Laser cutting machine and method for continuously cutting metal sheets and separating workpieces from waste materials in laser cutting machine

By using software-controlled rotating load-bearing elements and dynamically moving conveyors in the laser cutting machine, automatic separation and collection of workpieces and waste are achieved, solving the equipment integration and pollution problems in the existing technology and improving cutting efficiency and stability.

CN120641238APending Publication Date: 2025-09-12EAGLE POWER JANUSZ MARCIN EJMA
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202380081568.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-11-25
Filing Date
2023-11-17
Publication Date
2025-09-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing equipment and methods for laser cutting metal plates do not constitute an integrated unified structure including a unloading area, a cutting area, and a cut material collection area. They cannot separate and collect workpieces and waste without stopping the machine, and are easily damaged by high temperature and dust pollution.

Method used

The loading conveyor and internal conveyor are slidably mounted on the linear guide inside the cutting machine body, equipped with rotating load-bearing elements, and moved in the X and Y directions through software control. Combined with the dynamic movement of the cutting head in the X, Y and Z directions, the workpieces and waste are automatically separated and collected.

Benefits of technology

It realizes the continuous separation and collection of workpieces and waste materials, reduces manual work, improves the efficiency and stability of the cutting process, and avoids damage to the equipment due to high temperature and dust pollution.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The object of the invention is to provide a laser cutting machine for cutting metal sheets, in particular unwound from a coil or automatically fed in the form of a single sheet, and a method for cutting and separating scrap and workpieces in a laser cutting machine. The cutting machine comprises a loading conveyor (2) and an internal conveyor (5) moving linearly in the X-axis direction with rotating load-bearing elements (23, 53) with slots therebetween; a head unit with a control system, which dynamically moves along X, Y, Z axes above the sheet material in the trough region (C) according to set software, at least one side gripper (3) is slidably mounted on at least one side of the main body, and an inner conveyor (5) is detachably connected to an unloading conveyor (10), which is a separate module directly connected to the inner conveyor (5), and linearly moves on both sides in the X direction due to the linear driving of the inner conveyor (2). An extraction unit (7) is present in the working area below the loading conveyor (2) and the inner conveyor (5). The cutting machine comprises at least one module for collecting the sorted workpieces and / or scraps, which is the location where these workpieces and / or scraps are discharged from the bearing elements of a linear conveyor of the cutting machine operating along the X-axis. All stages and operations occurring in the machine are automated and controlled by external software, i.e. Sheet metal movement, laser cutting, load conveyor movement and rotation, internal conveyor movement and rotation, workpiece separation, skeleton separation, scrap separation occur simultaneously without stopping the machine.
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Description

[0001] The object of the invention is a laser cutting machine for cutting metal sheets, in particular unwound from a coil or automatically fed in sheets, and a method for continuous laser cutting of metal sheets and separation of waste from workpieces in such a cutting machine.

[0002] Known laser cutting machines are structures that include elements and units that allow material to be loaded and moved toward the cutting area, elements and components that implement the cutting process, and a structure that allows for the collection of workpieces and waste after cutting. The cutting head is the essential operating element in the cutting area of ​​a laser cutting machine. It essentially consists of a nozzle, a lens, and a focus tracking system. The cutting head of a laser cutting machine moves along a programmed cutting path, with precision and speed being among the machine's essential parameters. Laser power significantly influences cutting thickness, cutting speed, cutting width, and cut quality. Generally, higher laser power results in greater cutting depth and faster cutting speed. The cutting head is suspended from a gantry / crossbeam. The gantry unit, carrying the cutting head and control system, moves over the surface of the material being cut, which is placed on a table / conveyor. Metal sheets, either unwound from a coil or automatically fed in single sheets, are placed on the table / conveyor. The cutting head moves in the X and Y directions, but known solutions also allow it to move in the Z direction, where the X axis of the cutting machine is defined along the longest side from the material inlet to the finished product outlet, the Y axis of the cutting machine is defined along the short side of the machine, and the Z axis of the cutting machine is defined as the height of the machine from the bottom to the top. The Z axis allows the height / thickness of the metal sheet to be processed to be adjusted.

[0003] The essential element of this system in the loading and feeding area of ​​the cut material is the cutting table, onto which the material is loaded. Smaller worktables, made of cast iron or aluminum, are fixed structures that support the material being cut during the cutting process. They do not have any attached rotating modules. After the cutting process, the workpiece and waste are collected by the operator or by additional equipment such as a robot. In larger cutting machines, the worktable is a conveyor mounted in the machine body guide.

[0004] Known laser cutting machines are equipped with an operator station for conducting, monitoring, and controlling the entire process, as well as essential peripheral modules for ensuring the operation of the machine: the laser radiation source, a laser source cooler, and a dust extraction system for the cutting chamber. Furthermore, these machines are equipped with a laser beam transmission system, through which the light beam generated in the source is transmitted to the cutting head via a fiber optic system.

[0005] The equipment also uses a CNC system to control the operation of all modules and components, such as the loading and unloading system, laser output control along the X, Y, and Z axes and cutting head feed control, as well as the sheet alignment system, a system for automatic loading and unloading of metal sheets (unrolled from coils or automatically fed in single sheets), and a system for automatic unloading of finished workpieces and scrap.

[0006] Cutting machines also utilize a cooling system for the laser generator, converting electrical energy into light. The remaining energy is converted to heat, dissipating excess heat to ensure uniform laser operation and stable operation of the beam transmission system, while preventing lens deformation and breakage due to overheating. Existing cutting machines utilize air or water cooling systems. The cutting process generates smoke and dust, which not only affects cutting quality but also the health of the operator. Therefore, cutting machines are equipped with automatic smoke and dust removal systems.

[0007] Most known cutting machines have complex structures.

[0008] The EAGLE laser cutting system consists of two worktables resting on a metal sheet formed inside the main body in the form of a cam, with rollers moving on the cam. The worktables' hollowed-out load-bearing platform (on which the metal sheet rests) is formed by a metal comb. The metal sheet rests against the end of the comb, and the worktables move toward the cutting area, where a gantry unit with a cutting head slides in the X, Y, and Z directions. The essential components responsible for the system's feed (including the movement of the platform supporting the worktables) are motors (such as stepper motors or servo motors) and chains attached to the worktables. The worktables alternate positions, always following the same path. This means that as worktable one rises, worktable two slides horizontally beneath it. After the swap, worktable two becomes worktable one, and vice versa. The cutting method of this cutting machine is based on two worktables, whose positions are changed by moving one over the other. A full sheet of metal is loaded onto the first worktable on the comb. At this point, the second worktable is already in the machine. During the cutting process, the worktables remain stationary. The cutting process is carried out above the second workbench, wherein the cutting head moves along the X, Y, and Z axes, while the metal sheet with the workbench does not move.When cutting the metal sheet on workbench one, the process of unloading the finished cut workpiece and then loading a new sheet occurs.

[0009] Table replacement involves the tables passing each other in the middle of their path, with table one being raised on a cam and table two sliding horizontally underneath table one. After complete movement, table one returns to its horizontal position. Depending on the type of machine, the unloading or loading process can be manual or automatic. In the known device described, cutting is carried out above fixed table elements in the form of metal combs, which experience unintentional undercuts during the cutting process, and metal fragments accumulate between the combs. In addition, it is possible to weld the ends of the metal combs to the metal sheet, as well as to change the properties of the metal sheet in the areas in contact with the metal combs. The cutting process requires stopping the sheet feeding process and is only suitable for cutting single sheets.

