JPH09271975A - Yag laser beam machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce burden of a worker and to automatically stop at contingency by arranging a drive means, etc., for automatic running. SOLUTION: Running by a motor 8 is automatically executed along the shape of an end face 13a because a side guide roller always is abutted to the end face 13a of work 13. Accordingly, laser beam is always run in conforming to a prescribed weld line 14 and a worker is not always required to monitor. In a case the roller 16 is contingently separated from the work end face 13a, running and laser beam irradiation is immediately stopped by an end part detection sensor 26, generation of machining defect is prevented beforehand. Further, at the timing the sensor 26 detects the end part of work 13, the roller, etc., are separated to cause running unstable, but a balance weight 18 is moved in the direction opposite to the advancing direction, a center of weight of the whole device is moved in that direction, problem that the device is inclined, etc., is not caused, the device continues stable running up to the end part of work 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a YAG laser processing apparatus, and more particularly to a means for automatically and accurately maintaining a work processing line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A YAG laser processing apparatus of this type for processing various workpiece materials using a YAG laser, for example, YAG
When welding a metal material in a laser welding machine, the following working methods are performed.

(1) Robot welding: A torch for YAG laser processing is mounted on, for example, an articulated robot or the like to accurately reproduce a predetermined welding line that has been taught in advance and irradiate laser light. Is processed by. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a conventional YAG laser processing system of this type for reference.

Although not described in detail, the YGA laser processing (welding) system 40 comprises the following main parts. In the figure, R is a multi-joint robot for processing, which is equipped with an emission optical unit 41 and welds a work (material) W on a table 42. 43 is a chiller unit, 44
Shows a YAG laser oscillator and a fiber branching unit.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a handy emission unit, and 46 denotes
A controller for this handy emission unit 45, 47
Is a handy processing table, and 48 is an emission unit 45.
Foot switch for. Reference numeral 49 is a robot controller and a teaching box, and 50 is a processing room (light-shielding equipment). Detailed description of each configuration and operation is omitted.

(2) Manual welding: An operator directly holds the YGA laser processing torch by hand and irradiates it with laser light while manually feeding it on the line to be welded.

(3) Coordinate position follow-up welding: A YAG laser processing torch is mounted on an orthogonal two-dimensional or three-dimensional processing machine or the like, and numerical control (N
C) By moving the torch based on the data and irradiating it with laser light, etc.

[0008]

However, each of the conventional working methods (apparatuses) described above has the following problems.

(1) Robot welding: Y used for welding
Since the spot diameter of the laser beam of the AG laser is extremely small, about 1φ at the maximum, it is necessary to prevent the laser beam from deviating from a predetermined welding line, and if it deviates, it may cause welding failure or quality deterioration.

Therefore, in YAG laser welding, compared with arc welding, which has a relatively wide welding width, etc.,
And the welding position must be taught / reproduced accurately.

Further, due to variations in work parts before welding, it is usually necessary to teach each work, or to prepare a considerably large jig or the like. Therefore, when the number and types of works are large. Or, when the work size is relatively large, the number of points to be taught becomes enormous, which not only leads to an increase in processing time, but also a heavy burden on the operator, or an increase in the manufacturing cost of jigs and product delivery. It is also a cause of the prolongation of.

(2) Manual welding: When the YAG laser processing torch is directly hand-held by an operator, in order to maintain the quality and required strength of the welded portion, a predetermined height and a predetermined speed on the welding line are maintained. Moreover, it is necessary to feed the processing torch accurately so that it does not come off this line.

However, for this purpose, as a practical matter, considerable skill and patience are required, and therefore, in reality, it is limited to relatively small workpieces and small lot parts. is there.

(3) Coordinate position following welding: YAG of this type
Laser welding is generally performed on a workpiece that is temporarily attached (temporarily fixed) to a three-dimensional shape, but as a practical matter, the shape of the workpiece is inconsistent. There is a limit to the software, and in reality,
Since there is no choice but to rely on the teaching method, it has the same problems as in the robot welding of the above item (1).

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and by providing a driving means for automatic traveling without using the large-scale robot as in the above (1), YAG that is relatively low cost, less burden on workers, and capable of stable YAG laser processing with high quality
The purpose is to provide a laser processing device.

[0016]

Therefore, in the present invention, a frame cover equipped with a YAG laser processing torch is provided with a plurality of feed rollers having an automatic traveling function on a fixed work along a predetermined laser processing line. A side guide roller that is driven to travel while being in contact with an outer side surface of the work along the processing line; a movable balance weight means capable of variably controlling the position of the center of gravity of the frame cover with respect to the running direction; And a safety means for automatically stopping the irradiation of the laser beam from the torch and the rotational drive of each of the feed rollers under a predetermined condition of the apparatus. The above object is achieved by providing a characteristic YAG laser processing apparatus.

[0017]

With the configuration of the present invention as described above, a high quality and stable YA can be realized without using an expensive articulated robot or the like.
G laser processing can be realized at low cost, and the burden on the operator can be significantly reduced.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to an embodiment.

