JP3259786B2 - Laser processing machine and laser processing method using the laser processing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to, for example, laser processing of a larger workpiece at a higher speed and with higher precision, or laser processing with a constant optical path length, or a laser beam having a predetermined optical path length. The present invention relates to a laser processing machine capable of performing laser processing by changing an optical path length to an optical path length, and a laser processing method using the laser processing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a laser processing machine for performing laser processing of a plate-shaped work has a type in which a work is moved and positioned in an X-axis and a Y-axis direction with respect to a laser processing head fixed at a predetermined position. , The so-called laser processing machine of the so-called optical axis fixed work moving type.

A laser processing machine of a type in which a workpiece is moved in one of the X-axis or Y-axis direction and a laser processing head is moved in the other Y-axis or X-axis direction, so-called, There is a laser processing machine of a one-axis optical axis movement-one axis work movement type.

Further, a laser processing machine of a type in which a workpiece is placed on a work table and a laser processing head is moved and positioned in the X-axis and Y-axis directions to perform laser processing, that is, a so-called two-axis optical axis moving type laser There is a processing machine.

In the type in which the work is moved in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, the moving area of the work is required to be four times the area of the work. A laser processing machine of a type in which a processing head moves in the X and Y axis directions is used.

In a laser processing machine of the laser processing head uniaxial movement, work uniaxial movement type or work fixed, laser processing head moving type, the optical path length changes each time, so that the optical path length is kept constant to keep the optical path length constant. Holding devices are known.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional laser beam machine, there is a problem that the machining accuracy is reduced when the size of the work is large, and the machining accuracy is reduced when high-speed machining is performed. there were.

Although a device for maintaining a constant optical path length is provided as a means for improving the processing accuracy, if the structure of the device for maintaining a constant optical path length itself is complicated, it is very difficult to incorporate it into a laser beam machine. There was a problem. Also,
For example, when the thickness of the work to be processed changes, it is necessary to adjust the position of the condenser lens and the like, which is very difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention, for example, to make it possible to process a larger workpiece at a higher speed and with a higher precision, to maintain a constant optical path length without using a complicated device, An object of the present invention is to provide a laser processing machine and a laser processing method using laser processing, which can perform laser processing on a workpiece by changing the length of the optical path length to the optical path length.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser processing machine in which a work is provided so as to be movable and positionable in an X1 axis direction and a Y1 axis direction. Above, a laser processing head capable of moving and positioning in an X2 axis direction substantially parallel to the X1 axis and a Y2 axis direction orthogonal to the X2 axis is provided.
1. Compared to the moving area in the Y1 axis direction, the moving area of the laser processing head in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions is made smaller so that laser processing of a predetermined range area is sequentially performed on the work for each area. It is the gist of the provision.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the laser beam machine, an X1-axis carriage provided with a work clamp is provided so as to be movable and positioned in the X1-axis direction, and a work table integrally provided on the X1-axis carriage is provided in the Y1-axis direction. A laser processing head is provided so as to be movable and positionable, and is capable of moving and positioning in an X2 axis direction substantially parallel to the X1 axis and in a Y2 axis direction orthogonal to the X2 axis above a moving region of a work gripped by the work clamp. , The X2 axis and Y2 of the laser processing head are compared with the moving range of the workpiece in the X1 and Y1 axis directions.
The gist of the invention is that an axial movement region is provided so small that laser processing of a region in a predetermined range is sequentially performed on the work for each of the regions.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser processing machine provided with a Y1-axis carriage movable in the Y1-axis direction, and an X1-axis carriage provided with a work clamp on the Y1-axis carriage and movable in the X1-axis direction. Provided above the moving area of the work gripped by the work clamp.
X2 axis direction substantially parallel to one axis and Y2 orthogonal to the X2 axis
A laser processing head capable of moving and positioning in the axial direction is provided, and the moving area of the laser processing head in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions is compared with the moving range of the work in the X1 and Y1 axis directions. The gist of the present invention is that laser processing is performed on a predetermined range of the area so that the laser processing is sequentially performed for each area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a work table on which a work is placed is provided so as to be movable in the X1-axis direction, and is movable above the work table in the X2-axis direction and the Y2-axis direction. A Y1-axis carriage provided with a laser processing head is provided so as to be movable and positioned in a Y1-axis direction orthogonal to the X1-axis direction, and is determined by a movement range of the work in the X1-axis direction and a movement range of the Y1-axis carriage in the Y1-axis direction. The gist is that a moving area of the laser processing head in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions is provided smaller than a workable area so as to sequentially perform laser processing of a predetermined range of area on the work for each of the areas. Is what you do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the laser processing machine according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, the optical path length from the laser oscillator to the laser processing head is constant. The gist of the invention is to provide a control device for controlling the movement of the laser processing head in the X2 axis direction and the Y2 axis direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the laser processing method according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, wherein the optical path length from the laser oscillator to the laser processing head is constant. In this case, the laser processing head is controlled to move in the X2-axis direction and the Y2-axis direction, and the work is moved in the X1-axis direction to perform laser processing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser processing method according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect, wherein the workpiece is moved in the X1 axis direction and is processed. The gist is that the laser processing head is moved in the X2 axis direction and the Y2 axis direction while performing laser processing by changing the optical path length to a predetermined optical path length according to the material.