[0010] Polish patent specification PL 227075 B1 discloses an apparatus for laser cutting sheet metal unwound from a coil. The apparatus comprises a table on which a web of sheet metal unwound from a coil moves in a continuous motion; a gantry unit equipped with a laser cutting head; and a control system, wherein the gantry unit with the cutting head slides above the table surface along two perpendicular axes in the X and Y table planes. The table comprises a series of support rollers embedded in table guides and arranged perpendicular to the direction of transport of the sheet metal at fixed intervals not exceeding the diameter of a single support roller. The support rollers are arranged so as to be freely rotatable about their axes, and a tracking table is located in the table between the support rollers. The tracking table is equipped with a material chute for discharging the laser-treated material, and the movement of the tracking table along an axis aligned with the movement of the sheet metal is coupled to the movement of the gantry unit. The essential feature of the present invention within the apparatus category is that the support rollers are slidably mounted and move in the table guides along an axis aligned with the direction of transport of the sheet metal, and the support rollers are interconnected by flexible connections. In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the support rollers have a drive, advantageously an electric drive, controlled by a control system, which provides the support rollers with a rotational speed corresponding to the linear speed of the sheet metal. In another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the flexible connection is a tie rod, chain, cable, or rope. In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support rollers are made of a heat-resistant material, preferably steel. In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the slots in the tracking table have an adjustable width. In the apparatus, there is a single table over which the metal sheet metal unwound from the coil moves. The load-bearing platform of the table is formed by rotating rollers mounted in the table guide perpendicular to the direction of travel of the sheet metal. A slot, referred to as the tracking table, is provided between the rollers for discharging the laser-treated material. The movement of the tracking table along an axis aligned with the movement of the metal sheet is linked to the movement of the gantry unit, so that the support rollers slide in the table guide along an axis aligned with the direction of transport of the metal sheet metal.

[0011] Also known from Polish invention specification PL 227075 B1 is a method for laser cutting a metal sheet unwound from a coil, comprising the following steps:

[0012] a) Place the metal strip on the workbench,

[0013] b) The sheet metal strip is moved in a continuous motion along the surface of a table which is a series of bearing mounted support rollers arranged perpendicular to the direction of transport of the sheet metal at regular intervals no greater than the diameter of a single support roller.

[0014] c) moving a gantry unit equipped with a laser cutting head above the work table surface, d) moving a tracking table equipped with a chute for discharging the laser-treated material, arranged between support rollers,

[0015] e) Using a laser beam emitted from a laser cutting head to cut a desired pattern set by a control system, steps (b), (c), (d), and (e) are performed simultaneously, and the movement of the tracking table along an axis consistent with the movement of the plate is linked to the movement of the gantry unit.

[0016] The essential feature of this method is that support rollers, embedded in the table guides and connected by flexible connections, slide along axes aligned with the sheet metal conveying direction, and the gantry unit moves over the entire table surface. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support rollers have drives, advantageously electric drives, controlled by a control system, which provide the support rollers with a rotational speed corresponding to the linear velocity of the sheet metal. In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flexible connections are tie rods, chains, cables, or ropes. In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the slots in the tracking table have an adjustable width.

[0017] International Patent Application No. WO2012034923A describes a method for laser cutting prefabricated components and an apparatus for implementing the method. The apparatus comprises a workbench with a sliding gantry above it, upon which a laser cutting head is positioned. The gantry's design allows the laser cutting head to move along two axes, enabling laser cutting of any two-dimensional shape limited by the gantry's range of motion. The workpiece to be cut (e.g., a thin metal sheet) is placed on the workbench, resting on a hollowed-out surface with protrusions so that the sheet rests only on individual points of each protrusion. This design of the workbench surface allows for the removal of material ejected on the side opposite the laser beam's impact, preventing damage to the other surface of the cut sheet. Loading is performed using a device equipped with suction cups, which pick up the sheet and transport it to the processing area. A second set of comb-like carriers lifts all cut workpieces and frames from the processing area and moves them to an unloading area, where operators sort and collect the workpieces. This solution was unable to cut continuously fed metal sheets without stopping, and the hollowed surface was contaminated by the sprayed molten cutting material, which required a complex and time-consuming cleaning process at a later stage.

[0018] German invention specification DE102004034256 discloses a system for laser cutting thin materials. The system typically comprises two belt feeders, arranged such that a slot exists between the end of the first belt feeder and the end of the second belt feeder, thereby allowing for the removal of material released during the laser cutting process. The belt feeders are designed so that the slot can move along the conveying direction of the material strip to be processed, and this movement is synchronized with the movement of a gantry on which the laser cutting head is mounted, so that the slot always falls under the laser beam from the cutting head. The gantry with the laser cutting head provides movement in two perpendicular directions.

[0019] Technical Problem to be Solved: Existing laser cutting equipment and methods for sheet metal do not have an integrated, unified structure comprising a discharge area, a cutting area, and a cut material collection area, and do not ensure the separation of waste and workpieces, as well as the dimensional separation of waste and workpieces. In known equipment, an additional collection device or worktable is required to collect the workpieces. The conveyor table with a comb-like load-bearing platform is susceptible to burning and deterioration due to high temperatures and contamination from dust and waste generated during the cutting process. This requires frequent replacement of the load-bearing elements. Known cutting equipment and methods also do not provide for the separation and collection of workpieces and waste during the ongoing process without stopping the machine, including separating workpieces and waste into small and large pieces. They also do not automatically separate individual workpieces or waste and remove them from the cutting area during the cutting process. Sheet feeding and cutting often involve the sheet deviating from its X-axis trajectory and slipping on the conveyor's load-bearing elements, resulting in unstable sheet position on the conveyor belt during movement.

[0020] The objective of this invention is to develop a universal, integrated, fully automated, software-controlled machine and method for the continuous cutting of sheet metal, both from coils and in sheet form. This machine and method is designed to provide a continuous and stable feeding and cutting process, while ensuring the separation and collection of workpieces and scrap. All operations for material feeding, movement, cutting, separation, and removal of workpieces, scrap, and skeletons after the cutting process occur simultaneously and continuously, without requiring machine stoppage. All guides and moving elements are connected to the main body of the cutting machine and can move the sheet metal in both X-axis directions, thereby increasing process efficiency. Furthermore, this machine and method are designed to ensure the simultaneous separation of scrap and workpieces into large and small pieces, as well as the ability to separate individual workpieces and scrap without interrupting or pausing the material feeding process. The machine also features an optimally sized cutting area, three-dimensional operation of the cutting head, and the ability to use the appropriate maximum laser power for the maximum sheet thickness. Transport of the cut hollowed-out parts should be done to avoid mixing or snagging of components, ensuring smooth, uninterrupted sorting. The solution should reduce the manual work of separating and collecting workpieces and scrap to a minimum and ensure sheet metal cutting that minimizes the amount and size of scrap.

