Device and method for automatically changing cutting nozzles

Abstract

The device for automatically exchanging cutting nozzles (S) for cutting heads of a laser cutting machine (L), comprises a cutting head (2) comprising replaceable cutting nozzles connected with the cutting head and a nozzle changing magazine (1) arranged relative to the cutting head. The cutting head is displaceable in an X-Y plane defined by an X and a Y-direction before the nozzle change by a movement unit. The nozzle changing magazine comprises a circular magazine wheel (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) provided with holding bores for the reception of the cutting nozzles. The device for automatically exchanging cutting nozzles (S) for cutting heads of a laser cutting machine (L), comprises a cutting head (2) comprising replaceable cutting nozzles connected with the cutting head and a nozzle changing magazine (1) arranged relative to the cutting head. The cutting head is displaceable in an X-Y plane defined by an X and a Y-direction before the nozzle change by a movement unit. The nozzle changing magazine comprises a circular magazine wheel (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) provided with holding bores for the reception of the cutting nozzles. The cutting nozzles are arranged in the nozzle changing magazine, which: allows a direct withdrawal and disposal of the cutting nozzle away from the cutting head in a first magazine position and a direct entrance of the cutting nozzle into the cutting head in a second magazine position; and is rotatably arranged around a direction running parallel to the X-Y plane. The cutting head is constantly maintained in the X-Y position during the nozzle change phase and is adjustable for direct withdrawal and / or entrance of the cutting nozzle in a Z-direction running vertically to the X-Y plane. The disposal of the cutting nozzle takes place over a disposal element intended at the nozzle changing magazine. The disposal element is formed as through-bore. The cutting nozzles are arranged in a circumferential direction at the magazine wheel. The magazine wheels are arranged next to each other and form a magazine depot. The cutting nozzles are secured with a fuse element, e.g. an O-ring, with respect to falling out of the holding bores. The magazine wheel is arranged on a swiveling drive and / or support shaft, on which the magazine wheel is fastened by a clamp and / or a lock connection. The drive and / or support shaft and the magazine wheel comprise plug-on milling areas, where the plug-on milling area at the drive and / or support shaft correspond with another milling area intended in the magazine wheels. The drive and / or support shaft comprises a through-hole, whose diameter corresponds to the diameter of the disposal opening, and which is aligned with the disposal opening. A container and / or a drawer for collecting decontaminated cutting nozzles are arranged in the area of the disposal opening. The nozzle changing magazine is formed as carrier component, in which a bar is formed. An independent claim is included for method for automatically exchanging cutting nozzles.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device for automatically changing cutting nozzles. The invention also relates to a method for automatically changing cutting nozzles. Background technique [0002] Depending on the plate thickness, material and cutting process (eg gas cutting / fusion cutting), different types of cutting nozzles have to be fitted into the cutting head of the cutting equipment. These cutting nozzles are manually replaced or screwed on in the prior art. However, manual replacement of the cutting nozzles is associated with relatively long operating interruptions of the cutting installation. [0003] However, nozzle changing systems for automatic changing of cutting nozzles, in particular for cutting heads of laser cutting machines, are also known. Thus, for example EP1602438A2 shows a nozzle replacement system in which the cutter head has to be moved to different locations during replacement in order to remove the nozzle to be replaced from the...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

It can be noted that the common disadvantages of the known nozzle exchange systems are that the costs are too high and the long exchange times prevent the desired increase in productivity

Furthermore, the known systems are technically very complex and thus tend to be prone to failure

[0004] Another disadvantage lies in the fact that the required nozzles removed from the cutter head are re-transported back into the nozzle replacement magazine in known nozzle replacement systems, so that the nozzles to be removed in the next step must be taken into account status to avoid mistakenly reinstalling already used nozzles into the cutter head

[0005] Consequences complicate the system for process accuracy or detection of individual nozzles

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