JPH10175086A - Device for feeding bar stock in laser beam machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bar stock feeding device which reduces setting time of a work, which improves working efficiency by making the original point of a work coincide with that of the machine, and which may be used for other than machining of a pipe. SOLUTION: An index device 17A holding a pipe to be machined is supplied to a laser beam machine 3 by a transporting device 21, with the rotational indexing at a prescribed angle performed for the pipe W by the index device 17A at the time of machining. The index devices 17A, 17B in two sets are moved simultaneously or separately by controlling the transporting device 21 with a controller 5. While the pipe in one index device 17A is machined, the processed pipe in the other index device 17B is taken out concurrently, or setting is performed for a pipe to be machined next. In the case where a plate is machined in place of a pipe, both index devices 17 are moved outside the machining area of a laser beam machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar feeder for a laser beam machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 10, in a laser beam machine equipped with an index device 201 for rotating and indexing a pipe W as a bar to be processed, for example, Chuck 20
Work W gripped by index device 201 by 3
Tailstock 20 for pushing the paper to the index device 201 side
5 are provided.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional technique, it is necessary to loosen the chuck 203 every time one pipe W is machined, remove the work W, and set a new pipe W. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to set up.

Further, the required shape of the tailstock 205 varies depending on the diameter of the work W, and there is a problem that workability is deteriorated because the work origin and the mechanical origin do not match.

Further, since the indexing device 201 and the tailstock 205 are fixed, the laser processing machine becomes a dedicated device for cutting the pipe, and the device becomes expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to pay attention to the above-described conventional technology, and to shorten the setup time for setting or removing a workpiece and to make the origin of the material coincide with the origin of the machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rod supply device for a laser beam machine which can improve the working efficiency and can be used for other than the processing of the rod.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar supply apparatus for a laser beam machine, comprising: a plurality of bars for rotatably indexing a bar to be processed; A set of indexing devices, a transfer device for transferring the plurality of sets of indexing devices into and out of the processing area of the laser processing machine, and a control device for moving the plurality of sets of indexing devices simultaneously or separately by the transfer device. , Is provided.

[0008] Therefore, the indexing device holding the bar to be processed is supplied to the laser beam machine by the transfer device, and in processing, the indexing device rotates and indexes the bar at a predetermined angle. There are a plurality of index devices, which are moved simultaneously or separately by the control device controlling the transport device. Therefore, while processing the bar held by one indexing device,
By moving the other indexing device out of the processing area, the processed bar held by the other indexing device is simultaneously taken out or the bar to be processed next is set up. When processing a flat plate instead of a bar, a plurality of sets of index devices are moved out of the processing area of the laser processing machine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar supplying apparatus for a laser beam machine, wherein the indexing device comprises two sets, and the conveying device comprises a motor and a motor. And an endless chain rotatably driven by the motor, and a connection unit for detachably connecting the two sets of index devices to the chain.

Therefore, when each indexing device is connected to a chain which is rotated and driven by a motor by each connecting unit, each indexing device simultaneously moves in opposite directions, but when one connecting unit is removed from the chain. , Only the connected index device moves. When both connecting units are removed, neither indexing device moves.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar supplying apparatus for a laser beam machine, wherein the indexing device comprises two sets, and the conveying device comprises a motor and a motor. , At least one of which is provided with two pinions rotatably driven by the motor via a connection unit, and two racks provided along the moving direction in each of the index devices and each meshing with the pinions. It is characterized by becoming.

Therefore, when two pinions are both connected by the connecting unit, the two sets of indexing devices move together. When only the connecting unit for one pinion is connected and the connecting unit for the other pinion is disconnected, only one index device moves.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar material supply device for a laser beam machine, wherein the transport device is a fluid pressure cylinder for moving each of the index devices. There is,
It is characterized by the following.

Thus, by driving the two sets of hydraulic cylinders, the two sets of indexing devices move simultaneously.
If only one or the other hydraulic cylinder is driven, only one or the other index device moves.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar supply device for a laser beam machine, wherein the index device is brought into contact with the laser beam machine and set at a mechanical origin. A stopper provided in the laser processing machine, and the end of the bar supplied to the index device when the index device contacts the stopper is determined to be the same position as the stopper position in the transport direction. And an abutment provided on the index device to set the material origin.

