JPH04123888A - System for through process with laser beam and structure for attaching/detaching laser beam machining head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To excecute a through process of every kind of workings with one laser beam machine by moving a head holder to a designated position of laser beam machining head and mounting a designated laser working head on the head holder. CONSTITUTION:The material to be worked W is held and moved with the work table 18. The laser beam machining head H1, H2, H3, H4 for working is housed in the head magazine 20. The head arm 21 is moved by the driving part 23 controlled by the controlling part 22. The head holder 24 is set fixedly at the head arm 21, each laser beam machining head H1, H2, H3, H4 are made attachable/ detachable to the head holder 24. When the laser beam machining head is designated, the head holder 24 is moved to the position of the designated laser beam machining, and mounted on the head holder 24. Therefore, the metallic sheet parts can be manufactured in the short term.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] This invention relates to an integrated processing system using a laser beam that can perform all of cutting, bending, spot welding, etc. of thin metal plates with a single laser processing device, and a structure for attaching and detaching the laser processing head. The purpose of this product is to allow products manufactured by cutting, bending, spot welding, etc. of metal plates to be manufactured consistently using a single laser processing device. It is a system that performs processing consistently, has a work table that holds and moves the workpiece, the laser processing heads used for each processing are stored in a head magazine, and are controlled by a control unit. It has a head arm that is moved by a drive unit, a head holder is fixed to the head arm, and each laser processing head is removable from the head holder, and when a laser processing head is specified, The head holder is configured to move to the position of a designated laser processing head, and the designated laser processing head is attached to the head holder.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to an integrated processing system using a laser beam that can perform all of cutting, bending, spot welding, etc. of a thin metal plate using a single laser processing device, and a structure for attaching and detaching a laser processing head.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 7 shows a magnetic hand assembly as a part suitable for integrated processing using a laser beam, in which (a) is a side view and (b) is a bottom view. 1 is a spring arm, and a magnetic head 3 is attached to the tip of the spring arm via a gimbal 2. The lead wire 5 of the recording/reproducing coil 4 of the magnetic head 3 is connected to the covering tube 6 by a claw 7.
It is held by pinching it with 8.9. The base end of the spring arm 1 is superimposed on the spacer 10 and fixed by welding, and is fixed to the drive arm using the holes 11 and 12.

The spring arm 1 and the gimbal 2 are spot welded at four locations indicated by cross marks 14, and the spring arm 1 and the spacer 10 are spot welded at seven locations indicated by x marks 15. Further, the spring arm 1 has both edges 16
．． 17, the claw 9 is bent at almost a right angle, and the claw 7 at the tip is 8.
It is bent about 0 degrees.

Furthermore, the R-bent portion 13 at the base of the spring arm 1 is rounded several tens of times as shown in (a) to provide spring properties.

The spring arm l and gimbal 2 have a plate thickness of 0°025
Since it is extremely thin, about 0.1 mm, its outer shape can be cut by etching or the like in addition to press working.

Note that the gimbal 2 and the magnetic head 3 are fixed by adhesive.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In this way, the magnetic head assembly is manufactured by combining various processing methods such as cutting, bending, and spot welding a thin metal plate.

That is, the outer shapes of the spring arm 1 and the gimbal 2 are cut by placing a mask on a metal plate for forming an etching pattern and etching or by pressing.

Furthermore, since the bending of both edges 16.17, claws 7.9, and R-bent portion 13 is also performed by press working, a press machine and a mold are required. Resistance welding or laser welding is used for spot welding the spring arm 1, gimbal 2, and spacer 10.

In order to manufacture such a magnetic head assembly, various processing machines are required, and the contents of the processing operations are also different, which increases the manufacturing cost.

In particular, efficiency decreases significantly when small-scale production is performed, such as during the trial production stage.

The technical problem of the present invention is to address such problems and to enable products manufactured by cutting, bending, spot welding, etc. of thin metal plates to be manufactured consistently using a single laser processing device. It is in.

[Means to solve the problem]

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the basic principle of an integrated processing system using a laser beam according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a work table such as an X-Y table, on which a workpiece W is held by a presser 19.
is fixed.

20 is a head magazine which stores, for example, an old laser processing head for cutting, a laser processing head H2 for R bending, a laser processing head H3 for right angle bending, a laser processing head H4 for spot welding, etc. .

Reference numeral 21 denotes a helad arm, which is moved by a drive section 23 controlled by a control section 22 . A head holder 24 is fixed to the head arm 21, and each of the laser processing heads old, H2, . . . can be attached to and detached from the head holder 24.

