A laser cutting and slotting system and a method for implementing the same

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of CNC technology, specifically a method for implementing a system capable of both grooving and laser cutting metal sheets. The method includes the following steps: acquiring information about the parts to be processed and preprocessing it; setting process parameters for the parts and layering the graphics; collecting the grooving parts; planning paths for the graphics, including grooving layers, cutting layers, and cut-off line layers, based on the layout; generating processing code based on the path-planned graphics according to motion control and cutting process requirements; parsing the parsed code; sending instructions to the servo module; and having the corresponding actuator in the servo module perform the actions to fulfill the actual requirements. This invention, by building a laser cutting and grooving system platform, possesses both laser cutting system functionality and grooving CNC system functionality, reducing equipment procurement costs, labor costs, and equipment footprint, while simultaneously improving processing accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of CNC technology, specifically to a method for implementing a system that can both groove and laser cut metal sheets. Background Technology

[0002] Grooving machines are mainly used for processing V-grooves in metal sheets. They use high-speed rotating blades to cut grooves on the surface of the sheet, providing a foundation for subsequent bending, welding and other processes.

[0003] Laser cutting machines are core equipment in modern manufacturing. They achieve non-contact cutting through high-energy laser beams, and feature high precision, high efficiency, and versatility. They are widely used in the processing of metal and non-metal materials.

[0004] Normally, after the grooves are cut into the surface of the metal sheet by the grooving machine according to the design, the metal sheet needs to be moved to another laser cutting machine for laser cutting. This will cause errors in the correspondence between the reference points of the metal sheet on the two machines, which will increase the processing time. Users need to purchase two machines to complete the processing of the metal sheet, which will increase the equipment footprint and increase costs.

[0005] The current solution involves purchasing a separate height adjustment system based on the grooving machine's CNC system. This system lacks a data exchange communication interface with the grooving machine's CNC system, providing only an I / O-based handshake control interface. It lacks a user-friendly human-machine interface, has a mediocre cutting speed, does not have a power curve function, lacks complex laser cutting processes, and lacks CAM software functions. It only provides simple graphic cutting, resulting in poor performance and failing to meet usage requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Based on this, the purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a laser cutting grooving system and its implementation method, which integrates the height adjustment system into the laser cutting system, so that the functions of the grooving CNC system and the laser cutting system are integrated into one system, which can achieve the functions of the laser cutting system and meet the requirements of the grooving CNC system.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to achieve the above objectives is as follows:

[0008] A laser cutting and grooving system includes a laser cutting and grooving system controller, an I / O board unit, and a servo module connected in sequence. The laser cutting and grooving system controller includes a high-frequency processor and an EtherCAT-enabled communication network card, a data disk, a memory, and peripheral interfaces connected to it. The high-frequency processor is connected to a keyboard and a display through the peripheral interfaces.

[0009] The IO board unit includes an IO board unit and a capacitor data acquisition module, a PWM output interface, an analog output interface, and a digital input / output interface connected thereto.

[0010] The capacitance data acquisition module is a capacitance acquisition amplifier installed on the laser cutting head.

[0011] The servo module includes a positioning axis servo motor and servo driver, a follow-up axis servo motor and servo driver, a grooving axis servo motor and servo driver, and a mechanical transmission mechanism. The servo driver is connected to the corresponding servo motor through a signal cable and a power cable.

[0012] A method for implementing a laser cutting and grooving system includes the following steps:

[0013] 1) Obtain information about the parts to be processed and preprocess them, including: removing tiny graphics, removing duplicate lines, merging connected lines, and automatically distinguishing between inside and outside and direction;

[0014] 2) Configure process settings for parts and layer settings for graphics;

[0015] 3) Collect the cut and grooved parts, and perform path planning for the graphics including the grooving layer, cutting layer, and cut line layer for the layout;

[0016] 4) Based on the path-planned graph, the processing code is generated according to the motion control and cutting process requirements, and then parsed. The parsed code is sent to the servo module, and the corresponding actuator in the servo module performs the action to complete the actual requirements.

