JP6746905B2 - Work transfer system, laser processing system, and work transfer method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a work transfer system, a laser processing system, and a work transfer method.

As a system for manufacturing parts from a plate-shaped work, a thermal cutting system using a laser beam machine or the like has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 below). The thermal cutting system of Patent Document 1 is lifted by a thermal cutting machine that cuts a part from a work on a work support table, a work lifting device that lifts the cut work from the work support table, and a work lifting device. A component unloading device for picking up a component from a work and unloading it from the machine.

In the thermal cutting processing system of Patent Document 1, the first work support table on which the work cut and processed at the processing position is placed is the second work support table on which the unprocessed work is placed at the retracted position. And the second work support table is transported to the processing position. The first work support table has the unworked work placed thereon after the parts and the remaining material have been carried out, and is replaced with the second work support table on which the worked work is placed at the retracted position for machining. It is transported to the position.

International Publication No. 2014/077059

As described above, when the work is conveyed to the laser beam machine by alternately using the two work support tables, the next work is supplied to the work support table after the unloading of the parts and the residual material is completed. There is a waiting time for supplying the work. For example, a laser processing machine using a fiber laser or the like has a high processing speed, but cutting processing is interrupted by a waiting time for supplying a work, and productivity is lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a work transfer system, a laser processing system, and a work transfer method capable of improving productivity.

A work transfer system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a processing pallet, a load area where the work is loaded on the processing pallet, a processing pallet that is transferred from a laser processing machine that performs laser processing on the work on the processing pallet, and after the laser processing. Machining pallet changer for exchanging machining pallets between the unloading area and the laser machining machine, and second machining for exchanging machining pallets between the unloading area and the load area A pallet changer, and a second machining pallet is arranged in the load area and a third machining pallet is arranged in the unload area while the first machining pallet is arranged in the laser beam machine. The third machining pallet with the workpiece unloaded is transported to the load area, and the machining pallet circulates between the laser processing machine, the load area, and the unload area. The machining pallet is conveyed vertically in a part of this conveyance path, and the position when the first machining pallet changer receives the machining pallet from the laser machining machine and when the machining pallet is passed to the laser machining machine is (2) It is set at the same height as the position when the processing pallet changer receives the processing pallet from the unload area and when the processing pallet is delivered to the unload area .

Further, the load area may be arranged between the laser processing machine and the unload area . Also, the second machining pallet changer raises the machining pallet in the load area, may be one workpiece is supplied to the machining pallet raised by the second processing pallet changer.

A laser processing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes the work transfer system described above and a laser processing machine that performs laser processing on a work.

A work transfer method according to an aspect of the present invention includes loading a work on a processing pallet in a load area, transferring the processing pallet loaded with the work to a laser processing machine that performs laser processing on the work, and performing laser processing. Transfer the processing pallet holding the later work from the laser processing machine to the unload area, unload the work after laser processing from the processing pallet in the unload area, and the processing pallet where the work is unloaded. To the load area, the first processing pallet changer to exchange the processing pallet between the load area and the laser processing machine, and the second processing pallet changer to the processing pallet between the unload area and the load area. includes a to swap the, the, while the first of the processing pallet laser processing machine is arranged, the second processing pallet disposed in the load area, and placing a third machining pallet unloading area Then , the third machining pallet with the workpiece unloaded is conveyed to the load area, and the machining pallet circulates between the laser processing machine, the load area, and the unload area, and is a part of the conveyance path of the machining pallet. Is located above and below, and the machining pallet is conveyed in the up and down direction in a part of this conveying path, and the position when the machining pallet is received from the laser machining machine by the first machining pallet changer and when the machining pallet is passed to the laser machining machine is The second processing pallet changer is set to the same height as the position when the processing pallet is received from the unload area and when the processing pallet is delivered to the unload area .

According to the present invention, for example, the next work can be loaded on the second machining pallet in the load area without waiting for the work to be unloaded from the third machining pallet in the unload area. The waiting time can be reduced and the productivity can be improved.

