WO2009071245A1

WO2009071245A1 - Laser machining tool with segmented beam guide tube

Info

Publication number: WO2009071245A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/010109
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Häcker; Marcus Busch; Martin Petera; Peter Epperlein
Original assignee: Trumpf Werkzeugmaschinen Gmbh + Co. Kg
Priority date: 2007-12-06
Filing date: 2008-11-28
Publication date: 2009-06-11
Also published as: CN101888914A; DE112008002770A5; CN101888914B; DE112008002770B4

Abstract

A laser machining tool (1) comprises a laser beam guide (12) arranged between a laser beam source (11) and a laser machine head (7) and having a foldable beam guide tube (8). The beam guide tube (8) comprises three tube segments (13, 14, 15), which can be pivoted about pivot axes (17, 19, 21, 23) relative to each other, said axes running in the transversal direction of a movement plane of the laser machining head (7). In order to avoid undefined, particularly irregular operating states of the beam guide tube (8), a device (24) is provided with which the pivoting angle (α) between the tube segment (13) on the beam source side and the middle tube segment (14) and/or the pivoting angle (ß) between the tube segment (15) on the machining head side and the middle tube segment (14) can be controlled regarding the size thereof.

Description

Laser processing machine with segmented beam guide tube

The invention relates to a laser processing machine for processing in particular plate-like workpieces, preferably of sheets, with a laser beam source, with a laser processing head and with a provided between the laser beam source and the laser processing head laser beam guide comprising a beam guide tube with a plurality of successive between the laser beam source and the laser processing head tube segments one of which is disposed toward the laser beam source (tube side pipe segment) and another toward the laser processing head (machining head side pipe segment), wherein adjacent pipe segments are spaced around one another

Pivot axis are pivotable,

Wherein the tube-side pipe segment is pivotable about a beam-source-side pivot axis on the side remote from a pipe segment adjacent to it, Wherein the machining head-side pipe segment is pivotable about a machining head-side pivot axis on the side remote from a pipe segment adjacent to it, and

Wherein the said pivot axes of the tube segments extend in the transverse direction of a plane of movement along which the laser processing head is movable relative to a workpiece, taking along the machining head side pivot axis of the machining head side pipe segment and associated mutual pivoting of pipe segments of the beam guide pipe.

Such a machine is known from EP 0 548 006 A2.

The prior art relates to a laser cutting machine for processing flat material. Workpieces to be machined are stored on a horizontal workpiece support. A laser cutting head can be moved on a cutting bridge which engages over the workpiece support along a first horizontal movement axis. The cutting bridge in turn is moved jointly with the guided laser cutting head along a second horizontal axis of movement. The two axes of motion span a horizontal plane of movement of the laser cutting head which extends parallel to the surface of the sheet to be processed.

The laser beam ultimately used for workpiece machining is generated by a laser beam source and, starting from this, passes over a laser beam guide to the laser cutting head. Part of the laser beam guide is a foldable beam guide tube comprising two tube segments. A jet-source-side tube segment of the foldable beam-guiding tube is connected to its longitudinal axis to the laser beam source. end pivotally mounted on a column, which in turn is mounted stationary near the workpiece support of the prior art machine. With the opposite longitudinal end of the jet-source-side pipe segment is articulated to the adjacent him the longitudinal end of a cutting head side Rohrseg- mentes of the beam guide tube. The cutting head-side pipe segment is finally connected at its remote from the jet-source-side pipe segment longitudinal end hingedly connected to the laser cutting head. The swivel axes formed at the articulation points of the beam guiding tube or the tube segments of the beam guiding tube run rectified in the vertical direction and thus perpendicular to the plane of movement of the laser cutting head.

When traveling in its plane of motion, the laser cutting head takes with it the intended pivot point of the cutting head side beam guide tube. As a result, the cutting head side tube segment and the jet source side tube segment perform pivotal movements relative to each other. In order for the laser cutting head to cover the entire working area of the machine and also be able to approach the machining point which is maximally spaced from the beam source-side articulation point of the beam guiding tube, the beam guiding tube must as a whole have a corresponding length.

To provide a laser processing machine with respect to the prior art increased reliability, is an object of the present invention.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the laser processing machine according to claim 1. In the case of the invention, three pipe segments are provided between the beam-source-side pivot axis of the beam guidance tube and the machining head-side pivot axis of the beam guidance tube. As a result, the total length of the foldable jet tube due to the size of the working area of the machine is distributed over three relatively small partial lengths. Due to the relatively small length of the individual pipe segments reduce the dynamic loads, which are subject to the articulation points of the pipe segments during movements of the laser processing head and associated Schwenkbewegun- conditions of the pipe segments. Accordingly, the circumstance has the effect that the pivot angle changes associated with the movements of the laser processing head on the beam guide tube due to the tripartite division of the beam guide tube to two joints and thus spread over two angles. All in all, there are dynamic conditions that allow it due to their controllability, the basic advantages of rigid-walled beam guiding tubes (constant Strahlweglänge, compared to bellows increased tightness) to use at the same time unrestricted reliability of the overall arrangement.

