RU2792558C2 - Apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of layered material - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: laser or plasma cutting.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to an apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of a laminated material and can be used for processing both laminated material wound into a roll and laminated material in form of separate sheets. The apparatus contains a cutting station (10) with the first support structure and at least one laser or plasma cutting head (11) connected to the second support structure and moving relative to it within the cutting working area, means (21) for placing at least parts of the laminate in the work area on the cutting plane. Said means (21) for placement consists of a conveyor pin belt. The apparatus additionally includes the first closing device (71) configured to close said first hole made in the protective booth (15) for entry of the laminated material into the cutting working area, and the second closing device configured to close the second hole made in the protective booth to output the laminate from the cutting area. The conveyor belt (21) is connected to the second support structure mechanically separated and independent from the first support structure. The first and the second closing devices are also connected to a mechanically separated support structure independent of the first support structure equipped with the pin belt.

EFFECT: ensuring cutting accuracy by eliminating or at least reducing part of the vibrations transmitted to the laminated material under the influence of the movements of the cutting heads.

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Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of a laminate.

[002] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutter according to the present invention can be used to process both a laminate wound on a roll and a laminate in the form of separate sheets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] Devices are known for laser or plasma cutting of portions of a laminate M, whereby in the cutting step the laminate is placed on a movable support structure consisting of a conveyor belt bounded by rods arranged transverse to the direction of the belt and at a distance from each other. Each rod has a number of protruding elements on which the layered material is laid. This type of conveyor belt is called pin web ("fakir's web") and prevents the layered material from burning out in the contact zone between the material and the movable support. During the cutting phase, the chips generated by the machine (usually fine or very fine) fall into the empty spaces of the dowel blade and are thus separated from the machined parts and the workpiece (i.e. laminate with machined parts and chips removed) already in the cutting step. cutting. The chips are thus collected in the area below the cutting area within the so-called cutting station, while the machined parts and the workpiece are still on the dowel blade for further transport to the collection station down outside the cutting area.

[004] An example of this machine for processing rolled material is shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2, with the laser cutting station shown under "A" and the pin blade under "F".

[005] In general, in this type of cutting apparatus, the cutting station A comprises at least one laser or plasma cutting head T with manipulation means along the axis of a rectangular coordinate system. The pin blade conveyor is built into the cutting station support structure, which provides support for the cutting head handling aids.

[006] Typically, at the inlet and outlet of the cutting station, the apparatus is additionally equipped with devices C configured to close the cutting station A when the laminate (in the form of a roll or individual sheets) has been placed inside the cutting station, ready to undergo cutting operations. . These devices C are built into the support structure of the cutting station which provides support for the handling means of the cutting head and the pin blade conveyor. They serve to isolate the cutting area, while the laser or plasma cutting head T works in such a way as to avoid the output of laser radiation or high intensity beams that could be dangerous to operators. Functionally, when activated, such devices come into contact either with the inlet or outlet contact surface, or directly with the laminate.

[007] It has been found that the vibrations generated by the movements of the cutting head affect the placement of the laminate on the pin web. This phenomenon may be more pronounced when the treated laminate is in the form of individual sheets than when the treated laminate is wound on a roll. In some cases, this may adversely affect cutting accuracy.

[008] In this application, there is thus a need for laser or plasma cutting machines equipped with pin blades, where the cutting accuracy is less affected by the movement of the cutting heads, especially when the laminate being processed is in the form of individual sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[009] Thus, the main object of the present invention is to eliminate all or part of the disadvantages of the mentioned prior art, providing an apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of the laminate, equipped with a pin blade, with a cutting accuracy less affected by the movements of the cutting heads.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of a laminate that is simple and economical to implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The technical features of the invention according to the above objectives are clearly visible from the content of the claims presented below, and their advantages will be more apparent in the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, representing one or more purely illustrative and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two orthogonal schematic sections, respectively, in height and from above, of an apparatus of a known type for laser or plasma cutting of parts of sheet material wound into a roll, equipped with a pin blade;

- Figures 3 and 4, respectively, illustrate an orthogonal schematic section along the height and top of the apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of the laminate in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, presented in a configuration with pin blade removed from the cutting station;

