A laser cutting machine

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of laser cutting, and discloses a laser cutting machine, which comprises a driving assembly, an air floating support platform and a laser cutting mechanism. The driving assembly comprises a moving frame and a driving clamping assembly, and the driving clamping assembly is in transmission connection with the moving frame through a driving mechanism. The air floating support platform comprises a first support platform and a second support platform, and a cutting gap is formed between the first support platform and the second support platform. The air floating support platform is internally provided with a support airflow in the vertical direction, and a water cooling pipeline is arranged at one end close to the cutting gap. The laser cutting mechanism comprises a gantry and a laser cutting assembly, and the gantry is arranged above the cutting gap. An adjusting frame is arranged on the gantry along the extension direction of the cutting gap, and the laser cutting assembly is in driving connection with the adjusting frame through a control mechanism. The present application aims to solve the technical problem that the existing air floating laser cutting equipment lacks effective heat management when cutting thin plates, resulting in plate thermal drift and flutter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser cutting technology, and in particular to a laser cutting machine. Background Technology

[0002] Laser cutting technology is widely used in the processing of sheet metal, such as stainless steel, due to its high precision and efficiency. Traditional laser cutting machines typically use contact support platforms such as rollers, brushes, or grids to support the sheet metal, and feed it by dragging it with a clamping device. However, this contact support method is prone to scratching or indenting the surface of the sheet metal, especially materials with high appearance requirements such as stainless steel, during the conveying process. Particularly for thin sheets, the localized high temperatures generated during cutting can cause thermal deformation and warping of the sheet metal, further aggravating the friction and abrasion between the sheet metal and the support platform, seriously affecting cutting accuracy and yield.

[0003] The existing equipment has introduced an air flotation platform, which uses an upward jet of air to suspend the sheet material for non-contact conveying. Although this has solved the problem of surface scratches to some extent, the existing air flotation platforms generally lack effective thermal management methods for the heat-affected zone of cutting. The heat input from single-sided cutting will still accumulate in the sheet material, resulting in inconsistent thermal expansion. This makes the thin sheet more prone to irregular drifting and chattering in the suspended state, making it difficult to meet the stability requirements of high-precision cutting. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a laser cutting machine that addresses the technical problems of thermal drift and chattering in thin plates caused by the lack of effective thermal management in existing air-float laser cutting equipment.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a laser cutting machine, comprising a drive assembly, an air-floating support platform, and a laser cutting mechanism; The driving assembly includes a movable frame and a driving clamping assembly disposed on the movable frame. The driving clamping assembly is slidably connected to the movable frame and is drivenly connected to the movable frame through a driving mechanism. At least two driving clamping assemblies are provided and arranged at intervals along the feeding direction for clamping and driving the plate to move. The air-floating support platform is located on the side of the movable frame equipped with the driving clamping component. The air-floating support platform includes a first support platform and a second support platform. A cutting gap is formed between the first support platform and the second support platform. A supporting airflow is formed in the vertical direction inside the air-floating support platform, and a water-cooling pipe is provided at one end near the cutting gap. The water-cooling pipe is arranged inside the supporting airflow. The laser cutting mechanism includes a gantry frame and a laser cutting assembly mounted on the gantry frame. The gantry frame spans above the cutting gap. An adjustment frame is provided on the gantry frame along the extension direction of the cutting gap. The laser cutting assembly is slidably mounted on the adjustment frame and is drivenly connected to the adjustment frame through a control mechanism. The laser cutting assembly includes a laser that is positioned towards the cutting gap.

[0006] In one embodiment of this application, the air-floating support platform includes a frame and a top plate connected to the opening of the frame cavity. The top plate is provided with an array of multiple air outlets. An air pump is connected to one end of the frame away from the top plate to deliver airflow into the frame cavity to form a supporting airflow through the air outlets. The inner cavity of the frame is provided with a honeycomb support frame, which is used to evenly distribute and rectify the airflow so that the airflow output from the air outlet is evenly distributed.

