WO2013158052A1

WO2013158052A1 - Laser processing machine with at least one sensor on a movable part of the machine

Info

Publication number: WO2013158052A1
Application number: PCT/TR2013/000118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tayfun SIĞIRTMAÇ
Original assignee: Coşkunöz Metalform Maki̇ne Endüstri̇ Ve Ti̇caret A.Ş.
Priority date: 2012-04-17
Filing date: 2013-04-16
Publication date: 2013-10-24
Also published as: TR201204441A2

Abstract

The present application relates to a laser processing machine (10), in particular a laser cutting machine, which comprises a body (11), a cantilever which extends from the body (11) in a specific angle and a movable part (70) is provided on the cantilever which has a laser group. Said Laser processing machine (10) comprises means to provide determining the movement parameters changes during the movable part (70) working, at least one sensor provided on the movable part (70), and a control unit which is connected to the sensor for controlling the laser processing machine (10).

Description

SPECIFICATION

LASER PROCESSING MACHINE WITH AT LEAST ONE SENSOR ON A MOVABLE PART OF THE MACHINE TECHNICAL FIELD

A laser processing machine which comprises a body, a cantilever which extends from the body in a specific angle and a movable part is provided on the cantilever which has a laser group.

PRIOR ART

Laser processing machines are using in a widespread manner in many fields of industry. Laser processing machine is used for different purposes like; forming a workpiece by cutting, assembling two work pieces by welding, vulcanization of a workpiece, surface coating or surface marking of a workpiece. Laser processing machine is working in the way that a laser head is sending a laser beam to a workpiece in a predetermined distance, in a predetermined machining route. Laser cutting machine, is a type of laser processing machine, is cleave according to positioning of laser head; cantilever type and gantry type. In cantilever type laser cutting machine laser head is provided on a cantilever which is provided on a body and which is extended in a predetermined angle from the body. The cantilever can move on the body. In a similar way the laser head can move on the cantilever. Various difficulties occur when the laser head is processing on the workpiece. During the processing; stops or rotations of the laser head causes vibration of the laser head on cantilever. This situation causes quality deteriorations on manufacturing of the workpiece. For preventing quality deterioration parameters (speed, acceleration, jerk, gain etc.), are related to the laser head movement, are have to optimized.

A method for optimization of laser head movement is disclosed at patent application reference number JP200612 939A. In the related method provides; firstly identifying image of the workpiece, calculating the processing route according to the laser head location and determining the laser head speedup and slowdown areas. In the related application identifying of the workpiece image is carried out by a displaying device. This method reveals the need of a powerful processor and a high definition displaying device for the laser cutting machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a laser processing machine with a new kind of laser head, in order to eliminate the abovementioned problems and to bring new advantages to the related technical field.

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a laser processing machine which provides minimizing the vibration occurring on the laser head by according to be received parameters from sensors which provided on laser head.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a laser processing machine which provides cutting process on the workpiece in the same standard of quality. In order to realize all of the abovementioned purpose and the objects which are to be obtained from the detailed description below, the present invention a laser processing machine, in particular a laser cutting machine, which comprises a body, a cantilever which extends from the body in a specific angle and a movable part is provided on the cantilever which has a laser group. Said laser processing machine is characterized by comprising to provide determining the movement parameters changes during the movable part working; at least one sensor is provided on movable part and a control unit which is connected to the sensor for controlling the laser processing machine.

In a preferred embodiment of the subject matter invention, there is at least one of the sensor is provided on the cantilever.

In another preferred embodiment of the subject matter invention, there is at least one of the sensor is provided on the laser group. In another preferred embodiment of the subject matter invention, the sensor is kind of an accelerometer sensor. By means of, instant acceleration changes and related other movement parameters which occurs on movable group can be determined.

In another preferred embodiment of the subject matter invention, the laser group which comprises a body, at least one drive element which is connected to the body and a laser head is provided continuation of the drive element. In another preferred embodiment of the subject matter invention, the sensor is provided on the laser head. By means of, movement parameter changes can be determined at the closest location to workpiece. In another preferred embodiment of the subject matter invention, the laser processing machine comprises a control unit which is able to connect to a network. By means of, the laser processing machine can be optimized manual or automatically when necessary.

A control method for machining the workpiece with the aid of the laser processing machine which comprises a body, a cantilever which extends from the body in a specific angle and a movable part is provided on the cantilever which has a laser group, a sensor which is provided on the movable part and which is connected to a control unit. Said control method is characterized by comprising the steps of:

a) Positioning a workpiece on a workbench,

b) The control unit sends signal to the laser group for start to move,

c) The laser head arrives to starting point of route,

d) The laser head starts machining related to in line with data's coming from the sensors and move in predetermined tolerance (i) value,

e) The control unit sends signal to the laser group for slowdown speed, or for stop the move.

Said control method also comprises the following steps:

f) The laser head starts to move next machining route starting point after the complete first machining,

g) After the laser head arrives the starting point, it waits until the oscillation reaches in predetermined tolerance (i) value related to in line with data's coming from the sensors,

h) When the oscillation which occurs on the laser head, reaches in predetermined tolerance (i) value the control unit sends signal to the laser group for start machining again.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 , the general view of the laser cutting machine is given.

