JPH05277781A - Laser beam machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the contamination of an optical system by the smoke remaining after the end of laser beam processing. CONSTITUTION:The laser beam machine 1 has the optical system 12 for condensing the laser beam 11 radiated from a laser oscillator 10. The A work 14 is provided with the condensed laser beam 11 from the aperture at the front end 13a of a processing torch 13. A gas supply mechanism 3 which ejects an assist gas for processing from the aperture at the front end 13a at the time of laser beam processing is provided. A laser beam processing controller 4 for controlling the laser oscillator 10 and the gas supply mechanism 3 is provided. The laser beam processing controller 4 controls the gas supply mechanism 3 so as to eject the assist gas for processing during the specified time continuously even after the end of the irradiation with the laser beam 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laser processing machine for converging a laser beam and irradiating the object to be processed to perform laser processing such as cutting, welding and surface modification of the object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, when a laser processing machine performs laser processing on an object to be processed, a large amount of smoke is generated during the laser processing due to oil or the like attached to the object to be processed. If the generated smoke adheres to the optical system such as a lens or a concave mirror that guides the laser light of the laser processing machine, it causes a reduction in the transmission efficiency of the laser light in the optical system. The heat generated by the absorbed laser light may damage the optical system.

Further, due to heat generated during laser processing,
Plasma is generated in the vicinity of the machining point, which interrupts the laser light and prevents good machining.Therefore, a machining auxiliary gas such as argon is supplied into the machining torch and jetted from the tip opening of the machining torch. Generally, a laser processing machine is equipped with a gas supply mechanism that blows near a point to remove plasma.

By blowing the processing auxiliary gas by the gas supply mechanism, the smoke generated during the laser processing is also blown off and removed, and the optical system is prevented from being contaminated.

[0005]

However, in the conventional laser processing machine, the irradiation of laser light is stopped,
When the laser processing is stopped, the processing auxiliary gas is also stopped.Therefore, the smoke remaining after the laser processing is completed enters the inside of the tip opening of the processing torch near the laser processing point, and the optical system is removed. It had the drawback of being contaminated.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laser processing machine in which smoke remaining after the laser processing is properly removed to prevent contamination of the optical system.

[0007]

A first technical means for achieving the above object is to allow a laser beam to pass through a processing torch while being condensed by an optical system and to be processed from an opening of a tip of the processing torch. In a laser processing machine equipped with a gas supply mechanism that irradiates an object to perform laser processing, and at the time of laser processing, directs a processing auxiliary gas toward the vicinity of the laser processing point, and continues even after the irradiation of the laser beam is completed. In addition, a gas supply mechanism control unit for ejecting the processing auxiliary gas for a certain period of time is provided.

A second technical means is that the laser beam is passed through the processing torch while being condensed by an optical system, and the object to be processed is irradiated from the opening of the tip end of the processing torch to perform the laser processing. In a laser processing machine provided with a gas supply mechanism that directs a processing auxiliary gas toward the vicinity of a laser processing point during laser processing, switches the processing auxiliary gas to a pollution prevention gas such as dry air after the irradiation of the laser beam is completed. It is provided with a gas supply mechanism control unit for ejecting the gas.

A third technical means is to pass the laser light through the processing torch while condensing the laser light by an optical system,
While performing laser processing by irradiating the object to be processed from the tip end opening of the processing torch, in a laser processing machine comprising a gas supply mechanism for directing a processing auxiliary gas toward the vicinity of the laser processing point during the laser processing, A gas supply mechanism controller is provided which constantly causes a pollution prevention gas such as dry air to flow out through the gas supply mechanism, and ejects the contamination prevention gas with the processing auxiliary gas mixed during the laser processing. There is a point.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the gas supply mechanism control unit controls the processing auxiliary gas so that the processing auxiliary gas is jetted toward the vicinity of the laser processing point for a certain period of time even after the laser light irradiation is completed. Also, the smoke remaining after the laser processing is properly blown off and removed, the smoke can be prevented from entering the processing torch, and the optical system can be prevented from being contaminated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas supply mechanism control unit switches the processing auxiliary gas to a pollution preventing gas such as dry air after the irradiation of the laser light is finished, and directs the injection toward the vicinity of the laser processing point. Since it is controlled, the smoke remaining after the laser processing is well blown off and removed, the smoke can be prevented from entering the processing torch, and the optical system can be prevented from being contaminated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the gas supply mechanism control unit constantly controls so that the pollution preventing gas such as dry air is directed toward the vicinity of the laser processing point and flows out. The smoke is effectively prevented from entering the processing torch and the optical system is prevented from being contaminated.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the first invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a laser processing machine, a laser processing mechanism section 2, a gas supply mechanism 3, a laser processing control device 4, etc. Is equipped with.