[0019]

1 is a front view of a YAG laser welding machine as an example of a YAG laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a side view and a plan view of FIG. 1, respectively.

(Structure) In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a YAG laser processing torch, which is easily attached to and detached from a complaint cover 7 of the apparatus by a bolt or the like, and is a material or a work 13 (table) to be processed with a laser beam L. Or, it is supported and fixed by a jig etc.). Reference numeral 13a indicates a work end surface. An optical fiber 2 guides a laser beam L from a laser oscillator (not shown) to the torch 1 and is fixed to the torch 1.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a collimator lens fixed to the torch 1, which is configured so that the beam emitted from the optical fiber 2 is collimated and the beam is condensed by the condenser lens 4. Reference numeral 5 (FIG. 2) is a protective glass, which is supported by the nozzle 6 in order to protect the condenser lens 4 from spatters, fumes and the like generated during the welding process. The nozzle 6 is for spraying a shield gas to the processing point of the work 13 to prevent oxidation of the welded portion and discoloration lamp.

Reference numeral 7 is a frame cover of the present apparatus, 8 is an electric motor fixed to the frame cover 7 for generating a rotational force for traveling drive of the apparatus, and 9 and 11 are motor torques for the apparatus traveling drive force. The drive pulley 9 is directly connected to the motor 8, the driven pulley 11 is fixed to the drive shaft 27, and the plurality of feed rollers fixed to the drive shafts 27 are drive and driven pulleys for the timing belt 11 for conversion. 12
And the front and rear support rollers 15 rotate together (the rotation driving means of the support roller 15 is not shown).

Reference numeral 14 (FIG. 2) shows a line to be welded to the seam of the work 13. Reference numeral 16 denotes a pair of side guide rollers that are attached to the frame cover 7 and come into contact with the outer side surface of the work 13 to be driven to travel. Also,
Reference numeral 17 denotes a pair of handles for lifting the entire apparatus, and 18 denotes a balance weight, the position of which can be moved in the traveling direction along the linear slide 20 by a cylinder (not shown). Reference numerals 21 are limit switches for detecting the moving position of the balance weight 18.

Reference numeral 22 is installed separately from this device and guides a pulley 23 of this device to smoothly follow the optical fiber 2 and each cable, hose, etc. (not shown) to this moving device. It's a bar.

On the outer surface of the frame cover 7 of the present apparatus, there are pushbutton switches for turning on / off the laser irradiation and the rotation of the motor 8, and a slide for adjusting the rotation speed of the motor 8, that is, the traveling speed of the apparatus. Switches and the like (both not shown) are provided.

(Operation / Operation) In the apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, when starting a predetermined welding operation for the work 13, the operator holds the pair of handles 17 and is fixed on the table. The work 13 is set at a predetermined position.
At this time, the side guide roller 16 is attached to the work end surface 13a.
, The center of the laser light L is in a positional relationship so as to match the predetermined welding line 14.

Next, a valve (not shown) is switched to operate the cylinder (not shown) so that the balance weight 18 moves in the traveling direction. When the push button (not shown) is pressed in this state, the drive motor 8 is started at an arbitrary rotation speed preset by the slide switch (not shown). This rotation is transmitted by the drive pulley 9 to each feed roller 12 integrated with the driven pulley 11 via the timing belt 10, so that the entire apparatus starts drive traveling at a predetermined speed.

At the same time, the laser light L emitted from a YAG laser oscillator (not shown) passes through the optical fiber 2 and collimator lens 3, condenser lens 4, protective glass 5, nozzle 6
After that, the laser beam is focused on the welding line 14, and the laser welding process is started.

While the machine is running, the side guide rollers 16 always contact the end surface 13a of the work 13 so that each feed roller 12 is slightly angled with respect to the traveling direction, or The outer diameter of the feed roller 12,
The side guide roller 16 generates a component force for always contacting the work end surface 13a by making the outer diameter of each support roller 15 a little larger or by giving a driving force only to the feed roller 12. To let
This device automatically makes a straight or curved work end face 1
Since the vehicle travels along the shape of 3a, no operation keys such as teaching are required.

Further, since the side guide roller 16 is provided with the end contact detection sensor 26, if the roller 16 accidentally separates from the work end surface 13a,
Immediately stopping the traveling and laser beam irradiation can prevent the occurrence of processing defects.

As described above, since the laser beam travels while maintaining a state in which the laser beam always matches the predetermined welding line 14, the present apparatus automatically continues the welding process without requiring the assistance of the operator. The burden on the operator is also greatly reduced.

If you want to finish this process during the work,
When the work operation is automatically stopped by pressing a push button switch (not shown), the end detection sensor 26 detects the end of the work 13 in the traveling direction, and then the traveling speed is changed. The motor 8 is stopped after the laser beam has traveled extra for the timer time, that is, after the center line of the laser beam L has moved to the end of the work, and the laser beam is also cut off to complete the machining.

