JP6885235B2 - Machining system and control method of machining system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a machining system and a method of controlling the machining system.

A processing system for performing thermal cutting on a plate-shaped work is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this processing system, a configuration is applied in which a plurality of processing pallets are sequentially put into and discharged from the laser processing machine by using a plurality of processing pallets on which a work is placed and can be moved inside and outside the laser processing machine. The work placed on the processing pallet is put into a laser processing machine, processed, and then discharged to the outside of the laser processing machine to be separated into a residual material and a product. Separation of the residual material and the product is performed, for example, by lifting the residual material from the work after processing and leaving the product on the processing pallet.

Special Fair 5-65273 Gazette

In the processing system having the above configuration, when the residual material is lifted from the processed work on the processing pallet, a part of the product may be held by the residual material and the product may be in a state of hanging from the residual material. If the residual material is transferred to another place in such a state, the hanging product comes into contact with the other product on the processing pallet and moves the position of the other product, which hinders the subsequent removal of the product. Not only can it damage other products. Therefore, when the residual material is lifted, the hanging of the product is detected from the residual material, but when the operation of the entire processing system is stopped when the hanging of the product is detected, another normal processing pallet is used. Machining of the workpiece is interrupted while leaving it, and the operation of the machining system remains stopped during automatic operation such as at night, which greatly reduces the machining efficiency of the workpiece.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention continues to process the work using other processing pallets excluding the processing pallet even if the product hangs when the residual material is lifted. By doing so, it is possible to provide a machining system and a control method of the machining system that can suppress a significant decrease in the machining efficiency of the workpiece by continuously machining the workpiece during automatic operation such as at night. With the goal.

The processing system according to the present invention holds a laser processing machine that irradiates a work with a laser beam to cut out a product, two processing pallets on which the work can be placed, and two processing pallets, respectively. One processing pallet is arranged inside the laser processing machine, the other processing pallet is arranged outside the laser processing machine, and a pallet changer that exchanges these two processing pallets with each other and an arrangement outside the laser processing machine are arranged. The residual material lifter that lifts the residual material that is the part other than the product of the work after processing above, the sensor that detects the presence or absence of the product hanging from the residual material lifted by the residual material lifter to the lower surface side, and the residual material are removed. It is equipped with a loader that conveys the product on the processed pallet or the workpiece before processing to the processing pallet, and a laser processing machine, a pallet changer, a residual material lifter, and a control unit that controls the loader. It is a processing system that cuts the work on the processing pallet inside the laser processing machine by exchanging the pallets inside and outside the laser processing machine, and also conveys the work to the processing pallet outside the laser processing machine. When the sensor detects a hanging product, it is instructed to lower the residual material lifted by the residual material lifter onto the processing pallet, and this processing pallet is designated as a processing prohibited pallet. Is replaced inside and outside the laser processing machine to continue cutting processing by the laser processing machine.

Further, the sensor may emit detection light parallel to or substantially parallel to the lower surface of the residual material, and may detect the presence or absence of a hanging product by scanning along the lower surface of the residual material. Further, the control unit gives an instruction to the pallet changer to replace the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet with the inside and outside of the laser processing machine, but executes the processing of the workpiece on the processing prohibited pallet to the laser processing machine. Instructions, instructions to lift the residual material on the machining prohibited pallet to the residual material lifter, and transfer of the product from the machining prohibited pallet to the loader and transport the workpiece before machining to the machining prohibited pallet. You do not have to give instructions.

In addition, the control unit is provided with a period setting unit, and within the period set in the period setting unit, when a hanging product is detected by the sensor, the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet are moved inside and outside the laser machining machine. The system may be replaced and the operation of the system may be stopped when the sensor detects a hanging product outside the period set in the period setting unit. In addition, the control unit may instruct the sensor to issue an alarm when it detects a hanging product.

The control method of the processing system according to the present invention holds a laser processing machine that irradiates a work with a laser beam to cut out a product, two processing pallets on which the work can be placed, and two processing pallets, respectively. Then, one processing pallet is arranged inside the laser processing machine, the other processing pallet is arranged outside the laser processing machine, and the pallet changer for exchanging these two processing pallets with each other and the outside of the laser processing machine are arranged. , Residual material lifter that lifts the residual material that is a part other than the product of the workpiece after processing on the processing pallet, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the product hanging from the residual material lifted by the residual material lifter to the lower surface side, and the residual material A loader for transporting the product on the machining pallet from which the machine has been removed or for transporting the work before machining to the machining pallet is provided, and the workpiece on the machining pallet can be replaced by exchanging the two machining pallets inside and outside the laser machining machine. A control method for a processing system that cuts inside a laser processing machine and conveys a workpiece to a processing pallet outside the laser processing machine. A control unit that controls the laser processing machine, pallet changer, residual material lifter, and loader. Uses a sensor to detect the presence or absence of products hanging from the residual material, and when the sensor detects a product hanging from the residual material, the residual material lifted by the residual material lifter is lowered onto the processing pallet and processing is prohibited. The pallet is used, and the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet are exchanged inside and outside the laser processing machine to continue cutting processing by the laser processing machine.

