JPH0724943B2 - Laser torch - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber guided laser torch which can be used simply and safely.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a laser torch in which laser light generated by a laser oscillator is guided to a processing point by an optical fiber to perform processing such as cutting and welding, the focus of the laser light is always on the workpiece. It is necessary to tie it correctly.

Further, since the laser light for processing has a very large energy, it is necessary to pay great attention to safety. Therefore, conventionally, a laser torch is generally moved and processed by an automatic device while being held at a required relational position with respect to a workpiece.

[0004]

In order to move the laser torch by using an automatic device while maintaining a predetermined relationship with the workpiece, the device naturally becomes large and complicated and expensive. Moreover, it is not easy to handle, and it is extremely inefficient for small-scale processing.

The present invention is a safe laser torch which can be easily and easily operated by grasping it with one hand, and at the time of processing, the focus of the laser beam is automatically and correctly focused on the processed portion. It is intended to provide.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the laser torch of the present invention has an emission end of a fiber for guiding a laser beam generated by a laser oscillator in a holding cylinder having a tapered nozzle at its front end. At the same time, by providing a condenser lens in front of the emission end, the laser light emitted from the emission end is focused at the vicinity of the front end face of the nozzle, and when the front end of the nozzle contacts the workpiece. The circuit is configured to oscillate the laser oscillator.

[0007]

When the front end of the nozzle is brought into contact with the object to be processed, the laser oscillator automatically operates to generate laser light, and its focus is automatically and correctly focused on the point to be processed.

[0008]

EXAMPLE An appropriate condenser lens (3) (3) is provided in a holding cylinder (2) having a tapered nozzle (1) at the front end.

The emission end (6) of the optical fiber (5) for guiding the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator (4) is provided with a condenser lens (3).
The laser light, which is fixed in the gripping tube (2) behind and is emitted from the emitting end (6), is focused on the front end face of the nozzle (1) or slightly in front thereof by the condenser lenses (3) and (3). I tie it.

A hand switch is provided at a proper position outside the grip cylinder (4).
(7) is attached. Workpiece (8) whose front end of the nozzle (1) is metal with the hand switch (7) turned on
When touching, the contact detection relay (9) is activated, the laser control power supply (10) is connected to the laser oscillator (4), and laser light is generated.

[0011]

【The invention's effect】

(a) The laser light is automatically generated when the front switch of the nozzle is turned on and the front end of the nozzle is surely brought into contact with the workpiece, so the work is easy and the laser light is emitted in an inappropriate state. It is safe because it is not done.

(B) Since the focal point of the laser beam is automatically and correctly formed at the front end of the nozzle, that is, at the important point of the workpiece, the processing such as cutting or welding is surely and appropriately performed.

(C) The gripping cylinder can be made extremely small and lightweight, and manual single-piece work can be easily performed.

(D) It is safe because the laser beam is completely shielded by the gripping cylinder and the nozzle.

(E) Since the laser processing is performed while the front end of the nozzle is in contact with the workpiece, the laser torch can be moved reliably and easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a laser torch of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an electric circuit of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

(1) Nozzle (2) Grip cylinder (3) Condenser lens (4) Laser oscillator (5) Optical fiber (6) Emitting end (7) Hand switch (8) Workpiece (9) Contact detection relay (10) Laser Control power supply

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A gripping cylinder having a tapered nozzle at its front end,
By arranging the exit end of the fiber for guiding the laser light generated by the laser oscillator and providing a condenser lens in front of the exit end, the laser light emitted from the exit end is focused at the front end face of the nozzle. A laser torch, wherein the laser torch is configured so as to be tied and oscillates the laser oscillator when the front end of the nozzle comes into contact with the workpiece.