JP2004202542A - Laser beam machining head and laser beam machining apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser beam machining head and a laser beam machining apparatus in which degradation of wires caused by twist and entanglement of wires and pipes of an optical fiber, a camera, a cooling device or the like is prevented in advance, the control is simplified, and the machining speed is increased. <P>SOLUTION: In a laser beam machining head 300 capable of irradiating laser beams on a work surface in a substantially circular shape, the laser beam machining head 300 comprises an output side machining head part 100 having a nozzle to irradiate the laser beams on the work surface and rotatable around a normal on the work surface as a center of rotation, and an input side machining head part 200 which has an optical fiber to introduce the laser beams, and is relatively rotatable with respect to the output side machining head part 100 and limited in the self-rotation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laser processing head that performs laser processing by irradiating a surface to be processed with laser light, and in particular, deterioration due to twisting or entanglement of wiring or piping of an optical fiber, a camera, a cooling device, or the like. The present invention relates to a laser processing head and a laser processing apparatus that can prevent the above and the like, simplify control, improve processing speed, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in the field of laser processing that performs processing by irradiating a processing surface such as a plate material with laser light, laser processing heads that can irradiate the processing surface with a laser beam in a substantially circular shape are widely known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In such a conventionally known laser processing head, it is necessary to irradiate the processing surface with laser light in a substantially circular shape. Therefore, the processing surface is maintained in a fixed state, and then the processing surface is fixed to the processing surface. Thus, the laser processing head is rotated so that the focus of the laser beam draws a predetermined circular locus or the like. Therefore, the optical fiber for introducing the laser light into the laser processing head rotates integrally with the laser processing head, and there is a problem that the optical fiber is twisted.
[0004]
As a means for solving such a problem, a technique has been proposed in which a bearing is disposed at a fastening portion between an optical fiber and a laser processing head so that the optical fiber can be rotated relative to the laser processing head.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-677
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventionally known laser processing head, only the optical fiber can be relatively rotated, and the entire laser processing head is rotationally driven. Therefore, the wiring and piping of the camera and cooling device installed in the laser processing head are not used. When twisting occurs or there are a plurality of wires and pipes, there is a problem that these wires and pipes are entangled with each other. In addition, since the optical fiber can rotate (because it is not fixed), there is a problem that a minute twist occurs in the optical fiber with the rotation of the laser processing head.
[0007]
In addition, in order to avoid such twisting and entanglement of wiring and piping, the rotation angle of the laser processing head is limited, and in order to return the twisting to the original state, the laser processing head is required for each processing. There is a problem that it is necessary to return to a position where the twisting of wiring and piping is eliminated, the control of the laser processing head is easily complicated, and the processing speed is reduced.
[0008]
Further, since twisting is repeatedly applied to the wiring and piping, there is a problem that the wiring and piping are likely to deteriorate and the life is shortened.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and prevents deterioration due to twisting or entanglement of wiring, piping, etc. of optical fibers, cameras, cooling devices, etc., and simplification of control. It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser processing head and a laser processing apparatus capable of increasing the processing speed and the processing speed.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In a laser processing head capable of irradiating a laser beam with a substantially circular shape on a processing surface, the laser processing head has a nozzle for irradiating the processing surface with the laser light, and stands on the processing surface. It has an output-side machining head that can rotate around the normal line and an optical fiber that introduces the laser beam, and can rotate relative to the output-side machining head, and its rotation is limited. The above-mentioned problems are solved by the configuration with the input side machining head section.
[0011]
According to the present invention, even when the output-side machining head portion is rotationally driven, the input-side machining head portion can be rotated relative to the output-side machining head portion and its rotation is limited. In addition, the wiring such as an optical fiber provided in the input side processing head portion is not twisted or entangled, and it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the wiring. In addition, since it is not necessary to take into consideration the twisting and entanglement of the wiring during laser processing, the control of the laser processing head can be simplified and the processing speed can be improved.
[0012]
Therefore, for example, a CCD camera or a cooling block may be attached to the laser processing head. Even in such a case, if a CCD camera or a cooling block is provided on the input side processing head, these may be used. It is possible to prevent twisting and entanglement from occurring in the wiring of the CCD camera cable and the cooling block hose.