Associated with the reduction of the dynamic load is a relief of the articulation points of the pipe segments themselves, which manifests itself for example in a reduction of the occurring at the joints of the pipe segments wear. In addition, otherwise to be feared vibrations to the beam guide tube are largely avoided. Such vibrations would not only be associated with an undesirable mechanical stress on the overall system but also impaired the accuracy of the laser beam guide inside the beam guide tube and the reliability of the laser processing. Vibrations of the jet guide tube or of the tube segments would affect the optimally mounted tube inside. see elements for beam guidance, for example, there arranged deflection mirror transmitted. Inaccuracies in the beam guidance ultimately caused deviations of the axial position of the laser processing head directed onto a workpiece to be machined laser beam from the desired position and thus inaccuracies in the workpiece machining. In particular, vibrations of the beam-guiding tube could result in the laser processing beam emanating from the laser processing head moving with lateral deflections along the path to be described by it over the relevant workpiece. In the case of cutting-edge workpiece machining, this would result in unwanted wavy edge courses instead of straight edges.

The segmentation of the beam guidance tube according to the invention is also advantageous insofar as it leads to a minimization of the installation space required for the beam guidance tube. Due to the division of the beam guide tube in three pipe sections results in only a slight projection of the individual pipe segments.

Compared with the known beam guide tubes with two tube segments, the number of degrees of freedom of the overall system is increased in the case of the solution according to the invention. So that a statically determined overall system can nevertheless be provided, the device according to the invention is provided for the swivel angle control. By introducing a constraint condition as it were, this device prevents undefined operating states of the beam-guiding tube from impairing the functional reliability of the laser processing machine.

According to the invention, it is conceivable to control one of the swivel angles, but also to control both swivel angles. Will both swivel angle controlled, so the two individual controls can be decoupled or coupled with each other.

Particular embodiments of the invention according to the claims 5 1 and 16 emerge from the dependent claims 2 to 15.

In the case of Erfindungsbauart according to claim 2 undefined or irregular operating conditions of the segmented beam guide tube in a simple manner by limiting the lo swivel angle between the jet-side tube segment and the middle tube segment and / or by limiting the size of the pivot angle between the processing head side tube segment and the middle Tube segment avoided. In particular, the device according to the invention for limiting the pivoting angle prevents tube beam segments from assuming a stretched position in which folding of the beam guiding tube would be hindered or even completely impossible under the effect of the movements carried out by the laser processing head.

20 According to the invention preferred ways of designing the device for swivel angle control by Schwenkwinkelbegrenzung can be found in the claims 3 to 6. Limiter bars with articulation points, which are movable relative to at least one tube segment in rod longitudinal direction (claim 4), are characterized as well as length-variable

25 derliche piston-cylinder units (claim 6) by a structurally particularly simple design with high reliability at the same time. Piston-cylinder units offer in particular the possibility of damping any impulsive loads occurring when the swing angle limitation responds. Through appropriate positives

3o tion of the articulation points and / or by appropriate choice of the length the limiter elements according to the invention and by appropriate dimensioning of the tube segments used foldable beam guide tubes can be variably and tuned to the particular application to configure.

5

Basically, it is within the meaning of the invention possible to control the pivot angle between the jet-source-side tube segment and the middle tube segment on the one hand and the pivot angle between the processing head side tube segment and the middle tube segment on the other hand lo temporally offset from each other, i. to influence in size.

According to the invention, however, a synchronous swivel angle control is preferred. Such a synchronous swivel angle control i5 distinguishes the type of invention according to claim 7. Due to the simultaneous control of both swivel angle every single swivel angle is to be changed only to a relatively small extent. As a result, the dynamic load occurring at each individual articulation point of the pipe segments is kept low. The linking of the

2o the individual controls can be done in different ways. Conceivable, for example, a mechanical or an electronic, caused by the machine control coupling.

A standardization of the dynamic load at the articulation points 25 of the pipe segments is obtained when the pivot angle between the jet-side pipe segment and the middle pipe segment and the pivot angle between the machining head side pipe segment and the middle pipe segment are uniformly controlled (claim 8). During movements of the laser processing head in its movement plane, both pivot angles change to the same extent. The occurring total dynamic load can therefore be distributed in equal parts to the articulation points of the pipe segments. The entire system is claimed uniformly.

To realize a synchronous swivel angle control, a control unit for controlling the swivel angle between the jet-source-side tube segment and the middle tube segment and a control unit for controlling the swivel angle between the processing head side tube segment and the middle tube segment are provided according to the invention. A synchronization device provides for the coupling of the two control units in the sense of a synchronous control of both swivel angle (claim 9). The synchronization device can simultaneously serve to even out the control of both swivel angles.

According to used possibilities for structurally simple and nevertheless functionally reliable design of the device for synchronous control of the pivot angle between the jet-source-side tube segment and the middle tube segment and the pivot angle between see the processing head side tube segment and the middle tube segment result from the claims 10 to 14th

According to claim 10 controls are provided in an advantageous embodiment of the invention between adjacent pipe segments, which are articulated via a respective articulation point with each of the two pipe segments. The middle pipe segment associated with articulation points of the controls are movable relative to this pipe segment. For synchronizing the control of the swivel angle between the tube-side tube segment and the central tube segment on the one hand and the control of the swivel angle between see the machining head side pipe segment and the middle pipe segment on the other hand serves a device that allows a joint, ie simultaneous movement of the middle pipe segment associated articulation points of both controls relative to the middle pipe segment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said controls are designed as control rods (claim 11).