According to the processing system and the control method of the processing system according to the present invention, in the processing pallet in which the hanging of the product is detected, the residual material once lifted is returned to the processing pallet as it is, and is placed in the laser processing machine as a processing prohibited pallet. It is thrown in again. As a result, in operation using multiple machining pallets, machining of the workpiece is continuously performed on other normal machining pallets. Therefore, by continuously machining the workpiece during automatic operation such as at night, the workpiece can be machined. It is possible to suppress a significant decrease in processing efficiency.

Further, when the sensor emits the detection light parallel to or substantially parallel to the lower surface of the residual material and detects the presence or absence of the hanging product by scanning along the lower surface of the residual material, the presence or absence of the hanging product is determined. It can be detected reliably. Further, the control unit gives an instruction to the pallet changer to replace the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet with the inside and outside of the laser processing machine, but executes the processing of the workpiece on the processing prohibited pallet to the laser processing machine. Instructions, instructions to lift the residual material on the machining prohibited pallet to the residual material lifter, and transfer of the product from the machining prohibited pallet to the loader and transport the workpiece before machining to the machining prohibited pallet. If no instruction is given, it is possible to avoid performing each operation of the laser processing machine or the like again on the work on the processing prohibited pallet.

In addition, the control unit is provided with a period setting unit, and within the period set in the period setting unit, when a hanging product is detected by the sensor, the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet are moved inside and outside the laser processing machine. When the system is stopped when the sensor detects a hanging product outside the period set in the period setting section, the machining of the workpiece continues within the period set in the period setting section. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the machining system from being stopped at night or the like, and to prevent the machining efficiency of the workpiece from being significantly reduced. Further, when the control unit instructs the sensor to issue an alarm when a hanging product is detected, it is possible to easily notify the operator, the manager, or the like that the hanging product has occurred.

It is a top view which shows an example of the processing system which concerns on embodiment. It is a side view of the processing system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control method of the processing system which concerns on embodiment. (A) is a diagram in which the work before processing is placed on the upper processing pallet, and (B) is a diagram in which the two processing pallets are lowered. (A) is a diagram in which the lower processing pallet is moved to the upper stage by a pallet changer, and (B) is a diagram in which the residual material on the processing pallet is held by a residual material lifter. (A) is a diagram in which the residual material is lifted by the residual material lifter and the detected light is emitted from the sensor, and (B) is a diagram in which the detected light is scanned along the lower surface of the residual material. (A) is a diagram in which the hanging of the product is detected by the sensor, and (B) is a diagram in which the residual material lifter returns the residual material to the processing pallet and rises. (A) is a view in which the upper processing prohibited pallet is lowered, and (B) is a view in which the processing prohibited pallet is discharged. (A) is a diagram in which a product is transported from an upper processing pallet by a loader, and (B) is a diagram in which an upper processing pallet on which a work before processing is placed is lowered. It is the figure which moved the lower processing prohibition pallet to the upper stage by the pallet changer.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following figures, the directions in the figure will be described using the XYZ coordinate system. In this XYZ coordinate system, the X direction is the direction in which the processing pallet 5 on which the work W before processing is placed is carried into the laser processing machine 2, or the processing pallet 5 on which the work W after processing is placed is discharged. The direction. Further, the X direction and the Y direction are both horizontal directions, and the Z direction is a vertical direction (vertical direction). In each direction of XYZ, the side to which the arrow points is referred to as the + side (eg, + X side), and the opposite side is referred to as the-side (eg, -X side).

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the processing system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the processing system 1 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the product pallet 6 described later is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the processing system 1 includes a laser processing machine 2, a loader 3, a material pallet 4, two processing pallets 5, a product pallet 6, a pallet changer 7, and a residual material lifter. 8, a residual material pallet 9, a control unit 10, and a sensor 11 are provided.

The laser processing machine 2 irradiates the work W on the processing pallet 5 arranged in the processing region with the laser beam L, and performs cutting processing (laser processing) on a predetermined portion of the work W. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the laser machine 2 includes a laser head H and a head drive unit (not shown). The laser head H is connected to a laser light source via an optical transmitter such as an optical fiber, and emits a laser beam L downward. The laser light source is, for example, a light source of a solid-state laser such as a fiber laser, and a laser beam having a higher heat density than a carbon dioxide gas laser or the like can be obtained. Therefore, the laser processing machine 2 using the fiber laser can perform cutting processing at high speed.