Therefore, the indexing device is carried into the working area of the laser beam machine and is brought into contact with the stopper, whereby the indexing device is set at the mechanical origin. At this time, the indexing device shows the same position as the mechanical origin in the carrying-in direction. The material origin and the machine origin are matched by striking the end of the bar supplied to the striking.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bar material supply apparatus for a laser beam machine, wherein the fluid pressure cylinder simultaneously supplies a pressure fluid to cylinder chambers on both sides of a piston. It is characterized in that a constant position is maintained by supplying.

Therefore, by supplying the pressurized fluid to the cylinder chambers on both sides of the fluid pressure cylinder for carrying each index device, each index device can be fixed at an arbitrary position.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of, for example, a pipe feeder as a rod feeder in a laser beam machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a pipe feeder 1 according to the present invention and a laser beam machine 3 to which the pipe feeder 1 is applied. The laser beam machine 3 is driven by the control of an NC device 5 as a control device.
An X-axis carriage 7 is provided which can be moved and positioned in the X-axis direction by the axis driving means. Also, this X-axis carriage 7
, Which is driven by the control of the NC device 5,
A Y-axis carriage 9 is provided, which can be moved and positioned in the Y-axis direction by the axis driving means.

Below the Y-axis carriage 9, there is provided a laser processing head 11 which can move up and down in the Z-axis direction. At the lower end of the laser processing head 11, a nozzle 11N for emitting a laser beam is mounted. I have.

A laser oscillator 13 for emitting a laser beam and a laser power supply 15 for the laser oscillator 13 are provided above the laser beam machine 3. The laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator 13 is guided to a nozzle by an optical system (not shown) to perform laser processing.

In the laser processing machine 3, a work table (not shown) is arranged in the processing area of the laser processing head 11 when processing, for example, a flat plate according to the processing content, and processes, for example, a pipe as a rod material. If so, the index devices 17A and 17B, which will be described in detail later,
Can be arranged.

In front of the laser beam machine 3 in FIG.
A pipe W as a rod material to be processed is processed by a laser processing machine 3
And a pipe feeder 1 for rotating and indexing a predetermined amount to perform processing. In the pipe supply device 1, the unit frames 19A, 19
First indexing device 17A integrated by B
The second indexing device 17B is movably provided by a chain 21 as a transport device.

Referring also to FIG. 2, since the first index device 17A and the second index device 17B have exactly the same structure, the second index device 17A and the second index device 17B have the same structure.
B is shown in parentheses with B added to the reference numeral.

The first indexing device 17A and the second indexing device 17B are provided with respective unit frames 19A,
A guide rail 2 provided on the base 25 of the laser beam machine 3 has a linear guide 23 on the lower surface of the laser beam machine 19B.
It is supported movably along each of 7A and 27B.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the first indexing device 17A is connected to the chain 21 by the connecting unit 29A.
The second indexing device 17B
Are connected to the lower stage of the chain 21 by a connection unit 29B. The chain 21 is rotatably supported by a driving sprocket 33 and sprockets 35, 37 and 39 mounted on a motor 31 such as an inverter motor or a servomotor mounted on a base 25 of the laser processing machine 3. .

Therefore, when the drive sprocket 33 is rotated by driving the motor 31, the chain 2
1 rotates to move the first indexing device 17A along the guide rail 27A and the second indexing device 17A.
B is moved in opposite directions along the guide rail 27B. The connecting units 29A and 29B are detachable, and can be manually moved when the connecting units 29A and 29B are removed.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first indexing device 17A and the second indexing device 17A
B has drive-side indices 41A and 41B and driven-side indices 43A and 43B on the bottom surfaces of the unit frames 19A and 19B, respectively. The driving side indexes 41A and 41B and the driven side indexes 43A and 4
3B has a plurality of linear guides 45 on the lower side, and is supported movably in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 along guide rails 47A and 47B provided on the unit frames 19A and 19B. In addition, the driving side indexes 41A and 41B and the driven side indexes 43A and 43A
In B, the wires and the like do not obstruct the work by the cable bear 49.

The unit frames 19A and 19B are provided rotatably with ball splines 51 penetrating in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, and are covered with dustproof bellows 53. The ball spline 51 is connected to a servomotor 59 via a coupling 55, a gear 57, and the like. The driving side indexes 41A and 41B and the driven side indexes 43A and 43B are each provided with a spline nut 61 (see FIG.
Reference).

The unit frames 19A and 19B have abutment 6 for positioning the pipe W at the material origin.
3 are provided. The abutment 63 is provided so as to be able to protrude upward by the abutment cylinder 65. The abutment 63 is set in such a manner that the abutment comes into contact with the tip of the pipe W to be machined and the material origin coincides with the mechanical origin. Is done.
After the unit frames 19A and 19B abut against the stopper 67 provided on the base 25, the origin of the material is made to coincide with the origin of the machine. When the pipe W is being machined, the butting cylinder 65 lowers the butting 63 so as not to hinder the work.