According to the invention are also provided - as described in claim 12 - controls whose lengths between the respective mutual articulation points are changed coordinated. If the articulation points of the variable-length control elements are stationary with respect to the respective associated tube segment, the control elements can, with appropriate positioning of their articulation points, always be arranged within the pivoting angle enclosed by the adjacent tube segments. An advancement of the controls on the outside of the beam guide tube, d. H. at the opposite side of the controlled pivoting angles, is thus avoided regardless of the respective existing pivoting angles.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention 13 piston-cylinder units are provided as variable-length controls according to claim. To synchronize the control of the individual pivoting angle serves a pressure medium supply for the piston-cylinder units, by means of which the two piston-cylinder units can be simultaneously lengthened or shortened or shortened. If a compressible medium, in particular a gas, is used as the pressure medium, then the piston-cylinder units can additionally assume a damping function. This damping function can in particular to ensure vibration-free relative pivoting movements of the pipe segments of the beam guide tube can be used.

If the pressure medium supply of the piston-cylinder units is designed according to patent claim 14, a closed pressure medium system can be provided. External devices, especially external sources of pressure, which would complicate the overall structure of the arrangement, are unnecessary in this case.

For assembly reasons, it is advisable to provide the foldable beam guide tube and the device for the swivel angle control as parts of a module of the laser processing machine (claim 15). Retrofitting existing machines with such a module is easily possible.

Essential to the invention is in particular the described arrangement for guiding a laser beam on a laser processing machine. This arrangement comprises a trained according to one of the claims 1 to 15 beam guide tube and a trained according to one of these claims device for the swivel angle control on the beam guide tube.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary schematic illustrations. Show it:

Fig. 1: a laser processing machine with a foldable

Beam guide tube and with a provided for the beam guide tube device of the first type for the swivel angle control, FIGS. 2, 3, 4: a partial view of the arrangement according to FIG. 1 in the case of different operating states of the foldable beam guiding tube,

Fig. 5: a foldable beam guide tube for use on the

Laser processing machine according to FIG. 1 with a device of the second type for swivel angle control,

6 is a schematic diagram for illustrating the operation of the device for the swivel angle control according to FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7, 8: partial representations of the laser processing machine according to FIG

1 with a foldable beam guide tube and a device according to Figure 5 for the swivel angle control at different operating conditions of the foldable beam guide tube,

FIG. 9 shows the laser processing machine according to FIG. 1 with a device of the third design for swivel angle control provided for the beam guidance tube

10 shows the laser processing machine according to FIG. 1 with a device of the fourth design for swivel angle control provided for the beam guidance tube.

According to FIG. 1, a laser processing machine 1, which in the example illustrated is intended for processing, in particular the cutting of metal sheets, comprises a stationary workpiece support 2 on which workpieces to be processed are to be stored. On both sides of the horizon len workpiece support 2 extend longitudinal guides 3, 4 of the laser processing machine 1, on which a workpiece support 2 spanning bridge 5 moves along a movement axis Y. During its movement, the bridge 5 is driven by a motor drive of conventional construction.

The bridge 5 has a perpendicular to the longitudinal guides 3, 4 extending transverse guide 6, on which a laser processing head 7 is moved by a motor driven along an axis X. Together with the Y-axis, the X-axis spans a plane of movement of the laser processing head 7 extending parallel to the surface of the workpiece support 2. At the underside of the laser processing head 7 remote from the observer of FIG. 1, the laser beam used as a processing tool is directed onto the respective workpiece to be machined. To set the focus position of the laser processing beam with respect to the workpiece to be machined, the laser processing head 7 can be delivered perpendicular to its plane of movement.

At the laser processing head 7 ends a foldable beam guide tube 8, which is mounted with its remote from the laser processing head 7 end to a stationary column 9. The stationary column 9 is connected via a rigid beam guide tube 10 with a laser beam source 11 of conventional design and arranged centrally on the longitudinal side of the workpiece support 2. The rigid beam-guiding tube 10, like the foldable beam-guiding tube 8, forms part of a laser-beam guide 12, by means of which the laser beam ultimately used for workpiece machining is guided between the laser-beam source 11 and the laser-machining head 7. In the rigid beam guide tube 10 and in the foldable beam guide tube 8 are optical elements of the laser beam guide 12th for beam shaping and guiding, in particular for deflecting the laser beam generated by the laser beam source 11.

The foldable beam guidance tube 8 consists of a total of three rigid-walled tube segments, in detail of a jet-source-side tube segment 13, a middle tube segment 14 and a processing head side tube segment 15. All tube segments 13, 14, 15 are made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Supply and control lines are integrated in separate channels in the tube segments 13, 14, 15.

The jet-source-side tube segment 13 is connected at its ends lying to the laser beam source 11 via a pivot point 16 to the stationary column 9. In this case, the jet-source-side tube segment 13 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis 17. At its opposite end, the jet-source-side tube segment 13 is connected via an articulation point 18 with the central tube segment 14. At the articulation point 18, a pivot axis 19 is formed around which the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14 are pivotable relative to each other. At the side facing the bridge 5, the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14 enclose a swivel angle in the form of an internal angle α.

