Laser processing machine

Abstract

The invention provides a laser processing machine capable of realizing gas supply efficiency. A laser processing machine according to the present invention is provided with a processing point nozzle for supplying gas to a processing point of a laser beam. The machining point nozzle is provided with: a hemispherical part having a substantially hemispherical inner space to which gas is supplied from a gas supply means, and a hemispherical concave surface surrounding the substantially hemispherical inner space; and a plurality of flow paths branched from the hemispherical portion. Each flow path includes: a linear portion extending linearly from the hemispherical portion; a fan-shaped portion extending in a fan shape from the linear portion; an injection port group composed of a plurality of injection ports arranged at the front end of the fan-shaped part; and an opening part which is opened in the hemispherical concave surface. The hemispherical part is provided with a conical protrusion provided on the hemispherical concave surface at the center of a plurality of openings provided in each of the plurality of flow paths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a laser processing machine. Background Technology

[0002] The laser processing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a laser emitting section, a housing, a first airflow generating section, a second airflow generating section, and an air supply unit. The laser emitting section has a protective glass that allows the laser beam to pass through. The housing is arranged to surround the optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser emitting section. The first airflow generating section blows out an airflow in a generally planar area in a direction intersecting the central axis of the housing. The second airflow generating section blows out an airflow in a generally conical area with its apex as the entire workpiece. The air supply unit can pressurize air to both the first and second airflow generating sections using an air pump.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-121375 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The inventors of this application have discovered the following technical issues.

[0005] In such laser processing machines, high-pressure airflow is required. Therefore, the inventors of this application conceived of a method of temporarily storing gases such as air in a generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space and ejecting them from multiple nozzles. However, sometimes gas circulation occurs within the generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space. Therefore, the gas supply unit needs to deliver the gas at high pressure, and the efficiency of the gas supply needs further investigation.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a laser processing machine that can realize efficient gas supply.

[0007] The laser processing machine of the present invention includes a processing point nozzle for supplying gas to the processing point of a laser beam, wherein the processing point nozzle includes:

[0008] A hemispherical portion having a generally hemispherical internal space from which gas is supplied from a gas supply unit and a hemispherical concave surface surrounding the generally hemispherical internal space; and

[0009] Multiple flow paths, branching from the hemispherical portion,

[0010] Each flow path includes:

[0011] A straight portion that extends in a straight line from the hemispherical portion;

[0012] A fan-shaped portion that extends in a fan shape from the straight portion;

[0013] An injection nozzle assembly, comprising a plurality of injection nozzles arranged at the front end of the fan-shaped portion; and

[0014] The opening is located on the concave surface of the hemispherical shape.

[0015] The hemispherical portion has a conical protrusion disposed on the concave surface of the hemispherical portion at the center of the plurality of openings provided by the plurality of flow paths respectively.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the present invention, the efficiency of gas supply can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a side view of the laser processing machine according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the processing point nozzle involved in Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the main part of the processing point nozzle involved in Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the main part of the processing point nozzle involved in Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the internal space of the flow path of the nozzle at the processing point according to Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the internal space of the flow path of the nozzle at the processing point according to Embodiment 1. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified.

[0025] <Implementation Method 1>

[0026] refer to Figures 1-6 Implementation method 1 will be described. Figure 1 This is a side view of the laser processing machine according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the processing point nozzle involved in Embodiment 1. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the main part of the processing point nozzle involved in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the internal space of the flow path of the nozzle at the processing point according to Embodiment 1. Additionally, in Figure 5 and Figure 6The diagram of the outer wall of the flow path of the nozzle at the processing point is omitted.

[0027] In addition, of course, Figure 1 The right-handed XYZ coordinate system shown in the other accompanying figures is for ease of illustrating the positional relationships of the constituent elements. Generally, the positive Z-axis is vertically upward, and the XY plane is horizontal; this is consistent across the accompanying figures.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the laser processing machine 10 includes an irradiation unit 1, a side nozzle 2, and a processing point nozzle 3. The laser processing machine 10 can be fixed in a predetermined position or moved freely by a robot or the like. The side nozzle 2 and the processing point nozzle 3 can be held, for example, by a holding part 5. The holding part 5 can be fastened to the irradiation unit 1, for example, by bolts.

[0029] The irradiation unit 1 includes a laser emission section 11, a protective component 12, and a housing 13. A stage ST, on which a workpiece WW is placed, is provided below the irradiation unit 1. The workpiece WW is, for example, a stack of steel plates. The workpiece WW can be an object to be welded by receiving a laser beam.

