JP6700884B2 - Work transfer device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a work transfer device that transfers a work to a work transfer path that transfers a work in a longitudinal direction with respect to a processing device that processes a long work such as a pipe material or an angle material. More specifically, when the long work conveyed to the work carry-in path has a circular cross section, such as a round pipe, or a non-circular cross section, such as a square pipe or an angle. The present invention also relates to a work transfer device that can easily cope with the case.
Regarding

  For example, as an example of a processing apparatus that appropriately processes a long work such as a pipe material and an angle material, there is a laser processing apparatus, for example. In order to carry in a long work in the longitudinal direction with respect to the laser machining position by the laser machining head in this laser machining apparatus, a workpiece carry-in path is provided on one side of the laser machining position. Then, on one side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work carry-in path, a work stock device (work carrying device) provided with a plurality of long materials (work) conveyed in parallel to the work carry-in path in parallel. Is provided (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP, 2001-87885, A JP, 2008-302375, A

  The configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 convey the work to the work carry-in path to one side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work carry-in path for carrying the long work into the processing apparatus. The plurality of conveyor devices are provided at appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction of the work carry-in path. An endless chain is rotatably provided in each of the conveyor devices, and work supports for supporting a work are provided at equal intervals in each endless chain.

  When the work supports have different cross-sectional shapes such as a round pipe material, pipe materials, and angle materials, the work supports are replaced with work supports corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the work. Further, in the work transfer device for transferring the work from the conveyor device to the work carry-in path, the work mounting portion for mounting the work is also replaced according to the sectional shape of the work.

  Therefore, the work support must be replaced every time the cross-sectional shape of the work to be processed is different, which is a problem in improving the work efficiency.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and the above-mentioned work is provided laterally in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of a work carry-in path for carrying a long work in the longitudinal direction with respect to a processing position. A work transfer device equipped with a plurality of work transfer conveyors for transferring a work to a carry-in path, the work transfer conveyor supporting a flat surface portion of the work, the work transfer apparatus being provided with being appropriately separated in a longitudinal direction of the work transfer path. And a curved surface support portion that supports the curved surface of the work. The work transfer conveyor includes an endless transfer chain, and the transfer chain includes a curved surface support chain link having a curved surface support portion, and rolling restriction chain links on both end sides of the curved surface support chain link. I have it. The rolling restriction chain link includes the flat surface supporting portion and a rolling restriction portion that abuts on the work supported by the curved surface supporting portion to restrict the rolling of the work.

  Further, in the work transfer device, the heights of the rolling restriction chain links are the same.

  Further, in the work transfer device, position regulating chain links having a height dimension larger than that of the rolling regulation chain links are provided at equidistant positions with the curved surface supporting chain links interposed therebetween. Is.

  Further, in the work transfer device, the work transfer means is provided with a work transfer means that can lift a work transferred to the work transfer path side by a transfer chain provided in each work transfer conveyor and transfer the work to the work transfer path. The work transfer means includes a work support part for supporting the work, and a flat support part for supporting the work corresponding to the flat part of the work, and a curved surface support part for supporting the curved surface of the work. It is characterized by being present.

  Further, in the work transfer device, the work support portion of the work transfer means is provided with an inclined guide whose front end side is opened at an interval substantially equal to an interval dimension of the position regulating chain link. is there.

  Further, in the work transfer device, a work detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a work carried out to the work carry-in path is provided in the vicinity of the end of the work carry-in conveyor on the side of the work carry-in path. It is a thing.

Further, a work transfer device for transferring a long work in a longitudinal direction to a processing machine,
It is provided at one side of the work carry-in path for carrying in a long work in the longitudinal direction with respect to the processing position of the processing machine, in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and carries the work into the work carry-in path. An appropriate number of work transfer conveyors,
Work transfer means for taking out the work from the work transfer conveyor,
On the other side in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work carry-in path, a plurality of work support devices provided with a work receiving section for receiving a work carried into the work carry-in path from the work carrying means,
It is characterized by having.

  Further, in the work transfer device, the work transfer means is provided with a work support part having a curved surface support part for supporting a curved surface of the work.

  According to the present invention, in the work transfer conveyor for transferring a long work to the work carry-in path, a flat surface supporting portion for supporting the work corresponding to the flat surface portion of the work, and a curved surface for supporting the curved surface of the work. And a support part.

  Therefore, for example, the flat surface support portion can support the square pipe material, the angle material, and the like. Then, for example, a curved pipe supporting portion can support a round pipe material or the like. Therefore, it is possible to easily support a work having a flat portion on a part of its outer surface such as a square pipe material or an angle material, or a work having a curved surface on the outer surface such as a round pipe material. is there.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view conceptually and schematically showing the overall configuration of a laser processing system in the drawings showing a case where the present invention is applied to a laser processing system for laser processing a long material such as a round pipe or a square pipe. It is a figure. 2A and 2B show a chuck device for gripping the rear end portion of a long work. FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a front view, showing that the optical sensor is in a retracted state. FIG. In the chuck device shown in FIG. 2, the optical sensor is projected, and FIG. 3(A) is a plan view and FIG. 3(B) is a front view. It is a side explanatory view which showed notionally and roughly the whole structure of the work conveyance conveyor in a work conveyance device. It is explanatory drawing in the case of supporting a round pipe with a structure of a conveyance chain in a work conveyance conveyor, and a conveyance chain. It is explanatory drawing at the time of supporting a square pipe with a conveyance chain. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the work support part which picks up and conveys a work from a work conveyance conveyor. FIG. 6 is a perspective explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the chuck device and the work support device as viewed from the rear side in the Y-axis direction. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the work support device, and FIG. 9A shows a state in which the work receiving portion of the work support device is projected to the work loading path, and FIG. 9B shows the work receiving portion in the work loading path. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state pulled in from. FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing the clamp member and the steady rest member in the work support device, and FIG. 10A shows a state in which the clamp member is open and the steady rest member is higher than the support roller. FIG. 10B shows a state in which the clamp member is closed and the steady rest member is lowered below the support roller. It is an operation explanatory view showing the case where a work is conveyed to a work introduction path by a work conveyance conveyor of a work conveyance device, and the work conveyance conveyor is shown notionally and roughly. FIG. 11A shows a state in which the work on the work transfer conveyor is supported at a position far away from the work carry-in path, and FIG. 11B shows a state in which the work is picked up and transferred from the work transfer conveyor. ing. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams showing a case where a work is transferred from a work supporting unit of a work transfer conveyor to a work support device. FIG. 12A shows a state immediately before the work is transferred, and FIG. , A state in which the rear end portion of the work is gripped by the chuck device. FIG. 13A is an explanatory view showing a case where a work is pushed toward a laser beam machine by a chuck device. FIG. 13A shows a state in which a work support device close to the chuck device is retracted from a work carry-in path, and FIG. , All the work support devices have been retracted from the work loading path. FIG. 14(A) is an explanatory view of a case where the work support device supports the intermediate position of the work when pushing the work toward the laser processing machine by the chuck device, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which approached the machine and the work support moved to the laser processing machine side most. When the chuck device further approaches the laser beam machine, the work support device sequentially retracts from the work carry-in path. 16A is an explanatory view of a configuration for detecting the tip of a work in a laser processing machine, FIG. 16A is a perspective explanatory view showing a positional relationship between a laser beam and a rotary chuck, and FIG. 16B is a main portion. FIG. It is a perspective explanatory view showing a positional relationship among a laser beam machine, a work shooter and a product box, a conveyor device, a work pusher device, and a carry-out conveyor. It is isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship of a laser processing machine, a work shooter, and a product box. It is isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the state which the work shooter received the product. It is isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the state which falls a product from a work shooter to a product box. It is isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a work shooter. It is isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of a conveyor apparatus. It is isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the steady rest etc. with which the conveyor apparatus was equipped. It is a front explanatory view showing a relation between a laser beam machine and a conveyor device, and shows a state in which a support table in the conveyor device is located on a main body frame. It is a front explanatory view showing the state where the support table in the conveyer device moved to the laser processing machine side. FIG. 25A shows the vertical movement position of the table when the square pipe is rotated about its axis. FIG. 25A is an explanatory diagram of each corner of the square pipe, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a vertical movement position and a rotation angle in FIG. FIG. 25C is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the square pipe and the vertical movement position of the support table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the circumscribed circle of a square pipe and a steady rest. It is isometric view explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship between a conveyor apparatus and a work pusher apparatus. It is a perspective explanatory view showing the state just before pushing a product by a product moving member of a work pusher device. It is a perspective explanatory view showing the state where the product was pushed by the product moving member. It is a front explanatory view showing the whole composition of a carrying-out conveyor. It is a front explanatory view showing the state where the raising and lowering frame in the carry-out conveyor is raised. It is a perspective explanatory view showing a configuration of a pantograph mechanism for vertically moving an elevating frame in a conveyor.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, and a case where the invention is applied to a laser processing apparatus as an example of a processing machine that processes a long work such as a pipe material and an angle material will be described. The configuration of a laser processing apparatus that performs laser processing on a long work piece is known as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example. However, in order to facilitate understanding, first, the overall configuration of the laser processing apparatus (laser processing system) will be schematically described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laser processing device 1 includes a laser processing machine 3. In the processing machine body 5 of the laser processing machine 3, there is provided a rotatable chuck 7 which is rotatable by gripping a long work (not shown in FIG. 1) such as a pipe material or an angle material in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). ) Is rotatably provided around the axis. Further, the processing machine body 5 is provided with a laser processing head 9 which is movable in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The laser processing head 9 irradiates a laser beam onto a work which is held and rotated by the rotary chuck 7 to perform laser processing on the work.