At its end remote from the jet-source-side tube segment 13, the middle tube segment 14 is connected via an articulation point 20 to the processing head-side tube segment 15. The middle tube segment 14 and the processing head side tube segment 15 can pivot about a pivot axis 21 relative to each other. The middle pipe segment 14 and the machining head side pipe segment 15 close as a pivot angle an internal angle ß. At the end remote from the middle tube segment 14 of the machining head-side tube segment 15, a pivot connection between the machining head-side tube segment 15 and the laser processing head 7 is produced at an articulation point 22. At the articulation point 22, the processing head side tube segment 15 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis 23. As well as the pivot axes 17, 19, 21 and the pivot axis 23 extends in the transverse direction of the plane of movement of the laser processing head 7th

Moves the laser processing head 7, for example, for workpiece machining along its plane of movement, it takes over the machining head-side pivot point 22 with the beam guide tube 8, which in turn has no drive. As a result of the movement of the laser processing head 7, the tube segments 13, 14, 15 pivot relative to one another. So that there are no undefined, in particular no irregular conditions, a device 24 for pivoting angle control is provided for the foldable beam guiding tube 8. The device 24 for swivel angle control ensures that the beam-guiding tube 8 is statically determined despite the degrees of freedom that exist due to its segmentation. The segmentation of the beam guiding tube 8 in turn causes the dynamic loads occurring during movements of the laser machining head 7 at the articulation points 16, 18, 20, 22 to remain relatively low. Due to the configuration of the foldable beam guiding tube 8 and the device 24 for the swivel angle control, the values of the swiveling angles α, β between the central tube segment 14 and the jet-source-side tube segment 13 or the machining head-side tube segment 15 are as large as possible for each position of the laser processing head 7. As can readily be seen from FIG. 1, the division of the beam-guiding tube 8 into the three tube segments 13, 14, 15 additionally results in only a relatively small projection of the beam-guiding tube 8 between the pivot-side articulation point 16 and the coupling point 22 on the machining head.

In detail, the device 24 for swivel angle control comprises a control unit 25 for controlling the swivel angle α between the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14, a control unit 26 for controlling the swivel angle β between the processing head-side tube segment 15 and the middle tube segment 14 and a synchronization device in the form a middle guide 27.

An essential part of the control unit 25 is designed as a control rod control element 28 with a pivot point 29 on the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and a middle pipe segment 14 associated pivot point pivot axes 31, 32 at the Anlenk- points 29, 30 extend in the transverse direction of the plane of movement Laser processing head 7.

While the articulation point 29 of the control element 28 is stationary relative to the tube-side tube segment 13, the articulation point 30 of the control element 28 can move along the middle guide 27.

According to the control unit 25, the control unit 26 comprises a control element 33 designed as a control rod with an articulation point 34 on the machining head-side tube segment 15 and with an articulation point 35 assigned to the middle tube segment 14. The articulation point 34 the control element 33 is stationary relative to the machining head side tube segment 15. The articulation point 35 of the control element 33 can move along the center guide 27. Swivel axes at the articulation points 34, 35 are assigned the reference numerals 36, 37.

5

The center guide 27 is mounted centrally on the central tube segment 14 and comprises a recognizable in the illustrations guide rail 38 and a longitudinally along the guide rail 38 movable and hidden in the representations by the guide rail 38 slider. At this lo slider both the pivot point 30 of the control element 28 and the pivot point 35 of the control element 38 is provided.

The structural conditions, in particular the length of the pipe segments 13, 14, 15, the positions of the articulation points 16, 18, 20, 22 of the pipe segments 13, 14, 15, the length of the control elements 28, 33, the positions of the articulation points 29 , 30, 34, 35 of the control elements 28, 33 and the position and orientation of the center guide 27 are selected such that the pivot angle α between the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14 and the pivot angle ß between

2o the processing head side tube segment 15 and the middle tube segment 14 regardless of the position of the laser processing head 7 in terms of size match. During movements of the laser processing head 7, the swivel angle α, ß change synchronously and to the same extent.

25

Moves the laser processing head 7, so he takes the processing head side pipe segment 15 at the machining head side pivot point 22 with. As a result, the machining head side pipe segment 15 pivots relative to the middle pipe segment 14. Due to the pivoting movement of the machining head side pipe segment 15 shifts the control element 33 of the control unit 26. The control element 33 shifts with its pivot point 35 along the guide rail 38 of the center guide 27. The pivot point 35 of the control 33 takes the pivot point 30 of the control element 28 of the control unit 25 with. Consequently, the control element 28 pivots about the pivot axes 31, 32. As a result of the displacement of the control element 28, the pivot angle α between the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14 changes.

Operating states of the foldable beam guidance tube 8 and the device 24 for the swivel angle control, which may result from the movement of the laser processing head 7, are shown by way of example in FIGS. 2, 3, 4. For the sake of clarity, the laser processing head 7 and the bridge 5 are not shown in these illustrations.