Then, when a laser processing head is designated, the head arm 21 is driven, the head holder 24 is moved to the position of the designated laser processing head on the head magazine, and the designated laser processing head is moved to the head holder 24. It is configured to be attached to. In addition, L is a laser, and the output etc. are controlled by the control part 22.

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the content of the invention of claim 2.3. Reference numeral H denotes a laser processing head, which is equipped with a condensing lens 26 inside a nozzle 25, and has an assist gas passage 27 communicating between the nozzle tip and the condensing lens 26.

Further, the head holder 24 to which the laser processing head H is attached and detached has a laser beam guide section 28 and an assist gas passage 29, and the laser beam guide section 28 is guided by a laser beam from a laser light source to assist the laser beam. In the gas passage 29,
An assist gas pipe 30 is connected.

When the laser processing head H is attached to the head holder 24, the condenser lens 26 and the assist gas passage 27 of the laser processing head H are connected to the laser light guide section 28 and the assist gas passage 29 of the head holder 24. It is configured.

(3) The assist gas pipe 30 connected to the head holder 24 in claim 2 is connected to various assist gas tanks T1, T2, and T3 via a switching valve V. The switching valve V is configured to switch to one of the assist gas tanks T1 to T3 depending on the type of laser processing.

[Effect]

(1) In FIG. 1, with the workpiece W fixed on the work table 18 with the presser 19, first cut the workpiece W to form a contour, then perform R-bending, right-angle bending, and spot cutting. Work shall be carried out in the order of welding.

First, the head holder 24 of the head arm 21 is moved directly above the cutting laser processing head Ill by the drive unit 23, and then lowered.
The old laser processing head for cutting is installed. After the head arm 21 rises and moves directly above the workpiece W on the work table 18, the work table 18 is controlled by the control unit 22 to move according to the cutting shape of the workpiece W. Then, the workpiece W is cut by the cutting laser processing head H1 to form, for example, the outline of the expanded state of the spring arm 1 in FIG. 7. Drilling of holes is also done in this process.

When all cutting is completed, the head holder 24 is moved onto the head magazine 20 under the control of the control unit 22, and after returning the old cutting laser processing head to its original position, the laser processing head H3 for right angle bending is moved. is installed. The workpiece is then moved to a right-angle bending position on the workpiece W, and the laser beam is repeatedly scanned at a certain position to perform the right-angle bending. This method is well known from JP-A-1-313113 and JP-A-2-89522.

When the right-angle bending process is completed, the head holder 24 returns the laser processing head +13 for right-angle bending to its original position in the head magazine, and then moves above the laser processing head H2 for 2-bending, and moves the head H2 into the head. After being attached to the holder 24, it is moved to a predetermined position on the workpiece W that has been bent at right angles first. Then, by reciprocating the work table 18 at a predetermined pitch with respect to the head H2, a predetermined position of the workpiece W is scanned and two bends are performed.

At this time, two bends of arbitrary shapes are possible depending on the dimension of the scanning pitch. Note that 2-bending by laser beam scanning is well known, and is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-303237 and Japanese Patent Application No. 1-41247. When all the bending processes are completed, the head holder 24 is After returning the laser processing head H2 to its original position in the head magazine, the laser processing head H4 for spot welding is attached and moved onto the workpiece W. Then, the workpiece W is moved to a position where the other member to be welded overlaps,
Laser processing head (4) irradiates laser light to perform laser spot welding.

Note that in order to perform various types of laser processing in this way, it is necessary to control the laser L, select assist gas, etc. in addition to selecting the laser processing head and scanning conditions, but these are all controlled by the control unit 22. be done.

(2) The laser processing head H is separated from the head holder 24 in FIG. 2, but as explained in FIG. 1, the laser processing head H is attached to the head holder 24.
When attached to the condenser lens 26 of the laser processing head H
The assist gas passage 27 is connected to the laser light guide section 28 of the head holder 24 and the assist gas passage 29. Then, when the laser processing head H is moved over the workpiece W on the work table and positioned at a predetermined position, the laser light incident from the laser light guide section 28 of the head holder 24 is directed to the condenser lens 26. As a result, the light is focused on the workpiece W, and predetermined processing becomes possible.

Further, the assist gas flows in the order of the assist gas pipe 30 → the assist gas passage 29 of the hand holder 24 → the assist 1 gas passage 27 of the laser processing head H → the nozzle 25,
Assist gas is supplied from the nozzle tip to the laser processing section on the workpiece W.

