JPS6213292A - Automatic cutter by laser beam - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a laser beam automatic cutting machine 117i suitable for use in processing inner cladding materials of vehicles, particularly automobiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 It is known to cover the interior of automobiles and industrial vehicles with coating materials, some of which are rigid or semi-rigid, and which are typically made of plastic sheets with a cloth applied on one or both sides. Many of them are flexible. - Generally, the above-mentioned rigid or semi-rigid materials are first cold stamped to take on a specific spatial shape that reproduces the concave or convex surface to be coated, and then the edges are trimmed to follow the specific contour. If necessary, trimming the edges includes machining holes or windows of awkward shape and size.

In general, during the trimming operations of the above-mentioned dressings, many problems arise because the contours that need to be given to them extend three-dimensionally in space and the lines defining the surfaces extend in different directions.

In reality, the trimming of the edges of the cladding is actually done by stamping for cutting and subsequent erosion of the resulting outer contour.
be done. However, stamping for cutting is expensive and requires serious production, and it is not economically viable unless it is certain that the contour of the sheathing material to be manufactured will not be altered later. do not have.

In addition, the use of cutting stamps necessitates subsequent erosion of the edges of the trimmed cladding.

From the above, it can be seen that in small quantities and in the early stages of six-layer production, trimming and etching of the edges of the cladding is usually done manually, which significantly increases production and marketing costs and reduces the quality of the product. It will no longer be constant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1 It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic cutting method which eliminates the need for manual trimming and subsequent contour erosion of the above-mentioned cladding.
17iN machine.

This purpose comprises: at least one stage capable of being moved linearly in a first direction under the action of a first actuating means; a powerful laser generator; focusing an infrared beam originating from said laser generator; means for supporting the head above the stage and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction under the action of second and third actuating means, respectively; and a movable means for moving the head linearly in a third direction perpendicular to the two directions, a coupling means provided between the head and the support means, the movable means being arranged to move the head linearly in a third direction perpendicular to the two directions; The head is mounted for rotation about a first axis under the force of a fifth actuating means, and the head is mounted to rotate about a first axis under the force of a fifth actuating means. is attached to the coupling means for rotation relative to the coupling means about .

automatic control means for said actuating means and said laser generator, and means for defining a cutting zone which is impermeable to said beam of light and across which said stage is movably mounted. This is achieved by the present invention, which relates to an automatic cutting device that does this.

Preferably, the automatic control means includes a control computer for the laser generator and the actuating means, and measuring means coupled to an input of the computer, the measuring means determining the position and concentration of the infrared flux. It is suitable for determining the direction and transmitting the coordinate values of a specific contour to be machined to a computer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention.

1 and 2 show an automatic cutting machine 1 which can be used, for example, to cut interior cladding of a motor vehicle (not shown) along a desired contour. The dressings are generally of the type that include three-dimensional or two-dimensional flexible rigid or semi-rigid plastic sheets covered on one or both surfaces with various types of fabric.

The cutting machine 1 has a working area 2 (delimited below by a flat floor 3 (FIG. 2) and laterally by an approximately rectangular steel structure 4 and closed above by a cover 4a (FIG. 2). 1), and its two opposing side walls 5 (
1) consists of a plurality of uprights 6 extending upward from the floor 3 and vertical siding 7 of glass or generally infrared opaque sheet metal joining them.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the working area 2 is accessible from the other opposing side wall 8 (FIG. 1) of the steel structure 4. That is, in their side walls there is an entrance 9 with siding 7 on both sides and in the middle two vertical columns 10 higher than the columns 6 and supporting a horizontal beam 11. A lifting device 12 for a lifting door 13 is connected to the beam 11, and a window is slidably mounted between the columns 10. The lower edge of the window cooperates in the lowered position with the upper edge of two fixed sidings 14 to define an aperture 15. Across the aperture 15 is a bench 16 supported by the floor 3.

Both the door 13 and the paneling 14 are made of a material that is opaque to infrared rays.

The bench 16 extends across the entire working area 2 and extends through two apertures 15 in the area and is of sufficient length to support a work platform 17 located entirely outside the working area 2. It has two end portions that protrude. Both platforms 17 are substantially rectangular with their long sleeves being perpendicular to the long axis of the bench 16 and along a long horizontal guide 18 extending parallel to the wall 5 in a direction referred to below as the HX direction or axis X ratio. It is slidably mounted on the bench.