A laser oscillator 10 is mounted on the laser processing mechanism portion 2, and a laser beam 11 emitted from the laser oscillator 10 is focused by an optical system 12 such as a condenser lens or a concave mirror and is guided along a processing torch 13. It is configured such that the light is focused and condensed, and the work 14 as the object to be processed is irradiated from the opening of the tip portion 13a of the processing torch 13.

The gas supply mechanism 3 includes an auxiliary gas cylinder 20 containing a processing auxiliary gas such as argon, and an auxiliary gas supply passage 21 for supplying the auxiliary processing gas from the auxiliary gas cylinder 20 into the processing torch 13. A pressure reducing valve 22 and an auxiliary gas electromagnetic valve 23 are sequentially interposed in the supply path 21.

The laser processing controller 4 includes a laser oscillator 10
Is configured to output and stop the laser oscillator ON signal 24 for activating the auxiliary gas and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 for exciting the auxiliary gas electromagnetic valve 23, and the laser oscillator ON signal 2
4 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 are simultaneously output, and after the output of the laser oscillator ON signal 24 is stopped, the output of the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the butt welding of the work 14 is performed, when the laser processing is started, the laser processing control device 4 outputs the laser oscillator ON signal 2
4 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 are simultaneously output.

When the laser oscillator ON signal 24 is input to the laser oscillator 10, the laser oscillator 10 operates and emits the laser beam 11. This laser light 11 is focused by an optical system 12 and is condensed along a processing torch 13, and a tip portion 13
The work 14 is irradiated from the opening a, is focused on the work 14, and welding is performed there.

On the other hand, the auxiliary gas solenoid valve 23 is turned on.
When the signal 25 is input, the auxiliary gas electromagnetic valve 23 is excited and opens, and the pressure reducing valve 2 is connected to the auxiliary gas cylinder 20.
The processing auxiliary gas adjusted to a predetermined pressure through 2 is supplied into the processing torch 13 through the auxiliary gas supply passage 21.

The supplied processing auxiliary gas is jetted from the opening of the tip portion 13a of the processing torch 13 toward the vicinity of the laser processing point. Then, plasma generated during laser processing is removed and smoke is blown away.

During the laser processing, the laser processing mechanism section 2 is controlled to move along the locus to be welded by a drive mechanism and a drive mechanism controller (not shown), and welding is performed along the welding line.

When the predetermined welding is completed, the laser processing controller 4 stops the output of the laser oscillator ON signal 24, and the operation of the laser oscillator 10 stops there. On the other hand, the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 is continuously output, and the processing auxiliary gas is continuously ejected from the opening of the tip portion 13a of the processing torch 13 toward the vicinity of the laser processing point.

Therefore, the smoke remaining after the completion of the laser processing is blown away and removed by the machining auxiliary gas continuously ejected, and the invasion of smoke into the machining torch 13 is effectively blocked by the ejected machining auxiliary gas. Here, contamination of the optical system due to smoke generated during laser processing can be prevented.

Then, after a lapse of a certain time, the laser processing controller 4 also stops the output of the auxiliary gas ON signal 25, the auxiliary gas solenoid valve 23 is demagnetized and closed, and the auxiliary processing gas for the processing torch 13 is supplied. Supply is stopped.