[0017] In step 2), the process settings include: setting lead-in and lead-out lines, setting compensation, setting overcut, notch or sealing parameters, setting micro-connection process, "reverse" to change the cutting trajectory direction, setting cooling point process, and setting starting point position; the layer settings include: setting a grooving layer for grooving, setting a cutting layer for laser cutting of parts, and setting a cutting line layer for cutting each line of graphics.

[0018] Step 3) specifically refers to:

[0019] The parts in the cutting layer are sorted internally. First, the individual part graphics are set as a group, then the group is arrayed in a single row, and the path order of the single row is planned. The order in the single row is grooving layer, cutting layer, and cutting line layer. Then, the single row graphics are set as a single row group, and the layout is performed for the entire board.

[0020] The motion control specifically refers to:

[0021] The laser cutting grooving system controller reads the processing code file from line number to line number, and simultaneously writes motion parameters and other functional parameters for the grooving layer, cutting layer, and severance line layer. It then parses and analyzes the code, sets the buffer size for trajectory information, and converts the workpiece coordinates into actual worktable plate processing coordinates. After coordinate conversion, the controller performs five spline curve smoothing processes and speed detection. The continuous trajectory information is converted into discrete data points, which are sent to the servo driver in each motion cycle and then carried by the servo mechanism.

[0022] The present invention has the following beneficial effects and advantages:

[0023] This invention establishes a laser cutting and grooving system platform, utilizing an isolated real-time kernel within the existing Windows system for algorithm processing. This platform combines the functions of a laser cutting system with those of a grooving CNC system. Metal sheet processing involves two steps: grooving and laser cutting. These steps can be completed on a single machine using the laser cutting and grooving system, reducing equipment purchase costs, labor costs, and equipment footprint, while simultaneously improving processing accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the system's working principle.

[0025] Figure 2 System implementation flowchart;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the system motion control process;

[0027] Figure 4 Here is a flowchart of the system's grooving layer;

[0028] Figure 5 Here is a flowchart of the system's cut-off layer;

[0029] Figure 6 Here is a flowchart of the system's laser cutting process;

[0030] Figure 7 A simplified diagram of the system implementation setup. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0032] To achieve the above objectives, this invention designs a method for integrating the functions of a laser cutting system and a grooving CNC system into a single laser cutting and grooving system. The system includes a laser cutting and grooving system controller, an I / O board, and a servo module. The laser cutting and grooving system controller includes a high-frequency processor, an EtherCAT communication network card, a data disk, memory, and peripheral interfaces. The high-frequency processor within the controller includes a dedicated real-time core and embeds laser cutting and grooving system software. The I / O board includes capacitor data acquisition, a PWM output interface, and output and input interfaces. The capacitor data acquisition includes capacitor filtering algorithm processing. The servo module includes a positioning axis servo motor and servo driver, a follow-up axis servo motor and servo driver, a grooving axis servo motor and servo driver, a mechanical transmission mechanism, and the servo drivers are connected to the servo motors via signal cables and power cables.

[0033] This invention integrates the functions of a grooving CNC system and a laser cutting system into a single laser cutting and grooving system. Based on an existing grooving CNC system, it adds laser cutting system functionality, which includes motion control, CAM software, cutting process control, follow-up control, and a user-friendly human-machine interface.

[0034] See Figure 1 This invention designs a method for integrating the functions of a laser cutting system and a grooving CNC system into a single laser cutting and grooving system. The system includes a laser cutting and grooving system controller, an I / O board, and a servo module. The laser cutting and grooving system controller includes a high-frequency processor, an EtherCAT communication network card, a data disk, memory, and peripheral interfaces. The high-frequency processor within the controller includes a separate real-time core processing unit embedded in the laser cutting and grooving system software. The I / O board includes capacitance data acquisition, a PWM output interface, analog output, and digital input and output interfaces. The capacitance data acquisition of the I / O board involves acquiring capacitance signals through a capacitance acquisition amplifier mounted on the laser cutting head, then connecting the amplifier to the I / O board via a signal cable. The I / O board transmits the data to the controller via EtherCAT communication. The capacitance acquisition amplifier includes a capacitance signal acquisition circuit and an EMIFIL capacitor filter circuit to filter harmonic interference. The servo module includes a positioning axis servo motor and servo driver, a follow-up axis servo motor and servo driver, a grooving axis servo motor and servo driver, a mechanical transmission mechanism, and the servo drivers are connected to the servo motors via signal and power cables.