The operation of each stage 17 arranged in line on the bench 16 is preferably achieved by respective independent servomechanisms (not shown).

Located within the work area 2 and adjacent to the center of each wall 5 are columns 19 supporting horizontal beams 20 of approximately the same height as the columns 6 and with each end perpendicular to the wall 5. It is. In particular, as shown in FIG.
is a metal 8-piece made of a C-shaped member 21 closed on one side by a vertical plate 22, and on its outer surface there are marks perpendicular to the wall 5 and horizontally along its upper and lower edges in the Y direction or below. Two V-grooved guides 23 extending in the direction represented by the axis Y are firmly connected.

(2) The grooved guide 23 cooperates with a corresponding V-grooved guide 25 supported on a carriage 26 which is slidably mounted along the rubber 20 via a ball 24.

The key Vl ridge 26 is arranged facing the plate 22 and the guide 2
The beam 2o includes a plate 27 supporting the beam 2o, and two plates 28 extending from the upper and lower edges of the plate 27 are equal to the upper and lower sides of the beam 2o, respectively. A first servo motor 29 is installed on the plate 27, and this drives the plate 2 through a reduction gear 30 and an output shaft 31.
drive a pinion 32 which engages a rack 33 attached to plate 2 and extending parallel to axis Y along plate 22;

In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, on the surface of the plate 27 opposite to the plate 22, a cylindrical sleeve 34 is provided perpendicularly to the axis Y.
The cylindrical sleeve projects above the beam 20 and is closed at the tip by an elongated cylindrical body 35 (FIG. 2).

The sleeve 34 has a substantially parallelepiped shape in cross-section, and the inner surfaces of the two side walls of the sleeve 34 extending perpendicularly to the plate 27 are provided with two V-grooves extending in two directions or in the direction referred to below as the axis Z. The attachment guide 36 is the installation number. Each guide 3
6 cooperates with a corresponding ■-shaped guide provided on the side edge of an approximately rectangular elongated plate 38 whose longitudinal axis extends parallel to the axis Z via a ball 37. The elongated plate 38 constitutes one of the three side walls of the column 39 which is approximately C-shaped in cross-section and whose open side faces toward one wall 5 of the steel structure 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, column 39 is moved along axis Z by a servo motor 40. As shown in FIG. In other words, the servo motor 40
rotates the output shaft 43 via the reduction gear 41, and this shaft 43
This turns a pinion 42, which is a key stop, and the pinion engages with a lock 44 fixed to the pillar 39.

As shown in FIG. 5, a ring 45 is fixed to the lower end of the column 39, and a cylindrical projection 47 of a box body 48 is mounted inside the ring 45, and a bearing 46 is attached to the ring 45.
The box body 48 has a protrusion 4.
A second cylindrical protrusion 49 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the axis of 7. The projection 47 is provided with a gearwheel 50 at its free end which extends beyond the ring 45 into the interior of the column 39 parallel to the axis Z. This gear 50 has an axis Z over its entire length inside the column 39.
It meshes with a pinion 51 keyed to a shaft 52 which extends parallel to and is rotatably supported by a support 53. The shaft 52 is supported by a horizontal plate 55 at the upper end of the column 39 and is connected to a reduction gear 54 operated by a servo motor 56.
It is connected to the output side of .

A cylindrical projection 58 extending in the radial direction from the cylindrical body 59 is rotatably attached to the cylindrical projection 49 via a bearing 57 . The cylindrical body 59 has one end closed and a flange portion formed at the other end, and the large bottom surface of a truncated conical cylindrical body 60 is connected to the flange portion. A hole 61 is provided in the small bottom surface. A bevel gear 62 that meshes with an umbrella-shaped pinion 63 is keyed to the protrusion 58, and the umbrella-shaped binion 63 is keyed to the output shaft of a reduction gear 64 driven by a servo motor 66 supported by a arm 65 integrated with the box body 48. It's domeshi.

The cylindrical bodies 59 and 60 constitute a head 67 located above the bench 16, and this head 67, together with the box body 48, rotates about the axis Z and rotates the box body 4 about an axis perpendicular to the axis Z.
Perform a rotation relative to 8. In particular, the angular movement of the head 67 by the servo motor 56, denoted below by movement A, can reach a maximum angle of 360'. On the other hand, the angular movement of the head 67 by the servo motor 66 with respect to the flute body 48, which is represented below by movement B, can reach a maximum angle of 180° around the central axis of the head 67 perpendicular to the axis Z.