If the load area is located between the laser processing machine and the unload area, the load area is closer to the laser processing machine than the unload area, so the next work can be supplied quickly. It is possible to improve productivity. In addition, in the one including a first machining pallet changer for exchanging machining pallets between the load area and the laser beam machine and a second machining pallet changer for exchanging machining pallets between the unload area and the load area, Since the processing pallet is switched between the area and another area, it is possible to save space. Further, the second machining pallet changer raises the machining pallet in the load area, and in the case where the work is supplied to the machining pallet raised by the second machining pallet changer, the machining pallet is exchanged to perform machining. Since the pallet can be moved to the work supply position, the time required to supply the work can be shortened and the productivity can be improved. Further, the positions when the first machining pallet changer receives the machining pallet from the laser machining machine and when the machining pallet is delivered to the laser machining machine are set to the positions when the second machining pallet changer receives the machining pallet from the unload area and the machining pallet. If the height is set to the same level as when it is transferred to the unload area , the processing pallets can be replaced smoothly and the productivity can be improved.

It is a figure showing a laser processing system and a work transportation system concerning an embodiment. It is the figure which looked at the unload area from the side. It is a figure which shows operation|movement of a product loader. It is a figure which shows operation|movement of a laser processing machine, a load area, and an unload area. It is a figure which shows operation|movement of a 1st processing pallet changer. It is a figure which shows operation|movement of a 2nd process pallet changer. It is a flow chart which shows the work transportation method concerning an embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following drawings, the directions in the drawings will be described using the XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, the vertical direction is the Z direction, and the horizontal direction is the X and Y directions. In addition, in each of the XYZ directions, the same side as the arrow is appropriately referred to as a + side (eg, +X side), and the opposite side is referred to as a − side (eg, −X side).

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a laser processing system 1 and a work transfer system 2 according to the embodiment. The laser processing system 1 includes a work transfer system 2, a laser processing machine 3, and a work supply device 4.

The laser processing machine 3 irradiates the work W with a laser beam to cut the work W. The laser processing machine 3 has a laser head (not shown) and a head drive unit (not shown). The laser head emits laser light downward. The laser head is connected to a laser light source (not shown) via an optical transmission body such as an optical fiber (not shown). The laser light source is, for example, a solid-state laser light source such as a fiber laser, and laser light having a higher heat density than that of a carbon dioxide gas laser or the like can be obtained. Therefore, the laser processing machine 3 using the fiber laser can cut at a high speed.

The work transfer system 2 includes a plurality of processing pallets 11, a load area AR1 and an unload area AR2. Each of the plurality of processing pallets 11 supports the work W and is movable. The processing pallet 11 has, for example, a structure in which a plurality of saw-teeth-shaped support plates are arranged on the upper surface thereof, and supports the work W by the tips of a large number of saw-teeth. Hereinafter, each of the plurality of processing pallets 11 will be appropriately referred to as a first processing pallet 11A, a second processing pallet 11B, and a third processing pallet 11C. In FIG. 1, the first processing pallet 11A is arranged in the laser processing machine 3, the second processing pallet 11B is arranged in the load area AR1, and the third processing pallet 11C is arranged in the unload area AR2.

The work transfer system 2 circulates a plurality of processing pallets 11 between the laser processing machine 3, the load area AR1, and the unload area AR2. For example, the work transfer system 2 transfers the first processing pallet 11A on which the laser-processed work W is placed from the laser processing machine 3 to the unload area AR2, and the unprocessed work W is placed on the first pallet 11A. The second processing pallet 11B is conveyed to the laser processing machine 3. Further, the work transfer system 2 transfers the third processing pallet 11C on which the work W after laser processing has been unloaded to the load area AR1, and the third processing pallet 11C on which the next unprocessed work W is loaded. Are conveyed to the laser processing machine 3. Hereinafter, each part of the work transfer system 2 will be described.

The load area AR1 is arranged adjacent to a work loading/unloading port (not shown) in the laser processing machine 3. Here, a work loading/unloading port is provided on the +X side of the laser processing machine 3, and is arranged on the +X side with respect to the load area AR1 and the laser processing machine 3. A work supply device 4 (work storage device) can be provided in the load area AR1. The work supply device 4 sucks, for example, one work W from a plurality of unprocessed works stacked in the storage with a pad, and the work W is stored in the processing pallet 11 (the second processing pallet 11B in FIG. 1). The work W is lowered from above and the work W is placed on the processing pallet 11.