  Since the configuration of the laser processing machine 3 as described above is already known, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, detailed description of the overall configuration of the laser processing machine 3 will be omitted. ..

  On one side (right side in FIG. 1) of the laser processing position by the laser processing head 9 in the laser processing machine 3 in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction), a long work is longitudinally formed with respect to the laser processing position. A work carrying-in device 11 for carrying in is arranged. On the other side (left side in FIG. 1) of the laser processing position in the X-axis direction, a conveyor device 13 that supports a long product (not shown in FIG. 1) after laser processing is provided.

  A work shooter 15 is provided between the laser processing position and the conveyor device 13 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction (front-back direction). The work shooter 15 supports a short product (not shown) processed at the laser processing position or scrap to be discarded (not shown). In front of the work shooter 15 in the Y-axis direction, there is arranged a product box 17 in which a product or scrap dropped from the work shooter 15 can be stored.

  Further, a carry-out conveyor 19 is provided on the other side of the laser processing position in the X-axis direction and on the opposite side of the laser processing position with the conveyor device 13 in between. The carry-out conveyor 19 has a function of discharging the product transferred from the conveyor device 13, and a plurality of product stockers 21 are arranged on one side (front side) of the carry-out conveyor 19 in the Y-axis direction. They are provided at appropriate intervals in the axial direction.

  As can be understood from the above-described schematic description, a long work is transported (transferred) from one end side to the other end side in the X-axis direction (longitudinal direction of the work) by the work loading device 11 and the laser beam is transferred. It is carried into the rotary chuck 7 of the processing machine 3. As described above, when the front end of the work is carried into the rotary chuck 7 and the front end of the work is appropriately projected and positioned from the laser processing position by the laser processing head 9 to the other end side in the X-axis direction, The work is gripped by the rotary chuck 7.

  Then, the laser processing head 9 irradiates the work with laser light, and the chuck device 25 and the rotary chuck 7, which will be described later, rotate the work about the axis in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and the chuck device 25 moves the X-axis. The laser processing of the work is performed by moving in the axial direction. At this time, when the product cut and separated from the work is relatively short, the work shooter 15 is positioned at a position corresponding to the short product laser-processed by the laser processing head 9, and the work shooter 15 shortens the product. Is to receive. The product received by the work shooter 15 is dropped and stored in the product box 17.

  When the product is relatively long, the conveyor device 13 supports the front end side of the work protruding from the laser processing position to the other end side in the X-axis direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the front end side of the work from being largely bent by its own weight, and also to suppress the shake when the work is rotated around the axis. When the long product is cut and separated from the work, the product is unloaded from the conveyor device 13 onto the unloading conveyor 19. The products on the carry-out conveyor 19 are dropped and carried onto a desired product stocker 21 and aligned on the product stocker 21.

  As can be understood from the above schematic description, in the present embodiment, the work is moved (transferred) from one end side to the other end side in the X-axis direction. Therefore, when viewed in the moving direction of the work, one end side in the X-axis direction can be referred to as an upstream side, and the other end side in the X-axis direction can be referred to as a downstream side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the work carrying-in device 11 is provided with a guide frame 23 linearly extended from the processing machine body 5 of the laser processing machine 3 to one end side in the X-axis direction. The guide frame 23 constitutes a part of a work carrying-in path P for carrying a work into the rotary chuck 7 of the laser beam machine 3 in the X-axis direction. The guide frame 23 is provided with a chuck device 25 capable of gripping a rear end side which is one end side of the work in the X-axis direction and is movable in the X-axis direction.

  The chuck device 25 is configured to be rotatable by gripping the rear end portion of the work and to be movable and positioned in a direction (X-axis direction) in which the workpiece is approached and separated from the rotary chuck 7 of the laser processing machine 3. The axis center (rotation center) in the X-axis direction in which the chuck device 25 grips and rotates the work is coincident with the axis center (rotation center) of the rotary chuck 7 in the laser processing machine 3. Therefore, as described above, when the rotary chuck 7 grips the workpiece and performs laser processing of the workpiece while rotating, the chuck device 25 that supports (grasps) the rear end portion of the workpiece is It is rotated in synchronization with.

  More specifically, the chuck device 25 includes a chuck body 27 (see FIG. 2) which is movable by being guided by a guide rail 23L in the X-axis direction provided on the guide frame 23. The chuck body 27 is provided with a rotating frame 29 that is rotatable around the axis in the X-axis direction. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2A and the front view of FIG. 2B, the rotary frame 29 is horizontal on the other end surface side of the chuck body 27 in the X-axis direction (the laser processing machine 3 side). It is equipped so that it can freely rotate around its axis. A plurality of gripping claws (grasping members) 31 capable of gripping the end portion (rear end portion) of the workpiece from the four directions are movable on the rotating frame 29 in a radial direction approaching and separating from the rotation center. It is equipped.

  In addition, as the configuration in which the plurality of grip claws 31 move in the radial direction, for example, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 or the configuration described in JP 2011-104642 A can be adopted. That is, since the configuration in which the plurality of grip claws 31 move in the radial direction may be a known configuration, a detailed description of the configuration for moving the grip claws 31 in the radial direction will be omitted.

  The chuck main body 27 of the chuck device 25 is provided with a traveling servomotor 33. The traveling servomotor 33 serves to move and position the chuck device 25 in the X-axis direction along the guide rail 23L. That is, for example, a pinion (not shown) is interlocked with the rotary shaft of the traveling servomotor 33. The pinion meshes with, for example, a rack (not shown) in the X-axis direction provided on the guide rail 23L.

  Therefore, the chuck device 25 can be moved in the X-axis direction by driving the traveling servomotor 33. The movement position of the chuck device 25 from the reference position in the X-axis direction can be detected by a position detection means such as a rotary encoder provided in the traveling servomotor 33. Therefore, the movement position of the chuck device 25 in the X-axis direction can be controlled by controlling the driving of the traveling servomotor 33 by a control device (not shown).

  Further, the chuck body 27 is equipped with a rotation servomotor 35 for rotationally positioning the rotary frame 29. A small-diameter gear (not shown) is interlockingly connected to the rotary shaft of the rotation servomotor 35, and the small-diameter gear meshes with a large-diameter gear (not shown) provided on the rotary frame 29. . Therefore, the rotation of the rotating frame 29 can be controlled by controlling the rotation of the rotation servomotor 35. Note that the rotation servo motor 35 and the rotation frame 29 may be interlocked with each other by using a timing belt.

  By the way, the rotational position of the rotary frame 29 with respect to the rotational reference position can be detected by a position detection means such as a rotary encoder provided in the rotation servomotor 35. Therefore, the rotational position of the rotary frame 29 can be controlled by rotationally driving the rotary servomotor 35 under the control of the control device.

  Further, the chuck body 27 of the chuck device 25 is provided with an optical sensor 37 for detecting a work, and protects a movable cable or the like connected to the traveling servo motor 33, the rotation servo motor 35, or the like. A cable protection chain 39 for supporting is connected.

  The optical sensor 37 is provided so that its optical axis passes through the rotation center position of the rotating frame 29. That is, in the present embodiment, the side surface of the chuck body 27 in the Y-axis direction is provided with the housing 41 that is long in the X-axis direction at the same height position as the rotation center of the rotating frame 29. The optical sensor 37 is provided in the housing 41 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction.

  That is, a reciprocating actuator (not shown) such as an air cylinder is provided in the housing 41, and a reciprocating member 43 (see FIG. 3) such as a piston rod provided in the reciprocating actuator is provided in the housing 41. The optical sensor 37 is connected. The optical sensor 37 is integrally supported by the tip ends of a plurality of guide rods 45 that are horizontally movably provided in the housing 41 so as to move horizontally in the X-axis direction.

  With the above structure, when the reciprocating actuator is operated, the optical sensor 37 is reciprocated in the X-axis direction at the same height position as the rotation center of the rotating frame 29. When the optical sensor 37 is moved so as to project from the housing 41, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical sensor 37 moves to the other end side in the X-axis direction to a predetermined position beyond the grip claw 31. Therefore, the presence or absence of the work W can be detected by the optical sensor 37 at a predetermined position (projection position) that is moved so as to project.

  Here, if the optical sensor 37 is an optical distance sensor such as a laser distance sensor, the distance from the optical sensor 37 to the work W can be detected. Therefore, the shape and size of the work W can be detected by detecting the distance from the optical sensor 37 to the work W while rotating the rotating frame 29 while the work W is gripped by the grip claws 31. Is.

  That is, it is possible to detect the shape and size of the work W before performing the laser processing of the work W, and it is possible to confirm whether or not they match the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the work described in the processing program. , Squares, angles, channels, etc.) can also be confirmed.

