JP3628435B2 - Handy laser equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a handheld laser device that guides a laser beam oscillated from a laser oscillator to a laser torch by an optical fiber and performs laser processing by gripping the laser torch by hand.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the handheld laser apparatus 101 includes a work table 103 as shown in FIG. 4, for example, and a work W to be processed is placed on the work table 103. In order to perform, for example, laser welding on the workpiece W, the handy YAG laser torch 105 is held by the hand 107H of the operator 107.
[0003]
Moreover, the worker 107 performs laser welding by wearing a protective helmet 111 having a shield 109 in order to protect the safety of work. In addition, a monitor 113 is provided in the vicinity of the work table 103 in order to monitor the machining state when laser welding is performed on the workpiece W. In order to guide the laser beam to the YAG laser torch 105, a laser oscillator 117 is connected to the YAG laser torch 105 through an optical fiber 115. A control device 119 for controlling the laser oscillator 117 and the monitor 113 is provided.
[0004]
With the above configuration, the operator 107 holds the YAG laser torch 105 in the hand 107H with respect to the workpiece W to be processed placed and fixed on the work table 103, and monitors the tip of the YAG laser torch 105 to the processing point of the workpiece W. Align while watching. Laser welding is performed by irradiating the workpiece W with the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator 117 from the YAG laser torch 105 through the optical fiber 115.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional laser welding mentioned above, since the processing point of the workpiece | work W and the monitor 113 are separated, the operator 107 cannot see both simultaneously. Therefore, the work efficiency is poor because the head is swung one by one, and the operation is very difficult.
[0006]
Further, when the operator 107 looks at the hand, the machining point cannot be seen. Furthermore, there is a problem that it is difficult to see the workpiece W unless the shield 109 is opened when the workpiece W is set up.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a handy laser device that improves operability and visibility when laser processing, particularly laser welding, is performed on a workpiece.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laser torch in which a laser beam oscillated from a laser oscillator is guided through an optical fiber, an emission switch provided in the laser torch for operating the laser oscillator, and provided in the laser torch for processing. An image pickup device for picking up an image of the processing part of the workpiece to be processed and the position of the center of the laser beam; a monitor provided on a mounting device worn by an operator for monitoring an image picked up by the image pickup device; and controlling each of the devices. And a control device having a see-through function for the operator to visually recognize an image captured by the imaging device on the monitor and a superimpose function for the operator to directly view the outside world. When the shutter provided in the laser oscillator is closed, the mode is switched to the see-through function mode. It is a handy type laser device you're me.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the handy laser device according to the first aspect, the monitor is provided on both the left and right sides, and an image in which the photographing angle is changed is shown to the operator by displaying the left and right screens. This is a handy type laser apparatus that allows an operator to recognize a stereoscopic image .
[0009]
Accordingly, when laser processing, particularly laser welding, is performed on the workpiece to be processed, the operator holds the laser torch in his hand and aligns the tip of the laser torch with the processing point of the workpiece. At that time, the monitor and the imaging device are controlled by the control device, and the tip of the laser torch can be easily seen by looking at the monitor provided on the mounting device on which the worker puts the image taken from the imaging device. It is adjusted to the processing point.
[0010]
Thereafter, by pressing the emission switch, the laser beam oscillated from the laser oscillator is guided to the laser torch through the optical fiber, and laser processing, particularly laser welding, is performed by irradiating the tip of the laser torch toward the workpiece. Thus, the operability and visibility when laser processing, particularly laser welding, is performed on the workpiece is improved.
[0011]
The handheld laser device is characterized in that the imaging device is a CCD camera, the monitors are provided on both the left and right sides, and is a liquid crystal color monitor.
[0012]
Therefore, the images picked up by the CCD camera can be seen by the operator's left and right eyes from the liquid crystal color monitors provided on the left and right sides. Thus, the captured image can be clearly seen in color as a stereoscopic image.
[0013]
The handy laser device is characterized in that the control device is provided with a see-through function and a superimpose function.
[0014]
Therefore, by switching to the superimpose function mode provided in the control device, the captured image can be visually recognized on the monitor. Also, by switching to the see-through function mode, the outside world can be seen directly and the setup of the workpiece becomes easy.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
Referring to FIG. 1, the handheld laser device 1 includes a laser torch 3, a goggle 5 as a wearing device worn by an operator, a laser oscillator 7, and the like. The laser torch 3 includes a laser torch main body 9, a nozzle 11 is attached to the lower end of the laser torch main body 9, and a handle portion 13 is integrated with a side portion of the laser torch main body 9.
[0017]
One end of an optical fiber 15 is connected to the handle portion 13, and the laser oscillator 7 is connected to the other end of the optical fiber 15. The handle portion 13 is provided with an emission switch 17 for operating the laser oscillator 7, and a collimator lens 19 is provided in the handle portion 13.
[0018]
A condensing lens 21 is provided in the laser torch body 9, and a bend mirror 23 is provided in the laser torch body 9 above the condensing lens 21. Further, at the upper end of the laser torch main body 9, for example, a CCD camera 29 as an image pickup device 27 for picking up the positions of the workpiece W to be machined placed on the machining table 25, for example, the joint Ws and the YAG laser beam LB. Is provided via a camera lens 31.