[0035] See Figure 2This invention outlines specific implementation processes: The laser cutting and grooving system software imports the parts to be processed, reads the part information, and performs preprocessing. Preprocessing includes removing extremely small graphics, removing duplicate lines, merging connected lines, automatically distinguishing between inside and outside and directions, and setting process parameters for the parts, including setting lead-in and lead-out lines, setting compensation, setting overcut, notch, or sealing parameters, setting micro-connection processes, allowing for "reverse" to change the cutting trajectory direction, setting cooling point processes, setting the starting point position, etc. Layer settings are applied to the graphics, including setting a grooving layer, performing grooving, setting a cutting layer for laser cutting of the parts, and setting a cutting line layer for cutting each row of graphics. After collecting the cut and grooved parts, path planning is performed on the completed layout graphics, including the grooving layer, cutting layer, and cut-line layer. The parts in the cutting layer are internally sorted and set as groups to prevent the sorting from not meeting the requirements. The path planning order is processed into single rows, with the order within a single row being grooving layer, cutting layer, and cut-line layer. The single row graphics are then set as groups for the entire board layout. Based on the path-planned graphics, processing code is generated according to motion control and cutting process requirements. The processing code is parsed in the motion control section, and instructions are sent to the servo mechanism and external implementation mechanism to perform actions and complete the actual requirements.

[0036] See Figure 3 This invention discloses a motion control flowchart. The laser cutting and grooving system reads the processing code file, proceeding from line number to line number, and simultaneously writes motion parameters for the grooving layer, cutting layer, and cutting line layer, as well as other functional parameters. The system parses and analyzes the code, sets the buffer size, and the buffer contains trajectory information. For the parsed code, the workpiece coordinates are converted into actual worktable plate processing coordinates. For the converted code information, if the speed or acceleration is discontinuous, a five-fold spline curve smoothing process is performed to ensure smooth motion trajectory during processing. Speed ​​detection is performed on the smoothed code information to prevent excessively large target positions sent in each cycle, which could cause mechanical damage. After the trajectory speed detection is normal, the continuous trajectory information is converted into discrete data points, which are sent to the servo driver in each motion cycle and then carried by the servo mechanism for motion.

[0037] See Figure 4 The present invention provides a grooving layer flowchart. The trajectory information is read. If the trajectory information includes grooving layer trajectory information, the positions of the grooving mechanism and the cutting mechanism are different relative to the machine tool origin. The positions of the grooving mechanism and the cutting mechanism need to be calibrated. The grooving mechanism is offset and positioned according to the calibrated position. The grooving mechanism is positioned and controlled according to the required grooving depth of the metal plate. The grooving trajectory information is analyzed and the movement is performed to perform single-row multi-line grooving of the metal plate.

[0038] See Figure 5The present invention provides a flowchart of the cutting layer process. The process involves reading the processing trajectory information, which includes the cutting layer trajectory information. The cutting mechanism receives a follow-up control command, reads the feedback capacitance value until a set follow-up height is reached, and then performs rapid edge finding. Different speeds, follow-up heights, and follow-up levels result in different capacitance changes. Curve meshing analysis is performed to locate the edge of the material. Once the edge is found, the cutting mechanism stops following and performs fixed-height laser cutting into the interior of the material. The capacitance change is identified as being within the material, and the cutting mechanism performs follow-up cutting, monitoring capacitance changes in real time, until the entire material is cut off. The cutting mechanism then returns to a safe position.