Referring to FIG. 4, the drive side index devices 17A and 17B will be described. In addition, the structure of the driven side indexes 43A and 43B is also the
Since it is the same as 41B, duplicate description is omitted.

The drive-side indexes 41A and 41B have a frame 69 having a substantially rectangular shape as a whole.
The linear guide 45 is provided below 9 and is movably supported on guide rails 47A and 47B provided on the unit frames 19A and 19B. The spline nut 61 described above is rotatably provided on the front surface of the frame 69, and rotates with the rotation of the ball spline 51.

Accordingly, the drive pulley 71 attached to the spline nut 61 rotates by the rotation of the ball spline 51, so that the drive pulley 71
The drive gears 75 are rotationally driven. The timing belt 73 is always wound around the tension pulley 77 with a predetermined tension. On the front surface of the frame 69, five support rollers 79 are provided symmetrically and rotatable at substantially equal intervals.

On the upper front surface of the frame 69, a ring-shaped pipe fixing member 83 having an opening 81 is rotatably supported by the five support rollers 79. A gear 85 is provided on the outer periphery of the pipe fixing member 83 and meshes with the two drive gears 75.

Accordingly, when the servomotor 59 is driven under the control of the NC device 5 to rotate the ball spline 51, the spline nut 61 is rotated and the drive pulley 7 is rotated.
1. Since the driving gear 75 is rotated via the timing belt 73, the pipe fixing member 83 can be rotated. Therefore, the pipe fixing member 83 is fixed to the pipe fixing member 83 by rotating and indexing. Can be rotated to a desired position. In addition,
The pipe W is clamped by clamps provided on the left and right inner sides of the pipe fixing member 83 in FIG.

Next, the pipe supply operation by the first index device 17A and the second index device 17B will be described with reference to FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, when starting from a state where the first indexing device 17A is outside the machining area and the second indexing device 17B is inside the machining area (step SS), the first indexing device 17A The pipe W is set on the pipe fixing member 83 (step S
1) The servo motor 31 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 1 (step S2). As a result, the chain 21 rotates counterclockwise, so that the first indexing device 17A moves into the processing area and the second indexing device 17B moves out of the processing area (step S3).

The first index device 17A is moved,
When the unit frame 17A contacts the stopper 67, it is stopped. Further, the tip of the pipe W is abutted against the abutment 63 protruding upward by the abutment cylinder 65. At the same time, the second index device 17B connected by the chain 21 also stops (step S4). At this position, laser processing is performed by the laser processing machine 3 while rotating and indexing a predetermined position of the pipe W by the first indexing device 17A.
B is set up for the next processing (step S5).

When the processing of the pipe W of the first index device 17A and the setting of the pipe W in the second index device 17B are completed (step S6), the motor 31
Is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 (step S7), the first indexing device 17A is moved out of the processing area, and the second indexing device 17B is moved in the processing area, so that the unit frame 19B of the second indexing device 17B is moved. Stop when it hits the stopper 67 (step S
8). At this position, laser processing is performed while rotating and indexing a predetermined position of the pipe W by the second indexing device 17B.
The setup for the next processing is performed on 7A (step S9).

If processing is to be performed subsequently, the procedure returns to step 1 and the subsequent steps are repeated. If processing is completed (step S10), the operation is terminated (step SE).

By removing the connecting unit 29, the first indexing device 17A and the second indexing device 17B
Can be manually moved, not only can the pipe W be processed in the same procedure, but also the indexing devices 17A and 17B can be moved out of the processing area to set a processing table (not shown). It is also possible to process a flat plate.

FIG. 6 shows another transport device.
In FIG. 1 described above, a chain 21 as a transfer device is used.
Has described the case of moving the first index device 17A and the second index device 17B,
A transfer device as shown in FIG. 6 is used in place of the chain 21.

That is, the main drive shaft 93 is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 89 via a gear device 91 or the like. The main drive shaft 93 has a B pinion 95
B is fixedly mounted and the main drive shaft 9
A sub drive shaft 99 is attached to the upper end of the motor 3 through a torque transmission unit 97. The sub drive shaft 99 is rotatably supported and vertically movably supported, and is normally urged upward by a spring mechanism (not shown). The sub drive shaft 99 has an A pinion 95
A is attached.