[0021] According to the present invention, a laser cutting machine for continuously cutting metal plates (in particular, unrolled from coils or automatically fed in single sheets) is characterized in that a loading conveyor slidably mounted on an internal linear guide of the cutting machine body is equipped with a rotating load-bearing element that rotates circumferentially in two directions according to set software, and behind the loading conveyor, an internal conveyor is mounted on the same guide and is equipped with a rotating load-bearing element that rotates circumferentially in two directions according to set software, and a groove forming a cutting area is present between the end of the loading conveyor and the starting point of the internal conveyor, and fixed supports with upper outer edges are present at the ends of the conveyor forming the groove, the distance between the outer edges of the supports determines the width of the cutting groove, and the cutting head unit dynamically moves on the plate in the groove area along the X, Y, and Z axes according to the set software, while at least one side clamp is slidably mounted on at least one side of the cutting machine body and rotates linearly in two directions along the X direction. The internal conveyor is detachably connected to the unloading conveyor, which is a separate module directly connected to the internal conveyor and moves linearly in two directions along the X direction due to the linear drive of the internal conveyor, and includes a rotating load-bearing element of the unloading conveyor, and in the working area below the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor, there is an extraction unit consisting of left and right extraction and collection modules, which are symmetrically arranged along the separator at the bottom of the cutting machine with rotating left and right load-bearing elements, extracting gas and dust from the air channel and the pipeline channel, wherein the cutting machine includes at least one module for collecting sorted workpieces and / or waste, which is the position where these workpieces and / or waste are discharged from the load-bearing element of the linear conveyor operating along the X axis of the cutting machine.

[0022] Advantageously, the rotating load-bearing elements of the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor are brush belts.

[0023] Advantageously, the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor are linearly driven by magnetic linear motors mounted to the inner wall of the cutter body between the guides of the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor, having a handle with a mounting plate on the side wall to which is attached a carriage cooperating with the guides of the body, which allows the conveyors to move linearly in both directions in the X direction.

[0024] Advantageously, the upper surfaces of the fixed supports of the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor are equipped with rollers that reduce the friction of the travel of the metal sheets.

[0025] Advantageously, the cutting head unit mounted on the crossbeam is linearly movable in the X direction along a cutting head guide and a crossbeam guide mounted on the cutting machine body.

[0026] Advantageously, the cutting head guide and the crossbeam guide are mounted in the body above the guides of the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor and above the gripper guide, and their drive is provided by magnetic motors of the cutting head and crossbeam located between the linear guide of the cutting head and the crossbeam guide.

[0027] Advantageously, the gripper is slidably mounted along the entire length of a linear guide mounted in the body above the linear guides of the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor, wherein the block of the magnetic motor drives the gripper between its guides.

[0028] Advantageously, the clamp is a uniform structural unit comprising, on the front side, a clamping jaw for holding the edge of the metal sheet, which jaw is located in the clamp cover and is closed or opened by an actuator; and, on the rear side, two rows of carriages on the clamp mounting plate, which cooperate with the clamp guide when moving, and the power cable clamp.

[0029] Advantageously, the clamp is mounted on only one side of the body.

[0030] Advantageously, the cutting machine is equipped with three clamping members.

[0031] Advantageously, the rotating load-bearing element of the unloading conveyor has the form of a rotating belt that rotates towards the outside of the machine, where the material is collected or discharged.

[0032] Advantageously, the load-bearing elements of the left and right conveyors of the extraction unit are steel belts.

[0033] Advantageously, the extraction channel is divided by an inner partition wall into air chambers with hinged outer walls on both sides, and a duct channel with an inlet opening extends outside the air chambers on both sides, the inlet opening being provided with a baffle located at a height corresponding to each air chamber and closed or opened using an actuator mechanism, and simultaneously extracting gas and dust from the selected chamber above which the cutting head is currently located according to the set software, wherein the outer partition wall of the air channel determines the working range of the cutting.

[0034] Advantageously, the cutting machine comprises three transverse collection modules working along the Y-axis, a first transverse module for collecting small waste being located at the end of the left conveyor of the extraction unit, a second transverse module for collecting small workpieces being located at the end of the right conveyor of the extraction unit, and a third transverse module for collecting large workpieces, large waste and skeletons being located at the end of the unloading conveyor.

[0035] Advantageously, the transverse module for collecting the workpieces and scrap is a belt conveyor, onto the bearing elements of which the workpieces and scrap respectively fall during the continuous process of cutting and separating large and small workpieces, large and small scrap and skeletons.

[0036] Advantageously, the unloading conveyor has a spiral shape, which enables a greater travel range.

[0037] The method for continuous laser cutting of metal sheets (unrolled from a coil or fed in single sheets) in a laser cutting machine is characterized in that the sheet unrolled from a coil or fed in single sheets is placed on a rotating load-bearing element of a loading conveyor, wherein the edge of the sheet is clamped by a clamping member and is moved along the X axis to the inside of the machine below the laser head together with the conveyor and the clamping member, and at the same time, an internal conveyor equipped with a rotating load-bearing element is moved to the loading conveyor in such a way that between the end of the loading conveyor equipped with a fixed support and the starting point of the internal conveyor equipped with a fixed support, there is a technical slot along the Y axis of the conveyor, which constitutes a cutting area with a width, and when the outer edge of the sheet exceeds the slot area and is located at the load-bearing element of the internal conveyor When the sheet metal is on the surface, it is supported by two fixed supports of the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor, and the laser head starts the cutting process, which takes place only in the area of ​​the cutting groove and in which the metal sheet is supported on both sides by fixed supports, while the head with the laser source and the crossbeam moves in the three directions X, Y and Z above the supported metal sheet according to the set software, and the width of the working range of the cutting and head movement determines the position of the outer partition wall of the air channel of the extraction unit, with the air chamber, in the cutter space below the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor, whereby in the first stage of cutting, small scraps are cut off and the metal sheet together with the clamping parts, the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor move along the machine in the left part of the extraction unit. The laser head moves up and down, and the laser head b starts to cut small scraps, which fall on the left conveyor of the extraction unit and are transported to the outside of the machine via a transverse collection conveyor. In the second stage of cutting, the metal plate moves along the second right part of the extraction unit with the clamping parts, the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor on the machine, and the laser head starts to cut small workpieces, which fall on the right conveyor of the extraction unit and are transported to the outside of the machine via a transverse collection conveyor. Then, large scrap WL is cut from the rest of the metal plate. The laser head continues to move on the trough, and the cut large scrap is located on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element of the internal conveyor and is further transported to the unloading conveyor integrated with the internal conveyor (the unloading conveyor The skeleton is cut from the rest of the metal sheet, wherein the cut skeleton is located on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element of the internal conveyor and is further transported to the unloading conveyor integrated with the internal conveyor with the load-bearing element (which performs the same linear movement as the internal conveyor along the X-axis) and further falls onto the lateral collection conveyor for large scrap and skeletons. The large workpiece is then cut from the rest of the metal sheet, and the cut large workpiece is located on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element of the internal conveyor and is further transported to the unloading conveyor integrated with the internal conveyor with the load-bearing element, and is further dropped onto the lateral collection conveyor for large scrap and skeletons.All phases and operations occurring in the machine are automated and controlled by external software, i.e. sheet metal movement, laser cutting, loading conveyor movement and rotation, internal conveyor movement and rotation, workpiece separation, skeleton separation, scrap separation occur simultaneously without stopping the machine.

[0038] It is advantageous to temporarily increase the rotation speed of the load-bearing elements of the internal conveyor in order to separate the cut-off large scrap, large workpieces and skeletons from the remaining metal sheet.

