Turret adapted to mount optical devices for laser machines and / or measuring machines

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a turret for laser machines and / or measuring machines, suitable for mounting at least one optical device and rotating it onto a workpiece to be processed and / or measured, said turret (10) comprising: at least one turret body, supported by said machine; at least one turret drum (120), supported by said turret body and supporting at least two devices selected from among optical, clamping, processing, measuring or vision devices; a laser scanner, mounted in whole or in part inside the turret drum of said turret; said laser scanner being able to use a laser beam having a reflection axis and generated by a laser generator external to said turret (10); said turret drum being rotationally mounted around said turret body so as to rotate to alternately align or position each device on the reflection axis of the laser beam coming from the laser scanner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The object of this invention is a turret suitable for mounting optical devices for laser machines and / or measuring machines. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, a laser scanner is a tool that can measure the position of thousands of points on the surface of a surrounding object at extremely high speeds.

[0003] Laser scanners work by utilizing the reflection of a laser beam emitted from a transmitter onto the object being measured, thus reproducing the surface shape of the object itself. Another method of operation for laser scanners is to direct the laser beam onto the workpiece to be processed. With this system, many different operations can be performed, such as engraving, ablation, welding, cutting, and localized heat treatment.

[0004] The device used to emit a laser beam is typically combined with one or two scanning mirrors. The scanning mirrors can be positioned differently so that when they are struck by the laser beam emitted by the emitting device, they redirect the laser beam onto the object to be measured or processed. The extent of the scanning area is a function of the rotation angle of the reflecting mirror.

[0005] Depending on the processing requirements, the laser beam can be received using different optical devices.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a system that can align the desired optical device with the object to be scanned or processed.

[0007] Another objective of this invention is to improve the alignment accuracy of the optical device used.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to achieve the above results in an economical and practical manner.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following description. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The objective is achieved by a turret for a laser machine and / or measuring machine, the turret being adapted to mount at least one optical device and to rotate the at least one optical device on a workpiece to be processed and / or measured, the turret comprising:

[0011] At least one turret body supported by a machine;

[0012] At least one rotating drum, said at least one rotating drum being supported by the turret body and supporting at least two devices selected from optical devices, clamping devices, processing devices, measuring devices or vision devices;

[0013] The laser scanner is installed, in whole or in part, inside the rotating drum of the aforementioned turret;

[0014] The laser scanner is capable of using a laser beam having a reflective axis and being generated by a laser generator outside the turret;

[0015] The rotating cylinder is mounted to rotate around the turret body so that each device is alternately aligned with or located on the reflection axis of the laser beam from the laser scanner.

[0016] This invention has many important advantages.

[0017] First, it enables the wide versatility of laser equipment because by using a rotating turret, the processing tools or optical devices can be positioned on the workpiece to be processed at any time as needed, greatly saving time and space, thus having a significant economic advantage.

[0018] Secondly, the present invention can achieve detection and processing accuracy that combines speed and effectiveness.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating drum has a translational motion.

[0020] Furthermore, according to another embodiment, each of the aforementioned optical device, clamping device, processing device, measuring device, or vision device is mounted on an ultra-precision centering plate equipped with a zero-point indexing system.

[0021] Specifically, the rotary drum has a translational motion to enable the indexing system to engage and disengage on a centering plate, which also carries one of an optical device, a clamping device, a processing device, a measuring device, or a vision device.

[0022] Other features of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The advantages of the present invention will be apparent when reviewing the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a view of the turret according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of the turret;

[0026] Figure 3 From and Figure 2 Shot from the opposite side Figure 1 A front view of the turret;

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Side view of the turret;

[0028] Figure 5 The turret according to an embodiment of the present invention is along Figure 4 Another sectional view of plane AA;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a front view of the turret of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A front view of the turret;

[0031] Figure 8 Is with Figure 6 A sectional view of a plane parallel to the turret's axis of rotation; and

[0032] Figure 9 Is along with Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the turret's axis of rotation. Detailed Implementation

[0033] First refer to Figures 1-5 The turret used in laser machines and / or measuring machines is now described (generally indicated by reference numeral 10 in the figure).

[0034] 10 turrets around Figure 4 The axis represented by XX rotates to support optical devices or devices that may be used for machining, and to insert other types of devices into the workpiece to be machined and / or measured.

[0035] Specifically, the turret 10 includes at least one turret body supported by a laser machine and / or a measuring machine.

[0036] The turret 10 includes at least one rotating cylinder 120 supported by the turret body.

[0037] The rotating drum 120 supports at least two optical devices, clamping devices, processing devices, or measuring devices.

[0038] For more details, see the reference. Figures 1-5 The following devices can be identified and installed on the rotating drum 120, such as a color confocal sensor 20, a lens 30 with a focal length of less than 50mm, a lens 50 with a focal length of approximately 100mm, and a lens 70 with a focal length of more than 160mm.

[0039] The optical devices are angularly spaced relative to the rotating cylinder 120 of the turret 10. In this embodiment, eight different positions are provided, and the angular intervals are the same. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments of the invention, the angles of such devices on the turret 10 are not necessarily the same.

[0040] In addition to the optical devices and the rotating cylinder 120 that always maintains a certain angular distance from the turret 10, there are also some processing devices, such as the three-dimensional mechanical probe 60, the laser cutting head 40, and the pneumatic clamp 100.

[0041] Therefore, generally speaking, the rotary drum 120 supports at least two devices, which may be optical devices, clamping devices, processing devices, measuring devices, or vision devices.

[0042] These optical devices, clamping devices, processing devices, measuring devices, or vision devices are mounted on a centering plate 90 equipped with an indexing system that precisely limits their position in all degrees of freedom (3 translations plus 3 rotations).

