JPH01218768A - Automatic working base device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent wear by receiving the effect of a working means by controlling the respective driving means of a supporting means based on the detected position by a position detecting means and retreating the supporting base means approached to a working means from the material to be worked. CONSTITUTION:The data group formed by a data input device 200 is read in the memory located on a microcomputer 100 and motor M1 and M2 are driven so that a plasma torch may proceed to a designated position by referring to the initial addressed of the program among the data read from the data input device 200 impressing an arc ignition allowing signal on a torch control circuit 300. The electric signal outputting from encoders EC1, EC2 is read to detect the present position of the plasma torch. The four supporting base assembly bodies ST to be retreated are discriminated with the present supporting position coordinates as a parameter and the solenoid valve EV controlling the cylinder 13 of the supporting base assembly body ST to be made in a retreating state is energized. The supporting means of the body to be worked is thus retreated automatically at the time when opposing to the working means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a processing stand that supports a workpiece when cutting, drilling, or other processing is performed on the workpiece, and particularly relates to a cutting torch. It is used in automatic processing equipment that automatically positions equipment such as machines relative to the workpiece and performs continuous processing.

[Prior Art] For example, gas cutting, plasma cutting, laser cutting, water jet cutting, etc. are conventionally known as means for performing cutting processing.

By the way, no matter which processing method is used,
When processing the entire thickness of the workpiece, the influence of the processing method extends to the back side of the workpiece.For example, when plasma cutting a relatively large plate-shaped steel material, the plasma arc Since it reaches the processing table that supports the steel material, a part of the processing table will be cut together with the steel material.

If the processing table is severely damaged, it becomes impossible to maintain the workpiece in a fixed position, resulting in lower positioning accuracy during processing and lower processing quality. Therefore, this type of processing table is considered a consumable item and needs to be replaced periodically. but,
It is wasteful to replace the entire processing table when only a portion of this type of processing table is damaged.

Conventionally, therefore, a large number of flat steel plates are placed upright on a base at regular intervals, and the workpiece is placed on each of the flat steel plates. According to this, since the base does not wear out, each of the flat steel plates can be inspected individually and only those that are significantly worn out can be replaced, reducing waste.

Furthermore, when performing laser cutting, if the top surface of the processing table is a horizontal surface, there is a risk that the laser light will be reflected on the processing table and return to the laser light source, damaging it.

Therefore, there is a known structure in which a slope is formed on the top of each flat steel plate on the processing table so that no horizontal surface is formed on the top surface of the flat steel plate.

Furthermore, a technique is also known in which a large number of conical support columns are arranged on a base and a workpiece is supported by the group of support columns.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, no matter which of the above conventional techniques is used, the upper surface of the processing table is affected by the processing means.
Wear of that part is unavoidable, and it is necessary to replace part or the entire processing table.

According to the present invention, there is no wear on the part facing the processing means.
The purpose is to provide an automatic processing table device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the workpiece is supported by a plurality of support means arranged along the workpiece, and each support means is provided with a A drive means □ step is provided to adjust the distance to the workpiece. Then, the position of a processing means such as a cutting torch is detected, and the support means that the processing means approaches is evacuated from the workpiece.

[Irrespective of what type of processing means is used, in general, the greater the distance from the processing means, the smaller the effect will be. For example, plasma cutting.