[0007] In one embodiment of this application, the support frame includes a plurality of honeycomb single pieces, and each honeycomb single piece has a mounting groove symmetrically arranged at both ends. Two of the mounting grooves are respectively arranged opposite to the top plate and the frame to form an assembly positioning structure. The water-cooled pipeline is arranged in a loop, serpentine path, or spiral coil structure along the multiple mounting slots.

[0008] In one embodiment of this application, the honeycomb monolayer is provided with a plurality of flow equalization holes at intervals along the vertical direction. The flow equalization holes are used to perform stratified flow guidance and pressure equalization treatment on the airflow to improve the stability of the output airflow of the air flotation support platform.

[0009] In one embodiment of this application, the air flotation support platform further includes a support structure, and a mating groove for accommodating the support structure is formed between one end of the top plate near the cutting gap and the frame, and the support structure is slidably disposed in the mating groove; A telescopic rod is provided between the support structure and the frame, and a spring connects the telescopic rod to the support structure; The support structure is positioned above the water-cooling pipeline.

[0010] In one embodiment of this application, the support structure is provided with a guide portion on the side away from the cutting gap, and the height of the guide portion gradually decreases along the direction away from the cutting gap, so as to guide and limit the movement direction of the plate.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the support structure has a slag-blowing slope on one side near the cutting gap, and the slag-blowing slope has a plurality of slag-blowing holes, with the air outlet direction of the slag-blowing holes facing the laser.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the laser cutting assembly includes an upper laser unit and a lower laser unit, and two adjustment frames are respectively provided relative to the upper laser unit and the lower laser unit, with the cutting gap located between the two adjustment frames; the upper laser unit and the lower laser unit are respectively driven and connected to the corresponding adjustment frames through corresponding control mechanisms; Both the upper laser unit and the lower laser unit are equipped with lasers that are positioned toward the cutting gap.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, both the upper laser unit and the lower laser unit are connected to the corresponding adjustment frame via a lifting mechanism to achieve vertical position adjustment of the laser.

[0014] In one embodiment of this application, the movable frame is provided with a guide rail and a drive rack along its length; The drive clamping assembly includes a main body that is slidably connected to the guide rail and a clamping part that is disposed toward the air-bearing support platform; The drive mechanism is located in the main body and is connected to the drive rack for transmission, so as to drive the drive clamping assembly to move along the guide rail.

[0015] As can be seen from the above, the laser cutting machine provided in this application achieves non-contact conveying through an air-floating support platform to avoid surface scratches, and combines water-cooling pipelines to actively cool the periphery of the cutting area to control thermal deformation, effectively avoiding surface scratches on the sheet material, reducing thermal deformation, and improving cutting accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laser cutting machine of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top view of the laser cutting machine of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first support platform of the laser cutting machine of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the first support platform of the laser cutting machine of the present invention; Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure of the laser cutting machine of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the drive assembly of the laser cutting machine of the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of icon numbers: 1. Drive assembly; 11. Moving frame; 12. Guide rail; 13. Drive rack; 14. Drive clamping assembly; 15. Main body; 16. Clamping part; 17. Drive mechanism; 2. Air flotation support platform; 21. First support platform; 22. Second support platform; 23. Top plate; 24. Frame; 25. Water cooling pipeline; 3. Support frame; 31. Honeycomb single piece; 32. Mounting groove; 33. Flow equalization hole; 4. Support structure; 41. Guide part; 42. Slag blowing slope; 43. Slag blowing hole; 44. Telescopic rod; 5. Cutting gap; 6. Laser cutting mechanism; 61. Gantry frame; 62. Adjusting frame; 7. Laser cutting assembly; 71. Upper laser unit; 72. Lower laser unit; 8. Control mechanism.

[0019] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0021] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1 to 7 The present invention will be further described below.