[0039] Advantageously, the large workpiece is placed in the skeleton, which is cut into small pieces, and after the skeleton is cut from the large workpiece, the internal conveyor accelerates its belt rotation, thereby moving the large workpiece together with the skeleton away from the metal sheet parts of the remaining large elements that have not yet been cut.

[0040] For metal sheets unwound from a coil, the cutting process may continue until there is no more sheet material left in the coil.

[0041] When the machine is not fed with sheet metal unwound from a coil, it is possible to load the prepared sheet metal onto the loading conveyor. After everything has been cut from the sheet metal, the machine returns to the loading option for a new sheet metal. All parts of the machine return to their starting point.

[0042] When cutting large workpieces, the sheet can remain stationary relative to the cutting head thanks to the appropriate selection of the travel speeds of the loading and internal conveyors in the X-axis and the rotation speed of their rotating load-bearing elements.

[0043] By means of the cutting and sorting method developed in this manner, any waste material or hollowed-out material can be cut in the apparatus forming the subject of the present invention without the risk of the elements twisting, turning or overlapping, which would make sorting difficult. The cut hollowed-out elements can be removed from the machine one by one, separated from the cut waste material and other elements.

[0044] Finished workpieces can be collected from the collection area automatically by a robot arm or by an operator.

[0045] The loading conveyor and the internal conveyor together with the gripper can carry and move the metal sheets (whether from coils or sheets) in both directions of the X axis. This allows to increase the processing dynamics and processing efficiency in the X and Y axes, which has always been the biggest challenge due to the weight of the crossbeam and cutting head.

[0046] The object of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an overall perspective view of the cutting machine as viewed from the operator's side, with the loading conveyor cover closed, and schematically marking the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis; Figure 2shows a side view of the cutting machine as viewed from the operator's side, with the cover forming the uniform body of the cutting machine and generally marking the loading, cutting and collection areas for the skeleton and workpieces; Figure 3 Depicts a top view of the equipment / cutting machine with the tilted window of the electrical cabinet and the cut workpieces / skeletons on the take-away conveyor and the loaded metal sheets on the working surface of the loading conveyor; Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of a cutting machine, schematically showing the interior with the conveyor, extraction system, and cutting head; Figure 5 shows a view of the machine components from the loading side, with the grippers and the transverse collection conveyor; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the basic module of the cutting machine is shown, wherein the clamping members stabilize the sheet fed from the coil and the cutting head in position over the cutting slot; Figure 7 shows a view of a cutting machine including an extraction unit with an extraction tube and internal mounting elements of the cutting head, a conveyor and clamping elements, and drive elements; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the clamp from the upper right with the jaws open; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the clamp from the upper right with the jaws closed; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the clamping piece from the rear, with elements for attachment to the guide piece; Figure 11 A rectangular view of the gripper unit is shown from the left side with the jaws open; Figure 12 The construction and installation of the clamp in the machine are shown in a right side view, with the jaws clamped on the metal sheet; Figure 13 A view of the machine from the loading conveyor is shown, with three clamps stabilizing the metal sheet; Figure 14 shows a view of the cutting machine with the loading conveyor and the gripper in a material loading position and with the internal conveyor and the take-away conveyor fully extended, with the first gripper in its maximum position; Figure 15 shows a view of the cutting machine with the clamps in position during operation of the machine with the inner conveyor and the take-away conveyor maximally retracted - the outer clamps holding the sheet to the inner conveyor; Figure 16 shows a view of the cutting machine with the grippers in position during operation of the machine, with the inner conveyor and the collecting conveyor maximally retracted - the outer grippers at the ends of the body and the collecting conveyor retracted; Figure 17 shows a schematic overall view of the machine, including the internal and unloading conveyors and the uncovered part of the extraction unit with the air chamber; Figure 18 Shown Figure 17 Workpiece view of the structure at the connection between the inner conveyor and the unloading conveyor; Figure 19A view of the workpiece showing the loading conveyor and the supports for the internal conveyor placed in the cutting area and the cutting head above the conveyor placed in the cutting trough; Figure 20 shows a perspective view of the extraction unit viewed from above; Figure 21 shows a schematic side view of a portion of the cutting machine structure, with the extraction unit and the loading conveyor and internal conveyor arranged above it, and the cutting head in place above the area between the conveyors; Figure 22 a schematic diagram showing the positions of the cutting head and the clamping members during loading of metal sheets from a coil;

[0047] Figure 23 a schematic diagram showing the positions of the cutting head and the clamping member during loading of a metal sheet; Figure 24 Schematic diagram showing the position of the cutting head and the clamping member and the outer edge of the metal sheet in the cutting area resting on the supports of the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor; Figure 25 Moving the metal sheet to the laser cutting area - a schematic diagram showing the position of the cutting head and clamps and the outer edge of the metal sheet in the cutting area on supports placed on the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor; Figure 26 shows a metal sheet being moved to a cutting area with its outer edge resting on a support of an internal conveyor with a cutting head opposed thereto and ready to cut on a cutting groove; Figure 27 shows the position of the conveyor head during the process of cutting off small scrap that falls on the left conveyor of the extraction unit; Figure 28 Shown in the cut as Figure 27 Schematic position of the head unit and cutting groove in the process of small scrap shown; Figure 29 shows the position of the head and conveyor during the process of cutting off a small workpiece that falls onto the right conveyor of the extraction unit; Figure 30 Shown in Figure 29 Schematic position of the head unit and cutting gap during cutting of small workpieces; Figure 31 A view of a plate with an outline of a small workpiece to be cut during cutting of the small workpiece is shown; Figure 32 Shows the position of the head and conveyor during cutting of large scrap; Figure 33 Shows the position of the head and conveyor during cutting of large scrap and separation from the unloading conveyor; Figure 34 Illustration showing a metal sheet with a large workpiece cut off and scrap during cutting of the large workpiece and alignment of the sheet; Figure 35 Shows the position of the head and conveyor during the process of cutting off large workpieces during the separation of large scrap, large workpieces and skeletons via the internal conveyor; Figure 36 shows a view of a sheet of material during the process of cutting scrap from a large workpiece; Figure 37 shows a view of the sheet material during the subsequent cutting off of large workpieces and separation of waste material by rotation of the brush belt of the internal conveyor; Figure 38 shows a view of the sheet during the process of cutting off a large workpiece and separating the large workpiece and scrap from the rest of the sheet by the rotation of an internal conveyor; Figure 39 A schematic diagram of a cutting machine is shown, wherein during the cutting process, small and large workpieces and waste are located on separate conveyors; Figure 40 Shown with Figure 39 A schematic diagram of the subsequent stage of the cutting process for separating the large workpiece from the skeleton; and Figure 41 Schematic diagram showing the end of an unloading conveyor discharging large workpieces and skeletons onto a cross conveyor.

[0048] Cutting machine as a device Figures 1-21 As shown in the embodiment.

[0049] Figures 22-41 A method for cutting and separating materials in a cutting machine according to the present invention is shown.

[0050] A laser cutting machine for cutting metal sheets, in which all processes are automated and controlled by external software, comprising two loading conveyors 2 moving linearly in the X direction and an internal conveyor 5 for conveying processed material, wherein the loading conveyors 2 are slidably mounted on internal linear guides 27 on both sides of the body and move along these guides in both directions in the X direction, equipped with a rotating load-bearing element 23 in the form of a brush belt, which rotates endlessly clockwise or counterclockwise according to the set software.

