JPH01146693A - Plotter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To rotate an oscillator at an optional angle without twisting a cable by connecting a cable for transmitting the ultrasonic oscillation to an oscillator of a cutter to the oscillator through a slip ring. CONSTITUTION: An ultrasonic oscillation generating device carries a current to an ultrasonic oscillation unit 58 through a cable 60, and the ultrasonic oscillation is transmitted to a blade edge 68 through a horn 66 so as to cut a sheet material into a prescribed shape. At this stage, the cable 60 is connected to the ultrasonic oscillation unit 58 through a slip ring 64. As a result, even in the case where this ultrasonic oscillation unit 58 is rotated at an optional angle, since the slip ring 64 is rotated, generation of twist in the cable is prevented. Consequently, the blade edge 68 is rotated in an optional direction without generating a trouble, and the sheet material can be cut into a desirable shape.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a plotter that automatically moves a pen, cutter, etc. along a predetermined trajectory, and in particular, the present invention relates to a plotter that automatically moves a pen, cutter, etc. along a predetermined trajectory.
This invention relates to a plotter suitable for cutting sheet materials such as FRP.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this type of plotter has a carriage movable in the X-Y directions, and a cutter is detachably attached to the head of the carriage. The movement of the carriage is controlled by a computer, and this movement causes a cutter to cut the sheet material into the desired shape.

However, when cutting difficult-to-cut materials such as CFRP with a cutter, there are problems in that the cutting resistance of the cutting edge is large, productivity is poor, and the durability of the cutting edge is also poor.

For this reason, a plotter was proposed in which the cutter is driven up and down by a reciprocating engine, and the cutter is moved while cutting while transmitting the reciprocating motion to the cutting edge. According to this plotter,
Since it is possible to cut difficult-to-cut materials by vertically moving the cutting edge, the cutting resistance of the cutting edge can be reduced, and productivity and durability of the cutting edge can be improved.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, conventional plotters using reciprocating engines have a problem in that the reciprocating engine has a large weight, making it difficult to control the direction of the cutter and limiting the cutting shape.

Also, it is conceivable to install an ultrasonic vibration unit instead of the reciprocating engine. If an ultrasonic vibration unit is installed, the weight will be lighter compared to a reciprocating engine, and the cutter will apply high-speed minute vibrations, improving cutting efficiency. However, the ultrasonic vibration unit has
Since a cable is connected to supply the high frequency current, this cable gets in the way, making it difficult to control the direction of the cutter attached to the bottom of the ultrasonic vibration unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plotter that can cut a sheet-like material into an arbitrary shape using a cutter to which ultrasonic vibrations are applied.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the plotter according to the present invention is provided with a carriage movable in the X-Y directions on the main body of the plotter, and a head for detachably attaching a pen, cutter, etc. to the side of the carriage. This is a plotter that controls the blade edge of the cutter, which is given ultrasonic vibration by a vibrator attached to the top of the cutter, in any direction and to any length, and further controls the thickness of the material to be cut using an electric micrometer. In a plotter that can set the protrusion of the cutting edge to correspond to the thickness of the material to be cut by measuring it with a meter, a cable that transmits high-frequency current is connected to a vibrator via a slip ring, and the slip ring rotates. It is characterized by being able to supply high-frequency current to the vibrator.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, the vibrator can be rotated to any angle without rotating the cable that conducts high-frequency current, so the cable does not twist. This results in
The cutter can cut the material into a desired curve.

〔Example〕

Preferred embodiments of the plotter according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the plotter. The plotter 10 has an X-direction guide 16 slidably provided on a Y-direction guide 14.14 on the side of the plotter main body 12, and this X-direction guide 16 is moved in the Y-Y direction by the drive of a motor 18. It is possible.

In FIG. 1, a carriage 20 is slidably attached to the X-direction guide 16, and a head 22 is attached to the carriage 20. The head 22 is movable by an X motor 24 along the longitudinal direction of the X direction guide 16, that is, along the XX direction.