[0017]

By using the laser processing machine of the present invention, X having a work clamp capable of clamping a work is provided.
While moving and positioning the one-axis carriage in the X1-axis direction,
The work table provided with the X1-axis carriage can be moved and positioned in the Y1-axis direction. Alternatively, the Y1-axis carriage can be moved and positioned in the Y1-axis direction, and the X1-axis carriage provided with the work clamp can be moved and positioned on the Y1-axis carriage in the X1-axis direction.
As described above, in a state where the work is movable in the X1-axis and Y1-axis directions, the laser processing head is moved and positioned in the X2-axis and Y2-axis directions in the movement area of the work, so that the laser processing head is positioned at a desired position of the work. Laser processing can be performed.

Further, the work table on which the work is placed is moved and positioned in the X1-axis direction, and the Y1-axis carriage is moved and positioned in the Y1-axis direction. By moving and positioning the laser processing head provided on the Y1-axis carriage in the X2-axis and Y2-axis directions, laser processing can be performed at a desired position on the workpiece.

That is, the entire large workpiece can be machined by sequentially performing the laser machining for each of the predetermined range of regions, so that the size and weight of the member moving in the relatively small region of the predetermined range can be reduced. And high-speed, high-precision machining becomes possible.

Accordingly, the processing of a relatively large work as a whole can be performed at higher speed and with higher precision than in the past.

Further, the optical path length can be controlled to be constant by controlling the movement of the laser processing head in the X2-axis and Y2-axis directions by the control device.

By controlling the movement of the work in the X1-axis direction while keeping the optical path length constant by the above-mentioned control device, and by controlling the movement of the laser processing head in the X2-axis and Y2-axis directions, the laser processing is performed on the work under a constant optical path length. It can be performed.

Further, the work is moved in the X1 axis direction, and the laser processing head is controlled to move in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions to change the optical path length to a predetermined optical path length according to the workpiece. Laser processing can be performed on the work. Thus, laser processing can be performed with an optimum optical path length in accordance with a change in a processing material, for example, a plate thickness.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the laser beam machine 1 includes a bed 3, and an opening 3C is formed in the center of the bed 3. Moreover, on both sides of the bed 3 in the X1-axis direction, Y1 extending in the Y1-axis direction orthogonal to the X1-axis is provided.
The shaft guide rails 5F and 5R are provided. A Y1-axis ball screw 7 as a feed screw extending in the Y1-axis direction is rotatably supported inside the Y1-axis guide rail 5R on the bed 3, for example. Y1-axis drive motor M _Y1 not shown at the left is connected at one end 1, for example in the Y1-axis ball screw 7.

The Y1-axis guide rails 5F, 5R are provided with side tables 9F, 9R as tables via a plurality of slide members. Moreover, the side table 9F and the side table 9R are integrated with a Y1-axis carriage base 11 extending in the X1-axis direction at the left end in FIG. A plurality of free bears 13 for supporting the work W are rotatably supported on the side tables 9F and 9R. A nut member screwed to the Y1-axis ball screw 7 is attached to a lower portion of the side table 9R.

An X1-axis guide rail 15 extending in the X1-axis direction is provided on the front side of the Y1-axis carriage base 11, and the X-axis carriage base 11 has an X1-axis guide rail 15.
An X1-axis ball screw 17 as a feed screw extending in one axis direction is rotatably supported. An X1-axis drive motor _MX1 is connected to one end of the X1-axis ball screw 17, for example, the front end in FIG.

