JPH07178580A - Signal transmission method of distance sensor of three-dimensional laser beam machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a signal transmission method of a distance sensor of a three-dimensional laser beam machine having a nozzle of a processing head capable of freely rotating around their respective axes of rotation without using a costly slip ring, etc. CONSTITUTION:The signal of a distance sensor which detects the distance between a material W and the nozzle 3 of the processing head is transmitted from a radio transmitter 7 disposed at a member which rotates freely together with the nozzle around the perpendicular axis and horizontal axis. This signal is received by a radio receiver 9 disposed in the non-rotating part of the laser beam machine and is transmitted to an NC control section which controls the distance between the material and the nozzle of the processing head.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal transmission method for a distance sensor of a three-dimensional laser beam machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a laser processing machine, it is necessary to constantly keep the focus of laser light emitted from a nozzle of a processing head on the surface of a material. Therefore, the distance between the material and the nozzle of the processing head is detected. A range sensor is used. There are various types of distance sensors, but in general, a capacitance type or an eddy current type is used. These distance sensors are attached to the tip of the nozzle of the processing head,
A Teflon cable or the like is connected to a control unit that controls the distance between the material and the nozzle of the processing head.

In a three-dimensional laser beam machine or the like, since the nozzle freely rotates around the C axis (axis parallel to the Z axis) and the A axis (horizontal axis), a slip ring is usually provided on the C axis and the cable is used. It prevents winding around the rotating part. In this case, the nozzle is normally prevented from rotating more than 360 degrees around the A axis.

[0004]

As described above, in the three-dimensional laser beam machine and the like, the slip ring is provided in the middle of the cable. However, since the slip ring is mechanically contacted, the slip signal is prevented. It was extremely precise, and therefore expensive, and it was difficult to completely prevent false signals. Further, it is preferable to provide a slip ring around the A-axis so that the nozzle can freely rotate around the A-axis, but since the structure becomes complicated, the nozzle was rotated around the A-axis.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and does not use an expensive slip ring or the like, and also has a tertiary structure in which the nozzles are freely rotated around their respective rotary shafts. It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal transmission method for a distance sensor of an original laser processing machine.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a signal transmission method of a distance sensor of a three-dimensional laser beam machine according to the present invention is a distance sensor for detecting a distance between a material and a nozzle of a machining head. A signal is transmitted from a wireless transmitter provided in a member that freely rotates around a vertical axis and a horizontal axis together with a nozzle, and this signal is received by a wireless receiver provided in a non-rotating portion of a laser processing machine, The data is transmitted to the NC control unit that controls the distance between the processing head and the nozzle.

[0007]

The signal of the distance sensor for detecting the distance between the material and the nozzle of the processing head is transmitted from the wireless transmitter provided on the member that freely rotates around the vertical axis and the horizontal axis together with the nozzle, and the signal is transmitted from the laser processing machine. It is received by a wireless receiver provided in the non-rotating part and transmitted to the control part. Since the signal of the distance sensor is transmitted without passing through the slip ring, erroneous signals are reduced and the nozzle can be freely rotated around the vertical axis and the horizontal axis.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the vicinity of a processing head 1 of a three-dimensional laser processing machine embodying the present invention. As shown, at the bottom of the Z-axis sliding body 11 through which the laser light passes,
The cylindrical rotating body 13 is provided rotatably around the C axis. A mirror that bends the laser beam in the horizontal direction is built in the lower inclined portion, and the processing head 1 is rotatably provided around the horizontal axis (A axis) on the left side surface.

A mirror for bending the laser beam in a right angle direction is built in the upper inclined portion of the processing head 1, and a nozzle 3 is provided at the tip. The nozzle 3 is moved in the W-axis direction (the optical axis direction of the laser) by the NC controller (not shown).
It can be moved in and out of 0 mm. A capacitance type distance sensor 5 for detecting the distance between the material W and the nozzle is attached near the tip of the nozzle.

A radio transmitter 7 is attached near the upper inclined portion of the machining head 1, and a radio receiver 9 is attached to the Z-axis sliding body (non-rotating portion) 11 correspondingly. . The wireless receiver 9 is connected by wire to an NC controller (not shown) that controls the distance between the material W and the nozzle.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a signal transmission method of the distance sensor of the three-dimensional laser beam machine according to the present invention. The distance sensor 5 is a detachable copper chip and forms an electrostatic capacitance that changes depending on the material W and the distance. The capacitance between the chip and the material W is converted into a frequency F (for example, 2.5 to 4 MHz corresponding to the distance) by the conversion unit 15 including an oscillation circuit and a frequency conversion circuit.

The wireless transmitter 7 has a carrier wave (for example, 150 M).
(Hz) is frequency-modulated by the frequency F and transmitted.
The radio receiver 9 tunes to a carrier wave and demodulates the frequency F. The NC control unit obtains the distance between the material W and the nozzle corresponding to the frequency F from a pre-registered memory, compares it with a command value, and controls the nozzle by a motor provided on the W axis of the machining head. I do.

The radio transmitter and the receiver are mounted near the machining head in order to prevent malfunction, but they can be mounted on the NC controller. In addition, the power supply for the conversion unit and the wireless transmitter can be supplied by a small battery or an inexpensive brush.

[0014]

As can be understood from the above description, since the present invention has the configurations described in the claims,
The nozzle can be freely rotated around vertical and horizontal axes. Therefore, the work efficiency of laser processing can be increased. Further, as compared with the conventional slip ring system, the manufacturing cost is lower, erroneous signals due to poor contact between the slip ring and the brush are eliminated, and the sliding portions thereof are eliminated, which facilitates maintenance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the vicinity of a processing head of a three-dimensional laser processing machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a signal transmission method of a distance sensor of a three-dimensional laser beam machine according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Processing Head 3 Nozzle 5 Distance Sensor 7 Wireless Transmitter 9 Wireless Receiver 11 Z-Axis Sliding Body 13 Cylindrical Rotating Body 15 Converter 17 NC Controller

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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A signal from a distance sensor for detecting a distance between a material and a nozzle of a processing head is transmitted from a wireless transmitter provided on a member that freely rotates around a vertical axis and a horizontal axis together with the nozzle, and the signal is transmitted. Of a distance sensor of a three-dimensional laser processing machine, which receives a signal from a wireless receiver provided in a non-rotating part of the laser processing machine and transmits it to an NC control section which controls a distance between a material and a nozzle of a processing head. Signal transmission method.