Here, the laser processing control device 4 constitutes a control unit for controlling the gas supply mechanism 3 to continuously eject the processing auxiliary gas for a certain period of time after the laser processing is completed.

After the output of the laser oscillator ON signal 24 is stopped, the time during which the auxiliary gas ON signal is continuously output is
The optimum time may be set appropriately according to the target work 14 and the type of processing.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the first invention. In the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The gas supply mechanism 3 is a main gas supply passage 21a.
And a sub gas supply passage 21b are provided in parallel with each other, and an auxiliary gas supply passage 21 is provided, and pressure reducing valves 22a, 2 are provided in the main gas supply passage 21a and the sub gas supply passage 21b, respectively.
2b and auxiliary gas solenoid valves 23a, 23b are provided.

The laser processing controller 4 is configured to output / stop the laser oscillator ON signal 24 for operating the laser oscillator 10 and the auxiliary gas ON signals 25a, 25b for exciting the auxiliary gas solenoid valves 23a, 23b. .. Further, the laser oscillator ON signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25a to the main gas supply path 21a are output / stopped at the same time, and the output of the laser oscillator ON signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25a are stopped, and at the same time, the sub gas supply path Two
The auxiliary gas ON signal 25b to 1b is output, and the output of the auxiliary gas ON signal 25b is controlled to stop after a certain period of time has elapsed.

Therefore, as in the first embodiment, when the laser processing is started, the laser processing controller 4 turns on the laser oscillator.
The signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25a are simultaneously output, the welding is executed by the laser light, and the processing auxiliary gas is supplied into the processing torch 13 through the main gas supply path 21a of the auxiliary gas supply path 21 for laser processing. The plasma generated inside is removed and the smoke is blown away.

When the predetermined welding is completed, the laser processing control device 4 causes the laser oscillator ON signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON.
The output of the signal 25a is stopped and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25b is output.

This auxiliary gas ON signal 25b excites the auxiliary gas electromagnetic valve 23b of the sub gas supply path 21b to open it, and the processing auxiliary gas whose pressure is adjusted appropriately through the sub gas supply path 21b is stored in the processing torch 13. Is continuously supplied to the laser beam and is ejected from the opening of the tip portion 13a of the processing torch 13 toward the vicinity of the laser processing point.

Therefore, the smoke remaining after the completion of the laser processing is blown away and removed by the machining auxiliary gas continuously ejected, and the invasion of smoke into the machining torch 13 is effectively blocked by the ejected machining auxiliary gas. Here, contamination of the optical system due to smoke generated during laser processing can be prevented.

Then, after a lapse of a certain period of time, the laser processing control device 4 stops the output of the auxiliary gas ON signal 25b, and the auxiliary gas solenoid valve 23b is demagnetized and closed to operate the auxiliary gas for the processing torch 13. Supply is stopped.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the second invention. In the drawing, the same components as those of the embodiment of the first invention are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The gas supply mechanism 3 is provided with a pollution control gas source 30 for supplying a pollution control gas such as dry air or nitrogen. One end of the gas supply mechanism 3 is connected to the pollution control gas source 30 and a pressure reducing valve 31 and The auxiliary gas supply passage 21 is located between the auxiliary gas solenoid valve 23 and the processing torch 13 at the other end of the pollution prevention gas supply passage 33 with the pollution prevention gas solenoid valve 32 interposed.
It is connected to the.

Then, the laser processing controller 4 sends the laser oscillator ON signal 24 for operating the laser oscillator 10, the auxiliary gas solenoid valve 23, the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 for exciting the pollution prevention gas solenoid valve 32, and the pollution prevention gas ON signal 35. It is configured to output / stop. The laser oscillator is turned on.
The signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 are simultaneously output and stopped, and the laser oscillator ON signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 2 are output.
At the same time that the output of No. 5 is stopped, the pollution prevention gas ON signal 35 is output, and the output of the pollution prevention gas ON signal 35 is controlled to stop after a certain period of time.