The X1-axis guide rail 15 is provided with an X1-axis carriage 19 which is movable in the X1-axis direction via a slide member, and a nut member (not shown) screwed to the X1-axis ball screw 17. Are provided below the X1-axis carriage.

The front of the X1-axis carriage 19 has an X1
A work clamp guide rail 21 extending in the axial direction is provided.
1 is provided with a plurality of work clamps 23 so as to be movable in the X1 axis direction. The work to be processed is clamped by the plurality of work clamps 23.

With the above configuration, when the Y1-axis drive motor _MY1 is driven, the Y1-axis ball screw 7 is rotated. The rotation of the Y1 axis ball screw 7 causes the Y
The side tables 9F and 9R are guided in the single-axis guide rails 5F and 5R, and are moved in the Y1 axis direction.

When the X1-axis drive motor M _X1 is driven, the X1-axis ball screw 17 is rotated. The rotation of the X1-axis ball screw 17 guides the X1-axis guide rail 15 via the nut member to move the X1-axis carriage 19 in the X1-axis direction.

Accordingly, the work clamped by the work clamp 23 is moved in the X1-axis and Y1-axis directions by moving the side tables 9F and 9R in the Y1-axis direction and moving the X1-axis carriage 19 in the X1-axis direction. It will be.

Below the opening 3C opened at the center of the bed 3, a storage box 2 movable in the Y1 axis direction is provided.
5 is provided so that it can be taken in and out freely. The storage box 25 stores a product or scrap processed by laser processing.

An opening / closing support 27 is provided in the opening 3C at the same position in the height direction as the side tables 9F and 9R to support a work or a product. That is, the rotation shafts 29F, 29 extending in the Y1 axis direction are provided inside the side tables 9F, 9R, respectively.
R are provided, and one end of each of a plurality of support members 31F, 31R is mounted on each of the rotating shafts 29F, 29R at appropriate intervals in the Y1 axis direction to support a work or a product. , 31R are provided so as to be able to swing (rotate) around the rotation shafts 29F, 29R as fulcrums by, for example, an air cylinder (not shown). Each support member 31
The other end of each of the F and 31R is held almost in parallel to the extent that it is almost in contact with each other, and supports the work or the product.

An unloading conveyor 33 for unloading products or scraps is disposed below the opening 3C of the bed 3 provided with the openable support 27 and above the storage box 25. . The unloading conveyor 33 has rollers 35 provided on both sides in the Y1 axis direction.
The belt 37 is wound around, and a drive motor is connected to a roller 35 (not shown).

A C-shaped frame 39 is erected on the left side of the bed 3 substantially at the center in the X1-axis direction, and an upper frame 39U of the frame 39 projects above the openable support 27. Have been. In addition, a laser oscillator 41 is separately disposed on the rear side table 9R side of the frame 39 that is erected.

At the front of the upper frame 39U of the frame 39, there is formed an opening 39C vertically penetrated as a region in which a laser processing head described later can move.

On both sides of the upper frame 39U in the X2 axis direction provided substantially parallel to the X1 axis, a Y2 axis guide rail 4 extending in the Y2 axis direction orthogonal to the X2 axis is provided.
3F and 43R are provided, and a ball screw 45 as a feed screw extending in the Y2 axis direction is rotatably supported inside the Y2 axis guide rail 43R. Moreover, not shown Y2-axis drive motor M _Y2 is coupled to the left end in one end 1, for example of the ball screw 45. Y2 axis sliders 47F, 47R are slidably provided on the Y2 axis guide rails 43F, 43R.

On the Y2 axis sliders 47F and 47R, an integrated Y2 axis carriage 49 is provided. Below the Y2 axis carriage 49, a nut member (see FIG. (Omitted).

When the Y2-axis drive motor M _Y2 is driven by the above configuration, the ball screw 45 is rotated. By the rotation of the ball screw 45, the Y2 axis sliders 47F, 47R are moved via the nut members to the Y2 axis guide rails 43F, 43F.
Since it is guided by the 3R and moved in the Y2 axis direction, the Y2 axis carriage 49 is moved in the same direction.

An X2-axis carriage 51 is provided on the Y2-axis carriage 49 so as to be movable in the X2-axis direction.
A ball screw 53 as a feed screw extending in two axial directions is rotatably supported. An X2-axis drive motor M _X2 is connected to, for example, the rear end of the ball screw 53. Moreover, the nut member screwed to the ball screw 53 is integrated with the X2-axis carriage 51. The X2-axis carriage 51 is provided with a laser processing head 55 that can move up and down.

