JPH03310Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a damage prevention device for a laser torch section, and in particular, when a tiltably supported torch section collides with a workpiece or a processing table and tilts. The present invention relates to a damage prevention device for a laser torch section that detects this and stops the processing operation.

[Conventional technology]

When the torch part of the laser processing device, such as the laser torch and the tracing tracer head attached to it, comes into impactful contact with the workpiece or the processing table, etc., there are certain measures such as immediately stopping the feeding of the torch head. A means for preventing damage to the torch portion is added, and such a technique is known, for example, as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-6991.

FIG. 4 shows a conventional damage prevention device for a laser torch section. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a hollow torch support that is supported by the processing head of a laser processing device.A support case 3 is fixed to a flange 2 provided at the lower end of the torch support 1. The upper end of the torch body 4 is swingably supported.

The torch main body 4 has a supporting flange 5a at the upper end.
A nozzle 6 is integrally connected to the lower end of the cylinder 5 with its axis aligned with the nozzle 6, and a laser beam focusing lens 7 is disposed at the joint part of the cylinder 5 with the nozzle 6. ing.

When the torch main body 4 thus configured is swingably supported by the support case 3, the cylinder 5 is fitted into a hole 3b having a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylinder 5, which is bored in the bottom 3a of the support case 3. The torch body 4 is held in a hanging state by engaging the collar 5a with the upper surface of the support case bottom 3a, and the compression spring interposed between the collar 5a and the flange 2 of the torch support 1 Supporting the flange 5a by the material 8, the case bottom 3a
By pressing against the upper surface of the torch main body 4 is stably supported on the support case 3 without wobbling, and
When an external force acts on the torch body 4, it can swing against the spring member 8.

Further, on the outer periphery of the support case 3, a displacement detector 9 consisting of a plurality (four or more) of limit switches, micro switches, etc. is arranged opposite to the support flange 5a of the torch main body 4. Each displacement detector 9 detects when the torch body 4 collides with the workpiece 10 or a machining table (not shown), etc.
The actuating rod 9a of each displacement detector 9 is connected to the torch body 4.
It is engaged with the supporting flange 5a. 11 is a tracer head for copying that is integrally attached to the torch body 4.

In the laser torch damage prevention device configured as described above, the laser beam 12 introduced onto the central axis within the torch support 1 from a laser source (not shown) is transmitted through the support case 3 and the cylinder body 5 by the lens 7. The beam is focused and irradiated onto the workpiece 10 from the tip of the nozzle 6, thereby cutting the workpiece 10.

Here, the laser torch main body 4 which is in copying operation
Or, if the tracer head 11 collides with the workpiece or processing table due to an electrical failure or operational error in its drive system, the torch body 4 will resist the spring material 8 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. tilt like this. Accordingly, the operating rod 9a engages with the flange 5a and rotates in the tilting direction, and its displacement detector 9 operates, thereby causing the torch body 4 or the tracer head 11 to collide with the workpiece, etc. When this is detected, the drive mechanism of the laser torch is suddenly stopped to prevent damage to the torch body 4 or the tracer head 11.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

In the conventional laser torch damage prevention device as described above, the displacement detector 9 is required to detect the displacement when the torch body 4 is tilted in each direction of 360 degrees using the flange 5a as a fulcrum. This requires a plurality of devices, which increases the complexity and size of the device, as well as increases the cost. In addition, it is difficult to adjust the attachment of each displacement detector 9 to the support case 3, resulting in variations in detection accuracy, which poses a problem that hinders displacement detection.

[Purpose of invention]

The present invention was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to detect displacement in all directions with high precision using a single detection means, has a simple structure, can be made compact, and can be easily adjusted for installation. The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for preventing damage to unnecessary laser torches.

[Means for solving problems]

A laser torch damage prevention device according to the present invention includes: a support member that swingably holds a torch main body in a suspended state; a support member that swingably supports the torch main body on the support member; A gas filling cavity for displacement detection is formed in at least one of the members, is normally closed by the support body and the support member, and is opened when the support member swings, and a gas filling cavity for displacement detection is formed in the gas filling cavity for displacement detection. The device comprises a gas pressure source that supplies pressure, and pressure detection means that detects the gas pressure and sends a signal when the displacement sensing gas filling space is opened by the support member.

[Effect of invention]

In this invention, when the torch body collides with a workpiece, etc. and swings due to receiving an excessive external force, the gas filling space for displacement detection, which was closed by the support member of the torch body, opens even slightly. The internal gas pressure drops rapidly. The pressure detection means detects this pressure drop and sends a signal, thereby stopping the laser processing apparatus suddenly and preventing the torch body and tracer head from colliding with the workpiece to be processed. Therefore, according to the present invention,
Displacement of the torch body in all directions can be detected with a single displacement detection means, making it possible to downsize the device and simplify the structure.