The head drive unit (not shown) moves the laser head H in the X, Y, and Z directions. The laser head H emits the laser beam L while moving by the head driving unit to cut the work W. The work W is cut into a plurality of product Wa and a residual material Wb (the residual material Wb is also referred to as, for example, a skeleton or a peripheral portion of the product Wa) by cutting with a laser beam L. The above-mentioned processing pallet 5 can be moved while the product Wa and the residual material Wb cut by the cutting process are placed on the pallet 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the loader 3 is provided on each of the two Y rails 15, the two traveling carriages 16 capable of traveling on the Y rails 15, and the two traveling carriages 16, respectively. It includes a book column 16a, an X rail 18 provided at the upper ends of the two columns 16a, and a transfer device 17. The two Y rails 15 are arranged so as to extend in the intersecting direction (Y direction) with respect to the moving direction (X direction) of the processing pallet 5. The two traveling carriages 16 move along the Y rail 15 by a drive unit (not shown). The two columns 16a are provided so as to extend in the + Z direction (upward) from each of the traveling carriages 16. The X rail 18 is provided so as to extend in the X direction so as to connect the upper ends of the two columns 16a. The −X side of the X rail 18 is provided so as to extend in the −X direction from the upper end of the support column 16a.

The X rail 18 is provided in the processing system 1 in a range from the material pallet 4 to the pallet changer 7. The X rail 18 can be moved in the Y direction by the traveling bogie 16 moving along the Y rail 15. The transfer device 17 is provided on the X rail 18. Therefore, as the X rail 18 moves in the Y direction, the transfer device 17 also moves in the Y direction. The transfer device 17 includes an X mobile body 19, a Z mobile body 20, and a suction head 21. The X moving body 19 can move along the X rail 18 by a driving unit (not shown). The Z moving body 20 is provided on the X moving body 19 and moves up and down in the vertical direction (Z direction) by a driving unit (not shown). The suction head 21 is provided at the lower end of the Z moving body 20, and the suction head 21 is provided with a plurality of suction portions 22 on the lower surface (the surface on the −Z side). The suction unit 22 can suck the work W and the product Wa.

The loader 3 can move the suction head 21 in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction by moving the X rail 18 in the Y direction, the X moving body 19, and the Z moving body 20. As a result, the loader 3 sucks the work W before processing placed on the material pallet 4 by the suction portion 22 of the suction head 21, conveys the work W to the processing pallet 5, and transfers the work W to the processing pallet 5. Can be placed. When the work W is placed on the machining pallet 5, the loader 3 once positions the work W on the machining pallet 5 by, for example, a positioning device (not shown) provided above the machining pallet 5. It may be placed.

Further, the loader 3 can suck the product Wa placed on the processing pallet 5 by the suction unit 22 and convey it to the product pallet 6 to place the work W on the product pallet 6. The suction unit 22 may, for example, suck and transport a plurality of product Wa at one time, or may suck and transport the product Wa one by one. The loader 3 sorts a plurality of product Wa on the processing pallet 5 and conveys them to the product pallet 6.

The loader 3 removes the residual material Wb from the processed work W by the residual material lifter 8 described later, and adsorbs and conveys the product Wa remaining on the processing pallet 5 as described above, but the loader 3 is not limited to this. For example, in a state where the work W after processing is placed on the processing pallet 5, the product Wa may be adsorbed from the work W, extracted, and conveyed. The loader 3 repeatedly performs operations such as transferring the product Wa adsorbed on the processing pallet 5 onto the product pallet 6. The loader 3 is placed separately for each product Wa on the product pallet 6, and in the case of the same product Wa, the loader 3 is placed on top of each other. As a result, the product pallets 6 are sorted and loaded for each product Wa.

The loader 3 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the loader 3 may have a configuration in which the work W before processing is conveyed to the processing pallet 5 and a configuration in which the product Wa is transferred from the processing pallet 5 to the product pallet 6. Further, the processing system 1 may have a stocker (not shown). The stocker includes, for example, a plurality of storage shelves capable of accommodating a plurality of material pallets 4 and the like, and a pallet transfer mechanism. The plurality of storage shelves are arranged in the vertical direction (Z direction), for example. The pallet transfer mechanism takes out a desired material pallet 4 from a plurality of storage shelves and arranges the material pallet 4 at the position shown in FIG.

The material pallet 4 is arranged at a position accessible to the suction head 21 of the loader 3. Further, the material pallet 4 is placed in a state in which a plurality of unprocessed work Ws are laminated. Therefore, the suction unit 22 of the loader 3 sucks the uppermost work W placed on the material pallet 4 and conveys it to the processing pallet 5.

The two processing pallets 5 can be moved inside and outside the laser processing machine 2 on which the work W is mounted by a drive unit (not shown). The processing pallet 5 is carried into the laser processing machine 2 on which the work W before processing is placed, and is discharged to the outside of the laser processing machine 2 on which the work W after processing is placed. The processing pallet 5 discharged from the laser processing machine 2 is arranged in the pallet changer 7. The processing pallet 5 has a plurality of wheels and can move along a rail 28 installed inside and outside the laser processing machine 2. The processing pallet 5 (and the work W) has a substantially rectangular planar shape when viewed from the Z direction, and the length in the moving direction (X direction) is longer than the length in the orthogonal direction (Y direction) of the moving direction.

