JP5283609B2 - Laser processing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a laser processing machine that processes a workpiece using laser light oscillated from a laser oscillator.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a laser processing machine that processes a workpiece using laser light oscillated from a laser oscillator is used to process the workpiece such as metal. In the processing of the workpiece by the laser processing machine, unnecessary portions cut off by the laser processing, that is, end materials are generated. Such offcuts are collected separately from the product taken out from the workpiece by laser processing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which mill ends generated by laser processing are transported by a belt conveyor and collected in a remaining material collecting means.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-332565

  However, in a laser processing machine, there are cases where workpieces of various materials are processed, and end materials of various materials are generated. According to the above-described conventional technique, the end material generated during the laser processing is collected in the remaining material collecting means, but is not separated by the material of the end material. Therefore, end materials of different materials are mixed in the remaining material collecting means. Due to the mix of milled materials of different materials, recycling becomes difficult, and milled materials must be processed as industrial waste, which causes a problem of processing costs. In addition, when trying to recycle the mill ends, it is necessary to sort the scraps collected by the remaining scrap collection means, which causes a burden on the user of the laser processing machine. In particular, when the workpiece is automatically supplied to the processing area at night and laser processing is performed, the remaining material collecting means cannot be changed according to the material of the workpiece, and the end materials of different materials are inevitably used. It becomes easy to mix.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above, Comprising: It aims at obtaining the laser processing machine with which separation of an end material is easy.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a laser processing machine for processing a workpiece using laser light oscillated from a laser oscillator, and the processing of the workpiece is performed. A belt conveyor that is disposed below the processing region to be performed, conveys the end material generated by the processing of the workpiece, a drive unit that drives the belt conveyor, a determination unit that determines the material of the workpiece, It has a conveyance direction control part which controls a drive part based on the material of a workpiece, and controls the conveyance direction of the end material by a belt conveyor, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it becomes easy to separate end materials when processing workpieces of different materials.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a laser beam machine according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the laser beam machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the laser beam machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a laser beam machine according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of a laser beam machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a laser beam machine according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the laser beam machine shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view of the laser beam machine shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a hybrid type (two-axis light movement type) laser processing machine 100 is shown as an example of a laser processing machine. The laser processing machine 100 includes a bed 11, a pallet table 12, an X-axis moving body 13, a pallet changer 15, a belt conveyor 17, a drive unit 20, chip buckets 19a and 19b, a display unit 21, a storage unit 22, and an input unit 23. Configured.

  In the laser processing machine 100, a pallet table 12 is installed on a bed 11 serving as a base. A workpiece 1 such as a metal plate is placed on the pallet table 12. The pallet table 12 with the workpiece 1 placed thereon is supplied to the machining area 3 by the pallet changer 15, whereby the workpiece 1 is supplied into the machining area 3.

  An approximately portal-shaped X-axis moving body 13 is provided so as to be movable by X-axis driving means (not shown) so as to straddle the pallet table 12. The X-axis moving body 13 is movable in the X-axis direction (arrow X direction in the figure) with both gate-shaped legs supported by the X-axis guide portions 13a provided at both ends of the bed 11 in the Y-axis direction. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the X-axis moving body 13 is provided with a YZ-axis moving body 7 movably in the Y-axis direction (the arrow Y direction in the figure) by a Y-axis driving means (not shown). Further, the YZ-axis moving body 7 can be moved also in the Z-axis direction (the arrow Z direction in the figure) by a Z-axis driving means (not shown).

  The laser processing head 9 is provided with a condensing optical system (not shown), and laser light from the laser oscillator 2 reaches the condensing optical system through a plurality of optical systems (not shown) such as a bend mirror. Led. The laser processing head 9 is provided with a nozzle 18 for condensing and irradiating the workpiece 1 fixed to the pallet table 12 with the assist gas on the laser beam output from the laser oscillator 2. The laser processing head 9 is provided with a gas injection structure for assist gas that is injected together with laser light. The nozzle 18 injects assist gas coaxially with the laser light.

  The X-axis moving means, the Y-axis moving means, and the Z-axis moving means cooperate to move the laser processing head 9 in the processing area 3 so that the workpiece 1 arranged in the processing area 3 can be laser processed. It becomes possible.

  The pallet changer 15 accommodates a plurality of pallet tables 12 on which the workpiece 1 is placed. The pallet changer 15 can automatically collect the processed pallet table 12 and supply the pallet table 12 on which the unprocessed workpiece 1 is newly placed to the processing region 3. That is, the pallet changer 15 functions as a supply unit that supplies the workpiece 1 to the machining area 3. Since the pallet changer 15 automatically replaces the pallet table 12, the workpiece 1 can be continuously supplied to the processing region 3 without bothering the user. Even when the user is likely to be absent, such as at night, the processing can be continued by continuously supplying the workpiece 1, and the productivity can be improved.

