DE9419673U1 - Laser arrangement for lathe - Google Patents

Description

\NDEX-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky
Laser arrangement for lathe.. _{s #} »·, ,» .", .'%· 05.12.1994 : :,··,. : .·* · ^# ··: ^:<

Laser arrangement for lathe

The development of modern machine tools is characterized by ever-increasing demands for complete machining. While the complete integration of almost all machining processes in lathes has already been achieved, there are currently hardly any solutions for integrating thermal machining processes, such as hardening or welding, into lathes.

One possible solution for integrating thermal processing methods into a machine tool is to provide a laser with the necessary processing optics and movement options within the machine tool.

The integration of a laser as a beam tool into a modern lathe requires the solution of a variety of problems:

The first priority is the beam guidance from the laser through the machine tool and the necessary optics to the workpiece. All of the machine's movement axes must be taken into account. In addition, the laser beam must be able to be focused in the entire working area of the machine so that all possible work can be carried out with sufficient flexibility. With lathes, it must be noted that workpieces must be able to be machined not only on the main spindle, but also on a counter spindle.

The obvious idea of arranging the laser optics on the tool turret of a lathe fails due to the fact that drive elements for rotating drilling and milling tools are often arranged in the area of a possible laser beam guide. In addition, the proximity to the cutting tools is disadvantageous with regard to keeping the laser optics clean.

The present invention provides for a counter-spindle lathe with a tool turret and additional B-axis, to attach an additional turret - exclusively for the laser lenses - to the housing of the tool turret.

This solution makes it possible to implement a laser beam guide that can be switched to several laser beam lenses if necessary. The mobility of all machine axes is fully retained, i.e. the laser beam can hit the workpiece from all conceivable directions.

-1 -

INDEX-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky

Laser arrangement for lathe,··. .*·. .&iacgr;«**·;"*:&iacgr;.

05.12.1994 : \&Ggr;: < : .· · ;;:·'·'

The description is based on the following illustrations:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a lathe with main and counter spindle,

a tool turret and a laser turret.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the machine in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is the front view of the laser turret in section according to the arrow direction

in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 to 7 show different beam directions and machining situations on workpieces in the main and counter spindle.

Fig. 8 to 11 illustrate the beam guidance within the laser turret when changing the objective and with different beam exit directions.

In Fig. 1, the main spindle 2 and the counter spindle 3 are located on the vertical machine bed 1, and their clamping devices 4 and 5 each hold a workpiece 6.

The turret consists of the housing 9, which can be moved in the X, Y, Z and B directions, the tool turret 10, which carries the cutting tools, and the four-faced laser turret 11, which carries two lenses 12 and 13, offset by 90°, which are provided with the various optimal focal lengths for welding and hardening operations. {Fig. 2)

The turret can move linearly in the X and Z axes (and possibly also in Y), and can also swivel around the B axis (rotation around the Y axis).

The laser beam is guided through the center of the B-axis tube 14, deflected by 90 degrees at the fixed mirror 15 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 16 of the laser turret

A second deflection mirror 17 (Fig. 3) directs the laser beam in the direction of the lens axes in two opposite exit directions. As shown in Fig. 3, the beam exits downwards in direction E through the lens 18. If the lens were oriented upwards, the beam would have to exit upwards in direction F i.e. the mirror 17 would have to be rotated by 180° around the axis of rotation 16.

-2-

INDEX-Werke GmbH & Co. KG Hahn & Tessky

.&iacgr;

Laser arrangement for lathe, &diams;·,

05.12.1994 : :."· · ^; ·" ·

·* &bull;«&diams;

Fig. 4 to 7 illustrate when which beam exit direction E or F is required; depending on whether laser processing is carried out on the workpiece outer diameter or on its front side, and whether the processing takes place on the main spindle 2 or on the counter spindle 3.

In Fig. 3, a support tube 18 can be seen, which is firmly connected to the turret housing 9. The laser turret 11 is mounted on it with the bearings 19. The switching movement of the laser turret is not shown in detail.

The deflection mirror 17 is mounted inside the support tube 18 with the bearings 22. Spring catches 23 are provided for the two required 180° positions. The rotation of the mirror 17 into one of the two desired positions is effected by the laser turret 11 with the drive pin 24 in its cover 25, which engages in a groove 26 of the deflection mirror 17. The groove extends over an angle of 90 degrees.

Figures 8 to 11 show the required position assignments between the pin 24 or the two lenses 12 and 13 and the timing groove 26 or the deflection mirror 17, which deflects the beam in the direction E or F.

In Fig. 8 and 9, the deflection mirror 17 is positioned so that the beam exits in the direction F. The two lenses 12 and 13 can now be switched back and forth to work in the direction F without moving the mirror.

In Fig. 9 and 10, the deflection mirror 17 is in beam direction E. In this case too, the two lenses 12 and 13 can be switched back and forth.

The deflection mirror 17 is swiveled according to the following rule: If lens 12 is to be used (regardless of whether in beam exit direction E or F), the laser turret must be rotated anti-clockwise to bring the lens into the working position. The deflection mirror is then automatically rotated into the required position by the drive pin 24 and locked into place.

The same applies to lens 13, but with clockwise rotation.

-3-

Claims (8)

INDEX-WerkeGmbH&Co.KG Hahn&Tessky Laser arrangement for lathe,··. .*·. ,* .**· ;**;;. 05.12.1994 : ·;'*: · : rt * \\'"\ Protection claims 1. Laser beam guidance through the turret assembly of a lathe with B-axis movement of the turret assembly and a separate laser turret with more than one objective, characterized in that the objectives are arranged in a star shape . 2. Laser beam guide according to claim 1, characterized in that two lenses 90 are mounted relative to one another in the switching direction. 3. Laser beam guide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that two beam exit directions offset by 180 degrees are possible on the laser turret. 4. Laser beam guide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a deflection mirror for the different beam exit directions is pivoted by 180°. 5. Laser beam guide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection mirror is locked in the two positions. 6. Laser beam guide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection mirror is rotated from one locking position to the other by the rotary movement of the laser turret. 7. Laser beam guide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a driving pin and a front groove extending over 90 degrees work together to enable the rotary connection between the laser turret and the deflection mirror. 8. Laser beam guide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position of the driving pin and the front groove is selected so that both lenses can work in one or the other beam exit direction. -4-