The configuration of the work supply device 4 is not limited to the above configuration and can be changed as appropriate. The work supply device 4 may be incorporated in the work transfer system 2 or may be a device external to the laser processing system 1 (for example, factory equipment).

The unload area AR2 is arranged adjacent to the load area AR1. The processing pallet 11 on which the processed work W is placed is conveyed from the laser processing machine 3 to the unload area AR2. The load area AR1 is arranged between the laser processing machine 3 and the unload area AR2, and the processing pallet 11 is transported from the laser processing machine 3 to the unload area AR2 via the load area AR1. Here, the laser processing machine 3, the load area AR1, and the unload area AR2 are arranged side by side in the X direction, and the work W is along a transport path (rail 41 shown in FIG. 5 and the like) parallel to the X direction. Be transported.

In the unload area AR2, the work W after laser processing is unloaded from the processing pallet 11. The work W after the laser processing includes a component and a residual material (skeleton) around the component. By recovering the component and the residual material from the work W, the workpiece W is unloaded from the machining pallet 11. The unload area AR2 is provided with a product loader 15 that collects (picks up) components and a collection unit (gripper 16) that collects the remaining material.

The product loader 15 includes a rail 21, a traveling carriage 22 capable of traveling on the rail 21, and a transfer device 23 provided on the traveling carriage 22. The rail 21 extends in a direction (eg, Y direction) that intersects the transport direction (X direction) of the work W, that is, the moving direction of the processing pallet 11. The traveling carriage 22 is provided with an X guide 24 extending in the X direction, and the transfer device 23 is attached to the X guide 24. The transfer device 23 includes, for example, an X moving body 25 that can move along the X guide 24, a Z moving body 26 provided on the X moving body 25, and a suction unit 27 provided at the lower end of the Z moving body 26. Equipped with. The Z moving body 26 can move in the vertical direction (Z direction) with respect to the Z moving body 26 while holding the suction unit 27. The suction unit 27 moves in the Y direction by the traveling carriage 22, moves in the X direction by the X moving body 25, and moves in the Z direction by the Z moving body 26.

A plurality of suction pads are provided on the lower surface side (-Z side) of the suction portion 27. The suction unit 27 sucks the component by vacuum or decompression, for example, but may be a unit that sucks by magnetic force. The processing pallet 11 on which the workpiece W after the laser processing is placed is conveyed linearly from the load area AR1, for example, and on the extension of the straight line connecting the laser processing machine 3 and the load area AR1 in the unload area AR2. It is arranged at the unload position P, and the work W is collected at the unload position P. The suction unit 27 is aligned with the component on the work W by the movement in the X direction and the Y direction, and moves downward (toward the −Z side) to approach the work W and suction the component. The suction unit 27 moves upward (+Z side) while picking up the component, lifts the component, and collects the component at a predetermined position by moving in the X and Y directions.

The product loader 15 is provided with a storage shelf 31 and a storage shelf 32 for temporarily storing the collected parts. The storage shelves 31 and 32 are arranged on the −Y side and the +Y side with respect to the position where the processing pallet 11 is arranged in the unload area AR2, respectively. When the workpiece W after laser processing includes a plurality of types of components, for example, the components are classified into a storage shelf 31 and a storage shelf 32 for each type. The suction unit 27 holds the component, moves to the −Y side, and places the component on the product pallet 33 on the storage shelf 31. Further, the suction unit 27 holds another type of component, moves it to the +Y side, and places this component on the product pallet 34 on the storage rack 32. The product pallets 33 and 34 are wooden frames or the like used by the user to carry out the parts, and are carried out by a forklift or the like with the parts placed thereon. Each of the storage shelves 31 and 32 is movable in the Y direction, and the component can be carried out from either the +Y side or the -Y side. The upper surfaces of the storage shelves 31 and 32 are different from each other. For example, the storage shelves 31 and 32 can be arranged so as to overlap each other by moving them to the −Y side.