The tubular body 60 is fitted with a collar 68 that communicates the supply conduit with six holes passing through the wall of the tubular body 60, thereby making it possible to supply, for example, nitrogen into the tubular body 60. The nitrogen flows out through the holes 61.

Cut I! liv! 1 Machine 1 includes a laser generator, designated as a whole by 70 and installed outside the working area 2 and facing the wall 5 of the steel structure 4, towards which the recess of the column 39 is directed. It is being The laser generator 1f170 is a CO2 rapid flow type and is equipped with an electromagnetically actuated shutter (not shown), and can oscillate invisible infrared!!71. (FIG. 2) through a hole (not shown) cut through the wall 5 just below the level of the beam 20 and into the interior of the working area 2 through the open side of the column 39. It is transmitted to

As shown in FIG. 5, inside the pillar 39 and head 67,
The first mirror 1173 is supported by the carriage 26 via the support fitting 74, the second mirror 75 is supported inside the cylindrical body 48, and the third mirror is supported inside the cylindrical body 59. 76 and an optical system enclosing a condensing lens 77 is attached.

Mirrors 73, 75 and 76 all form an angle of 45'' with axis Z, with the second mirror 75 pointing upwards and the other two downwards.

In particular, mirrors 73 are placed at the intersections of the axes of the conduit 72 and the cylindrical projections 47; Placed at the intersection of the axes. Since the positions of the desks are fixed, the mirrors 73, 75 and 76 first direct the beam 71 vertically to the column 3.
9 and through the cylindrical projection 47, then horizontally through the cylindrical projection 49 into the head 67, and finally into the head 67.
The lens can be advanced along the lens 77. lens 77
is arranged perpendicularly to the axis of the head 67, and is designed to focus the light beam 71 on a point 78 outside the cylindrical body 60 and at a position substantially coinciding with its apex.

A second laser generator 79 for teaching or measuring purposes is mounted outside the steel structure 4 and can emit a beam 80 which can be directed by a portable mirror 81 through a conduit 72 to a mirror 73. .

The cutting machine 1 is generally manually operated and has a working area 2.
It is programmed to trim the edges of a particular dressing according to a sample fixed on a stage 17 placed inside.

During programming, the laser generator 1170 is turned off and the teaching or measuring laser generator 79 is activated, and its beam 80 is reflected by a portable mirror 81 to a mirror 73, passes through a mirror 39, and is directed by mirrors 75 and 76 onto a lens 77. , which focuses the beam onto the cutting point 78 .

, the operator preferably controls the servo motors and servo motors 29, 40, 56 and 66 for the control of the document table 17 whose position and velocity are controlled by one system of action.
A manual control device M (not shown) is operated to move the head 67 linearly and in the X, Y and Z directions along the contour so as to explore the entire contour of the specimen. Move it angularly along the During this exploration process, the operator sends a series of signals associated with the five coordinates of the head 67 to the control combination when the point 78 coincides with a particularly clue point on the sample contour.
□Send to the memory of the computer 82.

When the sample tracing operation is completed, the memory of the computer 82 stores the cycles previously taught under manual control in the cutting machine 1.
Servo motors 29, 40, 56 and 6 as repeated
A sufficient number of data are recorded to control the control servo motors of the stage 6 and the stage 17. For the program mink, the computer 82 has operation keys 83 and a control display 8.
4 is provided.

By using the key 83, a part of the cutting path in the created program can be omitted, added, or changed, and the cutting speed at a specific point of the cutting path can be adjusted.
Instructions related to the ratio of the capabilities of the program can be inserted into the program.

As for the data reading system, the teaching or measuring laser generator 79 can be replaced by some other measuring system, such as an electronic probe (not shown), which is attached to the tubular body 59 after the tubular body 60 is removed. It should be noted that this is possible.

Prior to the start of cutting work, one or several workers perform work ti! 2. Place the material to be cut on the stage 17 placed outside. In accordance with a command issued by the control computer 82, the door 13 facing the document table 17 is raised and the document table is advanced along the bench 16 into the working area 2. When the stage 17 enters the work 142, a sliding door 13 prevents the cutting area from being viewed from the outside during cutting without intervening any protection impermeable to infrared radiation.
and close off the work area. Other work area 2 during cutting
The closure of 4a serves to ensure that the smoke generated is evacuated through the shroud 4a.