In Figure 2, the view of the movable part which is provided on the laser cutting machine in different position is given. In Figure 3, the perspective view of the laser head and which is connected to movable part is given. In Figure 4, the profile view of the laser head is given.

In Figure 5, the different angle view of the laser head is given.

In Figure 6, the size - time chart of vibration caused by laser head stop is given

In Figure 7, the size - time chart of vibration caused by connection gaps on movable part is given.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Laser Processing Machine

1 1 Body

12 Upper Section

13 Workbench

20 Cantilever

21 Cable Carrier

30 Enclosure

40 Laser Group

41 Body

42 Drive Element

43 Drive Element

44 Lens Group

45 Laser Head

46 Cable Carrier

50 Sensor

60 Control Unit

70 Movable Part

B: First Rotation Direction of Laser Head

C: Second Rotation Direction of Laser Head

i: Desired Tolerance Value

t1 : First Term

t2: Second Term S: Move Start Command

X: Coordinate Axis

Y: Coordinate Axis

Z: Coordinate Axis

Δ: Variable Distance

THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter novelty is explained with references to examples and in the figures below without forming any restrictive effect in order to make the subject more understandable. Accordingly, the laser processing machine (10) is described which, have a sensor (50) is provided on the laser head (45), is working more efficient by optimizing movement of laser head (45).

With reference to Figure 1 , general view of the laser processing machine (10) is given. Laser processing machine (10) has a body (1 1 ) which shapes like a rectangular prism. A workbench ( 3) is positioned which is adjacent to long side of the body (1 1 ). There is a movable part (70) which is extended from upper section (12) of the body (1 1 ) to the workbench (70). The movable part (70) comprises a cantilever (20) and a laser group (40) which is connected to cantilever (20). A laser processing machine (10) is connected to a control unit (60).

With reference to Figure 2, a different angle perspective view of the laser processing machine (10) is given. There is a drive element which is provided at thereabouts where the cantilever (20) juncture region to the body (1 1 ). Cantilever (20) can able to move at upper section (12) x axis with the aid of drive element. There is a cable carrier (21 ) which begins from the cantilever (20) juncture region to the body (1 1 ) extend to edge of the cantilever (20). The cable carrier (21 ) extends parallelly to cantilever (20). With reference to Figure 3, exaggeratedly view of a laser group (40) which is provided on the cantilever (20) is given. There is a enclosure (30) around the laser group (40) to protect the laser group (40) from external factors. Laser group (40) consists of a body (41 ), a drive element (42, 43) which is provided at the edge of the body (41 ) and a laser head (45) which is connected to the drive element (42, 43). The drive elements (42, 43) are sufficiently perpendicular to according to each other. There is a lens group (44) which is provided between the drive elements (42, 43). There is a second cable carrier (46) is provided, which begins continuation of the cable carrier (21 ) extends rest of the cantilever (20) to reach inside to the body (41 ). The cable carriers (21 , 46) are carrying laser beam producing cable from inside of the body (1 1 ) to other bodies (41 ) inside. The laser group (40) can able to move at z axis with the aid of drive element. There are sensors (50) which are provided on movable part (70). The sensors (50) are determining acceleration change on the movable part (70) while it is working. The sensors (50) preferably located on the cantilever (20) or on the laser head (45). The sensor (50) located on the laser head (45) determination is more efficiently because of the laser head (45) is more close to workpiece.

With reference to figure 1 , the laser processing machine (10) is machining the workpiece, which is positioned on the workbench (13), with the aid of the laser group (40). The laser group (40) moving route can be predetermined owing to an interface which is provided in the control unit (60). The control unit (60) is checking the laser group's (40) move according to route. The laser group (40) movement control is provided by control units (60) making active or passive related drive element. For example; when the laser group (40) movement is requested at x axis, control unite (60) is activated the related drive element. When the cantilever (20) is moved requested amount at x axis, control unit (60) deactivates related drive element and stop movement of the cantilever (20). The drive elements (42, 43) which are located on laser group (40) are providing send a laser beam to workpiece in a predetermined angle. The first drive element (42) is rotating the laser head (45) in specific direction (C) to provide make predetermined an angle at z axis. The second drive element (43) is rotating the laser head (45) in specific direction (B) to provide make predetermined an angle at y axis. If the laser head (45) needs work faster, more than one drive element can be activated. By this way the laser head (45) can be move in a coordinated at specific directions (B, C) and at x, y, z axis.

With reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5, laser processing machine (10) is performed the workpiece machining by sending laser beam on workpiece from the laser head (45). The laser head (45) reaches to starting point of the route at maximum movement speed. After reaching to starting point, the laser head (45) doesn't start machining the workpiece until the vibrations which occurs on the laser head (45) reaches predetermined tolerance (i) value. The laser heads (45) movement according to route on the workpiece is provided by the movable part (70). During the laser head (45) machining the workpiece, the moveable part (70) stops according to the route causes a vibration originated quality problems. Especially when the cantilever (20) stops after movement at predetermined direction at predetermined distance causes undesired vibration at the laser head (45). The vibration on the laser head (45) leads to send the laser beam to workpiece in a variable distance (Δ) value. The sensors (50) located on the movable part (70) are determining the increasing or decreasing acceleration which occurs on the laser head (45) and send them to the control unit (60). In line with data coming from the sensors (50) oscillation amplitude, damping time etc. parameters which occurs on the laser head (45) is determined. In parallel with, before machining the workpiece at first set up and adjustment steps the laser head (45) movement optimization is done. Optimization of the laser head (45); is perceptible adjustment of movement parameters of axis (x, y, z) and rotating directions (B, C) with driving units. Under favor of optimization of the laser head (45); the laser head's (45) movement is provided with an acceptable vibration level parameters on workpiece machining route. At the same time controlling the movement parameters are providing the laser head (45) can make invariably same machining quality.

Another function of the sensors (50) is determinate gaps which occur on the movable part (70) with time. During the movable part (70) work, on the junction point between cantilever

(20) and the laser group (40) gaps are occurred due to wear, fatigue and slackening on fittings. Said gaps cause undesired vibrations on the laser head (45).

With reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7, time related chart of oscillation which occur on the laser head (45) depend of the laser group (40) stops. With reference to Figure 6 time related chart of oscillation which occurs on the laser head (45) is given when there are no gaps on junction points on laser group (40). With reference to Figure 7 time related chart of oscillation which occurs on the laser head (45) is given when there are gaps on junction points on laser group (40). If there are no gaps on the laser group (40) oscillation which occurs on the head (45) is damping faster. According to this, the laser head (45) reaches to predetermined tolerance (i) value in shorter time (t1 ). If there are gaps on the laser group (40) oscillation which occurs on the head (45) is damping longer time. According to this, the laser head (45) reaches to predetermined tolerance (i) value in longer time (t2). In line with data's coming from the sensors (50) to the control unit (60); the control unit (60) sends start signal to the laser head (45) for machining when oscillation reaches to predetermined tolerance (i) value. By this way it provides improve quality of machining and damping the oscillation on the laser head (45).

The control unit (60) records parameters with limit values like acceleration, turning force etc. related with movement which occurs on the laser head (45) to be used for reference. The control unit (60) controls movement of the laser head (45) constantly, related to recorded parameters. By this way, provides the laser head (45) can move in predetermined tolerance (i) value at the machining route. The control unit (60) will optimize the laser head (45) movement related to the recorded parameters when oscillation which occurs on the laser head (45), exceed the limit of predetermined tolerance (i) value. The optimizing of the laser head (45) movement can be done by an operator entering the movement parameters to the control unit (60) manually. Alternatively the laser processing machine (10) optimization can be done by the help of the control unit (60) which can connect to network. The control unit (60) can receive an appropriate parameter from a data bank by connecting network, related to in line with data's coming from the sensors (50).

Claims

1. A laser processing machine (10), in particular a laser cutting machine, which comprises a body ( 1 ), a cantilever (20) which extends from the body (1 1 ) in a specific angle and a movable part (70) is provided on the cantilever (20) which has a laser group (40) characterized by comprising to provide determining the movement parameters changes during the movable part (70) working; at least one sensor (50) is provided on movable part (70) and a control unit (60) which is connected to the sensor (50) for controlling the laser processing machine (10).

2. A laser processing machine (10) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of the sensor (50) is provided on the cantilever (20).

3. A laser processing machine (10) according to Claim 1 and claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the sensor (50) is provided on the laser group (40).

4. A laser processing machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (50) is kind of an accelerometer sensor.

5. A laser processing machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser group (40) which comprises a body (41 ), at least one drive element (42, 43) which is connected to the body (41 ) and a laser head (45) is provided continuation of the drive element (42, 43).

6. A laser processing machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (50) is provided on the laser head (45).

7. A laser processing machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser processing machine (10) comprises a control unit (60) which is able to connect to a network.

8. A control method for machining the workpiece with the aid of the laser processing machine (10) which comprises a body (1 1 ), a cantilever (20) which extends from the body (1 1 ) in a specific angle and a movable part (70) is provided on the cantilever (20) which has a laser group (40), a sensor (50) which is provided on the movable part (70) and which is connected to a control unit (60) characterized by comprising the steps of:

a) Positioning a workpiece on a workbench (13),

b) The control unit (60) sends signal to the laser group (40) for start to move, c) The laser head (45) arrives to starting point of route,

d) The laser head (45) starts machining related to in line with data's coming from the sensors (50) and move in predetermined tolerance (i) value,

e) The control unit (60) sends signal to the laser group (40) for slowdown speed, or for stop the move.

A control method according to Claim 8, characterized by comprising the steps of: f) The laser head (45) starts to move next machining route starting point after the complete first machining,

g) After the laser head (45) arrives the starting point, it waits until the oscillation reaches in predetermined tolerance (i) value related to in line with data's coming from the sensors (50),

h) When the oscillation which occurs on the laser head (45), reaches in predetermined tolerance (i) value the control unit (60) sends signal (S) to the laser group (40) for start machining again.