  The belt conveyor 17 is disposed below the processing region 3 and receives the end material falling from the processing region 3. The belt conveyor 17 conveys the received end material to the chip bucket 19. The belt conveyor 17 is provided such that the driving direction thereof is substantially perpendicular to the supply direction of the workpiece 1 in plan view, and the end material can be transported to both sides of the laser processing machine 100. Yes. Further, the end material discharge destination can be changed by reversing the driving direction of the belt conveyor 17. Specifically, by conveying the end material in the direction indicated by the arrow P, the end material can be discharged to the first tip bucket 19a side. Then, the end material can be discharged to the second chip bucket 19b side by reversing the driving direction and transporting the end material in the direction indicated by the arrow Q.

  The drive unit 20 is a drive source that drives the belt conveyor 17. For example, a motor is used as the drive unit 20. The drive part 20 can reverse the drive direction of the belt conveyor 17 by reversing the drive direction, and can change the discharge destination of an end material.

  The chip buckets 19a and 19b are for recovering the end material generated with the laser processing of the workpiece 1. The chip buckets 19 a and 19 b are arranged at the end portion of the belt conveyor 17 and can be extracted from both sides of the laser processing machine 100. The end material conveyed by the belt conveyor 17 falls from the end portion of the belt conveyor 17 toward the chip buckets 19a and 19b.

  The display unit 21 is for displaying various information regarding the laser processing machine 100. For example, the display unit 21 displays information indicating the discharge direction of the mill ends. That is, the display unit 21 functions as a notification unit that notifies the discharge direction of the mill ends and a change in the discharge direction. For example, it may be displayed as character information such as “the end material is discharged to the chip bucket 19a”, or may be displayed as graphic information such as an arrow. The display unit 21 also displays information indicating processing conditions such as the thickness and material of the workpiece 1 during laser processing, the moving speed of the laser processing head 9, and laser output.

  The storage unit 22 corresponds to information indicating the material and thickness of the workpiece 1 to be laser processed, the moving speed of the laser processing head 9 suitable for the material and thickness of the workpiece, the output of the laser, and the like. Attached and memorized. Further, by operating an input unit 23 described later, the material and thickness of the workpiece 1 automatically supplied by the pallet changer 15 can be stored in the storage unit 22 in advance.

  The input unit 23 is operated by a user of the laser processing machine 100 when setting processing conditions for laser processing. For example, a list of workpiece materials stored in advance in the storage unit 22 is displayed on the display unit 21, and the user selects the material of the workpiece 1 to be supplied to the machining area 3 from the input unit 23. Operate and select. Next, the user operates the input unit 23 to set the thickness of the workpiece 1. As described above, the material information and the thickness information set by the user are stored in the storage unit 22.

  The control unit 24 controls the discharge of the end material. The control unit 24 also functions as a determination unit that determines the material of the workpiece 1 in the processing region 3. The control unit 24 determines the material of the workpiece 1 in the machining area 3 based on the material information stored in the storage unit 22. When the control unit 24 determines that the material of the workpiece 1 supplied to the processing region 3 is different from the material of the workpiece 1 that has been processed before, the control unit 24 reverses the driving direction of the driving unit 20. Let the conveying direction of the mill ends be the reverse direction. For example, when a stainless plate is laser processed as the workpiece 1 and the end material is discharged to the chip bucket 19a side, a workpiece of a different material such as an aluminum plate is supplied after the processing is completed. Then, the drive direction of the drive unit 20 is reversed, and the aluminum end material is discharged to the chip bucket 19b side. That is, the control unit 24 also functions as a transport direction control unit that controls the transport direction of the mill ends. Moreover, after detecting the completion | finish of a process of the to-be-processed object 1, the control part 24 reverses the drive direction of the drive part 20, after driving the belt conveyor 17 more than half a circle. Moreover, the control part 24 notifies the display part 21 of the change of the discharge direction and discharge direction of the mill ends.

  Further, the control unit 24 determines processing conditions such as the moving speed of the laser processing head 9 suitable for the workpiece 1 and the output of the laser from the storage unit 22 based on the material information and thickness information stored in the storage unit 22. Is read. The control unit 24 controls the laser processing head 9 and the like based on the read processing conditions to perform laser processing.

  As described above, in the laser processing machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the material of the workpiece 1 is changed, the discharge direction of the end material is also changed, so that mixing of the end material into the chip bucket is suppressed. This can facilitate the separation of the mill ends. In particular, even when the workpiece 1 is automatically supplied to the processing area 3 at night using the pallet changer 15 and laser processing is performed, if the end material is made of two kinds of materials, the discharge destination is changed. The tip bucket 19a and the tip bucket 19b can be distributed, and the separation of the end material can be facilitated. Further, by separating the mill ends, recycling can be facilitated, and the disposal costs of the mill ends can be reduced.

  Further, when the processing end of the workpiece just before the driving direction of the belt conveyor 17 is reversed is detected, the driving direction is reversed after driving the belt conveyor 17 more than half a circle. In the case of the plate, after the stainless steel end material on the belt conveyor 17 is completely dropped into the chip bucket 19a, the conveying direction of the end material can be reversed. Thereby, the end material remaining on the belt conveyor 17 at the end of the processing of the stainless steel plate is less likely to be mixed into the chip bucket 19b on the reverse side, and the end material can be more reliably separated. Although not shown in the present embodiment, a receiving rod may be provided around the belt conveyor 17 in order to receive the end material dropped outside the area of the belt conveyor 17. When the catch is provided, the end material remaining on the catch is swept out on the belt conveyor 17 before detecting the end of processing of the immediately preceding workpiece and reversing the driving direction of the belt conveyor 17. It is preferable to make it fall. In addition, after dropping the end material on the receiving rod, further driving the belt conveyor 17 more than half a circle and then reversing the driving direction, the end material on the receiving rod is mixed into the chip bucket on the opposite side. This makes it easier to sort the mill ends.