The gripper 16 is provided on the storage shelf 31, for example. The grippers 16 are provided side by side in the X direction on the −Y side and the Y side (not shown) on the lower surface side of the storage shelf 31. The gripper 16 is arranged above the processing pallet 11 by the movement of the storage shelf 31 in the Y direction. After moving downward, the gripper 16 moves in the horizontal direction toward the work W, enters between the saw-tooth support plates of the processing pallet 11, and grips the remaining material of the work W. The gripper 16 collects the residual material by moving upward while holding the residual material. The laser processing system 1 collects the residual material from the work W by the gripper 16 and then collects the parts remaining on the processing pallet 11 by the product loader 15. A recovery case 35 for accommodating the residual material is provided on the −Y side of the unload area AR2, and the gripper 16 is arranged above the recovery case 35 by the movement of the storage shelf in the Y direction to release the grip of the residual material. By doing so, the residual material is stored in the recovery case 35.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the unload area AR2 viewed from the side (−Y side). Since the rail 41 used for transporting the processing pallet 11 extends in the X direction and the rail 21 of the product loader 15 extends in the Y direction, the rail 21 and the rail 41 intersect. In the present embodiment, the height of the -X side rail 21 of the product loader 15 (hereinafter referred to as reference numeral 21a) is set higher than the height of the rail 41 of the processing pallet 11, and the rail 41 is mounted on the base 42 of the rail 21a. There is provided an opening 42a through which The processing pallet 11 is carried to the unload area AR2 through the inside of the opening 42a. Of the rails 21 of the product loader 15, the rail 21 (hereinafter, denoted by reference numeral 21b) on the side opposite to the loading side (-X) of the processing pallet 11 with respect to the unload area AR2 is arranged at a position lower than the rail 21a. There is. The height of the rail 21b is set so as not to collide with the rail 21b in a state where the suction portion 27 of the product loader 15 moves to the −Z side end and the +X side end of the movable range. The −Z side end of the movable range is, for example, a position where the suction part 27 can access the work on the processing pallet 11. Further, the +X side end of the movable range is a position where, for example, the −X side suction pad 43a of the plurality of suction pads 43 is accessible to the +X side end of the work on the processing pallet 11. ..

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the product loader 15. The product loader 15 is position-controlled based on the position of the suction pad 43a on the most −X side of the suction unit 27. Since the -X side rail 21a is arranged on the -X side of the machining pallet 11, when the suction pad 43a accesses the work W on the machining pallet 11 as shown in FIG. The suction portion 27 does not collide with the rail 21a. Thus, with the position of the suction pad 43a as a reference, the collision between the suction portion 27 and the rail 21a is prevented. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the suction pad 43a accesses the component Wa on the +X side of the work W, since the rail 21b is provided below the rail 21a, the suction portion 27 and the rail 21b are provided. Is prevented from colliding with.

The configurations of the product loader 15 and the gripper 16 are not limited to the above-mentioned configurations, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, at least one of the storage shelves 31 and 32 may not be moved or may not be provided. Further, for example, the gripper 16 may be provided at a place other than the storage shelf 31. Further, the laser processing system 1 may collect the residual material after recovering the product from the work W.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the rail of the processing pallet 11 (the forward path of the transport path) from the unload area AR2 to the laser processing machine 3 and the processing pallet 11 from the laser processing machine 3 to the unload area AR2. The configuration is simplified by sharing at least a part with the rail (return route of the transportation route). The load area AR1 is provided with a retracting device (a lifter 53 described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6) that retracts the processing pallet 11 from the transport path. For example, the first retreat from the laser processing machine 3 to the unload area AR2. The processing pallet 11A is evacuated from the transfer path, the second processing pallet 11B is transferred to the laser processing machine 3, and then the first processing pallet 11A is transferred to the unload area AR2. Hereinafter, the operation of each device in the laser processing machine 3, the load area AR1, and the unload area AR2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4, and then the processing pallet changer including the elevator 53 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of each device in the laser processing machine 3, the load area AR1, and the unload area AR2. As shown in FIG. 4(A), while the first processing pallet 11A is arranged in the laser processing machine 3, the second processing pallet 11B is arranged in the load area AR1 and the third processing pallet 11C is arranged. Is arranged in the unload area AR2. As shown in FIG. 4B, the laser processing machine 3 performs laser processing on the work W on the first processing pallet 11A. Further, in the load area AR1, the work supply device 4 places (supply) the unprocessed work W on the second processing pallet 11B. Further, in the unload area AR2, the gripper 16 (see FIG. 1) and the product loader (see FIG. 1) unload the work W from the third processing pallet 11C. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the residual material Wb of the work W is recovered by the gripper 16, and then the component Wa of the work W is recovered by the product loader 15 as shown in FIG. 4C. ..