The torque transmission unit 97 is mounted on the main drive shaft 93 and has a concave wheel 1 having a concave portion on the upper surface.
01 and a convex wheel 103 mounted on the lower end of the sub drive shaft 99 and engaged with the concave portion of the concave wheel 101. An air cylinder 10 is provided above the sub drive shaft 99.
5 is provided, and the torque is transmitted by frictional force by lowering the sub-drive shaft 99 by lowering the piston rod 107 to press the convex wheel 103 against the concave portion of the concave wheel 101.

On the other hand, on the side surface of the unit frame 19A of the first indexing device 17A, an A rack 109A is provided along the moving direction, and the A pinion 95A described above is provided.
Are engaged. Therefore, by operating the motor 89 in a state where the air cylinder 105 is driven to turn on the torque transmission unit 97, the first index device 1
7A can be moved.

A B rack 109B is provided on the side surface of the unit frame 19B of the second indexing device 17B along the moving direction.
Are always meshed with each other by driving the motor 89. On the contrary, the first indexing device 17
It is also possible that A is always movable and the second index device 17B can be switched by turning on / off the torque transmitting device 97.

The movement of the first indexing device 17A and the second indexing device 17B using such an indexing device moving mechanism is similar to that of FIG. 1 described above, although there is a difference between the chain 21 and the rack and pinion. Become.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, the operation of the above-described transfer device when a flat plate is processed by the laser processing machine 3 will be described.

When the operation is started (step SS), the air cylinder 105 is turned on and the first index device 17 is turned on.
A is moved out of the processing area (step S11). Thereafter, the air supply of the air cylinder 105 is turned off (step S12), and the concave wheel 101 of the torque transmission unit 97 is turned off.
The convex wheel 103 is detached from the concave portion to make a disconnected state (step S13). In this state, the motor 89 is rotated (step S14), and only the B pinion 95B of the second indexing device 17B is driven (step S15) and moved out of the processing area (step S16). At this time, since the driving force is not transmitted to the first index device 17A, it does not move. A flat plate is set in the processing area (Step S17), and the flat plate is processed (Step S18), and the operation is completed (Step SE).

FIG. 8 shows still another transport device. In FIG. 1 described above, the case where the first index device 17A and the second index device 17B are moved by the chain 21 as the transfer device has been described, but a transfer device as shown in FIG. Have been. That is, the first index device 17A and the second index device 17B are moved by the rodless cylinders 111A and 111B, respectively.
A and 111B are controlled by a so-called PAB connection type 4-port 3-position switching valve 113. The same hydraulic circuit is used for the first index device 17A and the second index device 17B.

That is, the A port of the switching valve 113 is connected to the A cylinder chamber 115A of the first indexing device 17A, and the B port is connected to the B cylinder chamber 115B. The P port is connected to cylinder 1 when air is down.
A pump P for supplying air is connected via two throttle valves 117, 117 with opposite check valves to prevent the 11A from moving. The R port is provided with a throttle valve 119 with a check valve for speed control and a silencer 12.
1 is open to the atmosphere.

Therefore, when the switching valve 113 is set to the upper position in FIG. 8, the A port is connected to the pump P and the B port is opened to the atmosphere. 8 moves upwards. That is, it moves in the left-right direction in FIG. Switching valve 1
When 13 is set to the intermediate position, both the A cylinder chamber 115A and the B cylinder chamber 115B are connected to the pump P, so that the cylinder 111A holds the position without moving up and down. Further, when the switching valve 113 is set to the lower position, the A cylinder chamber 115A is opened to the atmosphere and the B cylinder chamber 115B is connected to the pump P.
The cylinder 111A descends in FIG. That is, FIG.
Move left and right inside.

Therefore, referring to FIG. 9, by controlling the hydraulic circuits provided in each of the index devices 17A and 17B as described above, the first index device 17A and the second index device 17B are turned in opposite directions. (Fig. 9 (A))
State), the operation of moving only the first index device 17A to a predetermined position, the operation of moving only the second index device 17B to a predetermined position, and the operation of the first index device 1
The four operation patterns of the operation in which the 7A and the second index device 17B move in the same direction synchronously (the state of FIG. 9B) can be selected.

From the above results, it is possible to take out the processed pipe W from the other indexing device 17B (17A) at the same time as the pipe W is being processed by one indexing device 17A (17B), or to process the pipe W to be processed next. Can be set or the like can be performed, so that the setup time can be shortened and the working efficiency can be improved.