In Figure 2, the beam guide tube 8 is in its maximum folded state. Also in this situation, the beam guide tube 8 has a relatively small footprint. The accessibility of the workpiece support 2 is only slightly limited by the beam guide tube 8.

According to FIG. 3, the machining head-side articulation point 22 (and therefore also the laser processing head 7, not shown) is located at the lower right corner of the working range of the laser processing head 7. Accordingly, FIG. 4 shows the ratios that result when the laser machining head 7 is the lower left corner approached his work area.

FIG. 5 shows a beam guiding arrangement, in detail the foldable beam guiding tube 8 with a device 39 for swivel angle control. tion. Deviating from the device 24 described above, the device 39 for swivel angle control comprises control units 40, 41 with variable-length control elements 42, 43 in the form of piston-cylinder units. The control element 42 has an articulation point 44 assigned to the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and an articulation point 45 assigned to the middle tube segment 14. The control element 43 is correspondingly connected via an articulation point 46 to the treatment-head-side tube segment 15 and via an articulation point 47 to the middle tube segment 14 connected. The articulation points 44, 46 of the control elements 42, 43 are not located directly on the pipe segments 13, 15 but rather on vertical pipe sections 48, 49 with the column 9 to the end of the jet-side pipe segment 13 or with the to the Laser machining head 7 connected towards the end of the processing head side tube segment 15 and thereby coaxially with the beam source side pivot axis 17 of the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and coaxial with the processing head side pivot axis 23 of the processing head side tube segment 15 are arranged. The articulation points 45, 47 of the control elements 42, 43 are provided on a common bearing block 50, which in turn is fixedly connected to the middle tube segment 14.

Also visible in FIG. 5 are vertical pipe sections 51, 52, via which the jet-source-side pipe segment 13 and the middle pipe segment 14 or the machining head-side pipe segment 15 and the middle pipe segment 14 are pivotally connected to one another about the pivot axes 19, 21. A running in the interior of the beam guide tube 8, not shown in the figures laser beam is at the connections between the vertical pipe sections 48, 49, 51, 52 and the jet-source-side tube segment 13, the middle tube segment 14 and the processing head side tube segment 15 in the usual Way deflected by means of deflecting mirrors. Struts 54, 55 provide support for the beam guide tube 8 in the direction of gravity.

The module character of the arrangement shown can be clearly seen in FIG. The beam guiding tube 8 and the device 39 for swivel angle control (as well as the device 24 for swivel angle control shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) are parts of an independent subassembly of the laser processing machine 1.

The basic structure and the basic mode of operation of the device 39 for the swivel angle control are illustrated in FIG. Accordingly, the control elements 42, 43 are pneumatic piston-cylinder units with cylinders 56, 57, pistons 58, 59 and piston rods 60, 61. On their side opposite the piston rods 60, 61 are the pistons 58, 59 with rods 62, 63 provided for volume compensation. Cylinder chambers 64, 65 on the control 42 are connected to cylinder controls 66, 67 on the control 43. This connection is made via pneumatic lines 68, 69. Connecting tubes 70, 71 are mounted on the cylinders 56, 57 and receive in their interior the portions of the rods 62, 63 protruding from the cylinders 56, 57.

According to FIG. 5, the control element 42 is mounted via the piston rod 60 at the articulation point 44. The cylinder 56 of the control element 42 is articulated via the connecting tube 70 at the articulation point 45 with the central tube segment 14. Accordingly, the piston rod 61 of the control element 43 at the articulation point 46 and the cylinder 57 of the control element 43 via the connecting tube 71 at the articulation point 47 at. If the laser machining head 7 mounted at the lower end of the vertical pipe section 49 is moved by a motor, starting from the ratios according to FIG. 5, ie at initially maximally folded beam guiding pipe 8, then it assumes the articulation point 46 during its movement

5 of the piston rod 61 of the control 43 with. As a result, there is a relative movement between the connected to the piston rod 61 piston 59 and connected to the pivot point 47 with the central tube segment 14 cylinder 57 of the control element 43. In the interior of the cylinder 57, the piston 59 moves in Figure 6 to the left. lo This air is displaced from the cylinder chamber 67 of the cylinder 57. The displaced air passes through the pneumatic line 69 into the cylinder chamber 65 in the interior of the cylinder 56 of the control element 42. There, the inflowing air causes a displacement of the piston 58 in Figure 6 also to the left. The air displaced as a result of the movement of the piston 58 out of the cylinder chamber 64 of the cylinder 56 flows through the pneumatic line 68 into the cylinder chamber 68 of the cylinder 57. This results in a closed pressure medium supply of the control elements 42, 43 via the pneumatic lines 68, 69 derer the control of the pivot angle α between the jet-side tube segment 13th

2o and the middle tube segment 14 and the control of the pivot angle ß between the processing head side tube segment 15 and the middle tube segment 14 are synchronized with each other. All in all, both the control 42 and the control 43 are lengthened. With the elongation of the controls 42, 43, a magnification

25 tion of the pivot angle α between the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14 and an increase in the pivot angle ß between the processing head side tube segment 15 and the middle tube segment 14. Because of the matching design of the controls 42, 43, the elongation of the control element 42 between the articulation points 44, 45 and the elongation of the control element 43 between the articulation points 46, 47 coincide in their amounts with one another. Due to the correspondingly selected overall construction, the equal amounts of extensions of the control elements 42, 43 effect the same amount of changes in the pivoting angles α, β.