  Further, when the chuck device 25 tries to grasp one end of the work W, as described above, the chuck device 25 approaches the end of the work W in a state where the optical sensor 37 is positioned at the protruding position. When moved, the end of the work W can be detected by the optical sensor 37. Therefore, when the chuck device 25 approaches the work W and the optical sensor 37 detects the end of the work W, the approaching operation of the chuck device 25 can be temporarily stopped. Therefore, when the chuck device 25 approaches the work W, the chuck device 25 can be prevented from accidentally colliding with the work W, and can be reliably chucked by the claws, and the safety can be improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when the optical sensor 37 is moved so as to be pulled in with respect to the housing 41, the optical sensor 37 is moved to the claw holder 31A holding the grip claw 31. It is positioned at a corresponding position (retracted position). Therefore, when the optical sensor 37 is an optical distance sensor, the distance from the optical sensor 37 to the claw holder 31A can be detected. Therefore, when the distance from the optical sensor 37 to the claw holder 31A is detected, it is compared with a predetermined distance set in advance corresponding to the size (for example, the diameter) of the work W, so that the work of a predetermined size is obtained. Can be confirmed.

  That is, for example, when the size of the set work W is incorrect, the error of the work set can be detected. Further, by detecting the distance from the optical sensor 37 to the claw holder 31A, it is possible to confirm whether or not the workpiece W can be accurately gripped by the grip claws 31. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the chuck device 25 from moving without gripping the work W, and it is possible to improve safety.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, on the front side of the guide frame 23 in the Y-axis direction, a work transfer device for transferring the work W to the work transfer path P where the chuck device 25 moves in the X-axis direction. 45 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, the work transfer device 45 is configured by arranging a plurality of work transfer conveyors 47 at appropriate intervals in the X-axis direction. The work transfer device 45 transfers a long work (not shown in FIG. 1) placed and held in parallel with the guide frame 23 in the Y-axis direction (rear direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work. ), and the work is carried to the work carry-in path P.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three work transfer conveyors 47 are arranged in the X-axis direction. However, the number of the work transfer conveyors 47 may be any number as long as the target long work can be supported and can be transferred in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work. it can. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the work transfer conveyor 47 can be moved and adjusted in the X-axis direction, and the interval between the work transfer conveyors 47 in the X-axis direction can be adjusted according to the length of the work.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the work transfer conveyor 47 includes a gantry frame 49. The gantry frame 49 is provided with an endless transfer chain (transfer chain) 51 that supports a work (not shown in FIG. 4) long in the X-axis direction and transfers (transfers) the work in the Y-axis direction. The overall structure of the work transfer conveyor 47 in which the endless transfer chain 51 is rotatably (movably) mounted on the gantry frame 49 is known as described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 above. .. Therefore, detailed description of the overall configuration of the work transfer conveyor 47 will be omitted, and only the characteristic configuration will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 4, above the gantry frame 49 of the work transfer conveyor 47, the transfer chain 51 that can travel in the Y-axis direction is provided. The transport chain 51 is rotationally driven by a servo motor (not shown) provided on the gantry frame 49. The transport chain 51 is configured to stably support, for example, a round pipe material or a square pipe.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the transport chain 51 is provided with a curved surface support chain link 53 that supports a work whose outer peripheral surface is a curved surface such as a round pipe WP. A V-shaped curved surface support portion 55 that supports the curved surface of the round pipe WP corresponding to the round pipes WP having various diameters is formed at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved surface support chain link 53. Rolling control chain links 57 are pivotally connected to both ends of the curved surface support chain link 53 via hinge pins 59.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rolling restriction chain link 57 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of a round pipe WP having a relatively large diameter supported by the curved surface support portion 55 of the curved surface support chain link 53, and the round pipe WP. The rolling regulation part 61 which regulates the rolling of the WP is provided. In other words, the height dimension of the rolling restriction chain link 57 is formed higher than the height dimension of the curved surface supporting chain link 53, and the rolling restriction chain links 57 on both end sides have the same height. Is formed.

  A chain link 63 having the same height and the same shape as the rolling restriction chain link 57 is pivotally connected to each rolling restriction chain link 57 via a hinge pin 59. That is, since the rolling restriction chain links 57 and the chain links 63 are formed at the same height, the upper surfaces of the rolling restriction chain links 57 and the chain links 63 are, for example, as shown in FIG. The flat portion WF of the square pipe WA, a flat portion such as an angle member (not shown) is supported, and constitutes a flat support portion 65.

  A position regulating chain link 67 for regulating the position of the square pipe WA when the plane portion WF of the square pipe WA is supported by the plane support portion 65, for example, via a hinge pin 59 to each of the chain links 63. It is pivotally connected. The height dimension of the position regulation chain link 67 is formed larger than the height dimension of the rolling regulation chain link 57 and the chain link 63. Further, each position regulation chain link 67 is provided at a position equidistant from the curved surface support chain link 53. That is, the curved surface support chain link 53 and the position regulation chain link 67 are provided in the transport chain 51 at equal intervals.

  As already understood, the transport chain 51 can support, for example, the round pipe WP and the square pipe WA. That is, the round pipe WP is supported by the curved surface support portion 55 of the curved surface support chain link 53. Then, the square pipe WA is supported by the plane support portion 65, and as shown in FIG. 6, by abutting on the position regulating chain link 67, the square pipe WA abuts against the position regulating chain link 67 on the rear side in the transport direction of the transport chain 51. The position is regulated at the contact position (the position of the position regulation chain link 67 on the right side in FIG. 6). Therefore, even when the round pipes WP having different diameters and the square pipes WA having different sizes are mixed, each pipe material can be conveyed in a stable state in the Y-axis direction.

  In order to carry the work W carried to the work carry-in path P side by the carry chain 51 in the work carry conveyor 47 to the work carry-in path P, the work W on the carry chain 51 can be lifted and Work transfer means 69 (see FIG. 4) that is freely transferable to the carry-in path P is provided. In other words, the work transfer means 69 can take out the work W from the work transfer conveyor 47.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the gantry frame 49 of the work transfer conveyor 47 is provided with a guide rail 71 (see FIG. 4) that is long in the Y-axis direction. A slide member 73 that is long in the Y-axis direction is supported on the guide rail 71 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction. The work transfer means 69 is provided near the end of the slide member 73 on the work loading path P side.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a casing 75 is provided in the vicinity of the end of the slide member 73 on the work carrying-in path P side. In the casing 75, a vertical movement actuator 77 such as a fluid pressure cylinder is provided, and a lifting rod 77R such as a piston rod in the vertical movement actuator 77 supports a work W for supporting the work W. The part 79 is supported. The work support portion 79 is supported by the upper ends of a plurality of guide bars 81 supported by the casing 75 so as to be vertically movable.

  The work support portion 79 is configured to support the round pipe WP, the square pipe WA, and the like. That is, the work supporting portion 79 is provided with the V-shaped curved surface supporting portion 83 corresponding to the round pipe WP. Further, flat surface supporting portions 85 are provided on both sides of the curved surface supporting portion 83 in the Y-axis direction. Further, the work supporting portion 79 is provided with an inclined guide 87 that guides the square pipe WA on the transport chain 51 to the plane supporting portion. As shown in FIG. 7, the tilt guide 87 is configured such that the tip end side (upper end side) is opened at an interval substantially equal to the interval dimension of the position regulating chain link 67.

  The work support portion 79 of the work transfer means 69 is in a transfer standby state in a normal state. That is, the work supporting portion 79 is located in the vicinity of the conveyance end of the conveyance chain 51 in the work supporting conveyor 47, and as shown in FIG. 7, is lower than the work conveyance surface for conveying the work W in the conveyance chain 51. It is in the position of being immersed in the side. Then, the work W is carried by the carrying chain 51, and the curved surface supporting portion 55 of the curved surface supporting chain link 53 provided on the carrying chain 51, which supports the workpiece W, is located above the curved surface supporting portion 83 of the work supporting portion 79. When moved to the position, the transportation of the transportation chain 51 is stopped.

  As described above, when the carrying operation of the carrying chain 51 is stopped, the work supporting portion 79 is lifted higher than the carrying chain 51 by the vertical movement actuator 77 of the work carrying means 69 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, when the round pipe WP is placed and supported by the curved surface support portion 55 of the curved surface support chain link 53 in the transport chain 51, the round pipe WP is supported by the curved surface support portion 83 of the work support portion 79. become.

  Further, when the square pipe WA is supported by the transport chain 51, when the work support portion 79 is raised as described above, the square pipe WA is moved toward the plane support portion 85 side of the work support portion 79 by the tilt guide 87. It is moved and supported by the plane support portion 85.

  As described above, when the work supporting portion 79 of the work conveying means 69 is lifted higher than the conveying chain 51 to support the work with the work supporting portion 79, the work conveying means 69, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. The work is moved to a position corresponding to the work carry-in path P (carry-in path corresponding position). That is, by driving a reciprocating operation means (not shown) such as a fluid pressure cylinder or an endless rotary chain for reciprocating the slide member 73 along the guide rail 71, the end portion of the slide member 73 is It is projected and moved to the carry-in path corresponding position P. The work carry-in path P and the carry-in path corresponding position may be the same position or may be slightly displaced. Therefore, in order to facilitate understanding, the reference symbol “P” is attached to both the work carry-in path and the carry-in path corresponding position.