[0051] Behind the loading conveyor 2 there is the internal conveyor 5, which is mounted on the same linear conveyor guide 27, moves linearly in both directions along the X axis, and is equipped with a rotating load-bearing element 53 in the form of a brush belt, which rotates endlessly clockwise or counterclockwise according to the set software.

[0052] The loading conveyor 2 and the internal conveyor 5 are linearly driven by a magnetic linear motor 26 mounted to the inner wall of the machine body between the guides 27 of the loading conveyor 2 and the internal conveyor 5. Both the loading conveyor 2 and the internal conveyor 5 have handles 24 and 55 with mounting plates 28 and 56 on the side walls. The mounting plates 28 and 56 are attached with carriages 25 and 57 that mate with the body guides 27, allowing linear movement of the conveyors in both X directions. The shafts 54 of the rotating load-bearing elements 23 and 53 of the conveyors 2 and 5 are driven by servo drives or motors.

[0053] Between the end of the loading conveyor 2 and the start of the internal conveyor 5 lies a slot C, forming the cutting area. At the ends of the conveyors forming slot C are fixed supports 21 and 51 with upper outer edges K2 and K5. The distance between the outer edges K2 and K5 of the supports 21 and 51 determines the width S of the cutting slot C. This width S is automatically adjusted by the machine software based on the dimensions of the workpiece to be cut. The laser cutting process occurs only in the cutting slot C, outside the load-bearing elements 23 and 53 of the loading conveyor 2 and the internal conveyor 5, and outside the support surface. During the cutting and separation process, the outer edge B of the metal sheet 1 rests on the surface of the load-bearing element 53 of the internal conveyor 5.

[0054] The head unit 4, mounted on the crossbeam 41 and equipped with a control system, moves linearly in the X direction along a head guide 42 and a crossbeam guide 44 mounted in the main body above the guide 27 and the gripper 37 of the conveyor, and is driven by a magnetic motor of a head 43 and a crossbeam 45 located between the linear guide of the head 42 and the linear guide of the crossbeam 44. The head 4 moves dynamically over the metal sheet along the X, Y, and Z axes.

[0055] During the sheet metal cutting process, the loading conveyor 2 and internal conveyor 5 can move independently of the fixed direction of the sheet metal's movement and continuously support the sheet metal. By simultaneously integrating the linear movement of the worktable and the rotational motion of the conveyor's load-bearing elements within the machine's working range R, continuous support of the sheet metal is achieved, and the trough C follows the movement of the laser head between the worktables. The integration of the conveyor's linear and rotational motion completely eliminates friction between the sheet metal and the conveyor's carrier, and the integration follows the movement of the sheet metal as the entire conveyor moves. Supporting the sheet metal during cutting ensures stable and precise cutting and material separation. The integration of linear and rotational motion also allows the sheet metal to remain stationary relative to the head when cutting large workpieces DD.

[0056] The upper surfaces of the fixed supports 21 and 51 of the loading conveyor 2 and internal conveyor 5 are equipped with rollers 22 and 52 that reduce friction as the metal sheet travels. The loading conveyor 2 and internal conveyor 5 can independently move linearly relative to each other along the X-axis by varying their relative distance (moving closer to or further away from each other). Due to the independent movement of the loading conveyor and internal conveyor along the X-axis, the cutting machine provides the additional function of separating finished workpieces from scrap. The additional movement of the metal sheet along the X-axis accelerates the cutting process. The additional rotation of the internal conveyor 5 accelerates the separation of the workpieces, allowing individual workpieces to be separated one by one.

[0057] Above the linear guides 27 of the internal and loading conveyors, at least on one side of the main body, are additional linear guides 37 for three grippers 3, which hold the edge of the metal sheet 1 at the appropriate moments in the process and in the positions necessary to ensure accuracy and stability in moving, positioning, and cutting the sheet. The grippers 3 move linearly along the entire length of their guides 37 and are driven by a magnetic motor 34, the block of which is located between the guides of the grippers 37. The grippers 3 move independently of each other, without colliding, and are positioned according to the software settings. Depending on the stage of the process, the distance between the grippers and the distance of the first edge T of contact between the gripper closest to the loading point and the metal sheet 1 and the load-bearing element 23 of the loading conveyor vary. Each clamp 3 is a unified structural unit, which comprises, on the front side, a clamping jaw 32 which clamps the edge of the metal sheet, is located in a cover 35 of the clamp 3 and is closed or opened by an actuator 31; and on the rear side, two rows of slides 33 on a mounting plate 36 of the clamp 3, which slides 33 cooperate with guides 37 of the clamp 3 when moving, and power cable clamps 38.

[0058] The cable, which is laid in a special plastic guide for the cable, is used to control the operation of the clamp. The guide has a wire that follows the movable clamp 3 by bending or stretching.

[0059] The internal conveyor 5 is detachably connected via spacer blocks 104 to a third unloading conveyor 10 which is a separate module in the form of a conveyor with a rotating load-bearing element 101 equipped with a mounting plate 103 from the bottom to the front of the cutting machine body.

[0060] The unloading conveyor 10's rotating bearing element 101, in the form of a rotating belt, rotates toward the outside of the machine, collecting or discharging material. The collecting conveyor 10, directly connected to the internal conveyor 5, is driven by the shaft 102 of the internal conveyor 5, which is integrated with it, and moves linearly in both directions along the X-direction. In the working area below the loading conveyor 2 and the internal conveyor 5, there is an extraction unit 7 consisting of a left conveyor 71 and a right conveyor 72. These conveyors are arranged symmetrically along a separator 73 at the bottom of the machine. They feature left and right bearing elements 77 and 78, in the form of steel belts, for moving small scrap to the left and small workpieces to the right. They also have an air channel and a pipe for extracting gases and dust, which connects to channel 76. The drive of the left conveyor 71 operates in a continuous mode to the left, while the drive of the right conveyor 72 operates in a continuous mode to the right, ejecting material from the extraction unit. The air channel is divided by an inner partition wall 75 into two air chambers 74 with hinged outer walls 70. Outside each of these air chambers 74, an air channel 76 extends with an inlet opening equipped with a closing flap, located at a height corresponding to each air chamber 74. During the extraction of gas and dust from a given chamber above which the cutting head 4 is currently positioned, the flap at a given inlet is opened by an actuator mechanism 79. The outer partition wall 70 of the air channel defines the working range R of the cutting. The cutting machine in the system includes three transverse collection modules for collecting workpieces and waste. A first transverse module 8 for collecting small waste OM is located at the end of the left conveyor 71 of the extraction unit 7. A second transverse module 9 for collecting small workpieces DM is located at the end of the right conveyor 72 of the extraction unit 7. A third transverse module 11 for collecting large workpieces DD, large waste OD, and skeletons SZ is located at the end of the outer conveyor 10. The transverse modules for collecting workpieces and waste are belt conveyors, onto whose load-bearing elements the workpieces and waste fall during the continuous cutting process. All moving elements and guides are mounted on a single body. The cutting machine's peripheral equipment is integrated into the machine in a known manner and takes the form of a laser source 13, a cooler 15, and a fan cabinet with filters (not shown), to which the collection and extraction pipe 7 is attached. The machine's main body includes a top plate 17 and a shutter serving as a loading cover 16. It also includes a multifunctional connection panel 14 and a hinged electrical cabinet door. The machine is also equipped with a known control system, automation components, drive units, a laser generator cooling system, an automatic fume and dust removal system, and a laser beam transmission system.