Of particular importance for uniform elongation of the control elements 42, 43 are the rods 62, 63 on the sides of the pistons 58, 59 remote from the piston rods 60, 61. The rods 62, 63 have the same diameter as the piston rods 60, 61 As a result, a displaced due to a displacement of the piston 59 from the cylinder chamber 66 in the interior of the cylinder 57 and in the penetrated by the KoI- rod 60 cylinder space 64 of the cylinder 56 incoming air volume, a displacement of the piston 58 cause the amount of the displacement of the Piston 59 matches. Correspondingly, piston movements of the same magnitude result in the exchange of air between the cylinder space 65 of the cylinder 56 and the cylinder space 67 of the cylinder 57.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the beam guiding tube 8 with the device 39 for swivel angle control in conjunction with the other components of the laser processing machine 1. In FIG. 7, the building unit consists of the beam guiding tube 8 and the device 39 for swivel angle control in the operating state according to FIG The beam guiding tube 8 is folded to the maximum. FIG. 8 shows the laser processing head 7 (not shown in detail) at the lower left-hand corner of its working area or the workpiece support 2. The piston rods 60, 61, which extend far from the interior of the cylinder, can be clearly seen. Linder 56, 57 are extended. The pivoting angles α, β between the jet-source-side pipe segment 13 and the middle pipe segment 14 or between the machining head-side pipe segment 15 and the middle pipe segment 14 are consistent with each position of the laser machining head 7. The changes in the pivoting angles α, β associated with the movements of the laser processing head 7 in the plane of its movement take place synchronously and uniformly.

Figures 9 and 10 show the beam guide tube 8 with devices o which control the pivoting angle α, ß between the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14 and between the processing head side tube segment 15 and the central tube segment 14 by pivoting angle limitation and decoupled from each other. 5

According to FIG. 9, a device 72 for swivel angle control is provided which comprises two control units 73, 74 operating as swivel angle limiters. A designed as a rigid limiter rod limiter 75 of the control unit 73 is connected on the one hand at a pivot point 76o with the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and on the other hand has a middle pipe segment 14 associated pivot point 77. The Anienkstelle 76 of the limiter 75 is relative to the jet-source-side tube segment 13 iststs ver changeable. Deviating from this, the articulation point 77 of the limiter element 75 can shift relative to the central tube segment 14 along a longitudinal guide 78 over a limited path length.

Correspondingly, a rod-like limiter element 79 of the control unit 74 has an articulation point 80 on the machining head-side tube segment 15o and an articulation point 81 assigned to the middle tube segment 14 on. The articulation point 81 of the limiter element 79 is movable along a longitudinal guide 82 over a limited path length relative to the central tube segment 14.

At the articulation points 76, 77, 80, 81 pivot axes 83, 84,85, 86 are formed.

During movements of the laser processing head 7 in its plane of movement, the pivoting angles α, β on the beam guide tube 8 are decoupled from each other. Conceivable are simultaneous but also temporally successive angle changes. The size of the swivel angle α, ß is limited at the top. The respective maximum angle is defined by the fact that, in the case of relative pivotal movements of the jet-source-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14 or of the processing head-side tube segment 15 and of the middle tube segment 14, the articulation points 77, 81 come to rest on the longitudinal guides for this purpose 78, 82 are provided. In order to avoid unwanted vibrations of the beam guide tube 8 upon reaching the maximum pivot angle α, ß devices are provided which attenuate the emergence of the articulation points 77, 81 on the associated stops of the longitudinal guides 78, 82.

As shown in FIG. 10, a device 87 for swivel angle control comprises swivel angle limiters or control units 88, 89 with length-adjustable limiter elements 90, 91. Both limiter elements 90, 91 are designed as a piston-cylinder unit. The limiter element 90 has a pivot point 95 on a piston rod 92 and a pivot point 93 on a cylinder 94. The articulation point 93 is stationary relative to the jet-source-side tube segment 13; the articulation point 95 is stationary relative to the central tube segment 14. correspond Accordingly, the limiter element 91 of the control unit 89 has a piston rod 96 with an articulation point 99 on the middle tube segment 14 and a cylinder 98 with an articulation point 97 on the processing-tube-side tube segment 15. At the articulation points 93, 95, 97, 99 pivot axes 100, 101, 102, 103 are formed, all of which extend in the transverse direction of the plane of movement of the laser processing head 7. Inside the cylinders 94, 98 are attached to the piston rods 92, 96 not shown in detail pistons. The cylinders 94, 98 and the respective piston are displaceable relative to one another over a limited path length.

Moves the laser processing head 7 in its plane of motion, so change the swivel angle α, ß between the jet-side tube segment 13 and the middle tube segment 14 and between the processing head side tube segment 15 and the middle tube segment 14. The control units 88, 89 ensure that the resulting swivel angle α, ß each do not exceed a maximum value. When the maximum angle is reached, the pistons in the interior of the cylinders 94, 98 of the limiter elements 90, 91 are each damped on a cylinder-side stop.