With the above configuration, when the X2-axis drive motor M _X2 is driven, the ball screw 53 is rotated. The rotation of the ball screw 53 causes the X2-axis carriage 51 to move in the X2-axis direction with respect to the Y2-axis carriage 49 via the nut member. Therefore, the Y2-axis carriage 49 moves in the Y2-axis direction, and the X2-axis carriage 51 moves in the X2-axis direction.
The laser processing head 55 is moved in the axial direction.
Is moved in the X2-axis and Y2-axis directions.

An origin positioning pin 57 for the X1 axis is provided on the side table 9F side. A bend mirror 59 for bending the laser beam LB oscillated from the laser oscillator 41 is provided on the frame 39, and a bend mirror 61 for bending the laser beam LB at one end of the Y2-axis carriage 49 and sending it to the laser processing head 55. Is provided.

According to the above configuration, after the work is clamped by the work clamp 23, the work is moved in the X1-axis and Y1-axis directions, and the laser processing head 55 is moved to the X2 axis.
The laser beam LB oscillated from the laser oscillator 41 is sent to the laser processing head 55 via the bend mirrors 59 and 61 to move the laser beam LB to the laser processing head 55.
By irradiating the work from 5 to the work, laser processing can be performed on a desired position of the work. And
Since the laser-processed product is supported by the support members 31F and 31R, when the support members 31F and 31R are rocked and opened, the product rides on the carry-out conveyor 33 and runs the carry-out conveyor 33. The product can be stored in the storage box 25.

In the above embodiment, the work is clamped by the work clamp 23, the X1-axis carriage 19 provided with the work clamp 23 is moved in the X1-axis direction, and the side tables 9F and 9R provided with the Y1-axis carriage base 11 are mounted in the Y1 direction.
As described in the example of the work moving type in which the work is moved in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. 2, the X1-axis provided with a work clamp in which the Y1-axis carriage is moved in the Y1-axis direction and the work is clamped on the Y1-axis carriage. Carriage X1
A work moving type that moves in the axial direction is also available.

That is, in FIG. 2, both sides in the X1-axis direction of a work table 63 having a plurality of rotatable free bears 13 are supported by support frames 65F and 65R. Y1 is placed on the support frames 65F and 65R.
Y1 axis guide rails 5F and 5R extending in the axial direction are provided, and a ball screw 7 as a feed screw extending in the Y1 axis direction is rotatably supported on the support frame 65R. One end of the ball screw 7 is connected to a Y1-axis drive motor _MY1 .

Sliders 67F (not shown) and 67R are slidably provided on the Y1-axis guide rails 5F and 5R, and a ball screw 7 is screwed to the slider 67R. In addition, X is placed on the sliders 67F and 67R.
A Y1-axis carriage 69 extending in one axis direction is integrated.

At the front side of the Y1-axis carriage 69, X1
A guide rail 15 extending in the axial direction is provided, and a ball screw 17 as a feed screw is rotatably supported on the Y1-axis carriage 69. An X1-axis drive motor M _X1 is connected to one end of the ball screw 17 in FIG. Moreover, a nut member 71 is screwed into the ball screw 17, and an X1-axis carriage 19 integrated with the nut member 71 is slidably provided on the X1-axis guide rail 15. The X1-axis carriage 19 is provided with a plurality of work clamps 23 for clamping the work W.

With the above configuration, the Y1-axis drive motor M _Y1 is driven to move the Y1-axis carriage 69 in the Y1-axis direction, and the X1-axis drive motor M _X1 is driven to move the X1-axis carriage 19 in the X1-axis direction. The work W clamped by the work clamp 23
Is moved in the X1-axis and Y1-axis directions.

The other structure is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 so that the work W is moved in the X1-axis and Y1-axis directions, and the laser processing head 55 is moved to the X2 axis.
By moving the laser beam LB emitted from the laser processing head 55 in the axial and Y2 axis directions, laser processing can be performed at a desired position on the work.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the laser beam machine. In FIG. 3, the support frames 73A,
X1 axis guide rails 75A and 75B extending in the X1 axis direction are provided on 73B, and a ball screw 77 as a feed screw is rotatably supported. At one end of the ball screw 77 is connected is X1-axis drive motor M _X1, the X1-axis drive motor M _X1 is provided on the support frame 73A.