[0061] The control elements connected to the components and elements of the cutting machine as well as the PC inputs for programming the process according to the set software are located at the operator station.

[0062] Due to this structure of the cutting machine, we can maintain a continuous cutting and sorting process and automatically discharge small workpieces DM, large workpieces DD, small scrap OM, large scrap OD and skeleton SZ without having to stop the machine.

[0063] Figures 22-41 An example of a process of cutting a metal plate and separating workpieces and waste in the above-mentioned cutting machine is shown.

[0064] Metal sheets 1 unwound from a coil or automatically fed in single sheets are placed on a loading conveyor 2 equipped with a rotating load-bearing element 23. The metal sheets 1 are automatically loaded into the cutting machine via a feeder or feeding robot, which is a known external device of the machine.

[0065] The metal sheet 1 on the loading conveyor 2 is gripped by its edges by three grippers 3, mounted in series on identical guides 37 on one side of the main body. The first gripper is located closest to the starting point of the loading conveyor, while the third gripper is located furthest away. The distance D1 between the first contact edge T of the metal sheet with the loading conveyor 2 and the first gripper 3 is between the first gripper 3, the distance D1 between the first gripper and the second gripper S is between the second gripper S and the third gripper 3, and the distance D4 between the first gripper S and the third gripper S. During the metal sheet's feed from the coil, the first contact edge T of the metal sheet with the load-bearing element 23 of the loading conveyor 2 is the edge where the outer edge B of the metal sheet 1 first contacts the surface of the load-bearing element 23 of the loading conveyor 2.

[0066] The contact edge T of the metal sheet fed in single sheets coincides with the edge of the sheet opposite the outer edge B, located at the time of loading and closest to the start of the loading conveyor 2 .

[0067] The clamps move linearly along these guides along the entire X-axis of the cutting machine. The purpose of clamping the metal sheet by the clamps around the edges is to accurately position the sheet throughout the cutting process and to support the sheet's movement along the X-axis. During the cutting process, some of the clamps 3 release their jaws 32 and move to a new position along the edge of the sheet, where they then clamp their jaws onto the edge of the sheet.

[0068] The two outermost clamps 3 always clamp the metal sheet simultaneously, while the middle clamp releases the metal sheet and moves towards the first clamp to clamp the sheet in a position that ensures the metal sheet moves step by step towards the machine outlet. After the metal sheet is clamped by the middle clamp, the first clamp releases its jaws and moves the appropriate distance towards the load. After the first clamp has moved and clamped the jaws 32 in the new position, the third clamp releases its jaws and moves towards the second clamp to the appropriate position. This process is repeated in the same way, allowing the metal sheet to be moved in the following way: grab, move, release while moving, grab, move. The general rule when moving a sheet is: two clamp units always clamp the sheet, and while two clamps hold the sheet, the third clamp releases the sheet and can change position.

[0069] During the final cut, the sheet is held by only one clamp at the sheet end. However, during the various stages of the cutting process and during the separation of workpieces, scrap, and skeletons, the clamps move with the sheet and can change their position relative to each other, or one clamp can stop holding the sheet as it shortens. For sheet fed from coils, all clamps hold the sheet and move relative to each other.

[0070] Figure 22 and Figure 24 Schematically shows the positions of the grippers and head during loading and cutting of metal sheets fed from a coil.

[0071] Figure 23 and Figure 25 Schematic showing the positions of the grippers and head during sheet loading and sheet metal cutting.

[0072] The metal sheet 1 placed on the loading conveyor 2 and held by the gripper 3 moves along the X axis to the inside of the machine below the laser cutting head 4, along with the conveyor and the gripper, while the internal conveyor 5 for collecting the cut material and the skeleton from the metal sheet and equipped with a rotating load-bearing element 53 moves along the X axis along the machine to the loading conveyor 2 in such a way that, along the Y axis of the conveyor, a technical groove C is provided between the end of the loading conveyor 2 equipped with a fixed support 21 with an outer edge K2 and the start of the internal conveyor 5 equipped with a fixed support 51 with an outer edge K5, which constitutes a cutting area with a width S. The conveyors can be very close to each other in front, but they do not touch each other during the entire cutting process.

[0073] Figure 14-16 Exemplary positions of the loading conveyor 2 , the internal conveyor 5 and the unloading conveyor 10 as well as the grippers 3 at various stages of the cutting process are shown.

[0074] exist Figure 14In the loading phase shown, the first gripper 3 is located closest to the start of the internal conveyor at a minimum distance D1 from the contact edge T, and the internal conveyor 2 and the unloading conveyor 10 are most extended. Figure 15 During operation of the cutting machine at the moment shown, the clamping members 3 initially hold the sheet 1 on the internal conveyor at an increasing distance D1 from the edge T. Figure 16 The cutting machine is shown in operation at the moment shown, with the outer and take-off conveyors fully retracted and the third gripper in its maximum position at the end of the main body with the take-off conveyor 10 retracted. When the outer edge B of the metal sheet extends beyond the slot area C and rests on the load-bearing surface 53 of the internal conveyor 5, it is supported on two fixed supports 21 and 22 of the loading and internal conveyors 2 and 5. The head then begins the cutting process, which takes place only in the slot-cut area C, with the sheet supported on both sides by the fixed supports. The head, with its laser source and crossbeam, moves over the supported sheet 1 in three directions X, Y, and Z, according to the software settings. The width of the cutting working range R determines the position of the outer partition wall 75 of the air channel of the extraction unit 7 with its air chamber 74, located in the cutting machine space below the loading and internal conveyors 2 and 5.