The processing pallet 5 includes a base plate 31 and a plurality of support plates 32. The plurality of support plates 32 are provided side by side at predetermined intervals in the X direction on the upper surface of the base plate 31. Each of the plurality of support plates 32 has a serrated upper end. The plurality of support plates 32 support the lower surface of the work W at a plurality of points (tips of saw teeth). As a result, the welded portion between the work W and the support plate 32 can be reduced by the heat of the laser beam L. The processing pallet 5 is not limited to the above configuration, and any configuration in which the work W can be placed and moved can be applied.

The product pallet 6 mounts the product Wa transported from the processing pallet 5 by the loader 3 as described above. The product pallet 6 has the same shape as the material pallet 4. By making the material pallet 4 and the product pallet 6 have the same shape, the versatility of the pallet can be enhanced.

In the pallet changer 7, one of the two processing pallets 5 is arranged inside the laser processing machine 2, the other processing pallet 5 is arranged outside the laser processing machine 2, and these two processing pallets 5 are arranged. Swap each other. The pallet changer 7 is arranged adjacent to the + X side of the laser processing machine 2, and the processing pallet 5 is moved between the pallet changer 7 and the laser processing machine 2 by the rail 28. The pallet changer 7 receives the processing pallet 5 discharged from the laser processing machine 2 on the lower stage side, and arranges the processing pallet 5 on which the work W is placed by the loader 3 on the upper stage side. The pallet changer 7 lowers the upper processing pallet 5 and connects it to the rail 28 so that the processing pallet 5 on which the work W before processing is placed can be carried into the laser processing machine 2.

Further, the pallet changer 7 raises the lower processing pallet 5 and moves it to the upper stage. As a result, the loader 3 can suck and convey the product Wa from the processing pallet 5 that has moved to the upper stage. The configuration for raising and lowering the processing pallet 5 is arbitrary, and various configurations can be applied.

The residual material lifter 8 lifts the residual material Wb of the work W from the processing pallet 5 on which the processed work W is placed. The residual material lifter 8 has a mechanism for gripping the end portion of the work W and a mechanism for raising and lowering the gripped portion, and is placed on the processing pallet 5 arranged in the upper stage by the pallet changer 7 after processing. Grasp and lift the end of the work W. By lifting the residual material Wb, the product Wa remains on the processing pallet 5. When the residual material Wb is lifted by the residual material lifter 8, the product Wa may be adsorbed from the lower surface side of the work W to make it easy for the product Wa to remain on the processing pallet 5. The residual material lifter 8 may have a configuration in which the residual material Wb portion of the work W is sucked from the upper surface side instead of the configuration in which the end portion of the work W is gripped.

The sensor 11 detects the presence or absence of the product Wa hanging from the residual material Wb lifted by the residual material lifter 8 to the lower surface side. The sensor 11 emits the detection light DL (see FIG. 2) parallel to or substantially parallel to the lower surface of the residual material Wb, and detects the presence or absence of the hanging product Wa by scanning along the lower surface of the residual material Wb. The sensor 11 has, for example, an exit system that emits the detection light DL and a detection system that detects the reflected light of the detection light DL. When the reflected light is detected by the detection system, the sensor 11 generates a detection signal according to the amount of the reflected light, and transmits the generated detection signal to the control unit 10. If the amount of reflected light is small, it is highly possible that the reflected light is reflected at a place other than the hanging product Wa. Therefore, when the amount of reflected light detected by the detection system exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the sensor 11 may transmit a detection signal indicating that there is a product Wa hanging from the residual material Wb to the control unit 10.

Further, the processing system 1 has an alarm device 12. For example, when the sensor 11 detects the hanging of the product Wa from the residual material Wb, the alarm device 12 is instructed by the control unit 10 and is owned by a speaker or the like installed in the building or the like, or by a worker or the like. It issues an alarm such as vibration of a mobile terminal or the like, light generated by lighting a lamp provided on a laser processing machine 2 or the like, and the like. The alarm device 12 may be provided outside the processing system 1. For example, a signal to be issued may be sent from the control unit 10 to the upper controller, and the upper controller may issue an alarm using an alarm device outside the processing system 1.

The control unit 10 controls the machining system 1 in an integrated manner. The control unit 10 has an arithmetic processing unit (not shown) and a storage device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 includes a laser machine control unit 51, a pallet changer control unit 52, a loader control unit 53, a lifter control unit 54, a period setting unit 55, and a stocker control unit 56. , The determination unit 57. The control unit 10 is a set of the above-mentioned control units, but is not limited to this, and one control unit may share the above-mentioned two or more control units.