[Example of idea]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the figure, 1 is a torch support (support) having the same structure as the conventional one, and a flange 2 is attached to the lower end of the torch support.
It is equipped with Further, reference numeral 13 denotes a support case (support body) that swingably supports the torch main body 4 having the same structure as the conventional one, and has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The bottom plate 13a is integrally connected to the flange 2 by bolts or the like, and an insertion hole 13b into which the cylinder 5 of the torch main body 4 is swingably fitted is bored in the center of the bottom plate 13a. The upper surface of the bottom plate 13a with which the flange 5a engages has a groove 1 for detecting displacement of the torch body 4.
4 is formed in a ring shape and concentric with the axis of the support case 13, and this groove 14 is formed by a compressed spring material 8 interposed between the flange 5a and the flange 2. It is normally closed by pressing against the contact surface, and an O-ring or the like (not shown) is provided as necessary to improve airtightness between both contact surfaces. Further, a gas supply port 15 is formed in the support case 13 and communicates with the displacement detection groove 14.
An inert gas supply source 16 such as dry air, He, Ar, etc. is connected to the conduit 17 via a conduit 17, and a pressure detector 18 for detecting the pressure inside the displacement detection groove 14 is connected to the conduit 17. The detector 18 outputs a signal 18a corresponding to the pressure within the displacement detection groove 14.

Note that in FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 indicate the same parts.

In the laser torch damage prevention device configured as described above, the laser beam 12 focused by the lens 7 passes through the nozzle 6 to the workpiece 1.
In an operating state or during positioning movement in which the workpiece 10 is irradiated with 0 and a predetermined processing is performed,
Due to some kind of failure in the drive system of the laser processing machine or due to an operational error, the torch body 4 or tracer head 11 may come off the normal processing position and collide with the workpiece 10 or the processing table, etc. When an excessive external force is applied, the entire torch body 4 tilts as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Along with this, the displacement detection groove 14, which had been closed by the flange portion 5a, is opened, so that the gas inside the groove flows out to the outside, and the gas pressure drops rapidly. The pressure drop at this time is detected by the pressure detector 18, and a braking signal 18a is output to suddenly stop the laser processing machine. This can prevent damage to the torch body 4 and tracer head 11.

Therefore, in the above embodiment, the torch body 4
Since the pressure detector 18 detects the change in gas pressure when the torch body 4 tilts and the flange 5a opens the displacement detection groove 14, even if the torch body 4 changes slightly due to an external force, this can be detected immediately. Furthermore, displacement can be detected reliably and with high precision even when tilted in any direction through 360 degrees, and there is no need for installation adjustment like with conventional displacement detectors.
Further, since it is only necessary to form the displacement detection groove 14 in the support case 13, the structure is simple and the device can be easily miniaturized. Further, even if the gas supplied into the groove flows out when the torch main body 4 is tilted, it will not cause any trouble to the laser processing device and there will be no danger to personnel.

Note that the means for detecting the displacement of the torch body 4 due to excessive external force in the present invention is limited to a structure in which a ring groove is formed in the support case 13 and is opened and closed by the flange 5a, as shown in the above embodiment. Instead, for example, a plurality of bottomed holes (gas-filled cavities for displacement detection) are formed in a ring shape in a support case (support body) 13 that swingably supports the torch main body 4 in a suspended state. Additionally, these may be connected to a gas pressure supply source, and this space may be opened and closed by a support member that swingably holds the torch body 4 on a support.

Further, a ring groove is formed on the lower surface of the collar portion (supporting member) 5a that swingably holds the torch body 4 on the support body, and this ring groove is communicated with a gas supply port formed in the support case 13 to provide a gas pressure supply source. You may also connect it to

[Effect of idea]

As described above, according to the present invention, there are provided a support member that swingably supports the torch main body in a suspended state, a support member that swingably supports the torch main body on the support member, and the support member and the support member that swingably support the torch main body in a suspended state. A gas filling cavity for displacement detection is formed in at least one of the members, is normally closed by the support body and the support member, and is opened when the support member swings, and a gas filling cavity for displacement detection is formed in the gas filling cavity for displacement detection. The torch is composed of a gas pressure source that supplies pressure, and pressure detection means that detects the gas pressure when the displacement detection gas filling space is opened by the support member and sends a signal. Even minute displacements of the torch body when excessive external force is applied to the body or tracer head can be detected reliably and with high precision using a single detection means, preventing damage caused by the torch body colliding with a workpiece, etc. In addition to being able to prevent this, the structure of the device is simple and compact, and there is no need to adjust the setting of the detection means.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an overall longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the laser torch damage prevention device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the - line in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating its operation, and Fig. 4 The figure is a sectional view of a conventional laser torch damage prevention device. 1...Torch support, 4...Torch body, 5...
... Cylinder, 5a ... Flange (member) 6 ... Nozzle, 7
... Lens, 8 ... Spring member, 10 ... Workpiece, 11 ... Tracer head, 13 ... Support case (support body), 14 ... Displacement detection groove (gas filling space for displacement detection), 16...Gas pressure supply source, 1
8...Pressure detector (pressure detection means).

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] a support member that swingably holds the torch main body in a suspended state; a support member that swingably supports the torch main body on the support member; and a support member formed on at least one of the support member and the support member, a gas-filled space for displacement detection that is normally closed by the body and the support member and is opened when the support member swings; a gas pressure source that supplies gas pressure into the gas-filled space for displacement detection; A device for preventing damage to a laser torch, comprising pressure detection means for detecting the gas pressure when the displacement detection gas filling cavity is opened by the supporting member and transmitting a signal.