A plurality of sliders 79 are provided on the X1-axis guide rails 75A and 75B, and a work table 81 is integrated on the sliders 79.
A nut member 83 screwed to the ball screw 77 is integrated with a lower portion of the work table 81.

With the above configuration, when the X1-axis drive motor M _X1 is driven, the ball screw 77 is rotated. By the rotation of the ball screw 77, the work table 81 is guided by the X1-axis guide rails 75A and 75B via the nut member 83 and is moved in the X1-axis direction.

A portal frame 85 is erected on the work table 83. Y1 is provided on both sides of the upper frame 85U of the portal frame 85 in the X1 axis direction.
Y1-axis guide rails 87A and 87B extending in the axial direction are provided. A ball screw 89 as a feed screw extending in the Y1 axis direction is rotatably supported on the outer side of the upper frame 85U provided with the Y1 axis guide rail 87B. One end of the ball screw 89 is connected to a Y1-axis drive motor M _Y1 .

A slider is provided on the Y1-axis guide rails 87A and 87B, and a Y1-axis carriage 91 is integrated on the slider. A nut member screwed to the ball screw 89 is provided below the Y1-axis carriage 91.

With the above configuration, when the Y1-axis drive motor M _Y1 is driven, the ball screw 89 is rotated. By the rotation of the ball screw 89, the Y1-axis carriage 91 is guided by the Y1-axis guide rails 87A and 87B via the nut member and is moved in the Y1-axis direction.

On both sides of the Y1-axis carriage 91 in the Y2-axis direction, X2-axis guide rails 93A and 93B extending in the X2-axis direction are provided. A ball screw 95 extending in the X2-axis direction is rotatably supported on the Y2-axis carriage 91 outside the X2-axis guide rail 93A. An X2-axis drive motor _MX2 is connected to one end of the ball screw 95. A slider is provided on the X2-axis guide rails 93A and 93B.
An X2-axis carriage 97 extending in the Y2-axis direction is integrated on the slider. Further, a nut member screwed to the ball screw 95 is integrated with the X2-axis carriage 97.

When the X2-axis drive motor M _X2 is driven by the above configuration, the ball screw 95 is rotated. The rotation of the ball screw 95 causes the X2-axis carriage 97 to move
It is guided by the axis guide rails 93A and 93B and is moved in the X2 axis direction.

On the front side of the X2-axis carriage 97, Y2
A Y2-axis guide rail 99 extending in the axial direction is provided, and a ball screw 101 extending in the Y2-axis direction is rotatably supported on the rear side. This ball screw 1
01 is connected to one end of a Y2-axis drive motor _MY2 . Further, a Y2-axis carriage 103 is provided via a nut member screwed to the ball screw 101. In addition, a laser beam 105 that can move up and down is mounted on the Y2-axis carriage 103.

With the above configuration, when the Y2-axis drive motor M _Y2 is driven, the ball screw 101 is rotated. By rotating the ball screw 101, the Y2-axis carriage 103 is guided by the Y2-axis guide rail 99 via the nut member and is moved in the Y2-axis direction.
Therefore, the X2 axis and allowed to drive the Y2-axis driving motor M _X2, M _Y2, X2 axis carriage 97 is X2 axis direction,
By moving the Y2-axis carriage 103 in the Y2-axis direction, the laser processing head 105 is moved in the X2-axis and Y2-axis directions.

After the work W is moved and positioned in the X1-axis direction, and the Y1-axis carriage 91 is moved to a processing area above the work W, the laser processing head 105 provided on the Y1-axis carriage 91 is moved to the X2-axis and Y2-axis. By appropriately moving and positioning in the direction, laser processing can be performed on a desired position of the work W.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the work W is moved at least in the X1 axis direction, and the laser processing heads 55 and 105 provided above the work W are moved to the X2 direction.
It is moved in the axis and Y2 axis directions. X2 axis carriages 51, 97 for moving the laser processing heads 55, 105, Y2 axis carriages 49, 103
Can be made as small and lightweight as possible,
The X2-axis and Y2-axis drive motors _MX2 and _MY2 can also be small motors (servo motors), and can be designed with low inertia. Therefore, the laser processing heads 55, 1
05 can be moved at high speed. In addition, since the accuracy of a small optical moving laser processing machine can be maintained as it is,
Laser processing can be performed with higher precision than before.
Further, since the laser processing heads 55 and 105 are moved above the work W, space can be saved.