[0013]
If the laser processing head can be tilted with respect to the center of rotation, the focal position of the laser can be changed according to the processing shape. For example, the tilt angle of the laser processing head may be variable in the range of 0 ° to 45 °.
[0014]
Further, even if the offset distance between the intersection between the surface to be processed and the rotation center and the focal point of the laser beam is variable, the focal position of the laser can be changed according to the machining shape.
[0015]
The input side processing head unit has a collimation lens for collimating the laser light introduced from the optical fiber, and the output side processing head unit collects the collimated laser beam. A laser processing head having a processing lens that emits light may be used. In this case, the laser processing head can be separated by a parallel beam portion.
[0016]
In addition, either the input-side processing head or the output-side processing head unit condenses the collimation lens for collimating the laser beam introduced from the optical fiber and the collimated laser beam. It is good also as a laser processing head which has a processing lens to perform. In this case, since the collimation lens and the processing lens can be integrally formed, the optical characteristics of the laser processing head can be improved. In particular, when the input-side processing head has a collimation lens and a processing lens, the optical characteristics are further improved because the collimation lens and the processing lens do not rotate relative to the optical fiber. It becomes possible.
[0017]
Furthermore, it is good also as a laser processing apparatus provided with the laser processing head mentioned above.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laser processing apparatus to which a laser processing head according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIGS. 2 to 4 are a front view, a plan view, and a plan view of the laser processing apparatus, respectively. It is a side view.
[0020]
The laser processing apparatus 600 mainly includes a motor 500, a gear reduction mechanism 400, and a laser processing head 300. The motor 500, the gear reduction mechanism 400, and the laser processing head 300 are installed on a base table 602. Yes. In the laser processing apparatus 600, the power output from the motor 500 is decelerated and transmitted via the gear reduction mechanism 400, and the laser processing head 300 is rotationally driven.
[0021]
The motor 500 is installed on the motor installation base 603 with the motor shaft 502 facing the base base 602 (lower side in the figure). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the motor shaft 502 is rotatable about an axis L1, and the motor shaft 502 includes a first spur gear (hereinafter simply referred to as a first spur gear) of a gear reduction mechanism 400 described later. 402 is connected via a parallel key 502a.
[0022]
An anti-rotation plate 606 that supports one end of the laser processing head 300 is extended through a guide rail 608 on the side surface 604 a of the casing 604 that covers the periphery of the motor 500. The detent plate 606 is movable along the guide rail 608 in the H1 direction in FIG.
[0023]
The gear reduction mechanism 400 is referred to as a first spur gear 402, a second spur gear (hereinafter simply referred to as a second spur gear) 404, and a third spur gear (hereinafter simply referred to as a third spur gear). ) 406. These first to third spur gears 402, 404, and 406 are arranged in parallel on the base table 602 at a predetermined interval.
[0024]
The first spur gear 402 can rotate around the shaft center L1 together with the motor shaft 502.
[0025]
The second spur gear 404 is a gear having a larger diameter than the first spur gear 402 and is attached to a rotating shaft 414 that is rotatably supported by a disc 416. The second spur gear 404 can mesh with the first spur gear 402 and can rotate about the axis L2 as the first spur gear 402 rotates.
[0026]
The third spur gear 406 is a ring-shaped gear having a diameter larger than that of the second spur gear 402 and is connected by a bolt 412 on a conical presser cone 408 rotatably supported by a cross roller bearing 410. Yes. The third spur gear 406 can mesh with the second spur gear 404, and can rotate about the axis L3 as the second spur gear 404 rotates. A laser processing head 300 is passed through the hollow portions 406 a and 408 a of the third spur gear 406 and the presser cone 408, and the laser processing head 300 is fixed to a uniaxial stage 610 installed on the third spur gear 406. ing.
[0027]
Next, the laser processing head 300 will be described in detail.
[0028]
The laser processing head 300 includes an output side processing head 100 and an input side processing head 200.