[0030] The laser emitting unit 11 emits a laser beam LL. The laser beam LL can be, for example, a CO2 laser, a YAG laser, a fiber laser, a disk laser, or an excimer laser. The laser emitting unit 11 includes, for example, a laser oscillator and a laser scanner. The laser oscillator generates the laser beam LL and guides it to the laser scanner via an optical fiber cable or the like. The laser scanner includes an optical system. This optical system includes, for example, a mirror and a lens assembly. An example of the mirror is a galvano mirror. The lens assembly may include, for example, a collimating lens for making the laser beam parallel, and a condensing lens for connecting the focal point of the laser beam to a machining point WP on the workpiece WW.

[0031] A protective component 12 is disposed on the workpiece WW side of the laser emission section 11. The protective component 12 is, for example, disposed at the exit of the laser beam LL in a laser scanner. The protective component 12 is made of a material capable of transmitting the laser beam LL. Such a material is, for example, glass. During laser processing, sputtering material may scatter from the processing point WP on the workpiece WW, or metal contained in the workpiece WW may sublimate. This generates foreign matter such as smoke. The protective component 12 prevents sputtering material or smoke and other foreign matter from colliding with the optical system of the laser emission section 11, such as a mirror or lens assembly.

[0032] The housing 13 is a cylindrical body disposed on the side of the protective component 12 in the laser emission section 11. The cross-sectional shape of this cylindrical body is not particularly limited; for example, it can be a polygonal cylindrical shape or a roughly circular shape. The housing 13 surrounds the protective component 12. The housing 13 can be made of, for example, metal, resin, or ceramic. The housing 13 may have a flow path for air circulation. Air is supplied to the housing 13 from the gas supply unit 4. The housing 13 directs the supplied air A1 through this flow path to a predetermined area extending from the inner space of the housing 13 and the open end 13a of the housing 13 towards the workpiece WW side. The gas supply unit 4 is, for example, a blower. Alternatively, the gas supply unit 4 may supply nitrogen or other gases to the housing 13 instead of air. Furthermore, the gas supply unit 4 can be a gas generating device disposed outside the laser processing machine 10.

[0033] The laser emission unit 11 emits a laser beam LL toward the workpiece WW. The laser beam LL then passes through the protective component 12 and through the inside of the housing 13. If the laser beam LL advances further, it reaches the processing point WP of the workpiece WW. The workpiece WW is thus able to receive irradiation from the laser beam LL.

[0034] Side nozzle 2 blows air A2 onto the axis LZ of laser beam LL. The diameter of side nozzle 2 can gradually taper from the root of side nozzle 2 toward the tip of side nozzle 2. Side nozzle 2 can be supplied with air by gas supply unit 4.

[0035] The machining point nozzle 3 blows air A3 onto the machining point WP of the workpiece WW. The air A3 can flow along the axial direction Z3 of the machining point nozzle 3. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the processing nozzle 3 includes a tube 30, a plate-shaped component 31, a hemispherical portion 32, and flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36. Furthermore, the processing nozzle 3 according to this embodiment has four flow paths, but is not particularly limited and may have multiple flow paths.

[0036] The tube 30 is connected to the hemispherical portion 32 via a plate-shaped member 31. Air A0 is supplied to the tube 30 and guided to the hemispherical portion 32. Air A0 can be supplied to the tube 30 by a gas supply unit 4. The tube 30 can be flexible, for example, a hose. The plate-shaped member 31 can be fastened to the retaining portion 5 via bolts.

[0037] The hemispherical portion 32 has a generally hemispherical internal space. For example... Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the hemispherical portion 32 includes a hemispherical concave surface 32a, a flange 32b, and a conical protrusion 37. The hemispherical concave surface 32a is recessed towards the flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36 (in this case, the negative Z-axis direction). The flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36 each have an opening 33aa, 34aa, 35aa, and 36aa that opens onto the hemispherical concave surface 32a. The conical protrusion 37 is provided on the hemispherical concave surface 32a at the center of the openings 33aa, 34aa, 35aa, and 36aa. Furthermore, the openings 33aa, 34aa, 35aa, and 36aa can be equally spaced on a circumference centered on the center of the hemispherical concave surface 32a. The hemispherical concave surface 32a surrounds the aforementioned generally hemispherical internal space. Flange 32b is a plate-like portion that protrudes outward from the outer edge of the hemispherical concave surface 32a in a horizontal plane (in this case, the XY plane). Flange 32b can be fastened to [the object] by bolts. Figure 2 The plate-shaped component 31 is shown. The hemispherical portion 32 receives air A0 from the gas supply unit 4 via pipe 30 and stores it in the aforementioned generally hemispherical internal space.