When the index devices 17A and 17B are set, the index devices 17A and 17B are carried into the processing area of the laser beam machine 3 and are brought into contact with the stopper 67 so that the index devices 17A and 17B can be moved to the mechanical origin. Set to. Then, the unit frames 19A, 19 of the first and second index devices 17A, 17B.
By hitting B against the hit 63, the end of the pipe W can be set at the material origin. Moreover, since the workpiece can be machined with the origin of the machine coincident with the machine origin, accurate machining can be performed efficiently.

Also, both index devices 17A, 17B
By removing from the processing area, it can be used for flat plate processing other than pipe W processing.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented in other modes by making appropriate changes. Pipe W as a rod
As an example, the rod may be made of Muku.

[0059]

As described above, in the bar feeder in the laser beam machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the index device holding the bar to be processed is supplied to the laser beam machine by the transport device, and the processing is performed in the process. The index device rotates and indexes the bar at a predetermined angle, and there are a plurality of index devices, which are moved simultaneously or separately by the control device controlling the transfer device.

Therefore, while the bar material being gripped by one indexing device is being processed, the processed bar material being gripped by the other indexing device that has been moved to the processing area is taken out, or Since the rod to be processed next can be set up, the setup time can be shortened and the working efficiency can be improved. Further, by moving a plurality of sets of index devices outside the processing area of the laser beam machine, a flat plate can be processed instead of a bar.

In the bar feeder of the laser processing machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, when each indexing device is connected to a chain rotated and driven by a motor by each connecting unit, the indexing devices are moved in opposite directions. be able to. When one connecting unit is removed from the chain, only the connected index device can be selectively moved. When both connecting units are removed, both indexing devices can be fixed at predetermined positions.

In the bar supply device of the laser processing machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, when two pinions are both connected by the connecting unit, two sets of index devices can be moved simultaneously. In addition, by setting only the connection unit to one pinion to the connected state and setting the connection unit to the other pinion to the disconnected state, only one index device can be selectively moved.

In the bar feeder of the laser beam machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by driving two sets of hydraulic cylinders, the two sets of index units can be simultaneously moved in the same direction or in opposite directions. . If only one fluid pressure cylinder is driven, only one index device can be selectively moved.

In the bar supply device for a laser beam machine according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the index device is carried into the machining area of the laser beam machine and is brought into contact with a stopper, thereby setting the index device at the mechanical origin. The machine origin and the machine origin can be made coincident by abutting the end of the supplied bar to the abutment indicating the same position as the machine origin with respect to the loading direction. Thereby, work efficiency can be improved.

In the bar supply device of the laser processing machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the pressure fluid is supplied to the cylinder chambers on both sides of the fluid pressure cylinder for carrying each index device, so that each index device can be placed at an arbitrary position. Can be fixed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an entire bar supply device in a laser beam machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the index device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from a direction III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front view as viewed from a direction IV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the bar supply device in the laser beam machine.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another transport device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the transport device illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an air circuit diagram showing still another transfer device.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing movement patterns of the index device.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an index device of a bar supply device in a conventional laser beam machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 pipe supply device 3 laser processing machine 5 NC device (control device) 17 index device 21 chain (transport device) 29 connecting unit 31 motor 63 butting 67 stopper 95 pinion 105 connecting unit 109 rack 111 rodless cylinder (fluid pressure cylinder) W pipe

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of sets of index devices for rotatably indexing a bar material to be processed, a transfer device for transferring the plurality of sets of index devices into and out of a processing area of a laser processing machine, and the transfer device A control device for moving the plurality of sets of index devices simultaneously or separately by a device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indexing device comprises two sets, and the transporting device comprises a motor, an endless chain rotated and driven by the motor, and the two indexing devices being detachably mounted on the chain. The bar supply device for a laser beam machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a connection unit for connecting. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the indexing device includes two sets, and the transporting device moves to a motor, at least one of the two pinions, at least one of which is rotationally driven by the motor via a connecting unit, and to each of the indexing devices. The bar supply device for a laser beam machine according to claim 1, further comprising two racks provided along a direction and meshing with the pinion. 4. The bar supply device for a laser beam machine according to claim 1, wherein said transport device is a fluid pressure cylinder for moving each of said index devices. 5. A stopper provided in a laser processing machine for contacting the index device and setting the mechanical origin, and supplied to the index device when the index device contacts the stopper. 2. An abutment provided on the index device to determine an end of the bar at the same position as the stopper position in the transport direction and to set a material origin.
5. A bar supply device in the laser beam machine according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. The laser beam machine according to claim 4, wherein the fluid pressure cylinder maintains a fixed position by simultaneously supplying a pressure fluid to the cylinder chambers on both sides of the piston. Bar feeder.