  By the way, the long work W parallel to the work carry-in path P is placed and supported over the respective transport chains 51 provided in the respective work transport conveyors 47. Therefore, when the slide member 73 is projected and moved to the carry-in path corresponding position P as described above, the slide members 73 provided corresponding to the respective carrier chains 51 of the respective work carrier conveyors 47 are moved to the work carrier path. The protrusion operation is synchronized with the P direction.

  The transport chain 51 in each of the work transport conveyors 47 is rotated by a three-phase motor or a servomotor at a predetermined pitch (for example, one rotation of a sprocket around which the transport chain 51 is wound). That is, the transport chain 51 is intermittently rotated at a predetermined pitch so that the curved surface support chain link 53 provided in the transport chain 51 temporarily stops at a position above the work support portion 79. Then, when the transport chain 51 is stopped, it is detected whether or not the work W is located above the work support portion 79.

  That is, a bracket 91 (see FIG. 7) is provided in the vicinity of the transport end of the transport chain 51 provided on each of the work transport conveyors 47, and a work detection sensor for detecting the work W on the bracket 91. 89 is provided. The work detection sensor 89 is composed of, for example, a distance sensor, and optically detects the work W conveyed above the work support portion 79 by the conveyance chain 51.

  Therefore, the work W supported by the frontmost curved surface support chain link 53, the rolling restriction chain link 57, or the like that is transported by the work transport conveyor 47 is detected by the work detection sensor 89 provided corresponding to each transport chain 51. It Therefore, by adding the distances between the respective work detection sensors 89 that have detected the work W, it is possible to detect that the length of the work W is longer than the added distance. That is, the approximate length of the work W can be detected. Therefore, when the work W is much shorter or much longer than the preset work W, an error in the work size can be detected before the work is carried into the laser processing machine 3.

  Further, even when the work W is not properly set and is placed in an inclined state, the work detection sensor 89 can detect it. When an error or inclination of the work size is detected, the alert can be stopped.

  As described above, when the long work W is carried to the work carry-in path, that is, the carry-in path corresponding position P by each work supporting portion 79 provided in each work carrying conveyor 47, the work at the carry-in path corresponding position P becomes a plurality of works. It is received by each work receiving portion 95 (see FIG. 9) provided in the support device 93 (see FIG. 8). The work support device 93 is located on one side in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work loading path P, that is, on the opposite side of the work transfer device 45 (in the Y-axis direction with the guide frame 23 in between). It is located on the rear side). The work support devices 93 are individually movable in the X-axis direction.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, each work support device 93 has a guide rail 97 in the X-axis direction provided on the rear surface in the Y-axis direction of the guide frame 23 that is long in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). A slide main body 99 that can be individually moved in the left-right direction is provided. The slide body 99 is reciprocally moved along the guide rail 97 by driving the servo motor 101 provided in the slide body 99. The slide body 99 is moved in the X-axis direction by a configuration in which a pinion (not shown) rotated by the servo motor 101 is meshed with a rack (not shown) long in the X-axis direction.

  The slide body 99 is provided with a guide column 103 (see FIG. 9) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The guide column 103 is provided with a vertical guide rail 103A, and an elevating member 105 is vertically movably guided and supported on the guide rail 103A. The vertical movement of the elevating member 105 is performed by a ball screw which is rotationally driven by a servo motor 107 provided on the guide column 103. The elevating member 105 is configured to be long in the front-rear direction, and a slide member 107 that is long in the front-rear direction is supported by the elevating member 105 so as to be movable back and forth. The movement of the slide member 107 in the front-rear direction is performed by an actuator for front-rear movement (not shown) such as a fluid pressure cylinder. The work receiving portion 95 is provided on one end side (front end side) of the slide member 107 in the Y-axis direction.

  The work receiving portion 95 has a function of supporting the work W conveyed to the carry-in path corresponding position P by the work supporting portion 79 of the work conveying conveyor 47. The work receiving member 95 moves left and right, up and down by the slide body 99 moving in the left-right direction along the guide rails 97, the elevating member 105 moving up and down, and the slide member 107 moving back and forth. It can be moved and positioned in the front-back direction.

  When the work receiving portion 95 receives the long work W from the work supporting portion 79 of the work conveyor 47, the work receiving portion 95 sets the longitudinal axis of the work W to the axis of the rotary frame 29 in the chuck device 25. It has a centering function that matches the heart. Further, the work receiving section 95 holds the end portions of the work W in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions while the work is being processed and is rotated by being gripped by the plurality of gripping claws 31 of the chuck device 25. It has a function of suppressing shake.

  That is, the work receiving portion 95 is provided with a base plate 109 (see FIG. 10) integrally attached to the front end portion of the slide member 107 in the Y-axis direction. The base plate 109 is formed to be long in the Y-axis direction, and support brackets 111 are provided upright on both ends in the Y-axis direction. The support bracket 111 rotatably supports both ends in the Y-axis direction of two support rollers 113 that are horizontally provided apart from each other in the X-axis direction. The number of support rollers 113 may be one or three or more.

  Further, between the support rollers 113, a pair of clamp members 115 capable of sandwiching the work W are provided in synchronization with each other so as to move toward and away from each other in the Y-axis direction. That is, the base plate 109 is provided with a Y-axis direction guide member (not shown). This guide member is provided with guide portions that are long in the Y-axis direction and are separated from each other in the X-axis direction. A rack member 119 is supported by the guide portion so as to face the X-axis direction and to be movable in the Y-axis direction. Racks 119R are formed on the opposite surfaces of the rack member 119, respectively. A pinion (not shown) rotated by a cylinder (actuator) 117 mounted on the base plate 109 is meshed with the opposed rack 119R. The clamp members 115 that face each other in the Y-axis direction are integrally erected on the rack members 119.

  With the above configuration, by rotating the pinion forward and backward by the cylinder, the pair of clamp members 115 synchronously move toward and away from each other in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, by sandwiching the work W placed on the support roller 113 from the Y-axis direction by the pair of clamp members 115, the work W can be centered in the Y-axis direction. The centering in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) is performed by moving the elevating member 105 up and down.

  Further, the work receiving portion 95 of the work support device 93 is provided with a steady rest 121. The steady rest member 121 has a function of supporting the work W supported by the work receiving portion 95 from below and suppressing the shake of the work W. More specifically, the work receiving portion 95 is horizontally provided with a support base 123 attached to the base plate 109. The support base 123 is provided with an elevating base 127 that is vertically moved by a vertically moving actuator 125 such as a fluid pressure cylinder attached to the support base 123 so as to be vertically movable.

  The elevating base 127 is formed long in the Y-axis direction. Guide rods 129 vertically guided by guide portions provided on the base plate 109 are vertically attached to both ends of the elevating base 127 in the Y-axis direction. The steady rest 121 is provided on the elevating base 127. The steady rest 121 has an arcuate concave curved surface 131 for suppressing the vertical and horizontal runout of the work W when the work W supported by the work receiving portion 95 rotates about its axis. I am doing it.

  As shown in FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B), the steady rest member 121 is provided so as to be retractable with respect to the support roller 113, and when supporting the work W, it is shown in FIG. 10(A). As described above, the support roller 113 is supported in a state of protruding upward. At this time, since the work W is supported by the concave curved surface 131 of the steadying member 121, the vertical runout is suppressed and the horizontal (Y-axis direction) runout is also suppressed. . The concave curved surface 131 is positioned at a height with which the outer circumference of the work is in contact.

  In the above-described configuration, the operation of carrying the work W from the work carrying device 45 to the work carry-in path P in which the chuck device 25 reciprocates in the X-axis direction is performed as follows.

  That is, the long work W to be laser-processed is placed on the transport chain 51 in each transport conveyor 47 in the work transport device 45. At this time, on the work transfer conveyor 47 closest to the laser processing machine 3, the other end side (tip end side) of the work W in the X-axis direction is brought into contact with, for example, a positioning plate (not shown) to move in the X-axis direction. Align with the predetermined position of. Then, it is placed parallel to the X-axis direction across the plurality of work transfer conveyors 47.

  When the work W is a round pipe, it is placed on the curved surface support portion 55 of the curved surface support chain link 53 in each of the transport chains 51. When the work W is, for example, a square pipe, the work W is placed on the flat surface support portion 65 of each of the transport chains 51 and is placed in contact with the position regulating chain link 67. As already understood, the work W is placed one by one between the position regulation chain links 67 in each of the transport chains 51. Therefore, even if, for example, round pipes or square pipes of various sizes are mixed as the long work W, each work W is held in a state of being parallel to the X-axis direction and is extended to each transport chain 51. It can be placed on.

  As described above, after the work W is placed on each work transfer conveyor 47, each transfer chain 51 is driven to transfer the work W to the work loading path P side. Then, when the work W is transferred to above the work support portion 79 located in the transport standby state, the drive of the transport chain 51 is stopped. After that, the work support part 79 lifts the work W and the slide member 73 moves to the rear side in the Y-axis direction, whereby the work W supported by the work support part 79 is conveyed to the carry-in path corresponding position P. is there.