Therefore, like the first embodiment of the first invention, when the laser processing is started, the laser processing control device 4 outputs the laser oscillator ON signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 at the same time, and the welding is performed by the laser light. While being executed, the processing auxiliary gas is supplied into the processing torch 13 through the auxiliary gas supply passage 21 to remove plasma generated during laser processing and blow off smoke.

When the predetermined welding is completed, the laser processing controller 4 turns on the laser oscillator ON signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON.
The output of the signal 25 is stopped and the pollution prevention gas ON signal 35 is output.

The pollution prevention gas ON signal 35 excites the pollution prevention gas solenoid valve 32 in the pollution prevention gas supply passage 33 to open, and the auxiliary gas supply passage 21 through the processing gas torch 13 passes through the pollution prevention gas supply passage 33. An anti-pollution gas, whose pressure is adjusted appropriately, is supplied therein. That is, this is a system in which the processing auxiliary gas that has been supplied through the auxiliary gas supply path 21 is stopped and at the same time the pollution prevention gas is supplied.
The machining auxiliary gas that has been ejected from the opening of the tip portion 13a of the machining torch 13 toward the vicinity of the laser machining point is switched to the pollution prevention gas, and is continuously ejected.

Therefore, the smoke remaining after the laser processing is blown off and removed by the pollution preventing gas continuously ejected, and the invasion of smoke into the processing torch 13 is effectively blocked by the ejecting pollution preventing gas. Here, contamination of the optical system due to smoke generated during laser processing can be prevented.

Then, after a lapse of a certain time, the laser processing control device 4 stops outputting the pollution prevention gas ON signal 35,
Here, the pollution prevention gas solenoid valve 32 is demagnetized and closed,
The supply of the pollution prevention gas to the processing torch 13 is stopped.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the third invention. In the drawing, the same components as those of the first embodiment of the first invention are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The gas supply mechanism 3 is provided with a pollution prevention gas source 30 for supplying a pollution prevention gas such as dry air or nitrogen. One end of the pollution prevention gas supply passage 33 serves as the pollution prevention gas source 30. While being connected, the other end is connected to an auxiliary gas supply passage 21 located between the auxiliary gas solenoid valve 23 and the processing torch 13. In addition, the pollution prevention gas supply passage 33
A pressure reducing valve 31 for pressure adjustment is interposed in the middle.

Therefore, from the pollution prevention gas source 30 to the pressure reducing valve 3
The pollution prevention gas whose pressure is adjusted by 1 is constantly supplied into the processing torch 13 through the pollution prevention gas supply path 33 and the auxiliary gas supply path 21, and when the auxiliary gas solenoid valve 23 is opened, the pollution prevention gas is polluted. A mixed gas in which the processing auxiliary gas is mixed with the prevention gas is supplied into the processing torch 13.

The laser processing controller 4 is controlled so as to simultaneously output and stop the laser oscillator ON signal 24 for operating the laser oscillator 10 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 for exciting the auxiliary gas electromagnetic valve 23.

Therefore, like the first embodiment of the first invention, when the laser processing is started, the laser processing control device 4 outputs the laser oscillator ON signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON signal 25 at the same time, and the welding is performed by the laser light. While being executed, the mixed gas of the processing auxiliary gas and the pollution prevention gas is supplied into the processing torch 13 through the auxiliary gas supply path 21 and the pollution prevention gas supply path 33 to remove the plasma generated during the laser processing and smoke. Blow away and remove.

When the predetermined welding is completed, the laser processing control device 4 causes the laser oscillator ON signal 24 and the auxiliary gas ON.
The output of the signal 25 is stopped. The supply of the processing auxiliary gas is stopped here.

At this time, since the pollution prevention gas is constantly supplied through the pollution prevention gas supply passage 33, the pollution prevention gas continues from the opening 13a of the processing torch 13 toward the vicinity of the laser processing point. Erupted.

Therefore, the smoke remaining after the laser processing is blown away and removed by the pollution preventing gas continuously ejected, and the invasion of smoke into the processing torch 13 is effectively blocked by the ejecting pollution preventing gas. Here, contamination of the optical system due to smoke generated during laser processing can be prevented.