Further, on the main body 12, a sheet material 23 to be cut is placed
- It is vacuum suctioned to the upper surface 23A of the Y table.

As shown in FIG. 2, this head 22 has an electric micrometer 26 at its left end that measures the thickness of the sheet material 23.
, and an ultrasonic cutter 28 for cutting the sheet material 23.

First, an electric micrometer will be explained according to FIG. The main body 26A of the electric micrometer 26 has a probe 28 at its lower end, and is supported by a case 36 so as to be vertically movable. That is, the electric micrometer main body 26A is attached to an abbreviated support piece 32, and this support piece 32 fits into a guide rail 38 attached to the side surface of the case 36. This allows the electric micrometer 26 to move up and down along the guide rail 38. Case 3
An upper stopper 42 and a lower stopper 44 are provided at the upper and lower ends of 6.
are screwed together so that their positions can be adjusted.

Furthermore, a solenoid 46 is attached inside the case 36, and a loft 50 is attached to the lower end of the plunger 48 of the solenoid 46. The solenoid 46 moves the rod 50 downward together with the plunger 48 when energized. Further, a spring 52 is attached to the upper end of the case 36 and the control plate 34 via bolts 54 and 56. Further, in FIG. 3, the right end surface of the case 36 is attached to the head portion 22.

As a result, when the solenoid is energized, the electric micrometer 26 moves downward against the biasing force of the spring 52 and directs the tip of the probe 28 to the upper surface 23A of the X-Y table.
contact with. Also, if the solenoid becomes de-energized,
The electric micrometer 26 is pulled upward by the biasing force of the spring 52 and stops at a position where the upper end of the planka 48 contacts the upper stopper 42 .

Next, the ultrasonic cutter 28 will be explained according to FIG. The ultrasonic cutter 28 has an ultrasonic vibration unit 58 approximately in the center, a slip ring 64 is rotatably provided above the ultrasonic vibration unit 58, and an ultrasonic vibration generator shown in FIG. 8 is installed above the slip ring 64. A cable 60 connected to 59 is connected via a connector 62. Furthermore, a cutting edge 68 is attached to the lower part of the unit 58 via a horn 66. Further, a bearing 70 whose outer surface is machined into a spherical shape is fixed to the upper outer periphery of the unit 58. The bearing 70 is held by a receiving portion 74 at the upper end of the cylindrical body 72 and the inner peripheral surface of a nut 76, and the cutting edge 68 is swingable. Further, the ultrasonic vibration unit 58 includes a plate spring 78 whose lower part is attached to the inner surface of the cylinder body 72 and a pressing piece 8.
It is held between o. The pressing piece 80 can be moved in the radial direction by an adjustment screw 82 screwed into the lower end of the cylindrical body 72. This allows the cutting edge 68 to be attached to the bearing 7.
It can be swung around 0 as a fulcrum, and the cutting edge can be aligned by 680 degrees.

Further, the cylindrical body 72 is rotatably supported by a bracket 88 at its upper end and lower end via a bearing 84 and a cam follower 86, respectively.

The bracket 88 is slidably attached to the frame 90 via a guide rail 92. The frame 90 is
Its left side is attached to the main body of the head section 22.

Further, in FIG. 4, on the left side of the frame 90, a U/D motor 92 is attached to the head portion 22 via a substantially U-shaped support plate 94. Also, the rotation shaft 96 of the U/D motor 92
A cam 98 is attached to the right end of the bracket 88, and a cam follower 100 corresponding to the cam 98 is attached to the bracket 88. Further, a first sensor blade 102 is attached to the approximate center of the rotation shaft 96 of the U/D motor 92, and a first microsensor 104 corresponding to the first sensor blade 102 is attached to the support plate 94. installed. Also, this U/
The D motor 92 is electrically connected to the control section 17 shown in FIG.