Claims

claims

1. Laser processing machine for processing in particular plat tentenartigen workpieces, preferably of sheets, with a laser beam source (11), with a laser processing head (7) and with a between the laser beam source (11) and the laser processing head (7) provided laser beam guide (12) comprising a beam guiding tube (8) with a plurality of tube segments (13, 14, 15) following one another between the laser beam source (11) lo and the laser processing head (7), one of which being directed towards the laser beam source (11) (tube side tube segment (13)). ) and another to the laser processing head (7) towards (processing head side tube segment (15)) is arranged, i5 wherein adjacent tube segments (13, 14, 15) relative to each other about a pivot axis (19, 21) are pivotable,

Wherein the jet-source-side tube segment (13) is pivotable about a beam-source-side pivot axis (17) on the side remote from a tube segment (14) adjacent to it,

20, wherein the machining head-side pipe segment (15) on the side remote from a pipe segment (14) adjacent to it is pivotable about a machining head-side pivot axis (23) and

Wherein said pivot axes (17, 19, 21, 23) of the tube segments (13, 14, 15) are rectilinear in the transverse direction of a plane of movement along which the laser processing head (7) entrains the machining head side pivot axis (23) of the machining head side Pipe segment (15) and associated mutual pivoting of tube segments (13, 14, 15) of the beam guiding tube (8) is movable relative to a workpiece, characterized in that the beam guiding tube (8) three between the laser beam source (11) and the laser processing head

5 (7) comprises successive tube segments (13, 14, 15), wherein between the jet-source-side tube segment (13) and the processing head side tube segment (15) as the jet-source-side tube segment (13) and the processing head side tube segment (15) adjacent tube segment middle pipe segment lo (14) of the beam guide tube (8) is arranged and that a device (24, 39, 72, 87) is provided for the swivel angle control, by means of which the swivel angle (α) between the jet-source-side pipe segment (13) and the middle pipe segment (14) and / or the pivoting angle (ß) between the machining head september pipe segment (15) and the central pipe segment (14) is controllable in its size or are.

2. Laser processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (72, 87) for swivel angle control an

20 nen Schwenkwinkelbegrenzer (73, 88), by means of which the

Swivel angle (α) between the jet-source-side tube segment (13) and the central tube segment (14) can be limited in size and / or a Schwenkwinkelbegrenzer (74, 89), by means of which the swivel angle (ß) between the Bearbeitungsungsanopfseiti-

25 gen tube segment (15) and the middle tube segment (14) is attachable in size comprises.

3. Laser processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the Schwenkwinkelbegrenzer (73) for the pivot angle

30 (α) between the jet-source-side tube segment (13) and the middle pipe segment (14) comprises a limiter member (75), which on the one hand a the jet-source-side pipe segment (13) associated articulation point (76) and on the other hand, the middle pipe segment (14) associated articulation point (77), and / or

5 that the Schwenkwinkelbegrenzer (74) for the swivel angle (ß) between the processing head side pipe segment (15) and the middle pipe segment (14) comprises a limiter member (79), on the one hand a the machining head side pipe segment (15) associated pivot point (80) and on the other an articulation point (81) assigned to the central tube segment (14), wherein pivot axes (83, 84, 85, 86) formed at the articulation points (76, 77, 80, 81) of the limiter element or elements (75, 79) in the transverse direction of the plane of movement of the laser processing head (7) and at least one articulation point (76, 77, 80, i5 81) of at least one limiter element (75, 79) in the direction of

Connecting line of the pivot axes (83, 84, 85, 86) of the relevant limiter element (75, 79) relative to the middle tube segment (14) and / or relative to the jet-source-side tube segment (13) or the machining head side tube segment (15)

20 is movable over a limited path length.

4. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one limiter element (75, 79) with a movable articulation point (76, 77, 80, 81) as

25 marker bar is formed.

5. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Schwenkwinkelbegrenzer (88) for the pivot angle (α) between the Strahlquellensei-

30 term pipe segment (13) and the middle pipe segment (14) A limiter element (90), which on the one hand has an articulation point (93) assigned to the jet-source-side tube segment (13) and on the other hand has an articulation point (95) associated with the middle tube segment (14), and / or the articulation angle.

5 limiter (89) for the swivel angle (ß) between the processing head side pipe segment (15) and the middle pipe segment (14) comprises a limiter (91), which on the one hand the processing head side pipe segment (15) associated with articulation point (97) and on the other an articulation point (99) assigned to the middle tube segment 10 (14), pivot axes (100, 101, 102, 103) formed on the articulation points (93, 95, 97, 99) of the limiter element (s) (90, 91) extend in the transverse direction of the plane of movement of the laser processing head (7) and wherein at least one limiter element (90, 91) in the length i5 between its mutual articulation points (93, 95, 97, 99) is limited to a limited extent.

6. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one length

20 is formed as a piston-cylinder unit, wherein a cylinder (94, 98) of the piston-cylinder unit, the one articulation point (93, 97) and a piston rod (92, 96) of the piston Cylinder unit has the other articulation point (95, 99) of the limiter element (90, 91) and wherein the with the KoI-

25 rod (92, 96) connected to the piston and the cylinder (94, 98) of the piston-cylinder unit in the direction of the connecting line of the articulation points (93, 95, 97, 99) formed pivot axes (100, 101, 102, 103 ) are movable relative to one another over a limited path length.