  In addition, since the display unit 21 displays that the discharge direction of the mill ends is changed, it becomes easier for the user to arrange a tip bucket suitable for collecting the mill ends. For example, in the case of the above-described stainless steel plate and aluminum plate, the end material discharge direction is changed even when the copper plate is supplied as a workpiece after the processing of the aluminum plate is completed. Here, if the tip bucket 19a keeps collecting the end material of stainless steel which is the first workpiece, the end material of copper will be mixed there, and the end material cannot be separated. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the display unit 21 displays that the discharge direction of the mill ends is changed, the user replaces the chip bucket 19a with one for collecting the copper mill ends, By transferring the stainless steel end material collected in the chip bucket 19a to another container or the like, it is possible to prevent the end materials of different materials from being mixed in the chip bucket.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge direction of the mill ends and the change in the discharge direction are displayed on the display unit 21. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a sound is notified from a speaker or the like. Further, the belt conveyor 17 may be provided such that the driving direction thereof is substantially parallel to the supply direction of the workpiece 1. In general, it is easier to maintain and inspect the belt conveyor 17 by providing the belt conveyor 17 so as to be in a direction substantially perpendicular to the supply direction of the workpiece 1 in plan view. Therefore, maintainability can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the laser processing machine 100 includes the pallet changer 15 and the pallet table 12 is automatically replaced. However, the pallet table 12 is manually replaced. It doesn't matter.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a laser beam machine 100 according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In this modification, the laser processing machine 100 includes a plurality of chip buckets 19b. The plurality of chip buckets 19 b are placed on a bucket table (bucket switching unit) 25. The bucket table 25 is controlled by the control unit 24 to move the chip bucket 19b.

  The tip bucket 19b has a predetermined end material to be collected. For example, a tip bucket 19b that collects aluminum scraps, a tip bucket 19b that collects stainless scraps, a tip bucket 19b that collects copper scraps, a tip bucket 19b that collects iron scraps, and so on. The material of the end material to be assigned is assigned to each.

  The control unit 24 has a bucket table 25 so that a tip bucket 19b suitable for collecting the end material of the workpiece 1 being processed is disposed at a position for receiving the end material from the belt conveyor 17. Is controlled to move the tip bucket 19b. In this way, by preparing a plurality of tip buckets 19b and controlling the control unit 24 so that the end material is collected in the tip bucket 19b according to the material of the end material, the material of the workpiece 1 is Even when there are more than two types, it is possible to sort the scraps without bothering the user. Even when the user tends to be absent, such as at night, even when many types of workpieces 1 are continuously supplied, the separation of the end materials can be easily performed. In the present modification, the plurality of chip buckets 19b are provided. However, it is a matter of course that a plurality of chip buckets 19a may be provided and the plurality of chip buckets 19a may be moved by a bucket table. If it comprises so that both chip bucket 19a, 19b may be provided with two or more, it will become possible to fractionate the end material of more materials automatically.

  As described above, the laser processing machine according to the present invention is suitable for a laser processing machine that performs laser processing on workpieces of different materials.

P, Q Arrow 1 Workpiece 2 Laser oscillator 3 Processing area 7 YZ axis moving body 9 Laser processing head 11 Bed 12 Pallet table 13 X axis moving body 13a X axis guide 15 Pallet changer 17 Belt conveyor 18 Nozzle 19a, 19b Tip Bucket 20 Drive unit 21 Display unit 22 Storage unit 23 Input unit 24 Control unit (discrimination unit) (transport direction control unit)
25 Bucket table 100 Laser processing machine

Claims (4)

A laser processing machine for processing a workpiece using laser light oscillated from a laser oscillator,
A belt conveyor that is disposed below a processing region in which processing of the workpiece is performed, and conveys end materials generated by processing of the workpiece;
A drive unit for driving the belt conveyor;
A discriminator for discriminating the material of the workpiece;
A transport direction control unit that controls the drive unit based on the material of the workpiece and controls the transport direction of the end material by the belt conveyor;
A plurality of buckets for collecting the end material conveyed by the belt conveyor;
A bucket switching unit that switches the bucket arranged at a position to receive the end material conveyed by the belt conveyor according to the material of the workpiece determined by the determination unit. Laser processing machine.   The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein a driving direction of the belt conveyor is a direction substantially perpendicular to a supply direction of the workpiece in a plan view.   The laser processing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a driving direction of the belt conveyor. Supply means for supplying a workpiece to the machining area;
A storage unit that stores material information indicating the material of the workpiece supplied to the processing region by the supply unit;
The laser processing machine according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines a material of the workpiece based on material information stored in the storage unit.

Images