- Figures 5 and 6, respectively, illustrate an orthogonal schematic section along the height and top of the apparatus shown in Figures 3 and 4 in the configuration with the pin blade inserted into the cutting station;

- Figures 7 and 8, respectively, illustrate an orthogonal schematic section along the height and top of the apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of the laminate in accordance with the second variant of the present invention, in which not only the pin blade, but also the protective cabin is mechanically independent of the support structure of the cutting heads, such an apparatus is presented in a partially expanded form, i.e. with pin blade and guard cabin physically separated from the cutting head support structure; And

- Figure 9 illustrates a cross-section of the cutting station of the cutting apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8 in assembled form and in the configuration for transport, the section is made along the sectional area IX-IX indicated in Figures 7 and 8.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of a laminate in accordance with the invention is generally given under the number "1" in the accompanying Figures.

[0013] Here and in the detailed description, and in the claims, which are discussed below, reference is made to the apparatus 1 in the state of use. It is in this sense that any reference to a bottom or top position, or to horizontal or vertical placement, should be understood.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutter 1 in accordance with the present invention can be used to process both a laminate wound on a roll and a laminate in the form of separate sheets.

[0015] In accordance with a general embodiment of the invention, apparatus 1 comprises a cutting station 10, which in turn comprises:

- the first support structure 16 and

- at least one laser or plasma cutting head 11.

[0016] Mentioned at least one cutting head 11 is associated with the first support structure 16 and can move relative to it within the working area of the cutting 12.

[0017] As illustrated by the accompanying Figures, the cutting station 10 also includes a protective booth 15 which contains said cutting area 12.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective booth 15 is limited by a plurality of side walls and a cover configured to protect and shield the cutting area 12.

[0019] The protective booth 15 has a first hole 10' for the entry of the laminate in the cutting area 12 and a second hole 10" for the exit of the laminate from the cutting area 12.

[0020] In particular, the operation of the cutting station 10 may be conventional (for example, as indicated in Italian patent IT1409876), no detailed description of the operation is given, well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0021] In particular, the cutting station 10 may comprise two or more laser or plasma cutting heads 11. Also, the manipulation means 13 of a single cutting head 11 or multiple cutting heads (if any) is of the conventional type and thus will not be described in detail. . In the case of a single cutting head, as shown in the attached Figures, these manipulation means may be of the Cartesian axis type (as shown in the attached Figures) or may consist of a robotic arm.

[0022] The cutting apparatus 1 further comprises means 21 for placing at least one part of the laminate (in the form of separate sheets or a roll) in said working area 12 on the cutting plane m, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, horizontal.

[0023] In particular, such placement means include a pin web conveyor belt 21 .

[0024] The pin web type conveyor belt is well known to the person skilled in the art and thus is not described in detail. Here we confine ourselves to a reminder that the pin web is a movable support structure consisting of a conveyor belt bounded by rods located across the direction of the belt and at a distance from each other. Each rod has a number of protruding elements on which the layered material is laid. This type of conveyor belt prevents the laminate from burning out in the contact zone between the material and the movable support. The movement of the conveyor belt is provided by a plurality of support wheels/rollers, at least one of which is under control. Wheels/rollers are indicated by the number "24" in the attached Figures.

[0025] As shown schematically in Figures 3-8, the cutter 1 further comprises:

- a first closing device 71 configured to close said first opening 10'; And

- a second closing device 72 configured to close said second opening 10”.

[0026] Functionally, both closure devices 71 and 72 serve to isolate the cutting area, while the laser or plasma cutting head 11 operates in such a way as to avoid the output of laser radiation or high intensity beams that could be dangerous to operators. Functionally, when activated, such devices come into contact either with the contact surface or directly with the laminate.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of said closing devices 71 and 72 is made in accordance with the description given in European Patent Application No. EP3342532A1 in the name of the same applicant, incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] In particular, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, not shown in detail in the accompanying Figures, each closure device 71 and 72 includes a bar placed transverse to the axis of movement of the laminate through the cutting station. The longitudinal edges of a steel plate folded in a U-shape, which is affected by a plurality of transverse cuts that terminate before the edges, are tied to the lower edges of the vertical side surfaces of this bar. Functionally, this folded U-plate is deformable and is designed to be pressed against the laminate or contact surface (in the case where the material to be cut is in individual sheets rather than rolls) to form barriers. To this end, the device is equipped with vertical handling means of said bar, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, with automatic control.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in particular in Figures 3-8, in particular, when the cutting apparatus 1 is configured to process a laminate wound on a roll, the apparatus 1 may comprise - in front of the first inlet 10 ' means 51 for guiding and aligning on the cutting plane the laminate M obtained from the roll B in the longitudinal direction X of the movement of the material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 1 may also comprise - after the second outlet 10" - means 52 for extracting the laminate M from the cutting area 12 along the longitudinal direction X of the movement of the material.