[0038] Flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36 branch off from the hemispherical portion 32. Flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36 supply air from the generally hemispherical interior space of the hemispherical portion 32 and eject air A3 from their front ends. The hemispherical portion 32 and flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36 can be integrated. The integrated hemispherical portion 32 and flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36 can, for example, be made of a metallic material. Such a metallic material is, for example, an aluminum alloy. If the integrated hemispherical portion 32 and flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36 are made of an aluminum alloy, the machining point nozzle 3 can be made lighter.

[0039] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the flow path 33 includes a straight section 33a, a fan-shaped section 33b, and an injection port assembly 33c. The straight section 33a extends linearly from the hemispherical section 32. The fan-shaped section 33b extends fan-shapedly from the straight section 33a. The injection port assembly 33c is composed of six injection ports 33d arranged at the front end of the fan-shaped section 33b. Furthermore, while the injection port assembly 33c in this embodiment includes six injection ports 33d, it is not particularly limited; multiple injection ports 33d are acceptable.

[0040] Flow paths 34, 35, and 36 have the same structure as flow path 33. Specifically, flow path 34 includes a straight section 34a, a fan-shaped section 34b, and an injection port assembly 34c. Similarly, flow path 35 includes a straight section 35a, a fan-shaped section 35b, and an injection port assembly 35c. Flow path 36 includes a straight section 36a, a fan-shaped section 36b, and an injection port assembly 36c. The straight sections 34a, 35a, and 36a have the same structure as the straight section 33a. The fan-shaped sections 34b, 35b, and 36b have the same structure as the fan-shaped section 33b. The injection port assemblies 34c, 35c, and 36c have the same structure as the injection port assembly 33c. The injection ports 34d, 35d, and 36d have the same structure as the injection port 33d.

[0041] The nozzle groups 33c, 34c, 35c, and 36c are connected and arranged on the ring CC. The ring CC can be a circle centered on the center C3 of the nozzle groups 33c to 36c on a plane (in this case, the XY plane) that is approximately perpendicular to the axis Z3 of the nozzle 3 at the processing point.

[0042] Adjacent straight sections 33a to 36a are separated from each other. Specifically, straight sections 33a and 34a are separated from each other, straight sections 34a and 35a are separated from each other, straight sections 35a and 36a are separated from each other, and straight sections 36a and 33a are separated from each other.

[0043] <Welding Method>

[0044] Next, regarding the use Figure 1 The welding method of the laser processing machine 10 shown will be explained.

[0045] The laser emitting unit 11 emits a laser beam LL. The laser beam LL then passes through the protective component 12 and reaches the workpiece WW. The workpiece WW is irradiated by the laser beam LL and is welded. Here, sputtering material is dispersed from the machining point WP on the workpiece WW. Furthermore, fumes are generated by the sublimation of metal contained in the workpiece WW.

[0046] Simultaneously and in parallel with the laser beam LL emitted from the laser emitting section 11, the housing 13 delivers air A1 to a predetermined area extending from the inner space of the housing 13 and the opening end 13a of the housing 13 toward the workpiece WW. Furthermore, the side nozzle 2 blows air A2 onto the axis LZ of the laser beam LL. Additionally, the machining point nozzle 3 blows air A3 onto the machining point WP of the workpiece WW. Air A1, A2, and A3 cause foreign matter such as sputtering particles or fumes to separate from the protective member 12. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter such as sputtering particles or fumes to the protective member 12.

[0047] Next, refer to Figures 2-4 The details of the spraying from nozzle 3 at the processing point are explained.

[0048] First, air A0 is supplied from the gas supply unit 4 via pipe 30 to the hemispherical portion 32. Air A0 is stored in the generally hemispherical internal space of the hemispherical portion 32. Conical protrusions 37 branch the air A0 and guide it to openings 33aa, 34aa, 35aa, and 36aa. This prevents the air A0 from circulating within the generally hemispherical internal space of the hemispherical portion 32. Therefore, air A0 can smoothly move from the hemispherical portion 32 to flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36.

[0049] Next, the air A0 guided to the opening 33aa is guided by the straight section 33a and the fan-shaped section 33b. Similarly, the air A0 guided to the openings 34aa to 36aa is guided by the straight sections 34a to 36a and the fan-shaped sections 34b to 36b. The straight sections 33a to 36a extend in a straight line, thus suppressing the flow turbulence of the air A0 guided to the openings 34aa to 36aa. Furthermore, since the fan-shaped sections 33b to 36b expand in a fan shape, the width of the air A0 can be increased or the flow velocity can be homogenized.