After the work W is moved in the X1-axis and Y1-axis directions and positioned, the laser processing heads 55 and 105 are moved in the X2-axis and Y2-axis directions to perform laser processing on the work. The processing can be performed at high speed and with high accuracy anywhere in the range.

In the above embodiment, the work W is
The laser processing heads 55 and 105 are carried in at one end in the X1-axis direction at a constant feed speed in the one-axis direction and are moved.
When laser processing is performed while moving in the axis and Y2 axis directions,
The work W can carry out the product from the other end in the X1 axis direction. Also, the workpiece W is not fed at a constant feed speed,
High-speed, high-precision machining can be performed by feeding a fixed size in the X1 axis direction.

In the laser processing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 3, laser processing is performed with the laser beam path LB of the laser beam LB from the laser oscillator 41 to the laser processing heads 55 and 105 kept constant. be able to. For example, in the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the laser light path length L ₁ from the laser oscillator 41 to the laser processing heads 55 and 105 located at the point A is L ₁ = a +
b + c + d.

The laser beam path length L ₂ when the laser processing heads 55 and 105 are moved from point A to point B is
Let L ₂ = a + b + e + c. Here, if d = e, then L ₁ = L ₂ .

That is, the range in which the laser processing heads 55 and 105 move with the laser beam path length always constant is line AB.
The laser processing heads 55 and 105 are
If the laser beam is moved on the line AB by controlling the movement in the directions of the axis and the Y2 axis, the laser light path length is always constant.

Therefore, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the work W
Is moved in the X1 axis direction, the laser processing heads 55 and 105 are moved in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions, and X is moved so that the laser processing heads 55 and 105 move on the line AB.
By controlling the movement in the two-axis and Y2-axis directions, laser processing can be performed on the work W while keeping the laser light path length constant.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the triangle CAB corresponds to CA
= CB and the laser processing heads 55 and 10 on the line AB
5 By for moving the, the laser beam path length is always constant, E _1, E _2, it is possible to change the length of the laser beam path length laser light path length as the E ₃ to a predetermined optical path length. Also, in FIG. 5, the Y1-axis carriage 91
By moving the laser processing head 105 in the direction of one axis to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line and moving the laser processing head 105, the length of the laser optical path length can be changed to a predetermined optical path length.

As described above, by changing the length of the laser light path length to a predetermined light path length, it is possible to perform optimum laser processing in accordance with a processing material such as a change in plate thickness or the like.

The reason for the above is that, based on the experience so far,
In the case of a thin metal plate, good cutting can be performed by processing with a short optical path length using a short focal length lens, and in the case of a thick metal plate, a long optical path length can be obtained with a long focal length lens. This is because it has been found that good cutting can be performed by processing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 107 is connected to an input means 109 such as a keyboard and an output means such as a CRT as shown in FIG. 111 are connected. Further, X1-axis, Y1-axis drive motor M _X1, M _Y1 and X2 axis, Y2-axis drive motor M _X2, M _Y2 are connected via an amplifier to CPU 107. further,
The CPU 107 is connected to a laser light path length calculation unit 113, a processing program, and a memory 115. The laser beam path length calculation unit 113 sets X2 of the laser processing heads 55 and 105 such that the laser beam path length L = a + b + c + d is constant.
The movement amounts X _N and Y _N in the axis and Y2 axis directions are calculated and stored so that the laser processing heads 55 and 105 move on the line AB (E ₁ , E ₂ and E ₃ ). The calculated movement amount X _N ,
Y _N is taken into the machining program memory 115 to create a machining program. With this machining program,
For example, the X2-axis and Y2-axis drive motors M _X2 and M _Y2 are controlled to move, the laser processing heads 55 and 105 are moved, and the X1-axis and Y1-axis motors M _X1 and M _Y1 are moved to control the workpieces W and Y1. By moving the carriage 91, laser processing can be performed on the work W as described above.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be embodied in other modes by making appropriate changes. In this embodiment,
No description is given of the movement of the laser processing heads 55 and 105 in the Z-axis direction.
Even if 5 moves in the Z-axis direction, Z
It goes without saying that the laser beam path length in the axial direction is constant.

[0074]

As will be understood from the above description of the embodiment, according to the present invention, at least the work
Move the laser processing head to X2
By controlling the movement in the axis and Y2 axis directions, laser processing can be performed on the work at high speed and with high accuracy. Move the laser processing head to the X2 axis within the movement range of the workpiece.
Because it is moved in the Y2 axis direction, the X2 axis, Y2
Along with reducing the size and weight of the shaft carriage,
The X2-axis and Y2-axis drive motors can also be small motors, and can be designed with low inertia. In addition, space can be saved.