[0019]
A small liquid crystal color monitor 33 is provided on both the left and right sides of the front surface of the goggles 5, and a light source 35 is provided in the goggles 5 above the liquid crystal color monitor 33. Is provided. A prism 39 is provided below the liquid crystal color monitor 33 via a lens 37.
[0020]
Referring to FIG. 1 again, an NC device 41 as a control device is connected to the laser oscillator 7, the emission switch 17, and the liquid crystal color monitor 33, respectively.
[0021]
With the above configuration, when laser welding is performed on the joint Ws of the workpiece W, an operator first holds the handle 13 in the laser torch 3 and puts the goggles 5 on. Then, the laser torch 3 is moved based on the visible light from the light source 35, and the CCD camera 29 images that the center of the laser beam LB, that is, the center of the nozzle 11 is aligned with the joint Ws of the workpiece W. The image is confirmed with the naked eye of the operator through the liquid crystal color monitor 35.
[0022]
That is, the operator changes the shooting angle to the left and right screen display by viewing the liquid crystal screen image reflected on the liquid crystal color monitor 33 reflected from the A surface in FIG. 3D images can be recognized by the brain by showing the images.
[0023]
When the emission switch 17 is turned on in this state, the YAG laser beam LB is oscillated from the laser oscillator 7, is bent by the bend mirror 23 through the collimator lens 19 through the optical fiber 15, and is collected by the condenser lens 21.
[0024]
The YAG laser beam LB condensed by the condenser lens 21 is irradiated to the joint Ws of the workpiece W from the nozzle 11 so that laser welding is performed. Note that during laser welding, visible light in the YAG laser beam LB is observed by the liquid crystal color monitor 33 through the CCD camera 29, so that the center of the YAG laser beam LB is always aligned with the joint Ws of the workpiece W. Good laser welding is performed. At this time, the operation is performed by switching to the superimpose function mode provided in the NC device 41.
[0025]
Therefore, the operability and visibility when laser welding is performed on the workpiece W can be improved as compared with the prior art. Further, when the mode is switched to the see-through function mode provided in the NC device 41, the outside world can be visually recognized as it is. It is to be noted that safety can be measured by switching the see-through function mode only when the shutter provided in the laser oscillator 7 is closed in the NC device 41.
[0026]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the example of embodiment mentioned above, It can implement in another aspect by making an appropriate change. In the example of the embodiment, the goggle 5 has been described as an example of the mounting device, but a helmet, glasses, headgear, or the like may be used. Alternatively, the signal may be transmitted wirelessly between the liquid crystal color monitor 33 and the NC device 41. Furthermore, it is safer if a YAG laser protective sheet is attached to the outer surface of the liquid crystal color monitor 33.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As can be understood from the example of the embodiment as described above, according to the invention of claim 1, when laser processing, particularly laser welding, is performed on a workpiece to be processed, the operator holds the laser torch in his hand. Align the tip of with the workpiece machining point. At that time, the tip of the laser torch is easily processed by viewing the image taken from the imaging device by controlling the monitor and the imaging device by the control device and viewing the image on the monitor provided on the mounting device on which the operator is wearing. It is adjusted to the point.
[0028]
After that, by pressing the emission switch, the laser beam oscillated from the laser oscillator is guided to the laser torch through the optical fiber, and laser processing, particularly laser welding can be performed by irradiating the workpiece from the tip of the laser torch. . Thus, it is possible to improve the operability and visibility when performing laser processing, particularly laser welding, on the workpiece.
[0029]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the images picked up by the CCD camera can be seen by the left and right eyes of the operator from the liquid crystal color monitors provided on the left and right sides. Thus, the captured image can be clearly seen in color as a stereoscopic image.
[0030]
According to the invention of claim 3, by switching to the superimpose function mode provided in the control device, the captured image is visually recognized on the monitor. Further, by switching to the see-through function mode, the outside world can be seen directly, so that the setup of the work can be easily performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a handy laser device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of goggles as a mounting device.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a front view of the worker wearing goggles.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional handheld laser device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Handy Laser Device 3 Laser Torch 5 Goggles (Mounting Device)
7 Laser oscillator 15 Optical fiber 17 Output switch 25 Processing table 27 Imaging device 29 CCD camera 33 Liquid crystal color monitor 41 NC device (control device)

Claims (2)

A laser torch in which a laser beam oscillated from a laser oscillator is guided through an optical fiber, an emission switch provided in the laser torch for operating the laser oscillator, a processing part of a workpiece to be processed provided in the laser torch, and the laser beam An image pickup device for picking up the position of the center, a monitor provided on a wearing device worn by an operator for monitoring an image picked up by the image pickup device, and controlling each of the devices and picking up the image by the image pickup device. A shutter provided in the laser oscillator, comprising: a control device including a see-through function for the operator to visually recognize an image on the monitor; and a superimpose function for the operator to visually recognize the outside world. closed in, to characterized in that it is adapted to switch the mode of the see-through function of Hand-held laser device. The handheld laser device according to claim 1,
A handy laser device, wherein the monitor is provided on both the left and right sides, and the operator is made to recognize a stereoscopic image by showing the operator with a video image with different shooting angles displayed on the left and right screens. .

Images