[0043] There is also a laser scanner that is either wholly or partially installed inside the rotating cylinder 120 of the turret 10.

[0044] This type of laser scanner may include a galvanometer scanner.

[0045] The laser scanner is capable of using a laser beam generated by a laser generator outside the turret 10.

[0046] It can also be equipped with a camera that operates automatically and does not require a laser scanner.

[0047] The laser scanner is capable of using a laser beam, wherein the laser beam has a reflective axis, and wherein the laser beam is generated by a laser generator outside the turret 10.

[0048] As for the rotating drum 120, it has translational motion.

[0049] Specifically, the translational movement of the rotating drum 120 can engage and disengage the indexing system on the centering plate 90, which also carries one of the optical or measuring devices.

[0050] Furthermore, the rotating cylinder 120 is rotatably mounted around the turret body so as to rotate around axis X, thereby causing each optical device to alternately align with or be located on the aforementioned reflection axis of the laser beam from the laser scanner.

[0051] Specifically, the translational movement of the turret 10 is generated by the drive motor 160 along the corresponding translational guide rail 150 and utilizes the slider 110.

[0052] In addition, the rotating cylinder 120 is mounted to rotate around the turret body so that each optical element is aligned with the reflection of the laser beam from the laser scanner.

[0053] In the absence of an optical device, the rotation of the drum 120 will bring the device to a working position in front of the workpiece.

[0054] Specifically, the rotation of the drum 120 relative to the turret body is achieved by the pinion 130 and the internal gear 135, and takes advantage of the presence of the bearing 140.

[0055] The laser beam is adjusted by the adjustment system 180 and emitted through channel 190 (see...). Figure 3 ).

[0056] In the turret 10, each of the aforementioned optical devices is placed on a corresponding indexing plate 90, which is capable of positioning the aforementioned optical device below the scanner in a precise and repeatable manner.

[0057] Indexing plate 90 is combined with its respective preferred pneumatically driven indexing interface.

[0058] Figures 6-9 A turret according to an optional embodiment of the present invention is depicted.

[0059] In particular, Figures 6-7 The confocal sensor 20, mechanical probe 60, and indexing plate 90 can be seen in the image.

[0060] Figure 8 Is along with Figures 6-7 A cross-sectional view of a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the turret, in which the bearing 140 that allows the turret to rotate can be seen.

[0061] Figure 9 Is along with Figures 6-7 A cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret, in which the translation guide 150 and the indexing plate 90 are particularly prominent.

[0062] Generally, in the context of this invention, lasers are primarily used for processing rather than for measurement.

[0063] Whenever it is needed for measurement, it can be combined with a probe that is acquired in a rigid and precise manner by an indexing system.

[0064] The second possibility is to position the camera correctly to measure the image.

[0065] Alternatively, the camera can be positioned upstream of the scanner, and the reflected image can be used.

[0066] This allows the magnifying glass to be mounted on the flat plate at the output end, thus achieving higher precision.

[0067] In addition, the rotating drum should preferably be equipped with an airtight sealing element.

[0068] Compressed air is injected through a special inflation device to ensure the airtightness of the rotating drum. In this way, the pressure generated inside the rotating drum prevents foreign objects from entering.

[0069] Obviously, modifications or improvements may be made to the invention as required by chance or special reasons without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

1. A turret (10) for a laser machine and / or measuring machine, the turret (10) being adapted to mount at least one optical device and rotate the at least one optical device to a position corresponding to a workpiece to be processed and / or measured, the turret (10) comprising: At least one turret body, said at least one turret body being supported by the laser machine and / or measuring machine; At least one rotating drum (120), said at least one rotating drum (120) is supported by the turret body and supports at least two devices selected from optical devices, clamping devices, processing devices, measuring devices or vision devices; A laser scanner, which is wholly or partially installed inside the rotating cylinder of the turret; The laser scanner is capable of using a laser beam having a reflective axis and being generated by a laser generator outside the turret (10); The aforementioned rotating cylinder (120) is rotatably mounted around the turret body so that the rotation causes each device to alternately align with or be located on the aforementioned reflection axis of the laser beam from the aforementioned laser scanner.

2. The turret (10) as described in claim 1, wherein, The rotating drum has a translational motion.

3. The turret (10) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each of the aforementioned optical devices, clamping devices, processing devices, measuring devices, or vision devices is mounted on a centering plate (90) equipped with an indexing system.

4. The turret (10) as described in claim 3, wherein, The aforementioned rotary drum has translational motion so that the indexing system can engage and disengage on the centering plate (90), which also carries one of the optical device, clamping device, processing device, measuring device, or vision device.

5. The turret (10) as described in claim 1, wherein, Multiple optical devices are provided, each of which is angularly spaced from the rotating cylinder (120) of the turret (10).

6. The turret (10) as described in claim 2, wherein, The optical device is selected from the group consisting of a color confocal sensor (20), a lens (30) with a focal length less than 50 mm, a lens (50) with a focal length of 100 mm, a lens (70) with a focal length greater than 160 mm, and a camera (15).

7. The turret (10) as described in claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned rotating drum is equipped with an airtight sealing element.

8. The turret (10) as described in claim 7, wherein, The airtightness of the rotating drum is ensured by injecting compressed air through a special inflation device, so that the pressure generated inside the drum does not allow foreign objects to enter.

9. The turret (10) as described in claim 1, wherein, A three-dimensional mechanical probe (60), a laser cutting head (40), and a pneumatic clamp (100) are installed and mounted at the corresponding angular positions of the rotating cylinder (120) of the turret (10).

10. The turret (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The rotation of the aforementioned drum (120) relative to the turret body is performed by the pinion (130) and the internal gear (135).

11. The turret (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The translational movement of the turret (10) is generated by the drive motor (160) along the corresponding translational guide rail (150).

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