After processing is completed, the laser processing head H is placed in the head holder 24.
When separated from the laser processing head H side, the condenser lens 2
6 and the assist gas passage 27 are connected to the head holder 24.
Side laser light guide section 28 and assist gas passage 29
Separate from.

(3) The type of assist gas varies depending on the type of laser processing, but when it is attached to the laser processing head/nod holder 24, it is controlled by the control unit 22 depending on the type of processing performed by the laser processing head. Switching valve■
is switched, the designated assist gas tank is connected to the assist gas passage 27 on the nozzle side, and assist gas is supplied to the laser processing section.

〔Example〕

Next, how the integrated processing system using a laser beam and the attachment/detachment structure of the laser processing head according to the present invention are actually implemented will be explained using examples.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of the integrated processing system using laser light. Reference numeral 31 is a CAD system, in which, for example, design drawings such as the spring arm 1 and gimbal 2 shown in FIG. 7 are created, and cutting positions, bending positions and bending angles,
2. Data such as the shape of the bend, the spring pressure, the position of the spot weld, and the nugget diameter are added to the drawing.

Reference numeral 32 is a data storage that stores information regarding integrated processing using laser light, and as shown in Figure 4, for each processing, processing conditions such as the material of the workpiece, the applied voltage of the laser, the type of assist gas, etc. Data is created and stored.

Using this processing data, NC data is generated based on the data of the CAD system 31 and sent to the NC control device 22.

The NC control device 22 controls the material of the workpiece, the type of processing,
Upon receiving data such as processing conditions, the arm drive unit 23
is driven, a laser processing head corresponding to the processing content is selected from the head magazine 20 and mounted thereon, and an assist gas is selected by the switching valve (2).

When the assist gas is for cutting, oxygen is used to promote oxidation, generate jet pressure, and protect the lens. Also, when bending or welding, to prevent oxidation,
is used. Note that air can also be used for cooling during bending.

During R bending, in the illustrated example, the laser control units 1, 1 are controlled via the switch 33 controlled by the NC control device 22, and the applied voltage, pulse width, repetition rate, etc. are controlled. . Then, the X-Y table 18 is driven and scanned a specified number of times at a specified scanning speed. It also has an R bending control section 34 controlled by the NC control device 22, and performs laser beam scanning while measuring the spring pressure with the spring pressure measuring section 35 of the R bending mechanism section, and when a predetermined spring pressure is reached, the spring pressure is measured. Controlled to end the scan. 36
is a spring pressure recording section, in which the finally obtained spring pressure value is recorded and saved.

Note that a feeding mechanism for a workpiece, a positioning mechanism for two members to be welded together, and the like are omitted. Furthermore, according to the present invention, marking can be performed using laser light.

FIG. 5 is a half sectional view showing an embodiment of the attachment/detachment mechanism of the laser processing head. In this embodiment, by replacing only the nozzle portion 25n, it is possible to use a laser processing head for cutting, bending, or spot welding. On the other hand, FIG. 6(a) shows a laser processing head for cutting or bending, and FIG. 6(b) shows a laser processing head for spora [9 contact.

As shown in Fig. 6(a), in the case of cutting and bending, the focus f of the laser beam is narrowed down to the processed part, while in the case of spot welding, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the laser beam is focused from the welded part. The focal point f is shifted and defocused. Since the defocus amount and spot diameter are determined depending on the type of processing and the material of the workpiece, a laser processing head dedicated to each processing is prepared and attached to the head holder 24, as shown in Fig. 6. When the head holder 24 moves to the reference position, the defocus amount, spot diameter, and gap G between the nozzle tip and the workpiece can be automatically set to always be optimal for each process.

In the laser processing head H shown in FIG. 5, only the nozzle part 25n can be attached and detached from the nozzle holder 25h,
Only 5n can be used as a nozzle length and nozzle diameter dedicated to various types of processing. That is, by adjusting the adjustment screw 37a on the outer periphery of the nozzle holder 25h, the center of the nozzle portion 25n can be set to the laser beam! After adjusting the position so that it coincides with the optical axis, fix it with the fixing screw 37b at the lower end.

If this nozzle part 25n is used for cutting or bending, the laser processing head for spot welding should be equipped with a nozzle part for spot welding, and the condenser lens 26 should be mounted in a position suitable for spot welding. .

