JPH11285874A - Method and equipment for continuously welding strip steel by laser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a gap at the abutting part and to surely carry out welding by making the edge of the welding side of one strip steel coincide with the extension of the welding point, on the separate transporting face of adjacent pieces of strip steel, and pressing the edge of the unwelding side of the other strip steel on the same transporting plane which is formed by converging each strip steel. SOLUTION: Each strip steel 1a, 1b comes close to each other with an acute angle formed mutually, converging on the same plane immediately before a pass restraining device 5, abutting on each other without a gap or overlap at the edge on the welding side, and being transported downstream by a transporting device 2a, 2b. The strip steel 1a bears on a first horizontal guide 3a at the edge on the welding side; hence, the strip steel 1a is pressed by a separate first horizontal guide 4a provided on the unwelding side of the strip steel 1a, and guided onto the extension of the welding point at the edge on the welding side of the strip steel 1a. Immediately before the converging position, the edge on the welding side of the strip steel 1b is pressed against the edge of the welding side of the strip steel 1a by the pressurization of a second horizontal guide 9b on the unwelding side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for continuously welding a steel strip in a longitudinal direction by using a laser. In particular, like the body of a car,
When steel sheets of different types (plate thickness or material, etc.) are used for adjacent parts, a joining blank capable of integrally forming these parts is required. The present invention is to inexpensively produce a blank material formed by joining such different types of steel plates from a strip steel plate,
The present invention also relates to a welding method and equipment for supplying with high productivity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to produce the above-mentioned joint blank material, there is a method of welding strip-shaped steel plates (sheets) to each other. In this method, there is known a method in which side edges of a sheet are arranged in abutting manner, tightened to eliminate a gap in the abutting portion, and a welding machine is moved along the abutting edge during welding.

[0003] In addition, there is also a method of welding strip-shaped steel sheets to each other. In this method, both the strip-shaped steel sheet and the welding machine are moved. However, since the strip-shaped steel sheet cannot be conveyed continuously through the welding equipment, welding is performed. The length is limited by the travel of the welding machine.

As described above, in the prior art, the above-mentioned known method and apparatus cannot be used for a welding machine for continuously welding strip-shaped steel sheets in the longitudinal direction, and the production of a joining blank material for automobiles is not possible. However, welding can only be performed with a sheet, resulting in an increase in cost and a reduction in productivity.

In recent years, various improvements have been made, and
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3153, a guide method for continuously welding a strip-shaped steel sheet is provided by fixing a welding machine and transporting the strip-shaped steel sheet to the welding position in a state where side edges of the strip-shaped steel sheet abut against each other. Proposed.

In other words, according to this publication, the strip-shaped steel sheets are conveyed in a mutually inclined manner in a state in which the strip-shaped steel sheets are adjacent to each other and each side end is in contact with the same vertical guide surface provided on the guide device. Each part is conveyed on a separate conveying surface so that it converges immediately before the welding execution position on the conveying path, and is brought into contact with the above-mentioned side end without any gap in the same plane formed by the conveying surface after the above-mentioned converging position. It clarifies the method of transporting and guiding strip-shaped steel sheets to be sent to Japan.

According to this method, a vertical roller is provided at a position facing the guide surface (the side opposite to the strip-shaped steel sheet), and the welded end of each strip-shaped steel sheet conveyed vertically is separated by welding. The side edge of the strip is pushed by a vertical roller and brought into contact with the guide surface on the same vertical plane and transported, and the side edges of each strip-shaped steel sheet are abutted at the convergence position, but the side edge of the strip-shaped steel sheet is completely Since it is not a straight line, there arises a problem that the gap is rather widened at the convergence position, or the side ends are fluctuated.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and when welding strip-shaped steel sheets continuously in the longitudinal direction, a gap is not formed at the abutting portion. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and equipment for reliable welding, and particularly to provide a joining blank material for automobiles at low cost and high productivity.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following features. (1) The adjacent strip-shaped steel plates are transported on different transport surfaces in a state where they are mutually inclined at an acute angle α as an elevation angle viewed in a direction opposite to the transport direction, and a welding execution position on a transport route. In the method of converging immediately before to form the same conveying plane, butting the ends to be welded of the respective strip-shaped steel sheets, and constraining them and continuously welding with a laser, one of the strip-shaped steel sheets is The side end of the welded side is conveyed on an extension of the welding point position located in front of the conveying direction, and in contact with the guide surface of the guide device arranged on the upstream side from the convergence position, on the conveying path. In the same transport plane formed after the convergence position, the side edge of the other one strip-shaped steel plate on the non-welded side is pressed, and the side edges of the respective strip-shaped steel plates are welded to each other without gaps. Laser side edges A continuous welding method in the longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel sheet by laser, characterized by welding.