[0022] Traditional laser cutting machines typically use contact support platforms when processing sheet metal, which can easily scratch or indent the surface. This is especially true for thin sheets, where the localized high temperatures generated during cutting can cause thermal deformation and warping, further exacerbating friction and abrasion between the sheet and the support platform, severely impacting cutting accuracy and yield. While existing air-floating platforms address surface scratches to some extent, they generally lack effective thermal management for the heat-affected zone. Heat input from single-sided cutting still accumulates within the sheet, leading to inconsistent thermal expansion. This makes thin sheets more prone to irregular drifting and chattering in a suspended state, failing to meet the stability requirements of high-precision cutting.

[0023] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a laser cutting machine, comprising a drive assembly 1, an air-floating support platform 2, and a laser cutting mechanism 6; The drive assembly 1 includes a movable frame 11 and a drive clamping assembly 14 disposed on the movable frame 11. The drive clamping assembly 14 is slidably connected to the movable frame 11 and is drivenly connected to the movable frame 11 through the drive mechanism 17. At least two drive clamping assemblies 14 are provided and are arranged at intervals along the feeding direction for clamping and driving the plate to move. The air-floating support platform 2 is located on the side of the movable frame 11 where the drive clamping assembly 14 is provided. The air-floating support platform 2 includes a first support platform 21 and a second support platform 22. A cutting gap 5 is formed between the first support platform 21 and the second support platform 22. A supporting airflow is formed in the vertical direction inside the air-floating support platform 2. A water-cooling pipe 25 is provided at one end near the cutting gap 5. The water-cooling pipe 25 is arranged in the supporting airflow. The laser cutting mechanism 6 includes a gantry frame 61 and a laser cutting assembly 7 mounted on the gantry frame 61. The gantry frame 61 spans above the cutting gap 5. An adjustment frame 62 is mounted on the gantry frame 61 along the extension direction of the cutting gap 5. The laser cutting assembly 7 is slidably mounted on the adjustment frame 62 and is drivenly connected to the adjustment frame 62 through a control mechanism 8. The laser cutting assembly 7 includes a laser that is positioned toward the cutting gap 5.

[0024] Specifically, the moving frame 11 of the drive assembly 1 can be a long, narrow guide rail 12 or frame, used to support and guide the movement of the drive clamping assembly 14. The drive clamping assembly 14 can take various forms such as pneumatic clamps, electric clamps, or mechanical clamps, and is designed to firmly clamp the sheet metal. The drive clamping assembly 14 is slidably connected to the moving frame 11 via sliders or rollers to ensure smooth movement on the moving frame 11. The drive mechanism 17 can be a motor, cylinder, or hydraulic cylinder, which is connected to the moving frame 11 via gear racks, synchronous belts, or chains, thereby driving the drive clamping assembly 14 to move along the length of the moving frame 11. To ensure stable clamping and feeding of sheets of different lengths, at least two drive clamping assemblies 14 can be provided and arranged at intervals along the feeding direction of the sheet metal, for example, one located at the front end of the sheet metal and the other at the middle or rear end of the sheet metal to provide uniform driving force.

[0025] The air-floating support platform 2 is positioned on one side of the moving frame 11 and works in conjunction with the drive clamping assembly 14 to transport the sheet metal. This air-floating support platform 2 can consist of two independent support units: a first support platform 21 and a second support platform 22. A certain distance is maintained between these two support platforms, forming a cutting gap 5, allowing the laser cutting assembly 7 to perform cutting operations in this area. The supporting airflow is generated by setting an air chamber inside the platform and introducing compressed air into the chamber, causing the air to be ejected upwards through micropores or gaps on the platform surface, thus forming an air cushion above the platform and suspending the sheet metal. The water-cooling pipe 25, made of metal or corrosion-resistant material, is bent into a specific shape, such as a straight line or a simple S-shape, and is placed in the supporting airflow path inside the air-floating support platform 2, near the cutting gap 5. A cooling medium (e.g., water or coolant) circulates in the water-cooling pipe 25, absorbing the heat generated in the cutting area.