The laser machine control unit 51 controls the operation of the laser machine 2. The laser processing machine 2 reads a processing program from a storage device or the like according to the instruction of the laser processing machine control unit 51, and operates the laser head H according to this processing program. By this operation, the laser processing machine 2 cuts a part of the work W with the laser beam L to form the product Wa. Further, the laser processing machine 2 can discharge the processing pallet 5 as it is without processing the work W placed on the carried-in processing pallet 5 according to the instruction of the laser processing machine control unit 51. Is.

The pallet changer control unit 52 controls the operation of the pallet changer 7. The pallet changer 7 raises or lowers the processing pallet 5 arranged in the pallet changer 7 according to the instruction of the pallet changer control unit 52. The loader control unit 53 controls the operation of the loader 3. The loader 3 conveys the work W before machining from the material pallet 4 to the machining pallet 5 or conveys the product Wa in the workpiece W after machining from the machining pallet 5 to the product pallet 6 according to the instruction of the loader control unit 53. ..

The lifter control unit 54 controls the operation of the residual material lifter 8. The residual material lifter 8 holds and lifts the residual material Wb from the processed work W placed on the processing pallet 5 and conveys it to the residual material pallet 9 according to the instruction of the lifter control unit 54. Further, the residual material lifter 8 can return the lifted residual material Wb to the processing pallet 5 according to the instruction of the lifter control unit 54. The period setting unit 55 sets a period for continuing the operation of the processing system 1 when the product Wa hanging from the residual material Wb is detected. Examples of such a period include a period such as nighttime or holiday when the operator is absent and automatic operation is performed, or a specific period set by the operator. When the determination unit 57 detects the hanging of the product Wa, it determines whether the detected timing is within the period set by the period setting unit 55.

When the processing system 1 includes the above-mentioned stocker (not shown), the stocker control unit 56 controls the operation of the stocker. The stocker supplies the material pallet 4 on which the plurality of unprocessed work Ws are placed to the positions shown in FIG. 1 according to the instruction from the stocker control unit 56. If the machining system 1 does not have a stocker, the control unit 10 does not have a stocker control unit 56.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the sensor 11 detects the product Wa hanging from the residual material Wb, the period setting unit 55 sets the period, and the determination unit 57 determines that the detected timing is within that period. Then, the lifter control unit 54 (control unit 10) instructs the processing pallet 5 to lower the residual material Wb lifted by the residual material lifter 8. Further, the pallet changer control unit 52 sets the processing pallet 5 in which the residual material Wb is returned as the processing prohibited pallet 5P (see FIG. 8B and the like).

In this case, when the processing pallet 5 on which the work W that has already been processed is placed exists in the laser processing machine 2, the pallet changer control unit 52 sets the processing prohibition pallet 5P and the processing pallet 5 in the laser processing machine 2. Instruct to replace. Further, when the processing pallet 5 is carried into the laser processing machine 2 (may be before, during, or after the loading), the pallet changer control unit 52 places the work W on the processing pallet 5. A signal as to whether or not to perform cutting processing is supplied to the laser processing machine control unit 51.

Therefore, when the pallet changer control unit 52 carries the processing pallet 5, which is not the processing prohibited pallet 5P, into the laser processing machine 2, the laser processing machine control unit 51 sends a signal for processing the work W placed on the processing pallet 5. Supply to. The laser processing machine control unit 51 receives a signal for processing the work W, and instructs the laser processing machine 2 to perform cutting processing of the work W. Further, when the processing prohibited pallet 5P is carried into the laser processing machine 2, the pallet changer control unit 52 supplies a signal to the laser processing machine control unit 51 that the work W placed on the processing prohibited pallet 5P is not processed. .. The laser machining machine control unit 51 receives a signal that the work W is not machined, and discharges the machining prohibition pallet 5P without performing cutting on the work W placed on the machining prohibition pallet 5P. Instruct the laser processing machine 2.

Further, the pallet changer control unit 52 supplies a signal to the lifter control unit 54 not to lift the residual material Wb for the machining prohibited pallet 5P, and conveys the product Wa to the loader control unit 53. Supply no signal. As a result, even when the processing prohibited pallet 5P is discharged from the laser processing machine 2 and arranged in the upper stage of the pallet changer 7, the lifter control unit 54 receives a signal that the residual material Wb is not lifted, and the residual material Wb is not lifted. No instruction is given to the lifter 8 to lift the residual material Wb. Further, the loader control unit 53 does not give an instruction to execute the transfer of the product Wa from the processing prohibition pallet 5P in response to the signal that the product Wa is not transferred.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the sensor 11 detects the product Wa hanging from the residual material Wb, the period is not set by the period setting unit 55, or the period is set by the period setting unit 55. When the determination unit 57 determines that the detection timing is out of the period, the control unit 10 may instruct to stop the operation of the machining system 1. Further, the control unit 10 may instruct the alarm device 12 to issue an alarm after instructing the operation stop of the processing system 1.