[0030] Said guiding and leveling means 51 and said extracting means 52 are also well known to a person skilled in the art, so their detailed description will not be given.

[0031] In accordance with the invention, said conveyor belt 21 is associated with a second support structure 22 that is mechanically separate and independent from said first support structure 16.

[0032] In accordance with the invention, said first and second closing devices 71 and 72 are also associated with a support structure that is mechanically separate and independent from the first support structure 16, i. cutting head support structure 11.

[0033] In particular, the definition of the support structure as "mechanically separate and independent" from the first support structure suggests that this support structure performs its support function without requiring the functions of the first structure, since they are disconnected from each other.

[0034] In view of the fact that the second support structure 22 (i.e., the structure that specifically supports the pin web 21 conveyor) and the support structure to which the first and second closure devices 71 and 72 are associated are mechanically separate and independent of the first support structure 16 of the cutting station 10 (the structure to which at least one said cutting head 11 is associated), transmission of vibrations from one structure to another can be avoided or at least greatly reduced.

[0035] Thus, neither pin web 21 nor closures 71 and 72 (which may contact the laminate during cutting operations) transmit vibrations to the laminate, or at least transmit only a substantially reduced portion of them compared to traditional devices.

[0036] Thanks to the invention, it is thus possible to obtain a cutting accuracy of the apparatus 1 that is less affected by the movements of the cutting heads compared to similar conventional cutting apparatuses.

[0037] The positive effect on cutting accuracy that can be obtained with the cutter 1 according to the present invention is both when processing a laminate in the form of separate sheets, and when processing a laminate that is not unwound from a roll.

[0038] Particularly noteworthy is the positive effect on cutting accuracy provided by the invention when processing laminated material in the form of individual sheets. Indeed, in this case, the individual sheets of laminate are simply placed on the pin web and, while not being locked in position, are more susceptible to movements caused by vibrations.

[0039] Also noteworthy is the positive effect on cutting accuracy provided by the invention when the laminate to be processed is unwound from a roll. In this case, unlike individual sheets, it is not simply placed on the pin web, but is also guided by the roll unwinding means and is thus less prone to misalignment. However, it contacts the closing devices 71 and 72 during cutting operations. In traditional solutions, as already noted, these closures are mechanically connected to the support structures of the cutting head and irreversibly become vibration transmission elements to the laminate. When guided, the laminate receives vibrations from these devices. In the apparatus according to the invention, this situation is avoided by eliminating or at least reducing also part of the vibrations transmitted to the laminate.

[0040] Elimination or at least reduction of vibrations transmitted to the laminate by said closing devices 71 and 72 also applies when the laminate is in the form of separate sheets, when these sheets have a length greater than the cutting area, and protrude from the exit and/or entrance are operated by closing devices.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 3-8, the support structure to which the first and second closures 71 and 72 are associated coincides with the second support structure 22, i. supporting structure of the conveyor with a pin blade 21.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3-6, said protective booth 15 be mechanically integrated into the first support structure 16. In this case, the pin web conveyor support structure 21 and said first and second closing devices 71 and 72 are also mechanically separated from the protective booth. 15.

[0043] In accordance with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the protective cabin 15 can also be mechanically separated and independent of the said first support structure 16. In this case, the support structure to which the first and second closing device 71 and 72, coincides with either the second support structure 22 or with the protective cabin 15.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the accompanying Figures, said second support structure 22 with associated pin web conveyor 21 (and possibly associated first and second closure devices 71 and 72) can be completely removed from said cutting station. 10 and represent a work unit independent of the cutting station 10.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said cutting station 10 may have an external access opening 14 to the cutting area 12 through which said second support structure 22 with an associated pin web 21 conveyor (and optionally with associated first and second closing devices 71 and 72) can be inserted into or removed from the cutting station 10.