[0026] The gantry 61 of the laser cutting mechanism 6 can be a frame structure spanning the cutting gap 5, with both ends supported on the machine tool bed. The laser cutting assembly 7 can be a module integrating a laser head, focusing lens, and nozzle, connected to the adjusting frame 62 via a slider or guide rail 12 for lateral movement. The adjusting frame 62 can be a crossbeam mounted on the gantry 61, providing a precise moving track for the laser cutting assembly 7. The control mechanism 8 can be a stepper motor or servo motor, connected to the adjusting frame 62 via a lead screw, rack and pinion, or synchronous belt, driving the laser cutting assembly 7 to move along the adjusting frame 62, thereby achieving precise position adjustment of the laser cutting assembly 7 above the cutting gap 5 along the extension direction. The laser can be a CO2 laser, fiber laser, or disk laser, installed inside the laser cutting assembly 7, focusing its laser beam and guiding it to the cutting gap 5 to cut the sheet metal. The laser itself can be cooled by water-cooling pipes, with an additional auxiliary gas structure outside the water-cooling pipes to ensure the stability of laser cutting.

[0027] The laser cutting machine of this application achieves stable feeding of the sheet metal through the drive component 1 and provides non-contact support using the air-floating support platform 2, effectively avoiding scratches and indentations on the sheet metal surface. The water-cooling pipes 25 inside the air-floating support platform 2, arranged within the support airflow, can effectively manage the heat-affected zone during cutting, reducing the risk of thermal deformation and warping of the sheet metal. Therefore, the sheet metal maintains higher stability during the cutting process, significantly improving cutting accuracy and yield.

[0028] In one embodiment of this application, the air-floating support platform 2 includes a frame 24 and a top plate 23 connected to the opening of the inner cavity of the frame 24. The top plate 23 is provided with a plurality of air outlets in an array. An air pump is connected to one end of the frame 24 away from the top plate 23 for delivering airflow to the inner cavity of the frame 24 to form a support airflow through the air outlets. The inner cavity of the frame 24 is provided with a honeycomb support frame 3, which is used to evenly distribute and rectify the airflow so that the airflow output from the air outlet is evenly distributed.

[0029] Specifically, the frame 24 constitutes the main structure of the air flotation support platform 2, forming a closed or semi-closed inner cavity to accommodate and guide airflow. The frame 24 is typically made of metal, possessing sufficient strength and rigidity to support the entire platform and the sheet metal on it. The top plate 23 serves as the upper surface of the air flotation support platform 2, directly contacting the sheet metal to be processed and bearing its weight. The top plate 23 is tightly connected to the opening of the inner cavity of the frame 24 via its edges or specific connection structures, ensuring airflow sealing and preventing airflow leakage from unintended paths.

[0030] The multiple air outlets arrayed on the top plate 23 form the interface between the airflow and the panel. These outlets are typically distributed evenly across the entire effective support area of ​​the top plate 23 in a regular geometric pattern (such as a rectangular, circular, or hexagonal array). The size, shape, and spacing of the outlets can be optimized according to the required support force, airflow uniformity, and panel characteristics to ensure a stable and uniform air cushion is formed beneath the panel. For example, a micro-pore array design can be used to provide more precise airflow control.

[0031] The air pump is the core component providing the air source required for air flotation support. It is typically a blower or compressor capable of generating airflow with a certain pressure and flow rate. The air pump is connected to the end of the frame 24 away from the top plate 23 via a pipe or channel, delivering the generated pressurized airflow into the inner cavity of the frame 24. This airflow accumulates in the inner cavity and is ejected upwards through the air outlet on the top plate 23, thereby forming a supporting airflow under the plate, enabling frictionless movement of the plate.

[0032] The inner cavity of the frame 24 is equipped with a honeycomb support frame 3, which consists of a series of closely arranged hexagonal or square channels, resembling a honeycomb structure. The honeycomb support frame 3 is typically made of lightweight, high-strength materials such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or engineering plastics. This support frame 3 is precisely positioned within the inner cavity of the frame 24, between the air pump inlet and the air outlet of the top plate 23, forming an airflow buffer and guide layer.