30

7. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the device (24, 39) for the swivel angle control of the swivel angle (α) between the strahiquellenseitigen pipe segment (13) and the middle

5 pipe segment (14) and the pivot angle (ß) between the processing head side pipe segment (15) and the central pipe segment (14) are simultaneously controllable in size.

8. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding

! O claims, characterized in that by means of the device (24,

39) for the swivel angle control of the swivel angle (α) between the strahiquellenseitigen tube segment (13) and the middle tube segment (14) and the pivot angle (ß) between the processing head side tube segment (15) and the central tube i5 segment (14) evenly their size are controllable.

9. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (24, 39) for the swivel angle control, a control unit (25, 40) for controlling

2o of the pivoting angle (α) between the strahiquellenseitigen tube segment (13) and the middle tube segment (14), a control unit (26, 41) for controlling the pivot angle (ß) between the processing head side tube segment (15) and the middle tube segment (14) and a synchronization device (27, 68,

25 69) for coupling the two control units (25, 26, 40, 41) in

Sense of synchronous control of the pivot angle (α) between the strahiquellenseitigen pipe segment (13) and the central pipe segment (14) and the pivot angle (ß) between the processing head side pipe segment (15) and the middle

3o pipe segment (14).

10. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

In that the control unit (25) for controlling the swivel angle 5 (α) between the jet-source-side tube segment (13) and the middle tube segment (14) comprises a control element (28), which on the one hand comprises an articulation point (13) assigned to the jet-source-side tube segment (13). 29) and on the other hand has a middle pipe segment (14) associated with the articulation point lo (30),

In that the control unit (26) for controlling the swivel angle (β) between the machining head-side pipe segment (15) and the middle pipe segment (14) comprises a control element (33), which on the one hand comprises an articulation point (34) associated with the machining head side i5 pipe segment (13). and on the other hand has an articulation point (35) associated with the middle tube segment (14),

Wherein at the articulation points (29, 30, 34, 35) of the control elements (28, 33) formed pivot axes (31, 32, 36, 37) in transverse

20 direction of the plane of movement of the laser processing head (7),

• wherein the middle pipe segment (14) associated with articulation points (30, 35) of the control elements (28, 33) jointly and in each case in the direction of the connecting line of the pivoting

25 axes (31, 32, 36, 37) of the relevant control element (28,

33) relative to the central tube segment (14) are movable and wherein the synchronization device (27) comprises means by which the middle tube segment (14) associated with articulation points (30, 35) of the control elements (28, 33) are guided jointly in their movement relative to the central tube segment (14).

11. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding

5 claims, characterized in that at least one control element (28, 33) with relative to the central tube segment (14) movable articulation point (30, 35) is designed as a control rod.

12. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

• that the control unit (40) for controlling the pivot angle (α) between the jet-source-side tube segment (13) and the central tube segment (14) comprises a control element (42), which on the one hand assigned to the jet-source-side tube i5 segment (13) Anlenkstelle (44) and on the other hand a the middle pipe segment (14) associated with articulation point (45),

In that the control unit (41) controls the pivoting angle (β) between the machining head-side pipe segment (15)

20 and the middle tube segment (14) comprises a control element (43), which has, on the one hand, a pivot point (46) associated with the machining head side tube segment (15) and, on the other hand, a pivot point (47) associated with the middle tube segment (14),

25 • where at the articulation points (44, 45, 46, 47) of the controls

(42, 43) formed pivot axes in the transverse direction of the plane of movement of the laser processing head (7) extend and

• wherein the lengths of the controls (42, 43) between the respective mutual hinge points (44, 45, 46, 47) simultaneously

3o and matched to each other are changeable.

13. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the variable-length control elements (42, 43) formed as a piston-cylinder units

5, wherein cylinders (56, 57) of the piston-cylinder units each have one articulation point (45, 47) and piston rods (60, 61) of the piston-cylinder units respectively the other articulation point (44, 46) of the controls ( 42, 43), wherein the piston (58, 59) connected to the piston rods (60, 61) and the cylinders (56, 57) lo of the piston-cylinder units respectively in the direction of the connecting line at the articulation points (44, 45, 46, 47) of the respective piston-cylinder unit formed pivot axes are relatively movable and being provided as a synchronization means (68, 69) a pressure medium supply for the piston-cylinder units i5, by means of which the length of the piston-cylinder

Units between the respective mutual articulation points (44, 45, 46, 47) are simultaneously variable and matched to one another.

14o laser processing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as a synchronization means (68, 69) a pressure medium supply for the piston-cylinder units is provided, which on both sides of the piston (58, 59) of a piston-cylinder unit provided cylinder

25 spaces (64, 65, 66, 67) cross with the two sides of the piston

(58, 59) of the other piston-cylinder unit provided cylinder spaces (64, 65, 66, 67) connects.

15. Laser processing machine according to one of the preceding An o sayings, characterized in that the beam guiding tube (8) and the device (24, 39, 72, 87) for the swivel angle control are parts of a module of the laser processing machine (1).