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first machining pallet changer 51 and its operation. The first processing pallet changer 51 includes a transfer device 52 and an elevator 53. The transfer device 52 can transfer the processing pallet 11 between the laser processing machine 3 and the load area AR1. For example, the transport device 52 includes a rail 41 that guides the processing pallet 11, a hook and a wire that pulls the processing pallet 11. The transportation path of the processing pallet 11 is defined by the rail 41. The processing pallet 11 is provided so as to be slidable on the rail 41, and the transport device 52 moves the processing pallet 11 by hooking a hook connected to a wire on the processing pallet 11 and pulling the processing pallet 11 with the wire. Let The configuration of the transfer device 52 can be changed as appropriate, and for example, the processing pallet 11 may be a self-propelled type, and in this case, the transfer device 52 includes a rail 41 that determines a movement path of the processing pallet 11 and the like.

The elevator 53 raises and lowers the processing pallet 11 in the load area AR1. The elevator 53 includes a support shelf 54 and a support shelf 55 that support the processing pallet 11. The support shelf 54 is arranged above the support shelf 55. The support shelf 54 and the support shelf 55 are movable in the vertical direction in conjunction with each other, for example. The elevator 53 drives the support shelf 54 and the support shelf 55 in the up-down direction by a drive unit (not shown). The elevator 53 may lift the support shelf 54 and the support shelf 55 independently of each other.

The processing pallet 11 before the operation of the first processing pallet changer 51 is arranged as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5A, the transfer device 52 transfers the first processing pallet 11A from the laser processing machine 3 to the load area AR1. The support shelf 55 is arranged so as to hold the processing pallet 11 at the same height as when being conveyed from the laser processing machine 3. In FIG. 5B, the elevator 53 lowers the support shelf 54 to the height of the support shelf 55. That is, the height at which the elevator 53 lowers the support shelf 54 and the support shelf 55 is almost the same as the height from the upper surface of the support shelf 55 to the upper surface of the support shelf 54. In FIG. 5C, the transfer device 52 transfers the second processing pallet 11B on the support shelf 54 from the load area AR1 to the laser processing machine 3. Thus, the first processing pallet changer 51 passes the second processing pallet 11B to the laser processing machine 3 and the height of the first processing pallet 11A when receiving the first processing pallet 11A from the laser processing machine 3. The height of the second processing pallet 11B is made substantially the same.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the second machining pallet changer 56 and its operation. The second processing pallet changer 56 includes a transfer device 57 and an elevator 53. The transfer device 57 can transfer the processing pallet 11 between the load area AR1 and the unload area AR2. The transport device 57 has, for example, the same configuration as the transport device 52. The elevator 53 raises and lowers the processing pallet 11 in the load area AR1. The elevator 53 is shared by the first machining pallet changer 51, but may be provided separately from the first machining pallet changer 51.

The processing pallet 11 before the operation of the second processing pallet changer 56 is arranged as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6A, the transfer device 57 transfers the third processing pallet 11C from the unload area AR2 to the load area AR1. The transfer device 57 transfers the third processing pallet 11C to the load area AR1 in parallel with the transfer device 52 transferring the second processing pallet 11B to the laser processing machine 3 in FIG. 5C, for example. ..

In FIG. 6(A), the support shelf 54 is arranged so as to hold the processing pallet 11 at the same height as when being transported from the unload area AR2. In FIG. 6B, the elevator 53 raises the support shelf 55 to the height of the support shelf 54. That is, the height at which the elevator 53 raises the support shelf 54 and the support shelf 55 is almost the same as the height from the upper surface of the support shelf 55 to the upper surface of the support shelf 54. In FIG. 6C, the transfer device 52 transfers the first processing pallet 11A on the support shelf 54 from the load area AR1 to the unload area AR2. In this way, the second processing pallet changer 56 passes the first processing pallet 11A to the unload area AR2 and the height of the third processing pallet 11C when receiving the third processing pallet 11C from the unload area AR2. The height of the first processing pallet 11A is made substantially the same.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the positions of the processing pallets 11 are interchanged, and the processing pallets 11 are arranged in the laser processing machine 3, the load area AR1, and the unload area, respectively, as in FIG. 4A. Thereby, the laser processing by the laser processing machine 3, the supply of the work W by the work supply device 4, and the unloading of the work W by the product loader 15 and the gripper 16 can be performed in parallel, and the productivity is increased.