[0075] Figure 19 and Figure 21 Detailed view showing the cutting area and the location of the main components during the cutting process, Figure 26 A schematic diagram is shown. In the first stage of cutting, small waste OM is cut off. The metal sheet 1 together with the gripper, the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor moves along the machine above the first left portion 71 of the extraction unit 7, and the head 4 starts to cut off the small waste OM. The small waste OM falls onto the left conveyor 71 of the extraction unit 7 and is transported to the outside of the machine via the transverse collection conveyor 8 for small waste OM. Figure 27 and Figure 28 The diagram and the position of the head 4 and the cutting groove C during the cutting of small scrap materials OM are shown. In the second stage of cutting, the metal sheet 1 together with the gripper, the loading conveyor and the internal conveyor moves along the machine over the second right part 72 of the extraction unit 7, and the head 4 starts cutting the small workpieces DM, which fall onto the right conveyor 72 of the extraction unit 7 and are transported to the outside of the machine via the transverse collection conveyor 9 for small workpieces DM. Figure 29 and Figure 30 A view and a schematic diagram showing the position of the head 4 and the cutting groove C when cutting a small workpiece DM, and Figure 31A view of a sheet metal with small workpieces is shown. The dimensions of DM and OM are selected based on the width S of the cutting slot C, the working dimensions of the load-bearing elements 77 and 78 of the left and right conveyors 71 and 72 of the extraction unit 7, located below the air chamber 74 of the air channel, and the dimensions of the load-bearing elements of the transverse collection conveyors for small workpieces 9 and scrap 8, located at the ends of the left and right conveyors 71 and 72. The next stage of cutting involves separating the large scrap OD from the remaining portion of the metal sheet 1. After cutting, the large scrap OD rests on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element 53 of the internal conveyor 5 and is further transported to the unloading conveyor 10 integrated with the internal conveyor 5 (which performs the same linear movement along the X-axis as the internal conveyor 5), where it then falls onto the transverse collection conveyor 11 for scrap OD and skeletons SZ. To separate the cut large scrap OD, the rotation speed of the load-bearing element 53 of the internal conveyor 5 is temporarily increased. Figure 32 and Figure 33 A view and schematic diagram illustrate the position of the head 4 and cutting trough C during the cutting and separation of large scrap material OD. The next stage of the cutting process involves separating the large workpiece DD from the remaining metal sheet 1. After cutting, the large workpiece DD rests on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element 53 of the internal conveyor 5 and is further transported to the unloading conveyor 10, which is integrated with the internal conveyor 5. Furthermore, separation and removal of the workpiece from the metal sheet are achieved by temporarily increasing the rotational speed of the load-bearing element 53 of the internal conveyor 5. During the cutting of the large workpiece DD, the metal sheet 1 can remain stationary relative to the head due to the appropriate selection of the X-axis travel speeds of the loading conveyor 2 and the internal conveyor 5, as well as the rotational speeds of their rotating load-bearing elements 23 and 53. Figure 34 A view showing a plate with a large workpiece and scrap during cutting of a large workpiece DD is shown, Figure 35 、 Figure 36 、 Figure 37 and Figure 38 The position of the conveyor and the head during the separation process using the internal conveyor 5 is shown. The next stage of cutting is to cut the skeleton SZ from the rest of the metal sheet 1. The cut skeleton is placed on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element 53 of the internal conveyor 5 and further transported to the unloading conveyor 10 with load-bearing elements 101 (this unloading conveyor 10 is integrated with the internal conveyor 5 and performs the same linear movement along the X axis as the internal conveyor 5) and further dropped onto the transverse collection conveyor 11 for scrap and skeletons. In order to separate the cut skeleton, the rotation speed of the load-bearing element 53 of the internal conveyor is temporarily increased.

[0076] Advantageously, the large workpiece DD is placed in the skeleton SZ, where the skeleton is cut into small pieces, and after the skeleton SZ is cut from the large workpiece DD, the internal conveyor 5 accelerates the rotation of its belt, thereby moving the large workpiece DD and the skeleton SZ away from the metal sheet parts of the remaining large elements that have not yet been cut. In this way, the large workpiece DD and the skeleton SZ are separated from the rest of the metal sheet.

[0077] Figure 39 、 Figure 40 and Figure 41 The positions of the various machine units during the separation of large scrap OD, large workpieces DD and skeletons SZ are shown.

[0078] Advantageously, the rotation of the internal conveyor 5 is accelerated, while the remaining metal sheet is held by the side clamps 3, which does not lead to uncontrolled movement of the metal sheet 1 during the simultaneous laser cutting at different locations on the metal sheet surface. The finished workpieces are transported by another belt conveyor 10 to the workpiece collection area, while the skeletons are transported to the discharge area of ​​the skeleton SZ collection conveyor 11.

[0079] Finished workpieces are automatically collected from the collection area by a robotic arm.

[0080] If the machine is not being fed with sheet metal unwound from a coil, a prepared sheet metal 1 can be added to the loading conveyor. After cutting all the metal sheets from the sheet metal, the machine returns to the loading option for a new sheet metal. All machine components return to their starting point. For sheet metal unwound from a coil, the cutting process can continue uninterrupted until the coil metal is free of sheet metal.

[0081] All phases and operations occurring in the machine are automated and controlled by external software, i.e. metal sheet movement, laser cutting, loading conveyor movement and rotation, internal conveyor movement and rotation, workpiece separation, skeleton separation, scrap separation occur simultaneously without stopping the machine.

Claims

1. A laser cutting machine for continuous cutting of metal sheets, in particular sheets unwound from coils or automatically fed in single sheets, comprising a conveyor with load-bearing elements that move linearly in the X-axis direction, with troughs between the conveyors, a head unit with a control system, a workpiece and waste collection module, equipped with elements of a control system that enables the processes of cutting, feeding, loading and conveying the material for collection to be implemented using a defined software, characterized in that A loading conveyor (2) slidably mounted on an internal linear guide of the cutting machine body is equipped with a rotating load-bearing element (23) that rotates circumferentially in two directions according to the set software, and behind the loading conveyor (2) there is an internal conveyor (5), which is mounted on the same guide (27) and equipped with a rotating load-bearing element (53) that rotates circumferentially in two directions according to the set software, and a groove that constitutes a cutting area is present between the end of the loading conveyor (2) and the starting point of the internal conveyor (5) (C), and at the ends of the conveyors (2, 5) forming the trough (C) there are fixed supports (21) and supports (51) with upper outer edges (E2) and outer edges (E5), wherein the distance between the outer edges (E2) and outer edges (E5) of the supports (21) and supports (51) determines the width (S) of the cutting trough (C), and the head unit (4) is dynamically moved along the X, Y, and Z axes on the plate in the trough area (C) according to the set software, while at least one clamping member is slidably mounted on the side of the cutting machine body (3) On at least one side of the loading conveyor (2), it moves linearly in two directions along the X direction and keeps the edge of the metal plate (1) in a position necessary to ensure the accuracy and stability of moving, positioning and cutting the metal plate (1), and the internal conveyor (5) can be detachably connected to the unloading conveyor (10), and the unloading conveyor (10) constitutes a separate module directly connected to the internal conveyor (5) and moving linearly in two directions, and there is a left extraction and collection module (71) and a right extraction and collection module along the working area below the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5). The extraction unit (7) is composed of a left extraction collection module (71) and a right extraction collection module (72), and the extraction collection module (7) composed of a left extraction collection module (71) and a right extraction collection module (72) is symmetrically arranged along the separator (73) at the bottom of the cutting machine having a left load-bearing element (77) and a right load-bearing element (78), extracting gas and dust from the air channel and the pipeline channel (76), and the cutting machine includes at least one module for collecting separated workpieces and / or waste, forming a position for discharging the workpieces and / or waste from the load-bearing element of the linear conveyor of the cutting machine operating along the X-axis.

2. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating load-bearing elements (23) and (53) of the loading conveyor (2) and the inner conveyor (5) are brush belts.

3. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5) are linearly driven by a magnetic linear motor (26), which is mounted on the inner wall of the cutting machine body between the guides (27) of the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5), and has a handle (24) and a handle (55) with a mounting plate (28) and a mounting plate (56) on the side wall, and the mounting plate is attached with a slide (25) and a slide (57) that cooperate with the conveyor guide (27), which allows the conveyor to move linearly on both sides of the X direction.

4. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surfaces of the fixed supports (21) and the fixed supports (51) of the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5) are equipped with rollers (22) and rollers (52) that reduce friction of the metal plate (1) traveling.

5. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cutting head unit (4) mounted on the crossbeam (41) moves linearly in the X direction along a cutting head (4) guide (42) and a crossbeam (41) guide (44) mounted on the cutting machine body.

6. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that: The cutting head (4) guide (42) and the crossbeam (41) guide (44) are mounted in the body above the guides (27) of the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5) and above the guide (37) of the clamping member (3), and their drive is provided by the magnetic motors of the cutting head (43) and the crossbeam (45) located between the linear guides of the cutting head (42) and the crossbeam guide (44).

7. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamp (3) is slidably mounted along the entire length of the linear guide (37), which is mounted in the body of the cutting machine above the linear guides (27) of the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5), wherein the block (34) of the magnetic motor drives the clamp (3) between its guides (37).

8. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamp (3) is a uniform structural unit, which comprises on the front side a clamping jaw (32) for holding the edge of the metal plate, the clamping jaw (32) being located in the clamp (3) cover (35) and closed or opened by an actuator (31), and on the rear side two rows of slides (33) on the clamp (3) mounting plate (36), the slides cooperating with the clamp (3) guide (37) when moving, and a power cable clamp (38).

9. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, 7 or 8, characterized in that: The clamping member (3) is only installed on one side of the cutting machine body.

10. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that: It is equipped with three clamping members (3).

11. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating load-bearing element (101) of the unloading conveyor (10) has the form of a rotating belt that rotates towards the outside of the machine, where the material is collected or discharged.

12. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The load-bearing elements (77) and (78) of the left conveyor (71) and the right conveyor (72) of the extraction unit (7) are steel belts.

13. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exhaust channel (7) is divided by an inner partition wall (75) into air chambers (74) with hinged outer walls (70) on both sides, and a duct channel (76) with an inlet opening extends outside the air chambers (74) on both sides, and the inlet opening is provided with a baffle, which is located at a height corresponding to each air chamber (74) and is closed or opened using the actuator (79) mechanism, while extracting gas and dust from the selected chamber above which the cutting head (4) is currently located according to the set software, wherein the outer partition wall (70) of the air channel determines the working range (R) of the cutting.

14. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes three transverse collection modules working along the Y axis, the first transverse module (8) for collecting small waste OM is located at the end of the left conveyor (71) of the extraction unit (7), the second transverse module (9) for collecting small workpieces DM is located at the end of the right conveyor (72) of the extraction unit (7), and the third transverse module (11) for collecting large workpieces DD, large waste OD and skeletons SZ is located at the end of the unloading conveyor (10).

15. The laser cutting machine according to claim 14, characterized in that: The transverse modules (8, 9, 11) for collecting workpieces and waste are belt conveyors, on whose bearing elements the workpieces and waste fall respectively during the continuous process of cutting and separating large workpieces DD, small workpieces DM, large waste OD, small waste OM and skeletons SZ.

16. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The unloading conveyor (10) has a spiral shape, which enables a greater travel range.

17. A method for continuous laser cutting of metal sheets in a laser cutting machine as described above, the metal sheets being in particular sheets unwound from coils or fed in sheets, the method comprising a stage of loading the metal sheets, a stage of moving the metal sheets to the cutting area, a stage of cutting the metal sheets with the laser head, a stage of collecting and / or discharging the cut workpieces and waste, wherein the laser head cutting is carried out outside the load-bearing surface of the conveyor, and characterized in that The metal sheet (1) unwound from a coil or fed in single sheets is placed on the rotating load-bearing element (23) of the loading conveyor (2), wherein the edge of the metal sheet (1) is clamped by the clamping member (3) and moved along the X axis together with the conveyor (2) and the clamping member (3) to the inside of the machine below the laser head (4), and at the same time, the internal conveyor (5) equipped with the rotating load-bearing element (53) moves towards the loading conveyor (2) in such a way that between the end of the loading conveyor (2) equipped with the fixed support (21) and the starting point of the internal conveyor (5) equipped with the fixed support (51), there is a technical slot (C) along the Y axis of the conveyor, the technical slot (C ) constitutes a cutting area with a width (S), and when the outer edge (B) of the metal plate (1) exceeds the groove area (C) and is located on the load-bearing surface (53) of the internal conveyor (5), the metal plate (1) itself is supported by the two fixed supports (21) and the support (51) of the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5), and the laser head (4) starts the cutting process, which only occurs in the area (C) of the cutting groove and in which the metal plate is supported on both sides by the fixed supports (21) and the support (51), wherein the head with the laser source and the crossbeam moves on the supported plate (1) in the three directions X, Y and Z according to the set software, and cuts and the width of the working range (R) of movement of the head (4) is determined by the position of the outer partition wall (75) of the air channel of the extraction unit (7), which has an air chamber (74) in the cutting machine space below the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5), whereby in the first stage of the cutting, small scrap OM is cut off, and the metal plate (1) together with the clamping member (30), the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5) moves along the machine above the left part of the extraction unit (7), and the laser head starts to cut off the small scrap OM, which falls on the left conveyor (71) of the extraction unit (7) and is transported to the Outside the machine, in the second stage of the cutting, the metal plate (1) moves along the machine together with the clamping member (3), the loading conveyor (2) and the internal conveyor (5) above the second right part of the extraction unit (7), and the laser head (4) starts to cut off the small workpiece DM, which falls on the right conveyor (72) of the extraction unit (7) and is transported to the outside of the machine via the transverse collection conveyor (9), and then the large waste OD is cut from the remaining part of the metal plate (1), the laser head (4) continues to move above the groove (C), and the cut large waste OD is located on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element (53) of the internal conveyor (5),and is further transported to the unloading conveyor (10) integrated with the internal conveyor (5), which performs the same linear movement along the X-axis as the internal conveyor (5), and the large scrap OD then falls onto the transverse collection conveyor of the large scrap OD and the skeleton SZ, and then the large workpiece DD is cut from the rest of the metal plate (1), and the cut large workpiece DD is located on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element (53) of the internal conveyor (5) and is further transported to the unloading conveyor (10) integrated with the internal conveyor (5), and in the next cutting stage, the skeleton SZ is cut from the rest of the metal plate (1), wherein the cut large workpiece DD is located on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element (53) of the internal conveyor (5) and is further transported to the unloading conveyor (10) integrated with the internal conveyor (5), and in the next cutting stage, the skeleton SZ is cut from the rest of the metal plate (1), The skeleton is placed on the surface of the rotating load-bearing element (53) of the internal conveyor (5) and is further transported to the unloading conveyor (10), which is integrated with the internal conveyor (5) with supporting elements (101) and performs the same linear movement along the X axis as the internal conveyor (5), and the skeleton SZ then falls on the transverse collection conveyor (11) for large scrap OD and skeleton SZ, wherein all stages and operations occurring in the machine are automated and controlled by external software, i.e. metal sheet movement, laser cutting, loading conveyor movement and rotation, internal conveyor movement and rotation, workpiece separation, skeleton separation, scrap separation occur simultaneously without stopping the machine.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that In order to separate the cut large scrap OD, large workpieces DD and skeleton SZ from the rest of the metal sheet, the rotation speed of the load-bearing element (53) of the internal conveyor is temporarily increased.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein The large workpiece DD is placed in the skeleton SZ, where the skeleton is cut into small pieces, and after the skeleton SZ is cut from the large workpiece DD, the internal conveyor (5) accelerates the rotation of its belt, thereby moving the large workpiece DD together with the skeleton SZ away from the metal plate (1) portion of the remaining large elements that have not yet been cut.

Citation Information

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