- When using a nozzle, the plasma arc column diffuses and its energy attenuates as it moves away from the nozzle, so the influence becomes smaller. Therefore, for example, when supporting means are arranged in rows at regular intervals on a horizontal surface and a workpiece is placed horizontally thereon, and the workpiece is cut with a plasma torch from above, the support means are By lowering the upper surface of the means and away from the workpiece, the distance between it and the plasma torch is also increased so that no wear of the support means occurs even when the two are facing each other. Since there are a large number of support means, if only those close to the processing means are controlled to selectively retreat from the workpiece, the workpiece can be maintained in a supported state by the remaining support means that are not retracted.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[Example] FIG. 2 shows the appearance of one type of cutting and machining stem for carrying out the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a large number of support assemblies sTi 1 + s”ri 2 +5T1 are mounted on the base 12.
A support mechanism 1 composed of 3 + 5Tta + . . . is provided. A workpiece 4 is placed on this support mechanism 1 . In this example, the support base assembly 5T is designed so that it can support a material with a maximum size of about 1 m' x 6 m.
11,5T12,5T13゜5T14+"' is 150
With an arrangement pitch of about 50-2 CIO,
There are 5 arrays in the axial direction and 30 rows in the Y-axis direction, for a total of 150 arrays.

A processing mechanism 5 is provided above the workpiece 4. The processing mechanism 5 is equipped with a cutting plasma torch 8 whose nozzle is directed toward the workpiece, that is, downward. This plasma arc 8 is supported by a frame 6 via a carriage 7, and is moved along the frame 6 by an arrow X in the figure.
It is configured to be able to move in the direction □. 10 is a drive mechanism that drives the carriage 7 in the X direction.

Also, on both sides of the support mechanism 1, rails 2 and 3 are indicated by the arrow Y.
It is placed facing the direction. Both ends 6a and 6b of the frame 6 rest on the rails 2 and 3, and the rails 2 and
3, it is configured to be movable in the direction of arrow Y. 9
is a drive mechanism that drives the frame 6 in the Y direction.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the support mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 1st
This will be explained with reference to the figures. Each support assembly is connected to an air cylinder 13. A support rod 15 and a cover 16 are provided.

The support rod 15 is the drive rod 14 of the air cylinder 13.
It is fixed at the tip. The cover 16 is formed into an umbrella shape and covers the upper part of the support rod 15. This cover 16 is provided to protect the air cylinder 13 from spatter generated during cutting.

In addition, the uppermost part 15a of the support rod protruding from the cover 16
The shape is sharp. This is a contrivance to prevent the laser beam from being reflected in the direction of the incident axis on the upper surface of the support rod 15 and returning to the laser light source when a laser beam machine is used as the processing means. If the reflected light returns to the laser light source, there is a high possibility of destroying the light source. However, in this embodiment, since the optical axes of the incident light and the reflected light are different, there is no risk of the reflected light returning to the light source, and instead of the plasma torch 8,
A laser processing machine can also be used.

The uppermost part 15a of the support rod abuts against and supports the lower surface of the workpiece 4. However, since the support rod 15 is fixed to the rod 14 of the air cylinder 13, the position of the support rod 15 changes in the Z-axis direction when the air cylinder 13 is driven.

Plasma arc 11 emitted from the nozzle of plasma torch 8
The workpiece 4 is cut, but when the plasma arc penetrates the workpiece 4, it reaches the support assembly located below. In reality, cutting is performed while moving the plasma torch 8 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, so only a portion of the plasma arc reaches the support assembly, but in any case, it generates a large amount of thermal energy. reaches the support assembly.

The magnitude of the energy of the plasma arc 11 increases as the distance from the plasma torch 8 decreases, so when the plasma arc hits the support assembly at the position where it contacts the workpiece 4, the support rod 15 is consumed. Therefore, in this device, as will be described later, the position of the plasma torch 8 is detected, and the support assembly (STz a in FIG. 1) located near it is retracted to the lowered position.
The workpiece 4 is controlled to be supported by the remaining support assembly located away from the plasma torch 8.

By increasing the distance between the support assembly and the plasma torch 8, the plasma arc 1 in the part that hits the support assembly can be reduced.
Since the energy density of the support rod 15 is sufficiently small, the support rod 15 is prevented from being worn out.

The same applies when using something other than a plasma cutter as a processing means.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the electrical equipment section of the device shown in FIG. 2.