  As described above, when the work W is conveyed to the carry-in path corresponding position P by the work supporting portion 79, as shown in FIG. The chuck device 25 is previously retracted to a position separated in the X-axis direction so as not to interfere with the work W. The work support device 93 is preliminarily positioned at a position corresponding to the length of the work W so as to support both ends of the work W. Note that, in FIGS. 11 to 14, each of the work transfer conveyors 47 is illustrated in a simplified manner with a configuration in which only one transfer chain 51 is provided.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the work W on the work transfer conveyor 47 is carried to a position corresponding to the work support portion 79, the work W is lifted by the work support portion 79. After that, the work W is conveyed to the carry-in path corresponding position P by the work supporting portion 79, as shown in FIG. At this time, the work receiving portion 95 of the work support device 93 is prepositioned at a position where the work W is received from the work supporting portion 79.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the work W is conveyed to a position above the work receiving unit 95 in the work support device 93 by the work supporting unit 79, the work receiving unit 95 moves up and the work supporting unit 95 moves. The work 79 is lowered, and the work W is delivered to the work receiving portion 95. After that, the work support portion 79 is returned to the original position in the transport standby state. Then, in the work receiving portion 95 of the work support device 93 that supports the work W, the work W is sandwiched by the pair of clamp members 115, and the work W is centered in the Y-axis direction. Further, the work receiving portion 95 is moved up and down, and is positioned (centered in the Z-axis direction) so that the shaft center (rotation center) of the work W coincides with the rotation center of the chuck device 25.

  As described above, when the axis of the work W and the center of rotation of the chuck device 25 coincide with each other, the chuck device 25 moves so as to approach the end of the work W, and a plurality of gripping claws (grasping members) in the chuck device 25 are moved. ) 31 holds the work W (see FIG. 12B). In this case, in a state where the optical sensor 37 provided in the chuck device 25 is projected in the X-axis direction with respect to the grip claws 31 as shown in FIG. When moved, the optical sensor 37 detects the end of the work W.

  As described above, after the end portion of the work W is detected by the optical sensor 37, the chuck device 25 is moved in the same direction by a predetermined distance from the detection position, and the claw member (grasping member) provided in the chuck device 25 at this moving position. ) 31 allows the vicinity of the end of the work W to be gripped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the chuck device 25 from accidentally colliding with the work W, to securely chuck with the claw, and to improve the safety.

  Further, the operation of gripping the end portion of the work W by the plurality of gripping claws 31 provided in the chuck device 25 can also be performed as follows. That is, until the optical sensor 37 provided in the chuck device 25 detects the end portion of the work W, or until the position close to the end portion of the work W whose length is known in advance, the chuck device approaches the work W. Fast forward. Then, from the position close to the end of the work W, the approaching operation is performed at medium speed or low speed until the optical sensor 37 detects the end of the work W.

  Then, as described above, after the end of the work W is detected by the optical sensor 37, an operation of returning the chuck device 25 by a predetermined distance is performed. From this stop position of the returning operation, the chuck device 25 is moved at a low speed in the direction of approaching the work W. In this case, by performing such an operation, the gripping position of the work W with respect to the end portion can be positioned with higher accuracy.

  As described above, after the end (rear end) of the work W is gripped by the chuck device 25, the work W is moved by moving the chuck device 25 in the direction approaching the laser processing machine 3 (X-axis direction). The tip of the can be carried into the rotary chuck 7 of the laser processing machine 3. As described above, when the front end of the work W is carried into the rotary chuck 7, the work W is gripped by the chuck device 25 and the rotary chuck 7. When the work W is rotated about its axis, the rotation of the chuck device 25 and the rotation of the rotary chuck 7 are synchronized.

  As described above, when the work W is gripped by the chuck device 25 and the rotary chuck 7 and the laser beam is machined by the laser beam machine 3, when the work support device 93 is not used, as shown in FIG. As shown, all the work support devices 93 are retracted from the work loading path P through which the chuck device 25 reciprocates. When not in use, both are to be retracted before the start of processing.

  When the work support device 93 is used during laser processing, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the work support device 93 is arranged between the chuck device 25 and the rotary chuck 7 at an appropriate interval. To do. Then, the steady rest member (vibration suppressing member) 121 of the work receiving portion 95 in the work supporting device 93 is raised, and the work W is rotatably supported by the concave curved surface 131 of the vibration restraining member (precessive member) 121. is there.

  In addition, the laser beam machining of the workpiece W progresses in the work support device 93, and when the chuck device 25 gradually moves closer to the laser processing machine 3, the laser processing machine 3 side corresponds to the closer movement of the chuck device 25. It gradually moves to and supports the intermediate position of the work W. Then, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the chuck device 25 approaches the laser beam machine 3, the work support device 93 stops supporting the work W and retracts to a position where it does not interfere with the chuck device 25. It is a thing.

  As can be understood from the above description, when the center portion of the work W is easily bent, the work support device 93 can support the center portion of the work W in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when performing laser processing by rotating the work W around the axis, it is possible to suppress the shake due to the bending of the work W. Therefore, the work W can be laser processed with higher accuracy.

  By the way, when the work W is carried into the rotary chuck 7 of the laser processing machine 3 by the chuck device 25, the work for detecting that the tip of the work W has reached the laser processing position by the laser processing head 9 of the laser processing machine 3 is detected. The tip detecting means 133 (see FIG. 15) is provided. More specifically, the laser processing head 9 of the laser processing machine 3 is provided in the processing machine body 5 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction (direction orthogonal to the axis of the rotary chuck 7) and vertically movable. Has been. The laser processing head 9 performs laser processing at a position slightly separated from the rotary chuck 7 on the other end side in the X-axis direction.

  In other words, the laser processing position of the laser processing head 9 is set to a position slightly deviated from the rotary chuck 7 to the conveyor device 13 side in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the work W gripped by the rotary chuck 7 is rotationally positioned about the axis, and the chuck device 25 gripping the rear end of the work W moves and positions the work in the X-axis direction. Then, by irradiating the work with laser light from the laser processing head 9, the work W can be laser-processed.

  When performing laser processing of the work W as described above, it is necessary to accurately position the work W with respect to the laser processing position. Therefore, in order to detect the position of the tip of the work W at the laser processing position, the work tip detection unit 133 is provided. More specifically, the work tip detection unit 133 includes a laser projector 135A (a mounting structure for the machine body 5 is not shown) mounted on the machine body 5 of the laser machine 3 and a reflector 135B in the Y-axis direction. Is provided so as to face.

  The laser projector 135A is a retro-reflective sensor (not only retro-reflective sensor, but also transmissive sensor or reflective sensor), and the rotary chuck 7 rotates at a position vertically below the laser processing head 9. It is arranged so as to irradiate the laser beam horizontally in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the center. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the tip portion of the work W is accurately positioned at the laser processing position by the laser processing head 9. Therefore, the laser processing of the work W can be started immediately after the work front end detection unit 133 detects the front end of the work W.

  By the way, the actual work length can be accurately known from the rear end position of the work W detected on the chuck device 25 side and the moving distance of the chuck device 25 when detected on the rotary chuck 7 side. If there is a difference between the work length detection result and the machining program, an alarm can be issued and machining can be stopped.

  As will be understood, when performing the laser processing of the long work W, the work W is carried from the work carrying conveyor 47 to the work carry-in path P. Then, the work W is supported on the work carry-in path P by the work receiving portions 95 of the plurality of work support devices 93. The rear end portion of the work W supported by the work receiving portion 95 is gripped by the chuck device 25 and carried into the rotary chuck 7 of the laser processing machine 3. Then, the workpiece W is gripped by the rotary chuck 7, and laser processing is performed by the laser processing head 9 while rotating around the axis. As described above, when performing the laser processing of the work W, the other end side in the X-axis direction from the rotary chuck 7, that is, the portion protruding to the downstream side when viewed in the loading direction of the work W is moved by the conveyor device 13. It is supported.

  By the way, referring to FIG. 16 showing the main part, the conveyor device 13 is separated from the laser processing machine 3 on the other end side in the X-axis direction. The work shooter 15 is provided between the laser processing machine 3 and the conveyor device 13 so as to be able to move in and out in the Y-axis direction.

  More specifically, as shown in the main structure of the work shooter 15 in FIG. 17, a mount 137 is arranged on the other end side of the rotary chuck 7 in the laser processing machine 3 in the X-axis direction. A guide frame 139 (see FIG. 18) is integrally provided on the rear side of the frame 137 in the Y-axis direction. A slide mount 141 is guided and supported on the guide mount 139 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction. The work shooter 15 is tiltably provided on the front end side of the slide base 141 in the Y-axis direction.

  More specifically, the slide mount 141 is reciprocated in the Y-axis direction by the action of an actuator (not shown) such as a fluid pressure cylinder or a rack and pinion. The work shooter 15 is tilted by the operation of an actuator 143 (see FIG. 20) such as a fluid pressure cylinder mounted on the slide mount 141.