The laser processing head can be appropriately moved and controlled in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions, and the laser beam path length can always be kept constant, so that high-precision laser processing can be performed. In addition, since the optical path length can be changed to a predetermined optical path length, laser processing can be performed under the optimum processing conditions for the processing material against a change in plate thickness or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laser processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of only a work table for moving a work in X1-axis and Y1-axis directions.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a laser processing machine showing another embodiment instead of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for making a laser beam path length constant in the laser beam machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for making the laser beam path length constant with the laser beam machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram for keeping a laser optical path length constant.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 laser beam machine 9F, 9R side table 19 X1-axis carriage 23 work clamp 41 laser oscillator 49 Y2-axis carriage 51 X2-axis carriage 55 laser processing head 59, 61 bend mirror 63 work table 69 Y1-axis carriage 91 Y1-axis carriage 97 X2-axis Carriage 103 Y2-axis carriage 105 Laser processing head 107 CPU 113 Laser beam path length calculation unit _MX1 , _MY1 X1-axis, Y1-axis drive motor _MX2 , _MY2 X2-axis, Y2-axis drive motor W Work

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B23K 26/08

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A workpiece is moved in an X1 axis direction and a Y1 axis direction.
Positionable in provided, above the movement region of the workpiece, provided the Y2-axis direction and moving positionable laser machining head to a perpendicular to the substantially parallel X2-axis direction and the X2 axis on the X1 axis, the said workpiece The moving area of the laser processing head in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions is smaller than the moving area in the X1 and Y1 axis directions so that laser processing of a predetermined range of area is sequentially performed on the work for each area. A laser processing machine provided. 2. An X1-axis carriage provided with a work clamp is provided so as to be movable and positionable in the X1-axis direction, and a work table provided integrally with the X1-axis carriage is provided so as to be movable and positionable in the Y1-axis direction. X2 substantially parallel to the X1 axis above the moving area of the workpiece to be gripped
A laser processing head capable of moving and positioning in the axial direction and the Y2 axis direction orthogonal to the X2 axis is provided.
1. Compared to the moving range in the Y1 axis direction, the moving area of the laser processing head in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions is made smaller so that laser processing of a predetermined range area is sequentially performed on the work for each of the areas. A laser processing machine provided. 3. A Y1-axis carriage which can be moved and positioned in the Y1-axis direction, and an X1-axis carriage which is provided with a work clamp and which can be moved and positioned in the X1-axis direction is provided on the Y1-axis carriage, and is gripped by the work clamp. A laser processing head capable of moving and positioning in the X2 axis direction substantially parallel to the X1 axis and in the Y2 axis direction orthogonal to the X2 axis is provided above the moving area of the work, and the moving range of the work in the X1 and Y1 axis directions is provided. The laser processing head is provided with a smaller moving area in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions so as to sequentially perform laser processing of a predetermined area on the workpiece for each of the areas. Machine. 4. A work table on which a work is placed is X1.
A Y1-axis carriage equipped with a laser processing head that can be moved and positioned in the axial direction and that can be moved and positioned in the X2-axis direction and the Y2-axis direction above the worktable can be moved and positioned in the Y1-axis direction orthogonal to the X1-axis direction. And the movement range of the work in the X1- axis direction and the movement of the Y1-axis carriage.
As compared with a workable area determined by the movement range in the Y1 axis direction, the laser processing head is moved in the X2 axis and Y2 axis directions, and the work is sequentially laser-processed in the predetermined range on the work for each of the areas. Laser processing machine characterized by being provided as small as possible. 5. The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the laser processing head is controlled by X2 such that the optical path length from the laser oscillator to the laser processing head is constant. A laser processing machine provided with a control device for controlling movement in an axial direction and a Y2 axis direction. 6. The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the laser processing head is moved in the X2 axis direction and the Y2 axis direction so that an optical path length is constant. A laser processing method for controlling the movement and performing the laser processing by moving the work in the X1 axis direction. 7. The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is moved in the X1 axis direction and has a predetermined optical path length according to a workpiece. Change the laser processing head to the X2
A laser processing method comprising performing laser processing by controlling movement in an axial direction and a Y2 axis direction.