[0046] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures, the second support structure 22 includes a carriage 23 for manipulating the entire second support structure and the associated pin blade conveyor 21 with respect to the cutting station 10. In particular, as shown in Figures 3 -8, the second support structure 22 can be guided with the possibility of sliding when moving to the entrance and exit from the cutting station 10 using the said carriage 23 on the rail 42.

[0047] Functionally, with the conveyor belt 21 and the second support structure 22 forming a work unit separate from the cutting station 10, the cutting station 10 can be used in combination with other types of laminate placement means as an alternative to pin web conveyors.

[0048] In particular, the cutting station 10 can be used in combination with positioning means for stretching the laminate in the air, without bottom support using sliding handling devices. An example of such a manipulation tool is described in Italian patent IT1409876.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the accompanying Figures, similarly to said first and second closing devices 71 and 72, said means 51 for guiding and aligning on the cutting plane m of the laminate M, as well as means 52 for extracting the laminate M from the cutting area 12 (if provided) are connected to a support structure mechanically separate and independent from the first support structure 16. In this way, vibrations are prevented from being transmitted by these means 51 and 52 to the laminate during cutting operations, hence affecting the cutting accuracy.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support structure to which said guide and leveling means 51 and extraction means 52 are associated coincides with the second support structure 22, i.e. a structure that provides support for the pin belt conveyor.

[0051] In accordance with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures, the two closure devices 71 and 72, the guiding and leveling means 51 and the extraction means 52 are associated with one support structure, which, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, coincides with the second support structure. 22, i.e. a structure that provides support for the pin belt conveyor.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first support structure 16 (the structure to which at least one said cutting head 11 is associated) and the second support structure 22 (the structure providing support for the pin web 21 conveyor and possibly closing devices 71 and 72, and possibly means 51, 52) can be mechanically limited to each other in reverse by means of a mechanical connection 80 capable of holding two support structures 16, 22 in predetermined relative positions during the stage of transporting apparatus 1 from one site. another.

[0053] In particular, as shown in Figure 9, such a mechanical connection means 80 may consist of:

- one or more pins 81 that connect the two structures 16 and 22 in the transverse direction in the respective through holes obtained in the structures 16 and 22; And

- one or more spacers 82 placed between the supporting structures to block their relative positions.

[0054] In the preferred embodiment, the spacers 82 are engaged by pins 81.

[0055] The presence of such mechanical connection means 80 provides a temporary connection of the two structures 16 and 22 in such a way as to allow movement, as one block, of at least the cutting station, while not changing the relative positions between the two structures.

[0056] Functionally, the first structure 16 should essentially have a predetermined position relative to the second structure 22, as a function of which the calibration of the working cutting head control system is performed. This predefined position is the factory setting. By allowing machine 1, or at least the cutting station, to be transported from the factory to the job site without loss, this setting greatly simplifies machine 1 operation.

[0057] If the protective cabin 15 is mechanically integrated into the first support structure 16, the cabin itself can be transported either for direct installation together with the first support structure 16, or installed on it already at the job site.

[0058] If, instead, the protective car 15 is mechanically separated and independent from the first support structure 16, the protective car 15 can also be designed to provide a mechanical backstop for the first support structure 16 and/or the second support structure 22 with said mechanical connection means 80 (as shown in Figure 9). These mechanical connection means keep the protective cabin 15 in a predetermined relative position to one or both support structures 16, 22 during the transport of the apparatus 1 from one site to another.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the accompanying Figures, the cutter 1 may include a third support structure 40 placed behind the cutting station 10 and defines a reference plane for the laminate being transported by the conveyor belt 21 from the cutting station 10.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support plane for the laminate exiting the cutting station 10, defined by this third support structure 40, is substantially coplanar with said cutting plane m.

[0061] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 3-8, said third support structure 40 includes a roller table.

[0062] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, said third support structure 40 includes a carriage 41 for manipulating this third support structure with respect to cutting station 10.