(2) The adjacent strip-shaped steel plates are conveyed in a state where they are mutually inclined at an acute angle α as an elevation angle viewed in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and converge immediately before the welding execution position on the conveyance path. Each transport device (2
a, 2b) in a facility for continuously welding a strip steel plate by a laser, which is located on an extension of a welding point located upstream of the convergence position and in front of the conveying direction and on the side to be welded to the strip steel plate. A first lateral guide device (3a) having a guide surface (3a) for contacting the other strip-shaped steel sheet on the non-weld side of another strip-shaped steel sheet in the same transport plane formed after the convergence position on the transport path. A continuous welding apparatus for a longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel plate by a laser, comprising a second lateral guide device (9b) having a pressing mechanism, abutting side ends, and laser welding.

(3) The continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel sheet by a laser as described in the above item (2), wherein the transfer device (2a, 2b) comprises a transfer roll (2a, 2b) having a tilting mechanism. .

(4) The first lateral guide device (3)
(a) is a straight edge or a vertical roller, the continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped steel sheet by the laser according to the above (2) or (3), wherein

(5) The second lateral guide device (9)
(2) to (4), wherein b) is a linear edge or vertical roller having a pressing mechanism.
A continuous welding facility in the longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel sheet by using the laser according to any one of the above items.

(6) The first lateral guide device (3)
(a) Another lateral guide device (4a) for guiding the opposite side end of the strip-shaped steel plate contacting the side end with (a) is provided. Continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped steel sheet by the laser described.

(7) The other lateral guide means (4a)
Is a straight edge or a vertical roller having a pressing mechanism, the continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel sheet by a laser according to any one of the above items (2) to (6).

(8) The lateral guide means (3a, 4)
a) a band formed by a laser according to any one of the above items (2) to (7), wherein a path restraining device (5) for restraining each strip-shaped steel plate is disposed downstream of (a, 9b). Continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of the steel plate. It is.

As described above, according to the present invention, adjacent strip-shaped steel sheets are conveyed on different conveyance surfaces, and the side end of one of the strip-shaped steel sheets to be welded on this conveyance surface is made to coincide with the extension line of the welding point. By pressing the non-weld side end of the other steel plate on the same transport plane formed by the consolidation of the steel plate, the welded side ends of the steel plate can be butted with no gap, and the laser steel plate can be accurately formed by laser. In particular, it is possible to provide a joining blank material for automobiles at low cost and high productivity.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. In the method according to the present invention, one of the adjacent strip-shaped steel plates is provided with a first lateral guide device in which a side end on the side to be welded is disposed on an extension of a welding point position located forward in the transport direction. Is transported in a state of contact with the guide surface of. Therefore, the welded side end of the strip-shaped steel sheet is on the welding point line.

The strip-shaped steel plates are adjacent to each other, inclined at an acute angle α as an elevation angle viewed in a direction opposite to the transport direction, and travel on separate transport surfaces that converge immediately before the welding execution position on the transport path. I do. That is, each strip-shaped steel sheet up to the convergence position is on a distant transport surface, and therefore, the 1
The first lateral guide installed at the end of the strip on the side of the strip does not hinder the transport of another strip.

The conveying surface of each strip-shaped steel sheet after the convergence position on the conveying path constitutes the same plane, and the second one of the transverse guide devices is used to cover the other strip-shaped steel sheet in the same conveying plane. By pressing the side ends on the welding side, the welded side ends of the respective strip-shaped steel plates are brought into contact with no gap. While maintaining this state, the side ends are laser-welded. As described above, the welded side end of one strip-shaped steel sheet is set on the welding point extension line, travels while maintaining the line, and another strip strip is formed immediately before the convergence position or immediately after the welding point. It is pressed and butted on the same line as the welded side end of the steel plate. Accordingly, the side ends to be welded are not overlapped or compete with each other, and the welding is performed without a gap, thereby enabling continuous welding in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped steel plate.

In the equipment of the present invention, the transfer device such as a roll constitutes two transfer surfaces forming an acute angle α at an elevation angle viewed in the reverse direction from the transfer direction, and transfers the strip-shaped steel plate. First
Is installed at one transfer line position (different in height from another transfer line position) of the strip-shaped steel plate, and has a guide surface that is on an extension of the welding point. The side end of the single strip-shaped steel sheet is continuously conveyed while abutting on the guide surface. This transfer is not interrupted by processing operations in the welding equipment and there is no limit on the length of the welding length.