Next, a control method of the machining system according to the embodiment will be described based on the above-mentioned machining system 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method of the processing system according to the embodiment. 5 to 11 are diagrams showing the operation of the processing system 1 according to the embodiment, respectively. In explaining the flowchart of FIG. 4, the contents of FIGS. 1 to 3 will be referred to as appropriate.

First, although not shown in FIG. 5A, one of the two processing pallets 5 on which the work W is placed is carried into the laser processing machine 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the other processing pallet 5B of the two processing pallets 5 is arranged on the upper side of the pallet changer 7. The two processing pallets 5 are a first processing pallet 5A and a second processing pallet 5B, respectively. The work W on the (first) processing pallet 5A is cut by the laser processing machine 2 and separated into a product Wa and a residual material Wb. The processing pallet 5A holding the processed work W travels on the rail 28 and is discharged from the laser processing machine 2 to the lower stage side of the pallet changer 7. Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, a loader is loaded on the (second) processing pallet 5B arranged on the upper side of the pallet changer 7 until the processing pallet 5A is discharged to the pallet changer 7. According to No. 3, the work W before processing carried from the material pallet 4 is placed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the processing pallet 5A and the processing pallet 5B arranged in the pallet changer 7 are moved downward, respectively, and the height of the processing pallet 5B is adjusted to the height position of the rail 28. In this case, the processing pallet 5A is retracted downward with respect to the rail 28. Subsequently, the processing pallet 5B is carried into the laser processing machine 2 along the rail 28. In the laser processing machine 2, the work W placed on the processing pallet 5B is cut by the laser beam L in the same manner as the processing pallet 5A.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pallet changer 7 raises the lower processing pallet 5A to the upper side. At this time, the lower side of the pallet changer 7 is connected to the rail 28. After raising the processing pallet 5A, as shown in FIG. 6B, the residual material lifter 8 grips the end portion (residual material Wb) of the work W. Subsequently, the residual material lifter 8 rises and lifts the residual material Wb out of the processed work W placed on the processing pallet 5 from the processing pallet 5 (step S01). At this time, the product Wa may be adsorbed from the lower surface side of the work W so that the product Wa can be easily separated from the residual material Wb.

In step S01, as shown in FIG. 7A, the processed work W is separated into a product Wa and a residual material Wb, and the residual material Wb is lifted while the product Wa remains on the processing pallet 5A. It becomes a state. After lifting the residual material Wb, as shown in FIG. 7A, the sensor 11 irradiates the lower surface side of the residual material Wb with the detection light DL (step S02). As shown in FIG. 7B, the sensor 11 scans the detection light DL along the lower surface of the residual material Wb by swinging the detection light DL left and right around the sensor 11. The sensor 11 detects the reflected light and transmits the detection signal to the control unit 10.

The control unit 10 detects the presence or absence of the product Wa hanging from the residual material Wb based on the detection signal from the sensor 11 (step S03). When the sensor 11 transmits a detection signal indicating that the reflected light has not been detected or a detection signal indicating that the reflected light does not reach a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 10 has a product Wa hanging from the residual material Wb. It is determined not to do so (NO in step S03). In this case, the residual material lifter 8 conveys the lifted residual material Wb to the residual material pallet 9. As a result, the residual material Wb is removed from the processing pallet 5A (step S04). After removing the residual material Wb in step S04, the loader 3 conveys the product Wa remaining on the processing pallet 5A to the product pallet 6 and places it (step S05). After step S05, the loader 3 places a new pre-machining work W on the machining pallet 5A (step S06).

Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the product Wa hangs from the residual material Wb, the detection light DL emitted from the sensor 11 is reflected by the product Wa and returns to the sensor 11 as reflected light. The sensor 11 detects the reflected light by the detection system, and transmits a detection signal indicating that the reflected light has been detected (or that the reflected light exceeds a predetermined threshold value) to the control unit 10. Upon receiving this detection signal, the control unit 10 determines that the product Wa hanging from the residual material Wb exists (YES in step S03). The hanging of the product Wa is caused by a cutting defect due to the cutting process, or the holding of the product Wa due to the shrinkage of the residual material Wb after cutting.

When the control unit 10 determines that the hanging product Wa exists, the control unit 57 determines whether or not the detection timing (or detection time) by the sensor 11 is within the period set by the period setting unit 55 (the determination unit 57). Step S07). When the determination unit 57 of the control unit 10 determines that the period is within the set period (YES in step S07), the residual material lifter 8 lifts the residual material Wb according to the instruction of the control unit 10 to process the pallet 5A. Return to the top (step S08). As a result, the residual material Wb once lifted is placed on the processing pallet 5A as it is. Subsequently, the control unit 10 sets the machining pallet 5A from which the residual material Wb has been lowered as the machining prohibition pallet 5P (step S09).