During cutting, the entire cutting machine, including the laser generator 70, is controlled by a computer 82 that recognizes the cutting path and guides the laser beam along the desired path with the required angular movement and maximum speed, and reduces the cutting speed. When doing so, adjust the laser beam to reduce its intensity.

During cutting, nitrogen is introduced into the tubular body 60 by the collar 68, so that the cutting is carried out in a neutral atmosphere without flame, and the smoke generated by the cutting enters the interior of the tubular body 60 through the holes 61, causing short cuts. The lens 77 is prevented from becoming opaque over time.

When the cutting work is completed, the work table 17 pulls up the corresponding door 13 and then pulls it down, thereby making it possible to unload the cut pieces from the working area 2 and load new parts to be processed. Become.

These unloading operations and processing of the pieces placed on the stage 17 are carried out, and this stage was carried into the steel structure 4 when the previous one was taken out from inside the steel structure 4.

Needless to say, a plurality of workpieces having different shapes and sizes can be mounted on each stage 17 and the edges of these workpieces can be trimmed one after another according to a predetermined program.

It is advantageous both from a safety point of view and from a working time point of view that each end of the bench 16 protrudes from the steel structure 4 by a length sufficient to accommodate a respective stage 17. In fact, each platform 17 is placed completely outside the steel structure 4 during track loading and unloading operations, and in a position where the corresponding door 13 can be closed, so that the workers are protected from the laser beam. In addition, in the loading and unloading positions, each loading platform 17 can be reached from three sides, which greatly facilitates any operations performed on it.

In the embodiment described above, a single bench 16 supports two stages 17 mounted in series or slidably on their guides, each supported by an independent servo motor (not shown). Moved. Obviously, the way in which the two stages 17 are interconnected, the two stages 17
It is also conceivable that the above-described variants be mounted on benches arranged in parallel and arranged side by side, that a single stage 17 be provided, or that the above-mentioned variants be combined in all possible ways; The implementation format is the best. In practice, the use of a single stage 17 inevitably leads to a significant increase in idle time, since the use of two stages 1 in parallel
The use of 7 would involve the adoption of a door 13 that is much longer than that shown, and therefore much more difficult to operate, generally resulting in an increase in the size of the building and inconvenient access to each stage 17. Finally, simultaneous operation of two stages 17 by a single servo motor reduces machine flexibility and increases idle time. In practice, when a single servo motor is used, one of the workpieces 1 is used during cutting or loading and unloading operations.
If something goes wrong with 7, it becomes necessary to shut down the entire machine. In addition, two individually operated loading tables 1
Since it is sufficient to leave any door 13 open, the door opening time can be minimized. For obvious safety reasons, the electromagnetic shutter (not shown) of the laser generator 70 is closed during these door opening times.

If we compare the above method using two stages 17 arranged in series with the method using two stages 17 arranged in parallel, it is clear that the latter solution reduces the loading of the items. The unloading locations can all be located on the same side of the building, whereas the series method described above allows for two unloading locations to be located on opposite sides of the building.
A loading and unloading area is required. Although this may seem at first glance to be a disadvantage of serial methods compared to parallel methods, the opposite is generally the case.

As a practical matter, it is difficult to modify the cutting machine 1 so that equivalent products can be cut on both stages 17.

Therefore, providing separate loading and unloading locations for the plurality of loading tables 17 generally brings about significant advantages from the standpoint of replenishment.

Finally, the position of the laser generator 70 with respect to the pillar 39, the pillar 39
With respect to the shape of and the reflection system of the ray bundle 77, the laser generation g! 170 may be arranged so that the light beam 71 passes through a horizontal opening at the top of the cylindrical body 35, and the mirror 73 may be arranged at a position facing the horizontal opening.

In this case, the pillar 39 has a closed cross section rather than an open side, and the plate 55 is provided with a hole for the light beam 71 to pass through.

It goes without saying that from the point of view of mechanical precision, the above-mentioned method is desirable as it allows the use of columns consisting of closed boxes.

Nevertheless, in general, the illustrated arrangement and method reduces the distance between M2S and 75, and thus also significantly reduces (in the worst case at least half), so it is recommended.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a diagrammatic front view of an automatic cutting rock embodied in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of the machine shown in FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line TV-rV in FIG. 3, and FIG.
The figure is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the detail of FIG. 2.