As a result, when the U/D motor 92 is rotated, the cam 9
8 rotates and pushes up the cam follower 100, thereby moving the ultrasonic cutter 28 upward. Also, the first
The rotation of the U/D motor 92 can be controlled by the microsensor 104 and the first sensor blade 102 .

Further, a θ motor 106 is attached to the upper end of the frame 90, and a first gear 108 is attached to the rotation shaft of the motor 106.
is attached to the frame 90, and a first gear 1 is attached to the frame 90.
A second gear 110 with which gear 08 meshes is rotatably supported. As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of rollers 112 and 122 are attached to the second gear 110, and one end of an abbreviated lever 114 is inserted between them. The other end of this lever 114 is fixed to the upper end of the ultrasonic vibration unit 58. Further, a second sensor blade 116 is attached to the second gear 110, and a second microsensor 118 is attached at a position corresponding to the second sensor blade 116.

As a result, when the θ motor 106 is rotated, the roller 1
12 rotates, and the ultrasonic cutter 28 is connected via the lever 114.
rotates and the direction of the cutting edge 68 changes. In addition, the second microsensor 118 and the second sensor blade 116 allow θ
Motor 1060 rotations can be controlled.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
20 is attached via an abbreviated support plate 122,
A first pulley 12 is attached to the rotating shaft 123 of the Z motor 120.
4 is installed. The first four pulleys 124
It is connected to a pulley 128 and a belt 130. Second
The pulley 128 is attached to the upper end of the shaft 126, which is rotatably supported by the bracket 88. A third gear 134 is attached to the lower end of the shaft 126. The third gear 134 meshes with the fourth gear 132. The fourth gear 132 is rotatably supported by the bracket 88 and is screwed into the cylindrical body 136A of the blade control disc part 136. There is. Also, the disk section 136
The flange 136B has stopper pins 138 and 138.
A notch 136C is formed correspondingly. The stopper pin 138 is attached to the bracket 88 side.

Further, a third sensor blade 140 is attached to the upper end of the disk portion 136, and a third microsensor 142 is attached to the bracket 88 at a corresponding position. The rod 144 is a play on the fixed part 90 side) 91
A contact piece 146 is attached to the lower end of the rod 144 . Also, the disk section 136
The upper end surfaces of the rods 144 and 144 are in contact with the lower end surfaces of the rods 144 and 144, respectively. Further, a spring 148, 148 is attached near the upper end of the rod 144.

As a result, when the Z motor 120 is rotated, the belt 1
30, the third gear 132 rotates via the shaft 126 and the fourth gear 134, and moves the disk portion 136 in the vertical direction. As a result, the contact piece 146 moves up and down following the movement of the disk portion 136. Further, the rotation of the Z motor 120 can be controlled by the third microsensor 142 and the third sensor blade 140.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the slip ring 64
An oval-shaped lever 152 is attached to the upper end, and the lever 152 is inserted between a pair of stops 152, 152 attached to the head section 22. Thereby, rotation of the slip ring 64 can be prevented.

A spring 154 is attached between the frame 90 and the bracket 88, and urges the bracket 88 and the ultrasonic cutter 28 upward against their own weight.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic vibration unit 5
8 has a donut-shaped first terminal 160 and a second
terminals 162 are attached, and each terminal is electrically connected to the upper end of the ultrasonic transducer 164 by cables 166 and 168. Ultrasonic transducer 164 is installed inside unit 58. The unit 58 also forms a shaft 170 that projects upward from the center of its upper end,
A first cylindrical portion 172 formed in the slip ring 64 is rotatably supported by the shaft 170 .

Further, a first pin 174 is supported by a second cylindrical portion 176 of the slip ring 64 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and a spring 178 biases the first pin 174 downward. Similarly to the first pin 174, the second pin 180 is movably supported by the third cylindrical portion 182 of the slip ring 64, and the spring 178 biases the second pin 180 downward. are doing. The first pin 174 and the second pin 180 connect a cable 186 and a cable 188 to their respective upper ends.