This will be explained with reference to FIG. Support stand assembly 5T11+5T
12,5T18. ...5Txy (in this example, z=5.
Each air cylinder of y==3o) is equipped with a solenoid valve EV 1 + EV2 + EVa r ” ”E
, Vn (150 in this example) are connected.

Specifically, each of these solenoid valves is a spring return type solenoid switching valve having five boats.

An air cylinder 13 is connected to the two boats of the solenoid valve,
Another boat is connected to the near compressor 20=8-.

In either support assembly, when the solenoid valve that controls the air cylinder that drives it is de-energized, high-pressure air from the near compressor 20 is applied to the chamber on the head side of the air cylinder, and the rod side is exposed to the atmosphere. Because it will be opened,
The piston moves toward the rod, and the support rod 15 rises to a position where it comes into contact with the workpiece 4, and is positioned at that position. Furthermore, when the solenoid valve is energized, high pressure air from the near compressor 20 is applied to the chamber on the rod side of the air cylinder, and the head side is opened to the atmosphere, so the piston moves toward the head side and the support rod 15 is moved to a predetermined position. The robot is lowered to the retracted position and positioned at that position.

The electromagnetic valves Ev1 to Evn are connected to the output boat of the microcomputer 100 via a driver 110. Therefore, the microcomputer 100 connects a large number of support base assemblies ST via the electromagnetic valves Ev1 to Evn.
1.1 r ST12 r S, T I 3 r'
,...The positioning of the ascending position and descending position of 5Txy can be controlled individually.

Ml and M2 each represent the drive mechanism 10 shown in FIG.
and an electric motor provided in 9. That is, the electric motor M1 drives the plasma torch 8 in the X direction, and the electric motor M2 drives it in the Y direction.

Electric motors M1 and M2 are connected to microcomputer 10 via motor control circuits 120 and 130, respectively.
Connected to 0. Furthermore, the drive shafts of the electric motors M1 and M2 each have an encoder ECI for position detection.
and EC2 are combined.

Therefore, encoders ECI and EC2 output electric signals indicating the position of the plasma torch 8 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively. These electrical signals are applied to the microcomputer 100 as feedback signals.

A data input device 200 connected to the microcomputer 100 inputs data for programming the processing position (in this example, the cutting position) of the processing device, similar to a general NC control device. That is, data on the X coordinates, the X coordinates, and the moving speed of the end points and intermediate points of the cutting position are generated according to input instructions from the operator. This data is applied to microcomputer 100.

A switch SW connected to the input port of the microcomputer 100 is used to instruct the start of a machining operation. A signal for controlling permission/prohibition of ignition of the plasma arc is applied to the torch control circuit 300 from the microcomputer 100.

Here, control of advancing and retracting the support assembly will be briefly explained. In this embodiment, the four support assemblies closest to the plasma torch 8 are positioned in the retracted or lowered position, and the other support assemblies are positioned in the raised position. For example, when the plasma torch 8 exists at the position coordinates Xc and Yc shown in FIG.
, lb.

1c and 1d are evacuated and the other support base assemblies are positioned in the raised position.

Therefore, when the plasma torch 8 passes the coordinates where the support assembly is present, the support assembly is switched to the retracted position. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, the X coordinate of the support position and the
Identifies the coordinates.

Moreover, data indicating which support assembly should be positioned at the retracted position for each of the support position coordinates is stored in advance on the ROM memory in the microcomputer 100 as a cylinder control table.

FIG. 5 shows an outline of the operation of the microcomputer 100 shown in FIG. 4. The operation of the microcomputer 100 will be explained with reference to FIG. When the power is turned on, initialization is performed first. That is, the contents of the memory are cleared, the output boat is set to the initial state, the electric motors Ml and M2 are driven, and the plasma torch 8 is positioned at the home position.
At the home position, the four support assemblies located near the plasma torch 8 are positioned at the retracted position, and the other support assemblies are positioned at the raised position. Furthermore, an ignition prohibition signal is applied to the torch control circuit 300.