[0033] The main function of the honeycomb support frame 3 is to uniformly distribute and rectify the airflow entering the inner cavity of the frame 24. When the pressurized airflow delivered by the air pump enters the inner cavity of the frame 24, the numerous small channels of the honeycomb support frame 3 can decompose the large airflow into countless small sub-airflows with the same direction. This distribution effect effectively eliminates eddies and uneven distribution of airflow that may occur in the inner cavity, avoiding situations where the local air pressure is too high or too low. At the same time, the honeycomb structure also has a rectification effect, enabling the airflow to flow smoothly in the vertical direction, reducing airflow turbulence and lateral diffusion, and ensuring that the air pressure and velocity received by each air outlet tend to be consistent, thereby ensuring the stability of the air flotation support.

[0034] Through the above technical solution, the frame 24, top plate 23, air outlet, and air pump inside the air-floating support platform 2 work together. In particular, the introduction of the honeycomb support frame 3 can effectively and uniformly distribute and rectify the airflow delivered by the air pump to the inner cavity of the frame 24. This ensures that the supporting airflow output from the air outlet of the top plate 23 has high uniformity and stability, thus providing stable and reliable support for the sheet metal. This significantly reduces the risk of swaying or deformation of the sheet metal during the cutting process due to uneven airflow, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of laser cutting. It also helps to extend the service life of the sheet metal and reduce the scrap rate.

[0035] In some embodiments described above, the air flotation support platform 2 is internally provided with a honeycomb support frame 3 for uniformly distributing and rectifying the airflow, so that the airflow output from the air outlet is evenly distributed. However, when arranging the water-cooled pipes 25 inside the honeycomb support frame 3, how to ensure that the water-cooled pipes 25 are stably and efficiently integrated into the support frame 3 without affecting the uniformity of the airflow, and is easy to install and maintain, is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0036] In one embodiment of this application, the support frame 3 includes a plurality of honeycomb single pieces 31, and mounting grooves 32 are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the honeycomb single pieces 31. The two mounting grooves 32 are respectively arranged opposite to the top plate 23 and the frame 24 to form an assembly positioning structure. Meanwhile, the water-cooled piping 25 is arranged in a loop, serpentine path, or spiral coil structure along the multiple mounting slots 32. The water-cooled piping 25 is a key component for cooling the air-float support platform 2, and its arrangement directly affects cooling efficiency and airflow uniformity. "Arranged along the multiple mounting slots 32" means that the water-cooled piping 25 is not placed arbitrarily, but utilizes the structural space or guiding path formed by the mounting slots 32 of the honeycomb monoliths 31. For example, the gaps between the mounting slots 32 or the mounting slots 32 themselves can serve as channels or support points for the water-cooled piping 25. "Loop, serpentine path, or spiral coil structure" describes the specific routing of the water-cooled piping 25 within the honeycomb support frame 3. A "loop" path can refer to the water-cooled piping 25 forming one or more closed loops around the outside or inside of the honeycomb monolith array 31 to achieve overall cooling of a specific area. The "serpentine path" refers to the water-cooled pipes 25 weaving back and forth between the honeycomb monoliths 31 or along the arrangement direction of the mounting slots 32, forming continuous S-shaped or Z-shaped bends. This path maximizes the heat exchange area between the water-cooled pipes 25 and the airflow or honeycomb structure, improving cooling efficiency. The "spiral coiled structure" refers to the water-cooled pipes 25 spirally wound around the central area of ​​the honeycomb monolith array 31 or a specific columnar structure, also aiming to increase the cooling area and uniform heat dissipation. Through this pipe arrangement method that is closely integrated with the layout of the mounting slots 32, the water-cooled pipes 25 can be precisely positioned and fixed, avoiding vibration or displacement under the action of airflow, while ensuring that the cooling medium can flow evenly through the area that needs to be cooled, thereby effectively removing heat and maintaining the stable operating temperature of the air-floating support platform 2.