Next, a work transfer method according to the embodiment will be described based on the operation of the laser processing system described above. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the work transfer method according to the embodiment. Here, a laser processing method to which the work transfer method described in the embodiment is applied will be described as an example. The work transfer system 2 arranges the first machining pallet 11A on the laser beam machine 3 in step S1 (see FIG. 4A), arranges the second machining pallet 11B in the load area AR1 in step S2, and In S3, the third processing pallet 11C is arranged in the unload area AR2.

In step S4, the laser processing machine 3 laser-processes the work W on the first processing pallet 11A (see FIG. 4B). Further, in step S5, the work supply device 4 loads the work W on the second processing pallet 11B in the load area AR1 (see FIG. 4B). Further, in step S6, the product loader 15 and the gripper 16 unload the laser-worked work W on the third processing pallet 11C in the unload area AR2 (see FIGS. 4B and 4C).

The following processing from step S7 to step S12 corresponds to the work transfer method according to the embodiment. In step S7, the transfer device 52 of the first processing pallet changer 51 transfers the first processing pallet 11A on which the laser-processed work W is placed from the laser processing machine 3 to the load area AR1 (see FIG. See A)). When the laser processing by the laser processing machine 3 is completed, the support shelf 55 (see FIG. 4C) in the load area AR1 is empty, and the work transfer system 2 causes the support shelf 55 to receive the first processing pallet. 11A is arranged. In step S8, the elevator 53 lowers the support shelf 54 and the support shelf 55 (see FIG. 5B). As a result, the second processing pallet 11B on the support shelf 54 is arranged on the transfer path (rail 41), and the first processing pallet 11A on the support shelf 55 retracts from the transfer path.

In step S9, the transfer device 52 of the first processing pallet changer 51 transfers the second processing pallet 11B to the laser processing machine 3 (see FIG. 5C). The first processing pallet changer 51 replaces the processing pallet 11 between the laser processing machine 3 and the load area AR1 by performing the processing from step S7 to step S9. By the processing of step S9, the processing pallet 11 on which the unprocessed work W is placed is placed in the laser processing machine 3, and the laser processing machine 3 is in the same state as in step S1.

In step S10, the transfer device 57 of the second processing pallet changer 56 transfers the third processing pallet 11C to the load area AR1 (see FIG. 6A). By the process of step S9, the support shelf 54 is empty, and the transport device 57 places the third processing pallet 11C on the support shelf 55. At least a part of the process of step S10 may be performed in parallel with the process of step S9, or may be performed after the process of step S9 is completed.

In step S11, the elevator 53 raises the support shelf 54 and the support shelf 55 (see FIG. 6B). As a result, the third processing pallet 11C on the support shelf 54 is retracted from the transfer path (rail 41) and is arranged at the work W supply position by the work supply device 4. In addition, the first processing pallet 11A on the support shelf 55 is arranged on the transport path (rail 41). By the process of step S11, the processing pallet 11 on which the work W is not placed is placed in the supply position of the work W, and the work supply device 4 is in the same state as step S2.

In step S12, the transport device 57 transports the first processing pallet 11A on which the workpiece W after laser processing is placed from the load area AR1 to the unload area AR2 (see FIG. 6C). As a result, the processing pallet 11 on which the workpiece W after laser processing is placed is placed in the unload area AR2, and the unload area AR2 is in the same state as in step S3.

Note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the modes described in the above embodiments and the like. One or more of the requirements described in the above embodiments and the like may be omitted. Further, the requirements described in the above-described embodiments and the like can be combined as appropriate. In addition, as long as it is permitted by law, the disclosures of all the documents cited in the above-mentioned embodiments are incorporated as part of the description of the text.