Cable 186 and cable 188 are connected to cable 60 via a connector 62 attached to the upper end of slip ring 64. Thereby, the vibrator 164 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic vibration generator 59 shown in FIG.

In this way, even if the ultrasonic vibration unit 58 rotates, the first pin 174 and the second pin 180 are
terminal 160 and second terminal 162 are always in contact. Thereby, the ultrasonic vibration unit 58 can be rotated arbitrarily without twisting the cable 60.

The operation of the plotter according to the present invention constructed as described above will be explained with reference to the plotter diagram in FIG.

First, the cutting shape of the sheet material 23 is input to the control section 17 .

Next, the solenoid 46 is energized, the probe 28 is moved downward and brought into contact with the plate surface 23A, and the measured value of the micrometer 26 at this position is read.

Furthermore, the measuring element 28 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the sheet-like material to read the measurement value B of the micrometer 26, and the value of B-Δ, that is, the thickness of the sheet-like material is sent to the control section 17 as an electrical signal.

Next, in response to instructions from the control unit 17, the X motor drive circuit 1
78, X motor 24 via Y motor drive circuit 180
, drives the Y motor 18 to move the ultrasonic cutter 28 to the cutting position, and further rotates the Z motor 102 in the forward direction via the Z motor drive circuit 182 to raise the contact piece 146 and move the cutting edge 68. It is made to protrude from the contact piece 146 by a predetermined length.

Further, the U/D motor 92 is driven to lower the bracket 88 and bring the contact piece 146 into contact with the upper surface of the sheet material 23. At the same time, the cable 60 is moved from the ultrasonic vibration generator 59.
The ultrasonic vibration unit 58 is energized via the horn 66
The ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the cutting edge 68 via the cutting edge 68. Thereby, the plotter 10 starts cutting the sheet material 23.

Furthermore, when the cutting shape changes from a straight line to a curved line, for example,
In response to instructions from the control unit 17, the Z motor 120 is reversed via the two-motor drive circuit 182 to lower the contact piece 146. As a result, the protruding portion of the cutting edge 68 from the abutting piece 146 becomes shorter.

At the same time, the θ motor 10 is driven through the θ motor drive circuit 186.
6 rotates, the cutting edge rotates by a desired angle and cuts the sheet material 23 on a curve.

When the cutting is completed, the U/D motor 92 is reversely rotated in response to an instruction from the control unit 17, and the ultrasonic cutter 28 is raised.

〔effect〕

In this way, according to the plotter of the present invention, even if the ultrasonic vibration unit is rotated arbitrarily, the slip ring rotates.
No twisting occurs in the cable. This allows the cutting edge to be rotated in any direction. As a result, the material to be cut can be cut into any shape.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view of a plotter according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a head according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of parts related to an electric micrometer according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram according to the present invention. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion related to the ultrasonic power lid according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view taken along arrow A-A in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a view taken along arrow B-B in FIG. 4, and FIG. Cross-sectional view of slip ring related parts, No. 8
The figure is a plotter diagram of a plotter according to the present invention. 10... Plotter, 12... Plotter main body,
20... Carriage, 22... Head,
23...Sheet material, 26...Electric micrometer, 28...Ultrasonic force lid, 60...Cable, 68...Blade tip, 160.162...
donut-shaped terminal, 164... vibrator, 174.
180...pin.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A plotter in which a carriage is provided on the main body of the plotter so as to be movable in the X-Y directions, and a head is provided on the side surface of the carriage for detachably attaching a pen, cutter, etc., above the cutter. The cutting edge of the cutter, which is given ultrasonic vibration by a vibrator attached to the blade, can be controlled in any direction and length, and the thickness of the cut material can be measured with an electric micrometer to determine the thickness of the cut material. In a plotter where the protruding part of the cutting edge can be set to correspond to the thickness, a cable that transmits high-frequency current is connected to the vibrator via a slip ring, and the slip ring supplies high-frequency current to the vibrator while rotating. A plotter characterized by being able to.