Further, the control unit 10 does not give an instruction to the loader 3 to carry out the product Wa from the machining prohibition pallet 5P, and further does not give an instruction to convey the work W before machining to the machining prohibition pallet 5P. As a result, the processing prohibited pallet 5P is in a state in which the product Wa and the residual material Wb are placed. In the processing prohibited pallet 5P, the residual material Wb including the hanging product Wa is placed on the pallet 5P, and it is expected that the product Wa and the residual material Wb are partially overlapped.

After step S09, the machining system 1 continues to operate with the product Wa and the residual material Wb placed on the machining prohibition pallet 5P according to the instruction of the control unit 10 (step S10). That is, after the processing pallet 5B on which the processed work W is placed is discharged from the laser processing machine 2 to the lower stage side of the pallet changer 7, as shown in FIG. 9A, the pallet changer 7 is a processing prohibited pallet. The processing prohibited pallet 5P and the processing pallet 5B are moved downward, respectively, the height of the processing prohibited pallet 5P is adjusted to the height position of the rail 28, and the processing prohibited pallet 5P is carried into the laser processing machine 2.

The laser processing machine 2 does not perform cutting processing by the laser beam L on the work W (product Wa and residual material Wb) placed on the processing prohibited pallet 5P according to the instruction of the control unit 10. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9B, in the pallet changer 7, after raising the processing pallet 5B, the processing prohibited pallet 5P is discharged to the lower stage side as it is.

After that, when the hanging of the product Wa is not detected on the processing pallet 5B on which the processed work W is placed, the residual material Wb is removed by the residual material lifter 8, and as shown in FIG. 10A, the loader is used. No. 3 adsorbs the product Wa remaining on the processing pallet 5B, conveys it to the product pallet 6, and places it on the product pallet 6. Subsequently, the loader 3 transports the new work W before processing from the material pallet 4 to the processing pallet 5B and places it on the work pallet 5B. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10B, the pallet changer 7 moves the machining pallet 5B and the machining prohibition pallet 5P downward, respectively, and adjusts the height of the machining pallet 5B to the height position of the rail 28. The processing pallet 5B is carried into the laser processing machine 2.

In the laser processing machine 2, the work W placed on the processing pallet 5B is cut by the laser beam L. In this way, even when one of the processing pallets 5A becomes the processing prohibited pallet 5P, the work W can be continuously cut by using the other processing pallet 5B.

After the processing pallet 5B is carried into the laser processing machine 2, as shown in FIG. 11, the pallet changer 7 raises the processing prohibited pallet 5P on the lower stage side. After that, according to the instruction from the control unit 10, the residual material lifter 8 does not lift the residual material Wb on the processing prohibited pallet 5P. Further, since the residual material Wb is not lifted, the operation of the sensor 11 (emission of the detection light DL) is not executed either. As a result, unnecessary operations such as lifting the residual material Wb are not executed for the processing prohibited pallet 5P, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the operating cost of the processing system 1. After the processing prohibited pallet 5P is arranged on the upper stage side by the pallet changer 7, the operations after step S10 described above are repeated.

Further, in step S07 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, when the determination unit 57 determines that the period is outside the set period (NO in step S07), the control unit 10 stops the operation of the processing system 1 and causes an alarm. Instruct the device 12 to issue an alarm (step S11). During the daytime when the worker is stationed, the worker can be easily notified of the malfunction of the processing system 1 by an alarm, and the operation of the machining system 1 is stopped. Improvements can be made early.

The control unit 10 basically instructs the laser machine 2 to process the work W on the processing pallet 5, and lifts the residual material Wb on the processing pallet 8 to the residual material lifter 8. And an instruction to transfer the product Wa from the processing pallet 5 to the loader 3 and to transfer the work W before processing to the processing pallet 5. However, when the processing prohibition pallet 5P is set, the control unit 10 does not issue the above-mentioned instruction.

As described above, according to the machining system 1 and the control method of the machining system according to the present embodiment, in the machining pallet 5 in which the hanging of the product Wa is detected, the residual material Wb once lifted is directly placed on the machining pallet 5. It is returned and put back into the laser processing machine 2 as a processing prohibited pallet 5P. As a result, in the operation using the plurality of processing pallets 5, the work W is continuously cut using another normal processing pallet 5 (processing pallet 5B in the above embodiment), so that the work W is automatically cut at night or the like. It is possible to suppress a significant decrease in the processing efficiency of the work W without interrupting the cutting processing of the work W during operation.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the above-described embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where one of the processing pallets 5A becomes the processing prohibited pallet 5P has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when both the machining pallets 5A and 5B become the machining prohibited pallets 5P, the control unit 10 may stop the operation of the machining system 1. Further, the control unit 10 may instruct the alarm device 12 at a remote location away from the processing system 1 to issue an alarm when the operation of the processing system 1 is stopped.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sensor 11 is described by waving the detection light DL in the rotation direction for scanning, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. As the sensor 11, a non-contact type or contact type sensor capable of detecting the hanging of the product Wa can be used. For example, as the contact type sensor 11, for example, a sensor that moves the contactor along the lower surface side of the residual material Wb and detects the hanging of the product Wa when the contactor comes into contact with the hanging product Wa. It may be used.