That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the work shooter 15 is normally retracted from the laser processing position in the laser processing machine 3 to a position on the rear side in the Y-axis direction. Then, when the short product WG is cut and separated from the work W at the laser processing position, as shown in FIG. 18, it is moved to the front side in the Y-axis direction.
At this time, the work shooter 15 is tilted so that the front side in the Y-axis direction is lowered as shown in FIG. 19, and the short product WG cut and separated falls on the tilted work shooter and is discharged. is there. The small scraps are dropped into a scrap box (not shown) arranged in the frame 137.

  Further, when cutting and separating the short product WG which does not want to be damaged by dropping, the work shooter 15 is held in a horizontal state so as to support the short product WG, and the machine stops. After taking out the work, the worker restarts and continues the machining.

  Therefore, for example, when processing the short products WG one after another, the operation of conveying the short products WG in the longitudinal direction is not necessary, and the products can be processed efficiently.

  By the way, when carrying out laser processing by projecting the tip end portion of the work W from the rotary chuck 7 in the laser processing machine 3 to the other end side in the X-axis direction, the conveyor device 13 moves the tip end side of the work W toward the other end. It acts to support. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, the conveyor device 13 has the other end in the X-axis direction (of the work W) from the laser beam machine 3 with the region where the work shooter 15 reciprocates in the Y-axis direction in between. It is arranged apart from the downstream side when viewed in the moving direction.

  In order to support the front end side of the work W that largely projects in the X-axis direction, the conveyor device 13 is configured as follows.

  That is, the conveyor device 13 includes a box-shaped main body frame 145, as shown in FIG. An elevating member 147 is vertically movable on the main body frame 145. The elevating member 147 is vertically moved by an elevating device (not shown) such as a ball screw mechanism or a servo cylinder rotated by a servo motor. The elevating member 147 is positioned at a desired height position in accordance with the size of the workpiece W to be laser processed by the laser processing machine 3.

  A support table 149, which is capable of supporting a product (processed product) WG to be laser-processed at the laser processing position, is movable in the X-axis direction on the elevating member 147, that is, in a direction toward and away from the laser processing position. It is movably supported. The movement of the support table 149 in the X-axis direction is performed by a reciprocating device (not shown) such as a fluid pressure cylinder.

  The support table 149 has a configuration in which a plurality of support rollers 151 that support the product WG are rotatably provided. The support table 149 is provided with a wall member 153 that prevents the product WG on the support table 149 from falling off in the Y-axis direction. More specifically, the wall member 153 is erected on the support table 149 on both sides of the support roller 151 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the product supported on the support roller 151 of the support table 149 does not fall off the support roller 151 in the Y-axis direction.

  A pair of product clamps 155 capable of gripping the product WG on the support table 149 approach each other in the Y-axis direction on one end side in the X-axis direction of the support table 149, that is, on the end side close to the laser processing position. It is equipped so that it can be separated. Further, a pair of steady rests 157 for restraining the shake of the product WG at the time of laser processing of the product WG are provided at approximately the center position of the support table 149 in the Y axis direction so as to be able to move toward and away from each other. ing.

  More specifically, a box-shaped guide frame 159 (see FIG. 22) that crosses the support table 149 in the Y-axis direction is provided at a substantially central portion of the support table 149 in the X-axis direction.

  A pair of slide blocks 161 are guided and supported by the guide frame 159 so as to approach and separate from each other in the Y-axis direction. A roller support member 163 that rotatably supports a pair of vertical rollers as the steadying member 157 is integrally provided on the pair of slide blocks 161. A servo motor 165 with a brake is mounted on the guide frame 159 in order to move the pair of steady rests 157 toward and away from each other in the Y-axis direction. An intermediate gear 173 is rotatably provided in the guide frame 159 and is interlocked with an output shaft of a speed reducer 167 rotated by the servo motor 165.

  A rack 171A extending from one slide block 161 in the Y-axis direction is meshed with the pinion 169 meshed with the intermediate gear 173. The intermediate gear 173 is integrally provided with an intermediate gear (not shown) for rotating a pinion (not shown) meshed with the Y-axis direction rack 171B provided on the other slide block 161. Therefore, when the servo motor 165 is driven to rotate normally and reversely, the intermediate gear 173 is normally and reversely rotated. Therefore, the pair of steady rests 157 synchronously move toward and away from each other in the Y-axis direction.

  As can be understood from the above description, the pair of steady rests 157 can sandwich the long work W on the support table 149 from the Y-axis direction. Further, the pair of steady rests 157 can be positioned so as to be appropriately separated in the Y-axis direction from the work W on the support table 149. In this way, by positioning the work W in a state of being appropriately separated from the work W in the Y-axis direction, it is possible to prevent the work W on the support table 149 from largely swinging in the Y-axis direction.

  The configuration in which the pair of product clamps 155 approach and separate from each other in the Y-axis direction may be the same as the configuration in which the steady rest members 157 approach and separate from each other in the Y-axis direction. Further, the product clamps 155 may be moved toward and away from each other in the Y-axis direction by synchronously driving each product clamp 155 by a fluid pressure cylinder such as an air cylinder. Further, for example, each product clamp 155 may be connected to the traveling portion on the opposite side of the endless chain so as to move in synchronization with each other in the directions of approaching and separating from each other. That is, various configurations can be adopted as the configuration in which the pair of product clamps 155 approach and separate from each other in the Y-axis direction.

  By the way, in the normal state, the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13 is located above the main body frame 145 and in a standby position away from the laser processing machine 3, as shown in FIG. As described above, when the support table 149 is located at the standby position, it does not interfere with the work shooter 15 when the work shooter 15 moves in the Y-axis direction.

  Therefore, when the support table 149 is located at the standby position, the scrap can be dropped downward, and the short product WG can be carried out by the work shooter 15.

  When the laser processing of the relatively long product WG is performed by the laser processing machine 3, the support table 149 is moved from the standby position to approach the laser processing machine 3 as shown in FIG. That is, the support table 149 is moved so as to project to a region where the work shooter 15 moves in the Y-axis direction. The support table 149 supports the work W at the protruding movement position so as to suppress the shake of the work W.

  That is, the position of the center of rotation of the rotary chuck 7 that grips and rotates the work W in the laser processing machine 3 is always at a constant height. Here, for example, when round pipes having different diameters are gripped by the rotary chuck 7, the center of rotation of the rotary chuck 7 and the axis of the round pipe coincide. Therefore, when round pipes of various diameters are gripped by the rotary chuck 7, the lowest position of each round pipe fluctuates up and down. By the way, when the work is a round pipe, the round pipe can be supported while the work is supported by the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13.

  However, in the case where the work W is a work having a non-circular cross section, such as a square pipe WA, the work is rotated around the axis with the work placed and supported by the support table 149. Is impossible. Therefore, the vertical movement position of the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13 is controlled according to the shape and size of the cross section of the work W and the rotation angle around the axis in the longitudinal direction.

  More specifically, when the work W is, for example, a square pipe WA having a side of 200 mm, a circumscribed circle C1 is set as shown in FIG. The center of the circumscribed circle C1 is set to 0. In this case, the center of the cross-sectional shape of the square pipe WA is the position where the diagonal lines of the corners A1, A2, A3, A4 intersect, and coincides with the center 0.

  Here, the positions of the corners A1, A2, A3, A4 in the initial state are as shown in FIG. 25(A), and the plane between the corners A3 and A4 is supported by the support table 149. Be present. The relationship between the corners A1, A2, A3, A and the rotation angle when the square pipe WA is rotated counterclockwise around the center 0 is shown in FIG. 25(B). become.

  That is, in the range of the rotation angle of 0° to 90°, the corner portion A3 indicates the lowermost position (lowermost portion). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 25(C), the support table 149 is moved up and down following the vertical movement position of the corner portion A3. Next, the corners A2, A1 and A4 are moved up and down in accordance with the up and down movement positions. At this time, the vertical movement position of the support table 149 can be controlled so as to always contact the square pipe WA.

  Therefore, it is possible to move the support table 149 up and down while keeping the vertical interval between the square pipe WA and the support table 149 at a substantially constant interval. Therefore, when the square pipe WA swings in the vertical direction, the square pipe WA comes into contact with the support portion 149F of the support table 149, and the vertical swing can be suppressed.

  By performing similar control, not only square pipes, but also non-circular cross-section deformed materials such as channel materials and angle materials are rotated around the longitudinal axis to perform laser processing. It is also possible to suppress the shake in the vertical direction.

  Then, the initial height position of the support portion 149F (see FIGS. 25 and 26) of the support table 149 is set. Then, the workpiece W is held at the interval dimension L (see FIG. 26) between the circumscribed circle C1 and the steady rest prevention member 157.

  Therefore, when performing the laser processing by rotating the work W around the center 0, the vertical deflection is suppressed by contacting the support portion 149F of the support table 149. Further, the shake in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work W is controlled by contacting the steady member 157. Therefore, it is possible to perform the laser processing while suppressing the shake of the work W on the front end side, and to perform the laser processing with high accuracy.

  By the way, since the support table 149 is provided with a pair of steady rests 157 (see FIG. 21), the distance between the steady rests 157 is set in the same manner as the vertical steady rest operation of the support table 149. It is also possible to prevent the work W from swinging by positioning the pipe so that it is always in contact with the pipe. In this case, the steady rest can be carried out at two locations, that is, the steady rest of the support table 149 and the left and right steady rests by the pair of steady rest members 157. Therefore, the steadying of the work W can be performed more effectively.