Further, since the first lateral guide device only guides one strip-shaped steel plate and is arranged at a height different from the pass line position of another strip-shaped steel plate, the installation and attachment of the guide device are performed. Enough space can be secured for attaching products. Also,
The second lateral guide device is disposed at a position where the conveying surfaces of adjacent strip-shaped steel sheets converge in the same plane or later and at the opposite end of the other strip-shaped steel sheet on the non-welding side side. Sufficient space is available for equipment installation and attachment of accessories. Furthermore, since the side ends on the side to be welded contact each other without gaps and are welded, the error rate during welding is reduced.

It is preferable that a roll is used as the transporting device. If the roll is provided with a tilting mechanism so that the central axis of the transporting roll can be tilted at an angle β as shown in FIG. It is also useful as direction guidance.

The first lateral guide device is preferably designed as a straight edge or a vertical roller.

Further, in order to accurately guide the side end on the side to be welded, it is desirable to provide another lateral guide device on the non-welded side, preferably at a position facing the first lateral guide device. . The other guide device may be a straight edge or a vertical roller having a pressing mechanism.

As the second lateral guide device, a straight edge or a vertical roller having a pressing mechanism can be used.

In order to make the transport of the strip steel sheet more accurate,
Downstream of the guide device, path restricting means can be arranged above and below the strip-shaped steel plate. The path restricting means may be, for example, a roll, which need not necessarily be driven, and may be a free-rotating mechanism. Particularly preferably, a pair of upper and lower path restraining devices is installed, and immediately after that, a laser welding machine is arranged. The smaller the distance between the path restraining device and the laser welding machine, the better. It would be further advantageous if the laser welder could be incorporated into a pair of upper and lower path restraining devices. There are no particular restrictions on the laser welding machine, for example, CO ₂ , YAG
A laser can be used.

Also, the welding execution position is such that the side end on the side to be welded is on a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction of the strip-shaped steel sheet by the first lateral guide device and in cooperation with the second lateral guide device. It is not necessary to move the welding device in the transport direction and the width direction of the strip as the strip is transported. Therefore, the welding device can have a very simple device configuration.

A monitoring device for checking the butting condition of the side ends on the side to be welded and the welded seam can be arranged before and after the path restraining device.

The welding apparatus according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to a laser welding machine as a welding machine.
The present invention is also effective for a welding machine capable of supplying a non-contact type heat source, such as a plasma welding machine and a plasma-assisted laser welding machine.

[0031]

Next, an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view showing an example of an apparatus for continuously welding the longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel sheet according to the present invention.

Two strip-shaped steel plates 1a and 1b are mounted as coils on two uncoilers 11a and 11b, respectively. The strip-shaped steel plates 1a, 1b unwound from the uncoilers 11a, 11b are transported on different transport surfaces until immediately before the path restraining device 5. That is, they are guided to the inlet shears 13a and 13b via the outlet devices 12a and 12b, respectively. After the defective part of the head is cut by the entrance shears 13a, 13b and the shape is corrected by the levelers 14a, 14b, the head passes through the free loops 15a, 15b and converges immediately before the path restraining device 5, so that the path restraining device 5 After that, laser welding machine 6 welds the end portions of the respective strip-shaped steel plates on the side to be welded. Then, the sheet is cut into sheets by the output side shear 21 and is stacked on the pallet 22.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a side view and a plan view, respectively, showing in detail the process of guiding the two strip-shaped steel sheets to the welding apparatus main body. The two strip-shaped steel plates 1a and 1b approach each other at an acute angle α, converge on the same plane immediately before the path restraining device 5, and the side ends on the side to be welded abut each other. The side edges abut each other without any gaps, and do not overlap. The strip-shaped steel sheet is roll 2
The sheet is conveyed downstream by a and 2b.

The strip-shaped steel plate 1a is provided with a first lateral guide device provided upstream of the convergence position, for example, the guide surface 3a of the linear edge 3, and the side end on the side to be welded is connected to the first lateral guide device. In order to come into contact with the guide surface 3a, it is pressed by another lateral guide device 4a provided on the non-weld side of the strip-shaped steel plate 1a. Thereby, the welded side end of the strip-shaped steel plate 1a is guided on the extension line of the welding point.

Immediately before the convergence position of the two steel plates 1a and 1b, the side end of the welded side of the strip-shaped steel plate 1b is strip-shaped by the pressing of the second lateral guide device 9b provided on the non-weld side of the strip-shaped steel plate 1b. It is pressed against the side end of the steel plate 1a on the side to be welded. As a result, the two strip-shaped steel plates 1a and 1b converged at the position of the path restraining device 5 have the same height, and the side ends of the welded ends abut on the same plane.