[0029]
The output-side processing head 100 includes a processing lens 104 that condenses laser light, and a nozzle 102 that irradiates the processed surface W1 (see FIG. 4) with the condensing laser light. Further, a bearing case 106 on which a bearing 108 can be installed is provided on the output side machining head 100, and a part of the input side machining head portion 200 is provided in the bearing case 106 via the bearing 108. It can be stored.
[0030]
On the other hand, the input-side processing head unit 200 includes an optical fiber 204 for introducing laser light and a collimation lens 202 for collimating the laser light introduced from the optical fiber 204. Further, the input-side machining head portion 200 can be moved integrally with the anti-rotation plate 606 in the H1 direction in FIG. 1 and along the inner peripheral hole 606a of the anti-rotation plate 606 in the H2 direction in FIG. Is also movable. Further, the tip end portion 200a of the input side processing head portion 200 is supported by the rotation preventing plate 606 in a state where its own rotation is limited. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip portion 200 a is formed with a two-sided width convex portion 200 a 1 that is chamfered in parallel from a cylindrical shape, and the two-sided width convex portion 200 a 1 is formed on the anti-rotation plate 606. It has a structure fitted in the inner peripheral hole 606a. 5 is a view showing the periphery of the tip end portion 200a of the input-side machining head 200 as viewed from the direction of the arrow V in FIG.
[0031]
Further, in this example, a cooling block 302 and a CCD camera 304 are respectively installed on the input side processing head unit 200 of the laser processing head 300, and a hose (not shown) for supplying cooling water to the cooling block 302 is provided. The camera cable 304 a is connected to the CCD camera 304.
[0032]
A part of the input side machining head part 200 is accommodated in a bearing case 106 of the output side machining head part 100, and the input side machining head part 200 is rotatably supported by a bearing 108. Therefore, the input-side machining head unit 200 can rotate relative to the output-side machining head unit 100, and is integrated with the output-side machining head 100 around the normal line L3 set on the workpiece surface W1. Can be rotated.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 4, the laser processing head 300 can be tilted with respect to the normal line (rotation center) L3. In this example, the tilt angle R1 is variable in the range of 0 ° to 45 °. In addition, the offset distance E1 between the intersection point P1 between the processing surface W1 and the normal line (rotation center) L3 and the focal point P2 of the laser beam is variable.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the laser processing apparatus 600 will be described.
[0035]
When the motor 500 is energized, the motor shaft 502 of the motor 500 and the first spur gear 402 connected to the motor shaft 502 are rotationally driven about the axis L1. The rotation of the first spur gear 402 is reduced and transmitted by the second and third spur gears 404 and 406. Finally, the laser processing head 300 is driven to rotate about the normal line L3 set up on the processing surface W1 via the uniaxial stage 610 installed on the third spur gear 406. As a result, the focal point P2 of the laser light emitted from the nozzle 102 draws a predetermined circular locus or the like on the processing surface W1. The input-side machining head portion 200 moves in the H1 direction or the H2 direction in FIG. 1 as the output-side machining head 100 rotates, but the tip portion 200a on which the two-surface width convex portion 200a1 is formed. Since it is fitted in the inner peripheral hole 606a of the rotation stop plate 606, its own rotation is limited.
[0036]
According to the laser processing head 300 according to the example of the embodiment of the present invention, the input-side processing head unit 200 can rotate relative to the output-side processing head unit 100 even when the output-side processing head unit 100 is rotationally driven. In addition, since the rotation of itself is restricted, the optical fiber 204 provided in the input side processing head unit 100, the camera cable 304a, the wiring such as the hose of the cooling block 302 is not twisted or entangled, It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the wiring. Moreover, since it is not necessary to consider the twisting and entanglement of the wiring during laser processing, the control of the laser processing head 300 can be simplified and the processing speed can be improved.
[0037]
The laser processing head 300 can be tilted with respect to the normal line (rotation center) L3, the tilt angle R1 is variable in the range of 0 ° to 45 °, and the surface to be processed W1 and the normal line. Since the offset distance E1 between the intersection point P1 with the (rotation center) L3 and the focal point P2 of the laser beam is variable, the position of the focal point P2 of the laser can be changed according to the machining shape.