  As described above, when the laser processing machine 3 performs the laser processing of the work W and the product WG is cut and separated from the work W, the product WG is placed on the support roller 151 of the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13. To be done. Then, the product WG is held by the product clamp 155 provided on the support table 149. After that, by moving the support table 149 to the standby position (position shown in FIG. 23), the product WG is transported from the laser processing position to the downstream side.

  As described above, after the support table 149 is moved to the standby position, the work pusher device 189 (see FIG. 27) for transferring the product WG on the support table 149 onto the carry-out conveyor 19 on the downstream side is provided. It is equipped. That is, a guide frame 191 that is close to the support table 149 and is parallel to the X-axis direction (movement direction of the support table 149) is provided at a lateral position of the support table 149 in the Y-axis direction. The guide frame 191 is formed long from a position close to the laser processing machine 3 (not shown in FIG. 27) to a position near the other end side of the conveyor device 13 in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 16). ).

  A slider 193 is supported on the guide frame 191 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. The slider 193 is moved and positioned in the X-axis direction under the drive of an appropriate slide drive mechanism such as a timing belt mechanism or an endless chain mechanism which is rotationally driven by a three-phase motor 195 mounted on the guide frame 191. It is a thing. The slider 193 has an extending portion extending above the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13. A vertical elevating guide 197 is provided on the distal end side of the extending portion. The motor is not limited to the three-phase motor, and may be a servo motor or the like.

  A product moving member 199 is provided on the lifting guide 197 so as to be vertically movable. The product moving member 199 has a function of pushing and moving the rear end of the product WG on the support table 149 toward the carry-out conveyor 19. In other words, the product moving member 199 has a function of moving the product WG on the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13 in a direction away from the laser processing machine 3 in the X-axis direction.

  Therefore, the product moving member 199 has, for example, a rectangular plate shape and is provided so as to be able to move in and out from a moving region in which the product WG is movably supported by the support table 149. That is, the product moving member 199 is provided so as to be movable in the X-axis direction and vertically movable above the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13. When it descends, it comes close to the support roller 151 on the support table 149 and pushes the rear end of the product WG.

  In order to vertically move the product moving member 199 along the elevating guide 197, the elevating guide 197 is provided with an elevating actuator 201 such as a fluid pressure cylinder. Therefore, the product moving member 199 can be positioned between the lowered position where the product moving member 199 abuts against the end of the product WG and is pushed by the operation of the lifting actuator 201, and the raised standby position.

  Therefore, as described above, when the product WG is located on the support table 149 of the conveyor device 13 and the support table 149 is moved so as to be separated from the laser processing machine 3, the rear end portion of the product WG is The product moving member 199 can be lowered between the product WG and the laser beam machine 3 to a height position where the product WG on the support table 149 is pushed (see FIG. 28). ).

  Then, by moving the slider 193 in the direction of the X-axis and away from the laser processing machine 3, the product WG is transferred onto the carry-out conveyor 19 (not shown in FIG. 29) as shown in FIG. It can be carried out to. As described above, after the product WG is carried out on the carry-out conveyor 19 by the product moving member 199, the product moving member 199 is returned to the original standby position.

  By the way, when performing laser processing of a long work W in the laser processing machine 3, the front end side of the work W may be carried into the carry-out conveyor 19. Therefore, the carry-out conveyor 19 is vertically movable like the support table 149 of the conveyor device 13.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the carry-out conveyor 19 is provided with a base frame 203 having a frame structure elongated in the X-axis direction. A plurality of roller units 207A, 207B, 207C having a plurality of support rollers 205 (see FIG. 32) for supporting the product WG are provided on the base pedestal 203 so as to be vertically movable. The roller units 207A-207B are vertically moved by pantograph mechanisms 209A, 209B, 209C. Each of the pantograph mechanisms 209A to 209C has the same configuration and includes a pair of pantograph mechanisms in the Y-axis direction.

  The pantograph mechanisms 209A to 209C have a configuration in which the center portions of a pair of operating links 211A and 211B having the same length are pivotally attached to each other in an X shape through a pivot 213. The lower end of one of the operation links 211A of the pantograph mechanisms 209A to 209C is pivotally attached to a fixed bracket 217 fixed on the base frame 215 of the base mount 203. The lower end of the other operation link 211B is pivotally attached to a slide bracket 219 (see FIG. 32) provided on the base frame 215 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction.

  The upper end portion of the other operation link 211B in each of the pantograph mechanisms 209A to 209C is pivotally attached to the elevating frame 221 in the roller units 207A to 207C. The pivotal position of the other actuating link 211B with respect to the elevating frame 221 is a position vertically above the pivotal position of the lower end of the one actuating link 211A with respect to the fixed bracket 217. The upper end of the one operation link 211A supports the elevating frame 221 relatively movably in the X-axis direction at a position above the slide bracket 219. Therefore, the roller units 207A to 207C are always held horizontally and moved up and down.

  A pantograph actuating device 223 (see FIG. 32) that operates the pantograph mechanisms 209A to 209C in synchronization in order to synchronously move the roller units 207A to 207C up and down via the pantograph mechanisms 209A to 209C is provided. It is equipped. More specifically, a speed reducer 227 rotated by a servo motor 225 is mounted on the base frame 215. A ball screw 229 that is long in the X-axis direction is interlockingly connected to the output shaft of the speed reducer 227. A nut member 231 is screwed onto the ball screw 229 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction.

  The nut member 231 is mounted on a slider 233 movably supported on the base frame 215 in the X-axis direction. The slider 233 and the slider bracket 219 are connected via a buffering means 235. More specifically, the cushioning means 235 is composed of an air damper or the like having a piston rod 237 that can freely move in and out. The piston rod 237 is connected to the slide bracket 219.

  Therefore, when the servo motor 225 is driven to rotate the ball screw 229, the slider 233 is moved in the X-axis direction due to the screwing relationship between the ball screw 229 and the nut member 231. When the slider 233 is moved in the X-axis direction, the slider bracket 219 is moved in the X-axis direction via the buffer means 235. Therefore, the roller unit 207A is moved up and down via the pantograph mechanism 209A.

  In order to move the roller units 207B and 207C up and down, sliders 233B and 233C having buffer means (reference numeral omitted) having the same structure as the buffer means 235 are provided on the base frame 215 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. There is. The piston rod 237 provided in each of the cushioning means is interlocked with the pantograph mechanisms 209B and 209C. The connecting structure of the piston rod 237 and the pantograph mechanisms 209B and 209C is the same as the connecting structure of the pantograph mechanism 209A.

  The slider 233 and the slider 233B, and the slider 233B and the slider 233C are integrally connected via a connecting rod 239 in order to move the roller units 207A, 207B and 207C up and down in synchronization with each other. . Therefore, when the servo motor 225 is appropriately rotated, the roller units 207A, 207B, 207C are vertically moved in synchronization with each other.

  As already understood, the roller units 207A to 207C in the carry-out conveyor 19 are simultaneously moved up and down by the control rotation of the servomotor 225. Therefore, by appropriately controlling the rotation operation of the servo motor 225, it is possible to move up and down in synchronization with the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13.

  Further, according to the above configuration, for example, when laser processing is performed by rotating the square pipe WA around the axis, the corner portion of the square pipe WA impacts the roller units 207A to 207C and an overload occurs. The impact can be alleviated. That is, when a vertical load is suddenly applied to each of the roller units 207A to 207C, the air damper as the buffer means 235 absorbs the impact. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an impact load from acting on the screwing portion of the ball screw 229 and the nut member 231, and to improve the safety.

  As described above, when the product WG is long, the work may be carried into the roller units 207A to 207C of the carry-out conveyor 19 to perform the laser processing. Therefore, in order to suppress the shake of the work W in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), a plurality of steady rest members 241 having the same configuration as the steady rest member 157 are provided on the base frame 203. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the steady rest preventing members 241 are appropriately spaced apart in the X-axis direction.

  In order to discharge the product on the carry-out conveyor 19 onto the product stocker 21 provided on the front side in the Y-axis direction of the carry-out conveyor 19, the product pushers 243A, 234B, and 243C are provided on the carry-out conveyor 19 along the Y-axis. It is equipped to move in any direction. More specifically, the product pushers 243A to 243C are provided in the roller units 207A to 207C as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the product pushers 243A to 243C are vertically moved integrally with the roller units 207A to 207C by the pantograph mechanisms 209A to 209C.

  When the roller units 207A to 207C are lifted, the support rollers 205 provided in the roller units 207A to 207C are lifted higher than the steady rest member 241 as shown in FIG. As described above, in order to move the product pushers 243A to 243C to the front side in the Y-axis direction in the state where the support roller 205 is raised higher than the steady rest member 241, the lifting frame 221 is provided with, for example, a fluid. Reciprocating actuators 245A, 245B, 245C such as a pressure cylinder are provided.

  Therefore, when the lifting frame 221 of the roller units 207A to 207C is in a raised state, the reciprocating actuators 245A to 245C move the respective product pushers 243A to 243C to the front side in the Y-axis direction, so that the respective roller units 207A to 207C. The product on 207C can be discharged onto the product stocker 21.