[0050] Next, air A0 is ejected from each of the ejector ports 33d, 33d, ..., 33d of the ejector port group 33c and directed to the fan-shaped portion 33b. Similarly, air A0 is ejected from each of the ejector ports 34d, 34d, ..., 34d of the ejector port group 34c and directed to the fan-shaped portion 34b. Furthermore, air A0 is ejected from each of the ejector ports 35d, 35d, ..., 35d of the ejector port group 35c and directed to the fan-shaped portion 35b. Furthermore, air A0 is ejected from each of the ejector ports 36d, 36d, ..., 36d of the ejector port group 36c and directed to the fan-shaped portion 36b. The air A0 ejected from each of the aforementioned ejector ports 33d, ..., 33d, 34d, ..., 34d, 35d, ..., 35d, 36d, ..., 36d combines to generate air A3. Thus, the machining point nozzle 3 can blow air A3 to the machining point WP of the workpiece WW. Because there are many nozzles 33d to 36d, and as mentioned above, nozzle groups 33c to 36c are connected and arranged on the annulus CC, it is possible to increase the flow velocity of air A3 or suppress the flow turbulence of air A3.

[0051] Furthermore, when air A3 is sprayed from nozzle 3 at the processing point, a negative pressure is generated inside the flow paths 33-36, thereby entraining external air. Specifically, external air G1-G4 passes between adjacent straight sections 33a-36a. Specifically, external air G1 passes between adjacent straight sections 33a and 34a. Similarly, external air G2-G4 passes between adjacent straight sections 34a and 35a, adjacent straight sections 35a and 36a, and adjacent straight sections 36a and 33a, respectively. Then, external air G1-G4 flows into the center C3 of the injection port group 33c-36c. As a result, the flow rate of air A3 can be increased.

[0052] In the above-mentioned spraying from the processing point nozzle 3, smooth movement of air A0, suppression of flow turbulence of air A0 and A3, expansion of the width of air A0, uniformity of air A0 flow velocity, and increase of air A3 flow velocity can be achieved. Therefore, air can be supplied effectively. Furthermore, even if the gas supply unit 4 supplies air at low pressure, the processing point nozzle 3 can still spray air A3 at high speed and high pressure.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. Moreover, the present invention can be implemented by appropriately combining the above embodiments or examples thereof.

[0054] Symbol Explanation

[0055] 10-Laser processing machine, 1-Irradiation unit, 11-Laser emission section, 12-Protective component, 13-Housing, 13a-Open end, 2-Side nozzle, 3-Processing point nozzle, 30-Tube, 31-Plate-shaped component, 32-Hemispherical part, 32a-Hemispherical concave surface, 32b-Flange, 33, 34, 35, 36-Flow path, 33a, 34a, 35a, 36a-Straight section, 33b, 34b, 35b, 3 6b - Fan-shaped section, 33c, 34c, 35c, 36c - Nozzle assembly, 33d, 34d, 35d, 36d - Nozzle, 37 - Conical protrusion, 4 - Gas supply unit, 5 - Holding part, LL - Laser beam, LZ - Axis, WW - Workpiece, WP - Machining point, ST - Stage, CC - Ring, C3 - Center, G1, G2, G3, G4 - External air, A0, A1, A2, A3 - Air.

Claims

1. A laser processing machine that has a processing point nozzle that supplies gas to a processing point of a laser beam, the laser processing machine characterized by comprising: a half-spherical portion that is provided at the processing point nozzle; and a plurality of flow paths that branch from the half-spherical portion, a hemispherical portion having a substantially hemispherical inner space from which a gas is supplied from a gas supply unit and a hemispherical concave surface that surrounds the substantially hemispherical inner space; each flow path including: a straight portion that extends linearly from the half-spherical portion; a fan-shaped portion that expands fan-shaped from the straight portion; a jet port group that is composed of a plurality of jet ports arranged at a front end of the fan-shaped portion; and an opening portion that is opened on the half-spherical concave surface, the half-spherical portion having a conical protrusion provided at a center of the plurality of opening portions respectively provided in the plurality of flow paths on the half-spherical concave surface.

2. The laser processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: the plurality of jet port groups respectively provided in the plurality of flow paths are arranged in a circular ring shape connected to each other.

3. The laser processing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: the straight portions of adjacent flow paths are separated from each other, and in a case where gas is jetted from the jet port group, external air flows into centers of the plurality of jet port groups arranged in the circular ring shape connected to each other through the straight portions of the adjacent flow paths from each other. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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