Claims (13)

[Claims] (1) at least one stage that can be linearly moved in a first direction by a first drive means; a powerful laser generator; and a laser beam beam generated from the laser generator that focuses means for supporting the delivery head above the stage, the head being capable of being delivered in the first direction relative to the stage and in a second direction perpendicular thereto; and movable support means for moving the head in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions by second and third drive means, respectively, and interposed between the head and the support means, means mounted for rotating the support means about a first axis under the force of a fourth drive means, the head being arranged relative to the coupling means at a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; the coupling means for rotation by the fifth drive means about the axis;
means for automatic control of said drive means and said laser generator; and protection means defining a cutting zone which is impermeable to said beam of light and is mounted such that said stage can move across it. An automatic cutting machine characterized by comprising: (2) control means and measuring means for the laser generator and drive means are connected to the input side of the computer, said measuring means determining the focus and direction of said infrared beam and the coordinates of the particular contour to be processed; 2. The automatic cutting machine according to claim 1, wherein the automatic cutting machine is configured to transmit the information to the computer. (3) The automatic cutting machine according to item 2 above, wherein the measuring means includes a laser generator capable of sending a visible light beam to the head. (4) An automatic cutting machine according to any one of the preceding paragraphs 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the drive means comprises a servo motor whose position and speed are controlled by a closed actuation system. (5) the support means for the head is movable along the first horizontal guide means arranged above the stage and extending across it in the second direction; a carriage attached to the carriage, a second guide means attached to the carriage and extending vertically in the third direction, and a second guide means attached to the carriage and movable along the second guide means relative to the carriage; comprising a vertical column, the infrared beam emitted from the laser generator passes from the exit of the generator in a straight path parallel to the first guiding means, the column is arranged on the path; Items 1 and 2 above, characterized in that a turning means is provided for turning the wire bundle vertically downward;
Automatic cutting machine according to paragraph 3, paragraph 4 or paragraph 5. (6) the path extends below the first guide means;
The column has a concave cross-section with a longitudinal aperture in the side facing towards the generator, through which the beam extends, the deflecting means being inclined at 45 degrees to the path and directing the beam towards the generator. 6. Automatic cutting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes a mirror located in a fixed position relative to the carriage inside the column. (7) said coupling means comprises a hollow body with two cylindrical projections on axes perpendicular to each other and coinciding with said first and said second axes, the first said projection being connected to said column; 7. The automatic cutting machine according to claim 6, wherein the second protrusion is rotatably attached to the lower end, the second protrusion is rotatably attached to the head, and the axis of the head is perpendicular to the second protrusion. . (8) A focusing lens is installed inside the head with its optical axis parallel to the axis of the head, and a second mirror inside the head aligns the axis of the head with the axis of the second cylindrical projection. A third mirror is arranged at the intersection of the axes of the cylindrical bodies inside the hollow body, and the first mirror directs the beam of light coming from the laser generator into a column. Then, the beam is reflected to a third mirror through the first cylindrical projection, and the third mirror passes through the second cylindrical projection and reflects the beam to the second mirror. 8. The automatic cutting machine according to item 7 above. (9) the head has a frustum-conical end with a distal axial aperture through which a focused bundle of light rays exits;
9. Automatic cutting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that means are provided for supplying an inert gas to the frusto-conical end. (10) The protection means includes a steel structure delimiting the working area and closed at the top by a cylinder for sucking out the fumes generated during cutting, the steel structure having a strong Items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 above, characterized in that the side walls are formed from vertical sidings of material impermeable to the beam of light provided by the laser generator. Automatic cutting machine according to clause 6, 7, 8 or 9. (11) a bench extends across the work area and has a guide thereon parallel to the first direction; two loading tables are mounted in series on the bench; extending through an aperture in opposite side walls of the steel structure and protruding a sufficient length to support one of the platforms located outside the work area outside each of the side walls; 11. The automatic cutting machine according to item 10 above. (12) each of said apertures has a lower part occupied by said bench and an upper part across which said stage can be moved; said upper part is provided with a closure means opaque to said beam flux; 12. Automatic cutting machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the upper part is completely closed when not in use by the stand. (13) The automatic cutting machine according to item 12, wherein the closing means includes an elevating door.