[0038]
In the above embodiment, the input-side machining head unit 200 has the collimation lens 202 and the output-side machining head unit 100 has the machining lens 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent.
[0039]
Therefore, for example, either the input side processing head 200 or the output side processing head unit 100 may have a structure including the collimation lens 202 and the processing lens 102. In this case, the collimation lens 202 and the processing lens 102 are integrated. Therefore, the optical characteristics of the laser processing head can be improved. In particular, when the input-side processing head 200 has a structure including the collimation lens 202 and the processing lens 102, the collimation lens 202 and the processing lens 102 do not rotate relative to the optical fiber 204. Improvement of optical characteristics can be realized.
[0040]
Further, the shape or the like of the laser processing head 300 is not limited to that shown in the drawing, and the laser processing head has a nozzle for irradiating the processing surface with the laser beam, and the processing target An output-side machining head portion that can be rotated about a normal line that stands on the surface as a rotation center, and an optical fiber that introduces the laser beam, and is rotatable relative to the output-side machining head portion, What is necessary is just to comprise with the input side process head part by which rotation was restrict | limited.
[0041]
Further, the laser processing head 300 can be tilted with respect to the normal line (rotation center) L3, the tilt angle R1 is variable in the range of 0 ° to 45 °, and the processing surface W1 and the normal line. Although the offset distance E1 between the intersection point P1 with the (rotation center) L3 and the focal point P2 of the laser beam is variable, the present invention is not limited to this.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, laser processing capable of preventing deterioration of wiring due to twisting or entanglement of optical fibers, cameras, cooling devices, etc., and simplifying control and improving processing speed, etc. A head and a laser processing apparatus can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a perspective view of a laser processing apparatus to which a laser processing head according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a front view of the laser processing apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the laser processing apparatus in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the laser processing apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a view showing the periphery of the tip of the input side processing head as viewed from the direction of the arrow V in FIG.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Output side processing head part 102 ... Nozzle 104 ... Processing lens 106 ... Bearing case 108 ... Bearing 200 ... Input side processing head part 200a ... Tip part 200a1 of input side processing head part ... Two-surface width convex part 202 ... Collimation lens 204 ... Optical fiber 300 ... Laser processing head 302 ... Cooling block 304 ... CCD camera 304 ... Camera cable 400 ... Gear reduction mechanism 402, 404, 406 ... First, second and third spur gears 408 ... Presser cone 410 ... Cross roller bearing 414 ... Rotary shaft 416 ... Disc 500 ... Motor 502 ... Motor shaft 502a ... Parallel key 600 ... Laser processing device 602 ... Base stand 603 ... Motor installation stand 604 ... Casing 606 ... Non-rotation plate 608 ... Guide rail 610 ... Single axis stage

Claims (7)

In the laser processing head capable of irradiating the processing surface with laser light in a substantially circular shape,
The laser processing head has a nozzle that irradiates the processing surface with the laser light, and an output side processing head portion that is rotatable about a normal line standing on the processing surface,
A laser comprising an optical fiber for introducing the laser light, and an input-side processing head portion that is rotatable relative to the output-side processing head portion and whose rotation is limited. Processing head. In claim 1,
A laser processing head characterized in that the laser processing head can be inclined with respect to the rotation center. In claim 2,
A laser processing head characterized in that an inclination angle of the laser processing head is variable in a range of 0 ° to 45 °. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A laser processing head characterized in that an offset distance between an intersection of the processing surface and the rotation center and a focal point of the laser beam is variable. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The input side processing head unit has a collimation lens for collimating laser light introduced from the optical fiber,
The laser processing head, wherein the output side processing head portion has a processing lens for condensing the laser beam converted into the parallel light beam. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
Either one of the input-side processing head or the output-side processing head section collimates a collimation lens for collimating the laser light introduced from the optical fiber and processing for condensing the collimated laser light A laser processing head characterized by having a lens together. A laser processing apparatus comprising the laser processing head according to claim 1.

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