam irradiation, and FIG. 4B is a side sectional view schematically showing the pressure applied to the heat-affected layer.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of a temperature change when the shape accuracy of a workpiece is low.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of a temperature change when the surface accuracy of a workpiece is low.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing a result of temperature measurement when a depression is intentionally formed between the light-transmitting resin layer and the light-absorbing resin layer and both are beam-welded.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure in quality control performed based only on laser welding using a laser welding apparatus and a beam spot temperature at the rear.
FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a modification of the laser welding apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a side sectional view schematically showing a state in which laser welding according to a second embodiment is performed.
FIG. 11 is a plan view for explaining a temperature measurement region in a beam spot.
FIG. 12 is a graph showing a result of a strength test that was performed in a stable state in order to determine a threshold value.
FIG. 13 is a graph showing temperature changes when good welding is performed.
14 (a) to 14 (c) are temperatures that deviate from the optimum welding temperature range after the measured temperature has entered the optimum welding temperature range and are finally outside the optimum welding temperature range. It is a graph which shows a temperature change.
FIGS. 15A and 15B show temperature changes in which there is no temperature deviating from the optimum welding temperature range after the measured temperature has entered the optimum welding temperature range and until the last deviating from the optimum welding temperature range. It is a graph which shows.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a quality control procedure of the laser welding apparatus according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 17A is a graph showing a temperature change when the measured temperature is within the reference value in the entire region, and FIG. 17B is a graph showing that the temperature does not exceed the optimum welding temperature range and is only below The graph which shows the temperature change in a case, (c) is a graph which shows a temperature change when there exists abnormally high temperature in the measured temperature.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Laser welding apparatus, 2 ... 1st laser condensing head, 3 ... 2nd laser condensing head, 4 ... Work, 5 ... Light-transmitting resin layer, 6 ... Light-absorbing resin layer, 10 ... Laser welding apparatus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Laser condensing head, 20 ... Laser welding apparatus, 21 ... Laser condensing head, 22 ... Laser oscillator, 23 ... Temperature sensor, 24 ... Temperature monitor, B, B1, B2 ... Beam spot, L, L1, L2, L11, L12 ... laser beam, M1 ... lowest point, P1 ... first peak, P2 ... second peak, S ... temperature measurement region, W ... shape of heat affected layer.

Claims (6)

The laser irradiation means is moved from the laser irradiation means to the workpiece to be welded while moving the laser irradiation means relatively with respect to the welding object in which the upper-layer workpiece to be light-transmitting resin and the lower-layer workpiece to be light-absorbing resin are overlapped. In managing the welding state of the workpiece in laser welding in which the workpiece is irradiated with a laser beam to weld the workpiece,
Within the irradiation region of the laser beam irradiated from the upper layer workpiece side to the welding interface between the upper layer workpiece and the lower layer workpiece, it is set at the rear with respect to the moving direction of the laser irradiation means. Measure the temperature of the weld interface between the upper layer workpiece and the lower layer workpiece in the measured temperature range,
A quality control method in laser welding, wherein a welding state of the workpiece is managed based on a temperature measured in the temperature measurement region.   The quality control method in laser welding according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the welding interface is measured by an infrared detector.   The quality control method in laser welding according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when there is a temperature measured in the temperature measurement region deviating from a predetermined temperature range, it is determined that there is a welding defect.   The quality control method in laser welding according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined temperature range is determined based on a welding condition of the workpiece.   In the laser welding according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature measurement region is set at a rear end portion in a moving direction of the laser irradiation means in the laser irradiation region. Quality control method. The laser irradiation means irradiates the workpiece with two laser beams separated along the moving direction of the laser irradiation means,
The temperature measurement region is set at any one of the two laser beams at a laser beam irradiation position on the rear side in the moving direction of the laser irradiation means. Quality control method in laser welding as described.

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