H ... Laser head L ... Laser beam W ... Work DL ... Detection light Wa ... Product Wb ... Residual material 1 ... Processing system 2 ... Laser processing machine 3 ...・ Loader 4 ・ ・ ・ Material pallet 5,5A, 5B ・ ・ ・ Processing pallet 5P ・ ・ ・ Processing prohibited pallet 6 ・ ・ ・ Product pallet 7 ・ ・ ・ Pallet changer 8 ・ ・ ・ Residual material Lifter 9 ・ ・ ・ Residual material Pallet 10 ... Control unit 11 ... Sensor 12 ... Alarm device 51 ... Laser machining machine control unit 52 ... Pallet changer control unit 53 ... Loader control unit 54 ... Lifter control unit 55・ ・ ・ Period setting unit 56 ・ ・ ・ Stocker control unit

Claims (6)

A laser processing machine that irradiates the work with laser light to cut out the product,
Two processing pallets on which workpieces can be placed and
With a pallet changer that holds the two processing pallets respectively, arranges one processing pallet inside the laser processing machine, arranges the other processing pallet outside the laser processing machine, and exchanges these two processing pallets with each other. ,
A residual material lifter that is placed outside the laser processing machine and lifts the residual material that is a part of the work after processing on the processing pallet other than the product.
A sensor that detects the presence or absence of the product hanging from the residual material lifted by the residual material lifter to the lower surface side, and
A loader for transporting the product on the machining pallet from which the residual material has been removed, or a loader for transporting the work before machining to the machining pallet.
The laser processing machine, the pallet changer, the residual material lifter, and a control unit for controlling the loader are provided.
In a processing system in which the work on the processing pallet is cut in the laser processing machine by exchanging the two processing pallets inside and outside the laser processing machine, and the work is conveyed to the processing pallet outside the laser processing machine. There,
When the sensor detects the hanging product, the control unit instructs the residual material lifted by the residual material lifter to be lowered onto the processing pallet, and sets the processing pallet as a processing prohibited pallet. , A processing system in which the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet are replaced inside and outside the laser processing machine to continue cutting processing by the laser processing machine. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor emits detection light parallel to or substantially parallel to the lower surface of the residual material, and detects the presence or absence of the product hanging by scanning along the lower surface of the residual material. Processing system. The control unit gives an instruction to the pallet changer to replace the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet with the inside and outside of the laser processing machine, but the laser processing machine is instructed to use the work on the processing prohibited pallet. An instruction to execute processing, an instruction to execute the lifting of the residual material on the processing prohibited pallet to the residual material lifter, and an instruction to execute the transfer of the product from the processing prohibited pallet to the loader and said to the loader. The machining system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the machining prohibition pallet is not instructed to transport the workpiece before machining. The control unit includes a period setting unit.
Within the period set in the period setting unit, when the sensor detects the hanging product, the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet are exchanged inside and outside the laser processing machine.
The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation of the system is stopped when the sensor detects the hanging product outside the period set in the period setting unit. .. The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit instructs the sensor to issue an alarm when the hanging product is detected. A laser processing machine that irradiates the work with laser light to cut out the product,
Two processing pallets on which workpieces can be placed and
With a pallet changer that holds the two processing pallets respectively, arranges one processing pallet inside the laser processing machine, arranges the other processing pallet outside the laser processing machine, and exchanges these two processing pallets with each other. ,
A residual material lifter that is placed outside the laser processing machine and lifts the residual material that is a part of the work after processing on the processing pallet other than the product.
A sensor that detects the presence or absence of the product hanging from the residual material lifted by the residual material lifter to the lower surface side, and
A loader for transporting the product on the machining pallet from which the residual material has been removed, or for transporting the work before machining to the machining pallet, is provided.
By exchanging the two processing pallets inside and outside the laser processing machine, the work on the processing pallet is cut in the laser processing machine, and the work is conveyed to the processing pallet outside the laser processing machine. It ’s a control method,
The laser processing machine, the pallet changer, the residual material lifter, and the control unit that controls the loader are
The sensor detects the presence or absence of the product hanging from the residual material, and
When the sensor detects a product hanging from the residual material, the residual material lifted by the residual material lifter is lowered onto a processing pallet to make a processing prohibited pallet.
A method for controlling a processing system, in which the processing prohibited pallet and the remaining processing pallet are exchanged inside and outside the laser processing machine to continue cutting processing by the laser processing machine.

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