  As can be understood from the above description, in the present embodiment, the work transfer device 45 arranged on the front side in the Y-axis direction of the work loading path P that is long in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) allows the work to be long in the left-right direction. W is conveyed to the work carrying-in path P. When the work W is conveyed to the work carry-in path P, it is supported by a plurality of work support devices 93 arranged on the rear side of the work carry-in path P in the Y-axis direction.

  Since each of the work support devices 93 can be positioned in the left-right direction, the work W can be supported at a desired position in accordance with the length of the work W. As described above, when the work W is supported by the respective work support devices 93, one end side of the work W in the X-axis direction (of the work The rear end side) is gripped. Then, the work W is carried into the rotary chuck 7 of the laser processing machine 3 by the chuck device 25. Then, the work W is rotationally positioned around the axis by the rotary chuck 7 and the chuck device 25, and laser light is emitted from the laser processing head 9 provided in the laser processing machine 3 to perform the laser processing of the work W. Be seen.

  At this time, the work support device 93 can be moved to a desired position in the X-axis direction in response to the movement of the chuck device 25 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the intermediate position of the work W can be supported by the work support device 93 between the chuck device 25 and the laser processing machine 3. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the shake due to the bending at the intermediate position of the work W and perform the laser processing with high accuracy.

  As described above, when the laser processing machine 3 performs laser processing and the product WG cut and separated from the work W is relatively short, it is received by the work shooter 15. The product received by the work shooter 15 is dropped into the product box 17 and discharged.

  When the product WG cut and separated from the work W is comparatively long, the support table 149 in the conveyor device 13 projects so as to come close to the laser processing machine 3 to support the front end side of the work W. The support table 149 is vertically movable, and when the work W is, for example, a square pipe WA, moves vertically according to the rotation angle of the work W.

  That is, the support table 149 always supports the work W and suppresses the shake due to the bending of the work W. Further, a shake prevention member 157 capable of sandwiching the work W on the table 149 in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) on the support table 149 can suppress the shake in the front-rear direction.

  Therefore, when performing the laser processing on the portion of the long product WG that largely protrudes from the laser processing machine 3 to the other end side in the left-right direction, the shake can be suppressed. Therefore, highly accurate laser processing can be performed. In addition, when the front end side of the long product WG reaches the carry-out conveyor 19, the height position of the support roller 205 in the discharge conveyor 19 is pre-positioned at the height position for supporting the circumscribed circle C1 of the product WG. it can. Further, since the roller units 207A to 207C in the carry-out conveyor 19 are provided with the steady rest member 241, it is possible to suppress the runout of the long product WG on the leading end side.

  When the product WG is cut and separated, the product WG is transferred to the carry-out conveyor 19 side while being clamped by the product clamp 155 by the support table 149. Thereafter, the product WG on the support table 149 is pushed and transferred onto the carry-out conveyor 19 by the product moving member 199 in the work pusher device 189. Then, the product WG transferred to the discharge conveyor 19 is discharged and dropped onto the product stocker 21 arranged on the front side of the discharge conveyor 19 in the Y-axis direction.

  As can be understood from the above description, according to the present embodiment, the transfer chain 51 of the work transfer conveyor 47 that transfers a work to the work transfer path P that transfers a long work in the longitudinal direction has a curved surface. The curved support chain link 53 is provided with a support portion 55, and the rolling regulation chain link 57 is provided with a rolling regulation portion 61 that comes into contact with the work supported by the curved support portion 55. The rolling restriction chain link 57 is formed on a flat surface supporting portion 65 corresponding to the flat surface portion of the work. Therefore, the transport chain 51 can easily cope with, for example, a round pipe material or a square pipe material.

  Further, since the transport chain 51 is provided with the position control chain link 67 having a large height, even if the round pipe material and the square pipe material are mixed, the transportation chain 51 is mounted in an orderly arrangement. It can be placed and supported.

  By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be configured as follows. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the work transfer conveyor 47 is provided with the endless transfer chain 51, and the transfer chain 51 is provided with the curved surface support portion 55 and the flat surface support portion 65.

  However, as the configuration of the work transfer conveyor 47, a fixed support member that is long in the direction orthogonal to the work carry-in path P and that includes a plurality of curved surface support portions 55 and flat surface support portions 65 at predetermined intervals, A plurality of curved support parts 55 and a flat support part 65 are provided at a predetermined interval, and a movable support member parallel to and substantially the same length as the fixed support member is provided. Further, the movable support member is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the fixed support member and is movable in the direction in which the work is conveyed.

  That is, the movable support member is moved up and moved in a predetermined pitch in the work transfer direction in a state where the work is supported by the curved surface support portion 55 or the flat surface support portion 65. Then, by descending (immersing), the supporting work is placed on the curved surface support portion 55 or the flat surface support portion 65 of the fixed support member. Then, the movable support member is returned to the original position in the retracted state. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the work is conveyed at a predetermined pitch by repeating the operation of moving up and re-supporting the work on the fixed support member, moving again in the carrying direction by a predetermined pitch, and retracting.

  That is, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the movable support member repeatedly conveys the work by a predetermined pitch by repeating the box motion of raising, conveying, lowering, and returning with respect to the fixed support member.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser light device 3 Laser processing machine 5 Processing machine main body 7 Rotating chuck 9 Laser processing head 11 Work loading device 13 Conveyor device 15 Work shooter 17 Product box 19 Ejection conveyor 21 Product stocker 23 Guide frame 25 Chuck device 31 Grasping claw (grasping member) )
37 Optical Sensor 45 Work Transfer Device 47 Work Transfer Conveyor 51 Transfer Chain 53 Curved Surface Support Chain Link 55 Curved Surface Support Part 57 Rolling Control Chain Link 61 Rolling Restriction Part 65 Plane Support Part 67 Position Control Chain Link 69 Work Transfer Device 79 Work Support Part 83 Curved surface support part 85 Flat surface support part 87 Inclination guide 89 Workpiece detection sensor 93 Workpiece support device 95 Workpiece receiving part 99 Slide body 107 Sliding member 113 Support roller 115 Clamping member 121 Steady stop member 131 Concave curved surface 133 Workpiece tip end detecting means 135A Laser projector 135B Reflector 137 Frame 141 Slide frame 145 Body frame 149 Support table 151 Support roller 155 Product clamp 157 Steady stop member (vertical roller)
165 Servo motor 189 Work pusher device 199 Product moving member 203 Base mount 207A, 207B, 207C Roller unit 209A, 209B, 209C Pantograph mechanism 221 Elevating frame 223 Pantograph actuating device 235 Buffer means 243A, 243B, 243C Product pushers 245A, 245C, 245B, 245B, 245C Reciprocating actuator

Claims (8)

Sideways in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work carry-in path for carrying in a long work with respect to the processing position in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of work conveyors for carrying the work to the work carry-in path, A work transfer device provided with being appropriately separated in the longitudinal direction of the work loading path,
The work transfer conveyor is
A flat surface supporting portion for supporting the flat surface portion of the work,
Comprising a curved support portion for supporting the curved surface of the workpiece, and
The work transfer conveyor includes an endless transfer chain,
The transport chain is
A curved support chain link having the curved support,
The rolling support chain link is provided at both ends of the curved support chain link,
The rolling restriction chain link is
And the flat support portion,
A work transfer device , comprising: a rolling control unit that abuts on a work supported by the curved surface support unit to control rolling of the work. In the work conveying apparatus of claim 1, the workpiece transfer apparatus, wherein the height of the rolling regulating chain links are the same. The work transfer device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a position regulation chain link having a larger height dimension than the rolling regulation chain link is provided at equidistant positions with the curved surface support chain link interposed therebetween. Work transfer device characterized by.   The work transfer apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the work carried to the work carry-in path can be lifted up and carried to the work carry-in path by a carry chain provided in each of the work carry conveyors. Conveying means is provided in the work conveying conveyor, and the work supporting means for supporting the work by the work conveying means has a flat surface supporting portion for supporting the work corresponding to the flat surface portion of the work and a curved surface of the work. A work transfer device comprising: a curved surface supporting portion that supports the work. The work transfer device according to claim 4 , wherein the work support part of the work transfer means is provided with an inclined guide whose front end side is opened at an interval substantially equal to the interval dimension of the position regulating chain link. A work transfer device characterized in that The work transfer device according to claim 4 or 5 , further comprising a work detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a work carried out to the work carry-in path, in the vicinity of the end of the work carry-in conveyor on the work carry-in path side. A work transfer device characterized by the above. A work transfer device for transferring a long work in a longitudinal direction to a processing machine,
It is provided at one side of the work carry-in path for carrying in a long work in the longitudinal direction with respect to the processing position of the processing machine, in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and carries the work into the work carry-in path. An appropriate number of work transfer conveyors,
Work transfer means for taking out the work from the work transfer conveyor,
On the other side in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the work carry-in path, a plurality of work support devices provided with a work receiving section for receiving a work carried into the work carry-in path from the work carrying means,
A work transfer device comprising:   The work transfer device according to claim 7, wherein the work transfer means includes a work support part having a curved surface support part for supporting a curved surface of the work.