[0039] See Figure 6 This invention discloses a laser cutting flowchart. It reads processing trajectory information, analyzes cutting layer parameters including laser cutting duty cycle, frequency, power, cutting gas, and gas pressure, receives follow-up commands, and the cutting mechanism reads the feedback capacitor value to follow the cutting height, adjusting the laser for beam cutting. During cutting, based on the actual cutting speed, it compares the meshing speed-power curve and adjusts the cutting power to improve laser cutting accuracy. Based on trajectory pre-reading and buffering, it analyzes subsequent trajectories and performs a free-moving leapfrog motion to cut the next trajectory until cutting is complete.

[0040] refer to Figure 7 The laser cutting and grooving system method of the present invention is specifically implemented in a simple device, which includes a movable worktable, a fixed crossbeam, a grooving mechanism that can be positioned and moved, a cutting mechanism that can be directionally moved, and the grooving mechanism and the cutting mechanism are at a certain interval.

[0041] This invention provides a method that integrates the motion control function, CAM software function, cutting process, follow-up control function, user-friendly human-machine interface function and grooving CNC system function of the laser cutting system into a laser cutting grooving system platform to develop a laser cutting grooving system that meets actual market demands.

[0042] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been given, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, and substitutions can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A laser cutting and grooving system, characterized in that, The system includes a laser cutting and grooving system controller, an I / O board unit, and a servo module connected in sequence. The laser cutting and grooving system controller includes a high-frequency processor and an EtherCAT-enabled communication network card, a data disk, a memory, and peripheral interfaces connected to it. The high-frequency processor is connected to a keyboard and a display through the peripheral interfaces.

2. The laser cutting and grooving system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The IO board unit includes an IO board unit and a capacitor data acquisition module, a PWM output interface, an analog output interface, and a digital input / output interface connected thereto.

3. The laser cutting and grooving system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The capacitance data acquisition module is a capacitance acquisition amplifier installed on the laser cutting head.

4. The laser cutting and grooving system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The servo module includes a positioning axis servo motor and servo driver, a follow-up axis servo motor and servo driver, a grooving axis servo motor and servo driver, and a mechanical transmission mechanism. The servo driver is connected to the corresponding servo motor through a signal cable and a power cable.

5. A method for implementing a laser cutting and grooving system, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: 1) Obtain information about the parts to be processed and preprocess them, including: removing tiny graphics, removing duplicate lines, merging connected lines, and automatically distinguishing between inside and outside and direction; 2) Configure process settings for parts and layer settings for graphics; 3) Collect the cut and grooved parts, and perform path planning for the graphics including the grooving layer, cutting layer, and cut line layer for the layout; 4) Based on the path-planned graph, the processing code is generated according to the motion control and cutting process requirements, and then parsed. The parsed code is sent to the servo module, and the corresponding actuator in the servo module performs the action to complete the actual requirements.

6. The method for implementing a laser cutting and grooving system according to claim 5, characterized in that, In step 2), the process settings include: setting lead-in and lead-out lines, setting compensation, setting overcut, notch or sealing parameters, setting micro-connection process, "reverse" to change the cutting trajectory direction, setting cooling point process, and setting starting position; the layer settings include: setting a grooving layer for grooving, setting a cutting layer for laser cutting of parts, and setting a cutting line layer for cutting each line of graphics.

7. The method for implementing a laser cutting and grooving system according to claim 5, characterized in that, Step 3) specifically refers to: The parts in the cutting layer are sorted internally. First, the individual part graphics are set as a group, then the group is arrayed in a single row, and the path order of the single row is planned. The order in the single row is grooving layer, cutting layer, and cutting line layer. Then, the single row graphics are set as a single row group, and the layout is performed for the entire board.

8. The method for implementing a laser cutting and grooving system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The motion control specifically refers to: The laser cutting grooving system controller reads the processing code file from line number to line number, and simultaneously writes motion parameters and other functional parameters for the grooving layer, cutting layer, and cutting line layer. It parses and analyzes the code, sets the buffer size for trajectory information, and converts the workpiece coordinates into actual worktable plate processing coordinates. After coordinate conversion, it performs five spline curve smoothing processes and speed detection on the code information. The continuous trajectory information that passes the detection is converted into discrete data points, which are sent to the servo driver in each motion cycle and carried by the servo mechanism for motion.

Images