The attachment part of the laser processing head H to the head holder 24 is a laser beam! A tapered projection 38 centered on the optical axis of the assist gas passage 27 and a tapered projection 39 at the opening of the assist gas passage 27 are integrally formed. On the other hand, on the head holder 24 side, the opening end of the laser light guide section 28 is a tapered opening 40, and the opening 46 of the assist gas passage 29 is also tapered. Therefore, each tapered projection 38, 39 is connected to the tapered opening 4 of the head holder 24.
By installing it so that it falls within 0.46, it is combined. Then, by advancing the piston rod of the fluid cylinder 41 and pressing the claw 42 against the lower side of the flange flange portion 43 of the laser processing head, it is fixed so that it will not fall off. In addition, when removing the laser processing head, when the piston rod of the fluid cylinder 41 is moved backward, the claw 42 is removed by the spring force of the tension coil spring 44.

The attachment/detachment mechanism of the laser processing head shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the example shown in FIG. positioning is required. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2, the laser processing head H side or head holder 2
If the structure has an annular groove 45 on the end face on the 4th side, positioning in the circumferential direction becomes unnecessary.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the laser processing head and assist gas, etc. are automatically selected according to the type of processing, and the work table moves under specified conditions, thereby cutting a thin metal plate. Various types of processing such as bending and spot welding can be performed consistently with a single laser processing device.

As a result, etching masks and press molds are no longer necessary, and metal plate parts can be manufactured in a short period of time, making it particularly suitable for manufacturing prototypes.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a diagram explaining the basic principle of the integrated processing system using laser light according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the principle of attaching and detaching the laser processing head and the assist gas supply mechanism, and Fig. 3 is a diagram explaining the principle of the integrated processing system using laser light. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the control system of the integrated processing system; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the contents of various processing information stored in the database; FIG. 5 is a half-sectional view illustrating the attachment/detachment mechanism of the laser processing head; The figures are diagrams illustrating various types of integrated laser processing heads, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating parts suitable for integrated processing using laser light. In the figure, 1 is a spring arm, 2 is a gimbal, and 7
...9 is a claw, 10 is a spacer, 11.12 is a mounting hole, 13 is an R bent part, 14.15 is a spot welded part, 1
6.17 is the edge (right angle bending part), W is the workpiece, L is the laser, 18 is the work table (
x-y table), 20 is a head magazine, 21 is a head arm, 22 is a control unit (NC control device), 23 is a drive unit, 24 is a head holder, ■ is a switching valve, T1...
・T3 is the assist gas tank, 2 is the nozzle, 25n is the nozzle part, 25h is the nozzle holder, 26 is the condenser lens, 27.29 is the assist gas passage, 28 is the laser light guide part, 30 is the assist gas pipe, 31 is CAD system, 32 database, 38.39 tapered projection, 4
0.46 is a tapered opening, 42 is a pawl, and 45 is an annular groove. Patent applicant Fujitsu Ltd. sub-agent Patent attorney Yasushi Fukushima

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A system that consistently performs processing such as cutting, bending, and welding of plate materials using laser light, which comprises a work table (W) that holds and moves a workpiece (W);
18), and laser processing heads (H1, H2) used for each processing.
...) is stored in a head magazine (20), and has a head arm (21) that is moved by a drive section (23) controlled by a control section (22), and the head arm (21) A head holder (24) is fixed to the head holder (24), and each laser processing head (H1, H2...) is removable from the head holder (24).When a laser processing head is specified, Head holder (2
4) moves to the specified laser processing head position,
An integrated processing system using a laser beam, characterized in that a specified laser processing head is configured to be mounted on a head holder (24). 2. Each laser processing head has a hole inside the nozzle (25),
It is equipped with a condensing lens (26), and an assist gas passage (27) communicating between the nozzle tip and the condensing lens (26) is provided.
), and the head holder (24) has a laser beam guide part (2
8) and an assist gas passage (29), a laser beam is guided from a laser light source to the laser light guide part (28), and an assist gas pipe (3) is provided to the assist gas passage (29).
0) is connected, and when the laser processing head (H) is attached to the head holder (24), the condenser lens (26) of the laser processing head is connected.
) and the assist gas passage (27) are configured to be connected to the laser light guide section (28) and the assist gas passage (29) of the head holder (24). Structure for attaching and detaching the laser processing head in the system. 3. The assist gas pipe (30) connected to the head holder (24) according to claim 2 is connected to various assist gas tanks (T1, T2...) via a switching valve (V). , When the laser processing head is selected, the switching valve (V)
An integrated laser beam processing system characterized by being configured so that the gas tank can be switched to an assist gas tank according to the type of laser processing.