[0037] Through the above technical solution, the support frame 3 is designed to consist of multiple honeycomb monoliths 31. The mounting slots 32 symmetrically arranged at both ends of the honeycomb monoliths 31 form an assembly and positioning structure with the top plate 23 and the frame 24. This not only provides a modular support frame 3 structure that is easy to assemble and maintain, but also ensures the precise alignment and stable fixation of the honeycomb monoliths 31 within the air-float support platform 2. Based on this, the water-cooled pipes 25 are arranged in a surrounding, serpentine, or spiral pattern along the multiple mounting slots 32, allowing for precise and stable integration of the water-cooled pipes 25 within the honeycomb support frame 3. This integration method fully utilizes the structural characteristics of the support frame 3, providing stable support and precise positioning for the water-cooled pipes 25, avoiding any adverse effects of the water-cooled pipes 25 on the uniformity of the airflow, and ensuring the stability of the output airflow from the air-float support platform 2. Meanwhile, by optimizing the routing path of the water-cooled pipe 25, its heat exchange area with the airflow or honeycomb structure is maximized, significantly improving cooling efficiency and effectively controlling the working temperature of the air-floating support platform 2, thereby ensuring the stability and cutting accuracy of the laser cutting machine during long-term operation.

[0038] In some embodiments described above, although the air-bearing support platform 2 is internally equipped with a honeycomb support frame 3 for uniformly distributing and rectifying the airflow, uneven distribution of airflow or pressure fluctuations may still occur in the vertical direction during its implementation. This unevenness or fluctuation can affect the stable support effect of the air-bearing support platform 2 on the sheet metal, especially in high-speed cutting or high-precision scenarios. It may cause slight shaking or unstable support of the sheet metal during movement or cutting, thereby affecting the final cutting quality and efficiency.

[0039] In one embodiment of this application, the honeycomb monolith 31 is provided with a plurality of equalization holes 33 at intervals along the vertical direction. The equalization holes 33 are used to perform stratified flow guidance and pressure equalization treatment on the airflow to improve the stability of the output airflow of the air flotation support platform 2.

[0040] Specifically, the equalization orifices 33 are used for stratified flow guidance and pressure equalization of the airflow. Stratified flow guidance refers to dividing the airflow entering the honeycomb support frame 3 into multiple relatively independent laminar flow regions with uniform velocity in the vertical direction through the specific arrangement and size design of the equalization orifices 33, thus avoiding turbulence or eddies within the airflow. Pressure equalization refers to finely adjusting the airflow resistance through the equalization orifices 33, ensuring that the airflow pressure in each region remains highly consistent at the air outlet of the top plate 23 of the air flotation support platform 2, thereby eliminating local high-pressure or low-pressure areas. For example, the airflow resistance at different levels can be precisely controlled by adjusting the diameter, number, or vertical distribution density of the equalization orifices 33 to achieve the best pressure equalization effect.

[0041] Through the above technical solution, the uniform flow holes 33 set on the honeycomb single piece 31 can perform more refined layered guidance and pressure equalization of airflow. This treatment method allows the airflow to flow upward in a more stable and uniform laminar flow state when passing through the honeycomb support frame 3, and finally be output from the air outlet of the top plate 23. The stability and pressure uniformity of the airflow are significantly improved, thereby ensuring that the air-floating support platform 2 can provide extremely stable and consistent support force for the plate. This effectively avoids the slight vibration or instability of the plate caused by airflow fluctuations during high-speed movement or laser cutting, greatly improving the cutting accuracy and surface quality. The effect is even more significant for thin plates or materials with extremely high requirements for cutting edges, thereby ensuring production efficiency and product qualification rate.

[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the laser cutting machine provides non-contact support for the sheet metal via an air-bearing support platform 2 to reduce friction and protect the sheet metal surface. However, in actual laser cutting processes, especially for thin or large sheets, the sheet metal near the cutting point may experience localized vibration, sagging, or deformation due to cutting force, thermal stress, or its own weight. Relying solely on air-bearing support is insufficient to provide adequate local stability, which may affect cutting accuracy and quality.