When the initialization is completed, the data group generated by the data input device 200 is read into the memory on the microcomputer 100, and then an ignition permission signal is applied to the torch control circuit 300, and the process proceeds to the next step S2.

In step S2, the process waits until the switch SW is turned on.

Normally, before turning on the switch SW,
ignites the arc to enable the cutting operation.

When the SW is turned on, the process proceeds to step S3, where the first address of the program is referred to among the data (position data, etc.) read from the data input device 200, and the process proceeds to step S3.
4 and proceed to 85.

In step S5, based on the data referred to in step S3, the electric motors M1 and M2 are each driven at a constant speed at a predetermined speed so that the plasma torch 8 moves toward the specified position coordinates.

In step S6, the current position of the plasma torch 8 is detected by reading the electrical signals output by the encoders EC1 and EC2.

In step S7, data is generated by converting the current position information detected in step S6 into support position coordinates as shown in FIG.

In step S8, the data generated in step S7 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the support position coordinates have changed from the previous support position coordinates. to identify whether it has passed by or not. When there is a change, the next step S9 is executed.

In step S9, the contents of the cylinder control table are referred to using the current support position coordinates as a parameter, and four support assemblies to be evacuated are identified. Then, the solenoid valves that control the cylinders of the support assembly that is to be newly retracted are energized, and the solenoid valves that control the cylinders of the support assembly that no longer need to be retracted are deenergized.

Therefore, the four support assemblies near the plasma torch 8 are always positioned in the retracted state.

In step Sl (+), it is determined whether the plasma torch has reached the position specified by the data referenced in step S3. If it has not reached the position, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is the specified position, the process proceeds to step S3. , repeat the above operation with reference to the next data.

Note that the movement stroke of the cylinder 13 is 150 to 200 mm when cutting a relatively thick plate while moving at a slow speed using a plasma arc cutting machine or a gas cutting machine.
However, when the speed is relatively large,
Since the amount of heat received by the support rod 15 is small, the length may be about 50 mm.

Further, in the above embodiment, the tip of the support rod 15 is formed to be sharp so that it can be used with a laser beam cutting machine, but when using other cutting means, it is not necessary to make it sharp and it may be formed flat. This makes it easier to support the workpiece.

In the above embodiment, the case where the contact position of the torch is program-controlled is shown, but in the movement control of the torch currently in practical use, eye tracer (optical tracing) control, frame planer (x, y There are two types of control: linear movement in one direction) and linear movement control in a uniaxial direction using a traveling trolley.

Even when the present invention is implemented in these systems, if a means (for example, an encoder) for detecting the position of the torch is provided, automatic evacuation control of the processing table can be performed based on the detected position signal.

[Effect] As described above, according to the present invention, the support means for supporting the workpiece is automatically retracted when facing a processing means such as a torch, so there is no risk of it being worn out due to the influence of the processing means. do not have.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a support mechanism 1 implementing the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the cutting angle rainbow stem including the support mechanism 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the support assembly and the plasma torch 8. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical equipment section of the device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an outline of the operation of the microcomputer 1°O shown in FIG. 1: Support mechanism 2, 3: Rail 4: Workpiece
5: Processing mechanism 6: Frame 7: Carriage 8: Plasma torch (processing means) 9.10: Drive mechanism (positioning means) 11: Plasma arc 12: Base 13: Air cylinder (drive means) 14: Drive rod 15: Support rod 16: Cover 20: Air compressor 100: Microcomputer (control means) 110: Driver 120.130: Motor control circuit 200: Data input device 300: Torch control circuit

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Positioning means for driving a processing means disposed facing the workpiece along the workpiece and positioning it at a predetermined position; Position detection means for detecting the position of the processing means; a plurality of support means provided along the workpiece, each including a drive means for adjusting the distance between one end of the support stand means and the workpiece;
and a control means for controlling the driving means of each of the support means based on the position detected by the position detection means, and retracting the support means approaching the processing means from the workpiece. Processing table equipment.