[0063] In particular, as shown in the accompanying Figures 3-8, said third support structure 40, equipped with a carriage 41, can be integrated into the second support structure 22 (to which the pin web conveyor 21 is associated) so that they can move together.

[0064] the Invention allows you to get many advantages that have already been described.

[0065] The apparatus for laser or plasma cutting of parts of a laminate in accordance with the invention, even equipped with a pin blade, has a cutting accuracy that is less affected by the movements of the cutting heads.

[0066] In fact, due to the separation and independence between the first support structure of the cutting station and the structures or structure supporting the pin web conveyor 21 and the closing devices 71 and 72 (and possibly also the means 51 and 52), the transmission vibrations from one structure to another and thus the transmission of vibrations from the cutting head to the laminate is substantially reduced.

[0067] This eliminates or at least significantly reduces the risk of vibrations generated on the first support structure by movements of the cutting head transmitted to the laminate located on the pin blade and creating relative movements between the laminate and the pin blade during cutting operations on the pin blade. layered material.

[0068] Thanks to the present invention, cutting accuracy is improved, while all devices are used to the same extent (cutting heads, pin blade, closing devices, guide means and extraction means).

[0069] Finally, the apparatus according to the present invention is simple and economical to implement, since it does not require the installation of more complex systems, but traditional technical solutions.

[0070] The present invention thus accomplishes the foregoing objectives.

[0071] Obviously, in the practical implementation, you can also assume the use of embodiments of the invention and configurations other than those illustrated above, without departing from the present scope of protection of the invention.

[0072] Moreover, all parts can be replaced with technically equivalent elements, and the sizes, shapes and materials used can be any according to needs.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for cutting parts of a laminated material, containing: - cutting station (10), which contains the first support structure (16) and at least one laser or plasma cutting head (11) associated with the said first support structure (16) and moving relative to it within the cutting working area (12) , wherein said cutting station (10) further comprises a protective cabin (15), which includes said cutting working area (12); - means (21) for placing at least a part of said laminated material in said working area (12) in the cutting plane, said means for placing consists of a conveyor belt (21) of the pin web type; - the first closing device (71) configured to close the first opening (10') made in said protective booth (15) for the entry of the laminated material into the cutting area (12), and the second closing device (72) configured to closing the second hole (10'') made in said protective booth (15) to exit the laminated material from the cutting area (12); characterized in that said conveyor belt (21) is connected to a second support structure (22) mechanically separated and independent from said first support structure (16), while said first and second closing devices (71 and 72) are connected to the second support structure (22) mechanically separated and independent from said first support structure (16). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective cabin (15) is mechanically integrated into said first support structure (16) and in which said first and second closing devices (71 and 72) are mechanically separated from said protective cabin (15 ). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective cabin (15) is mechanically separated and independent from said first support structure (16), and the second support structure (22) with which said first and second closing devices (71) are connected and 72), coincides with the mentioned protective cabin (15). 4. Apparatus according to claim. 1, characterized in that said second support structure (22) with associated conveyor belt (21) and with first and second closing devices (71 and 72) is made with the possibility of being completely removed from said cutting station (10) and represent a work unit independent of the cutting station (10). 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said cutting station (10) has an external opening for access (14) to the cutting working area (12), through which said second support structure (22) with the associated conveyor belt (21) and with associated first and second closure devices (71 and 72) is operable to be inserted into and removed from the cutting station (10). 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains means of mechanical connection (80), which ensure the holding of two support structures (16, 22) in predetermined relative positions at the stage of transporting the apparatus from one section to another. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said protective cabin (15) is mechanically separated and independent from said first support structure (16), while using said mechanical connection means (80) the protective cabin (15) is held in a pre-positioned position. the established relative position to one or both supporting structures (16, 22) at the stage of transportation of the said apparatus from one section to another. 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, containing: - in front of the first inlet (10') means (51) for guiding and aligning the laminate (M) on the cutting plane (m); And - behind the second outlet (10'') a means (52) for removing the laminate (M) from the cutting area (12), in which said means (51) for guiding and aligning and said means (52) for extracting are connected with a second support structure (22) mechanically separated and independent from said first support structure (16).

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