The path restraining device 5 includes guide devices 3a, 4a, 9
b as close as possible. The path restraint device 5 downstream of the guide devices 3a, 4a, 9b is composed of a pair of non-driving rolls. The roll 5 grasps the conveyed strip-shaped steel sheet and holds it under tension, so that the strip-shaped steel sheets 1a and 1b are arranged in the same posture at the laser welding position 6. A laser welder is located at the weld site immediately after the pair of rolls. Thus, the strip-shaped steel sheet supplied from the payoff reel can be continuously welded.

Further, the provision of the path restricting device 5 prevents the side edges on the welded side from shifting at the welding site. The lateral guides 3a, 4a, 9b can be designed as sliding stops, guide fences, pressure rollers or the like in the form of straight edges. In the case of a guide fence or a sliding linear edge, the burrs at the side ends of the strip are smoothed by friction.

[0038]

As described above, the present invention provides a method and equipment for reliably welding strip-shaped steel plates without forming a gap at the abutting portion when the strip-shaped steel plates are continuously welded in the longitudinal direction. It became possible to do. In particular, it has become possible to produce joining blanks for molding for automobiles at low cost and with high productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view showing an embodiment of a continuous welding apparatus in the longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel sheet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining a process of guiding adjacent strip-shaped steel plates and guiding them to a welding device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a process of guiding adjacent strip-shaped steel plates and guiding them to a welding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b Strip steel plate 2a, 2b Transport device 3a First lateral guide device 4a Another first lateral guide device 5 Pass restraint device 6 Welding machine 9b Second lateral guide device 11a, 11b Uncoiler 12a, 12b Discharge device 13a, 13b Inlet shear 14a, 14b Leveler 15a, 15b Free loop 21 Outlet shear 22 Pallet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI B65H 23/182 B65H 23/182 Z

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein adjacent strip-shaped steel sheets are conveyed on separate conveying surfaces while being inclined with respect to each other at an acute angle α as an elevation angle viewed in a direction opposite to the conveying direction, and a welding execution position on a conveying path. In the method of converging immediately before and forming the same conveying plane, butting the welded ends of the respective strip-shaped steel sheets and welding them continuously with a laser, one strip of the strip-shaped steel sheet is The side end of the welded side is conveyed on an extension of the welding point position located forward in the conveying direction and in contact with the guide surface of the guide device arranged on the upstream side from the convergence position. In the same transport plane formed after the convergence position, the opposite side end of the other strip-shaped steel plate is pressed against the non-welded side, and the side ends of the respective strip-shaped steel plates are welded to each other without gaps. Laser fusion between side edges Steel strip longitudinal direction of the continuous welding method using a laser, characterized by. 2. The adjacent strip-shaped steel plates are conveyed in a state where they are mutually inclined at an acute angle α as an elevation angle viewed in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction, and converge immediately before the welding execution position on the conveyance path. Each transport device (2a, 2a) constituting a separate transport surface
b) in a facility for continuous welding of a steel strip in the longitudinal direction by a laser, the equipment being on an extension of a welding point located upstream of the convergence position and in front of the transport direction, and on the side of the steel strip to be welded. A first lateral guide device (3a) having a guide surface (3a) for contacting the end is provided, and in the same transport plane formed after the convergence position on the transport path, a non-welded side of another strip-shaped steel plate A second lateral guide device (9b) having a pressing mechanism, abutting the side ends thereof, and laser welding, the continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped steel plate by laser. 3. The continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel plate by a laser according to claim 2, wherein the transfer device (2a, 2b) comprises a transfer roll (2a, 2b) having a tilting mechanism. 4. The continuous welding equipment according to claim 2, wherein the first lateral guide device (3a) is a straight edge or a vertical roller. 5. The laser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second lateral guide device is a straight edge or a vertical roller having a pressing mechanism. Continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of the strip. 6. A lateral guide device (4a) for guiding an opposite side end of a strip-shaped steel plate having a side end contacting the first lateral guide device (3a). Item 2
6. A continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of a strip-shaped steel sheet by the laser according to any one of the above items 5 to 5. 7. The laser-shaped strip according to claim 2, wherein the further lateral guide means is a straight edge or a vertical roller having a pressing mechanism. Continuous welding equipment in the longitudinal direction of the steel plate. 8. The lateral guide means (3a, 4a, 9)
8. A continuity in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped steel sheet by a laser according to claim 2, wherein a path restraining device (5) for restraining each strip-shaped steel sheet is arranged downstream of b). Welding equipment.