In the above-mentioned embodiments of the invention, the case where welding is performed is shown, but the details of processing such as cutting and surface modification may be used. Further, a structure is shown in which a processing auxiliary gas and a pollution prevention gas to be jetted toward the vicinity of the laser processing point are supplied into the processing torch 13.
It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the ejection ports such as the pollution prevention gas supply passage 33 are arranged near the outer peripheral portion of Further, the auxiliary gas supply path 21 and the pollution prevention gas supply path 33 are configured as separate supply paths,
The structure may be such that they are separately connected to the processing torch 13.

[0052]

As described above, according to the laser processing machine of the first invention, since the processing auxiliary gas is continuously ejected for a certain period of time after the end of the laser beam irradiation, the smoke remaining after the end of the laser processing is also good. It can be blown away and removed, and contamination of the optical system due to smoke generated during laser processing can be effectively prevented.

Further, according to the laser processing machine of the second invention, since the pollution preventing gas is continuously ejected in place of the processing auxiliary gas after the irradiation of the laser light is finished, the smoke generated during the laser processing is similarly generated as described above. It is possible to effectively prevent the optical system from being contaminated.

Further, according to the laser processing machine of the third invention,
Since the pollution prevention gas is constantly directed toward the laser processing point and flows out, it is possible to effectively prevent the smoke remaining after the laser processing from entering the processing torch, and the smoke generated during the laser processing is used as an optical source. System pollution can be effectively prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a first embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing an embodiment of the second invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing an embodiment of the third invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Laser Processing Machine 3 Gas Supply Mechanism 4 Laser Processing Control Device 10 Laser Oscillator 11 Laser Light 12 Optical System 13 Processing Torch 14 Work 20 Auxiliary Gas Cylinder 21 Auxiliary Gas Supply Channel 24 Laser Oscillator ON Signal 25 Auxiliary Gas ON Signal 30 Contamination Prevention Gas Source 33 Contamination prevention gas supply path 35 Pollution prevention gas ON signal

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Masakazu Kobayashi, 6-10 Takino-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo Prefecture Shinmeiwa Industrial Co., Ltd. Development Technology Headquarters (72) Toshihide Kuroda 6-Takino-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo No. 107 Shin-Maywa Industrial Co., Ltd. Development Technology Headquarters (72) Inventor Junko Momozaki 6-7 Takino-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo No. 107 Shin-Maywa Industrial Co., Ltd. Development Technology Headquarters

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A laser beam is passed through a processing torch while being condensed by an optical system, and an object to be processed is irradiated with laser light from an opening of a tip end of the processing torch to perform laser processing. In a laser processing machine provided with a gas supply mechanism for ejecting a processing auxiliary gas toward a direction, a gas supply mechanism control unit for continuously ejecting the processing auxiliary gas for a certain period of time after the end of the irradiation of the laser beam is provided. A laser processing machine characterized by the following. 2. A laser beam is passed through a processing torch while being condensed by an optical system, and an object to be processed is irradiated from an opening of a tip end of the processing torch to perform laser processing, and at the time of the laser processing, a vicinity of a laser processing point. In a laser processing machine provided with a gas supply mechanism for ejecting a processing auxiliary gas directed toward, a gas supply mechanism control for switching the processing auxiliary gas to a pollution prevention gas such as dry air and ejecting it after the irradiation of the laser beam is completed. A laser processing machine characterized by comprising a section. 3. A laser beam is passed through a processing torch while being condensed by an optical system, and an object to be processed is irradiated with laser light from an opening of a tip end of the processing torch to perform laser processing. In a laser processing machine provided with a gas supply mechanism for ejecting a processing auxiliary gas toward a direction, a pollution prevention gas such as dry air is constantly flown out through the gas supply mechanism, and the pollution prevention gas is supplied during the laser processing. A laser processing machine, comprising: a gas supply mechanism control unit for ejecting the processing auxiliary gas in a mixed state.