At the time when the edge detection sensor 26 detects the edge of the work 13, one side of each of the feed rollers 12 such as the support roller 15 and the side guide roller 16 is detached from the edge of the work 13, so that it remains as it is. However, when the end detection sensor 26 detects it, the cylinder (not shown) is operated to move the balance weight 18 in the direction opposite to the traveling direction. The center of gravity also moves in that direction, and therefore the feed roller 12
However, even if the work is disengaged from the end of the work 13, stable traveling can be continued up to the end of the work 13 without causing a problem such as tilting of the device.

As described above, the work 1 which is normally impossible
Complete machining can be done in one pass in all machining areas up to 3 ends. Also, with the movement of the device,
The optical fiber 2, cables (not shown), hoses, etc. smoothly follow the movement of the apparatus by the pulley 24, the push buttons (not shown), etc. and do not hinder the work.

In addition, even if the device rises or comes off during traveling, the end portion detection sensor 26 causes the work 13 to move.
The safety is achieved by detecting that the laser beam L has been left and immediately stopping the irradiation of the laser beam L.

(Other Embodiments) The above embodiment is based on YA
The example of the G laser welding machine has been described, but the present invention is
The present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an apparatus for cutting a work using a YAG laser, surface modification processing, and the like.

Furthermore, a gas plasma processing apparatus other than a laser beam can also be used.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the switches (not shown) are explained as being arranged on the frame cover 7, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a remote control (remote control) method, etc. Can also be used.

Further, if the method of transferring the operation or the like in order to process the entire area of the work 13 is acceptable, the balance weight 18 means or the like becomes unnecessary.

The work 13 is not limited to L-shaped welding as shown in the figure, but flat butt welding,
Alternatively, a device capable of supporting fillet welding or the like is also possible. Further, in the case of machining work that does not require strict stable machining or high-quality machining, the feed roller 1 is used as the stabilization measure.
The angling of 2 or the provision of a diameter difference may be omitted.

Further, instead of the edge detecting sensor 26, it is also possible to detect a phenomenon such as edge detection or device lifting by detecting that the support roller 15 or the like is in contact with the work 13. It is possible.

In the above embodiment, for example, it is possible to mount a supply device for various kinds of fillers, add a weaving (small meandering feed) function during processing, and the like.

[0043]

As described above with reference to the embodiment, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the YAG laser processing apparatus is provided with a motor or the like to have an automatic moving (running) function, the automatic processing can be performed at a predetermined speed and focus height set in advance, so that an operator can perform processing. There is no need to constantly monitor the device, and significant labor savings can be achieved.

Further, since a complicated and expensive robot or the like is not used, not only the cost is extremely low, but also the teaching for each work does not require any programming correction, and the man-hours and the burden on the operator are greatly reduced. Be done.

(2) Since the movable balance weight means is provided, it is not necessary to change the device during processing, and the entire area of the work can be completely processed in one pass.

(3) Since the means for detecting the end face of the work and the device floating detection means are provided, it is possible to perform a series of machining from one end to the other end of the work unmanned, and moreover, an accident such as dropping or tilting of the device occurs. Even so, it is safe because the emission of laser light and the traveling of the device can be immediately stopped.

(4) Since the processing torch can be easily attached / detached / replaced by a simple operation, maintenance of the protective glass, the condenser lens, the nozzle, etc. is easy, and the processing torch is for a robot or a handy hand. (See FIG. 4) and so on.

(5) Since the feed roller is provided with a means capable of always stably traveling on the work in the predetermined traveling direction of the device, the device always travels while being in contact with the end face of the work. Stable high-quality machining is possible without deviating from the prescribed machining line due to the curved work shape.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a YAG laser welding machine.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a YAG laser welding machine.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of a YAG laser welding machine.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of a conventional YAG laser processing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Torch 2 Optical Fiber 3 Collimator Lens 4 Condenser Lens 5 Protective Glass 6 Nozzle 7 Frame Cover 8 Motor 9 Drive Pulley 10 Timing Belt 11 Driven Pulley 12 Feed Roller 13 Work (Material) 14 Welding Line 15 Support Roller 16 Side Guide Roller 17 Handle 18 Balance weight 20 Linear slide 21 Limit switch 22 Guide bar 23 Pulley 26 Edge detection sensor 27 Drive shut L Laser light

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Agency reference number FI Technical display location B23K 37/02 B23K 37/02 E

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A frame cover equipped with a YAG laser processing torch, a plurality of feed rollers having an automatic traveling function on a fixed work along a predetermined laser processing line, and an outer side surface of the work along the processing line. Side guide rollers that are driven to travel, movable balance weight means capable of variably controlling the position of the center of gravity of the frame cover with respect to the traveling direction, and detection means for detecting the lifting of the end portion of the work and the cover frame, respectively. And a safety means for automatically stopping the irradiation of the laser beam of the torch and the rotational drive of each of the feed rollers under a predetermined condition of the apparatus. 2. The YA according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means of the YAG laser processing torch to the frame cover is compatible with different types of processing torches.
G laser processing equipment. 3. The YA according to claim 1, wherein the feed roller is provided with means for keeping the side guide roller always in contact with the outer side surface of the work.
G laser processing equipment.