The number of processing pallets 11 provided in the work transfer system 2 is three in the above-described embodiment, but may be four or more. For example, one processing pallet may be arranged in each of the laser processing machine 3 and the unload area AR2, and two or more processing pallets 11 may be arranged in the load area AR1. When arranging two or more processing pallets 11 in the load area AR1, one processing pallet 11 may be arranged at the supply position of the work W and another processing pallet 11 may be retracted from the supply position of the work W. When arranging two or more processing pallets 11 in the load area AR1, two or more supply positions of the work W may be provided in the load area AR1. Further, one processing pallet may be arranged in each of the laser processing machine 3 and the load area AR1, and two or more processing pallets 11 may be arranged in the unload area AR2. In this case, one processing pallet 11 may be arranged at the unloading position of the work W, and another processing pallet 11 may be retracted from the unloading position of the work W. When arranging two or more processing pallets 11 in the unload area AR2, two or more unload positions for the work W may be provided in the unload area AR2.

In the above-described embodiment, the elevator 53 (retraction device) retracts the processing pallet 11 in the vertical direction of the moving path, but the retracting device may retract the processing pallet 11 in the horizontal direction from the moving path. Further, in the above-described embodiment, at least a part of the movement path of the processing pallet 11 from the laser processing machine 3 to the unload area AR2 and the movement path of the processing pallet 11 from the unload area AR2 to the laser processing machine 3 are provided. Although common, these movement routes may be set without overlapping each other.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the laser processing machine 3, the load area AR1, and the unload area AR2 are linearly arranged, but may be arranged in a polygonal line shape. For example, the unload area AR2 may be arranged on the −Y side or the +Y side with respect to the load area AR1.

1... Laser processing system 2... Work transfer system 3... Laser processing machine 11... Processing pallet 11A... First processing pallet 11B... Second processing pallet 11C... No. 3 machining pallet 51... First machining pallet changer 56... Second machining pallet changer AR1... Load area AR2... Unload area W... Work

Claims (5)

Processing pallet,
A load area where the work is loaded on the machining pallet,
An unload area in which the processing pallet is conveyed from a laser processing machine that performs laser processing on the work on the processing pallet, and the work after the laser processing is unloaded,
A first processing pallet changer for exchanging the processing pallets between the load area and the laser processing machine;
A second machining pallet changer for exchanging the machining pallets between the unload area and the load area ;
While the first processing pallet is arranged in the laser processing machine, the second processing pallet is arranged in the load area, and the third processing pallet is arranged in the unload area,
The third processing pallet on which the work is unloaded is transported to the load area,
The processing pallet is circulated in the laser processing machine, the load area and the unload area,
Part of the transfer path of the processing pallet is vertically, and the processing pallet is transferred in the vertical direction in a part of this transfer path ,
The position when the first processing pallet changer receives the processing pallet from the laser processing machine and when the processing pallet is delivered to the laser processing machine is determined by the second processing pallet changer from the unload area. A work transfer system which is set to the same height as the position when receiving and when passing the processing pallet to the unload area . The work transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the load area is arranged between the laser processing machine and the unload area. The second processing pallet changer raises the processing pallet in the load area,
The work transfer system according to claim 1 , wherein the work is supplied to the processing pallet raised by the second processing pallet changer. A work transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A laser processing system comprising: a laser processing machine that performs laser processing on the work. Loading the work on the machining pallet in the loading area,
Transporting the processing pallet loaded with the work to a laser processing machine that performs laser processing on the work;
The processing pallet that holds the work after the laser processing is conveyed from the laser processing machine to an unload area,
Unloading the work after the laser processing from the processing pallet in the unload area,
Transporting the processing pallet in which the work is unloaded to the load area,
Exchanging the processing pallets between the load area and the laser processing machine by a first processing pallet changer,
Exchanging the processing pallets between the unloading area and the loading area by a second processing pallet changer ,
While the first processing pallet is arranged in the laser processing machine, the second processing pallet is arranged in the load area, and the third processing pallet is arranged in the unload area,
The third processing pallet on which the work is unloaded is transported to the load area,
The processing pallet is circulated in the laser processing machine, the load area and the unload area,
Part of the transfer path of the processing pallet is vertically, and the processing pallet is transferred in the vertical direction in a part of this transfer path ,
The position when receiving the processing pallet from the laser processing machine by the first processing pallet changer and when passing the processing pallet to the laser processing machine is determined by the second processing pallet changer from the unload area. A work transfer method in which the height is set to the same position as when receiving and when passing the processing pallet to the unload area .

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