[0043] To address this, this application further proposes an improved air-floating support platform 2, which also includes a support structure 4. This support structure 4 is a mechanical component for physically contacting and actively supporting the sheet material. It can be designed as a block, strip, or roller, and is typically made of materials with good wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction, such as engineering plastics, ceramics, or specially surface-treated metals, to ensure reduced damage upon contact with the sheet material. To accommodate and guide the support structure 4, a mating groove is formed between the top plate 23 of the air-floating support platform 2 and the frame 24 near the cutting gap 5. This mating groove provides a precise installation position and sliding path for the support structure 4, and is typically formed by machining corresponding parts of the top plate 23 and the frame 24, with dimensions and shape matching the support structure 4 to ensure smooth sliding within it. The support structure 4 is designed to be slidably disposed within the mating groove, meaning it can move horizontally. This sliding capability allows the support structure 4 to be flexibly adjusted according to the size of the sheet material, the cutting position, or operational requirements, and can even be temporarily removed when not needed. The inner wall of the groove can be provided with guide rails 12 or guide surfaces, and the support structure 4 is provided with corresponding sliders or guides, and can be supplemented with low-friction materials or lubricants to ensure that its sliding process is smooth and stable.

[0044] In addition, a telescopic rod 44 is provided between the support structure 4 and the frame 24, and a spring connects the telescopic rod 44 to the support structure 4. The telescopic rod 44 provides vertical mobility, while the spring provides elastic force. The stiffness of the spring can be selected according to the weight of the sheet metal, the impact force that may be generated during the cutting process, and the required shock absorption effect; it can be a coil spring, a disc spring, etc. This configuration allows the support structure 4 to apply an adjustable elastic support force to the sheet metal, thereby effectively absorbing the vibration generated during the cutting process. In terms of spatial layout, the support structure 4 is positioned above the water cooling pipe 25. This design ensures that the support structure 4 provides physical support without obstructing the water cooling pipe 25 from effectively cooling the cutting area. Furthermore, the support structure 4 being positioned above the water cooling pipe 25 may indirectly utilize the low-temperature environment provided by the water cooling pipe 25, helping to prevent the support structure 4 itself from overheating due to cutting heat. The height of the support structure 4 is precisely designed to be less than or equal to the support height of the air-bearing support platform 2. This means that when the sheet metal is mainly supported non-contactly by air buoyancy, the support structure 4 will not continuously contact the sheet metal. The support structure 4 will only actively contact the sheet material when it experiences localized sinking or vibration near the cutting point due to cutting force, thermal stress, or its own weight, providing timely physical support and shock absorption. When the sheet material is laser-cut, both the front and rear ends of the cutting area are actively supported by the support structure 4, which, together with the telescopic rod 44 and springs, can effectively absorb shock and prevent deformation of the sheet material.

[0045] Through the above technical solution, this application introduces a sliding, elastic support structure 4 based on the air-float support platform 2. This support structure 4 provides active physical support for the cutting portion of the sheet metal, especially at both ends before and after the cutting point. The cooperation between the telescopic rod 44 and the spring allows the support structure 4 to provide flexible, buffered support force, effectively absorbing vibrations and impacts generated during laser cutting and significantly reducing sheet metal vibration. Simultaneously, this active support effectively prevents sagging or deformation of the sheet metal due to localized heating or cutting stress during cutting, thereby significantly improving cutting accuracy and quality. Furthermore, the support structure 4 is positioned above the water-cooling pipe 25, ensuring that the cooling effect is not affected and potentially indirectly benefiting from cooling, thus guaranteeing the stable operation of the entire system. This solution, combining air flotation and elastic physical support, overcomes the potential instability of a single air-float support in dynamic cutting environments, providing a more comprehensive and stable support guarantee for the sheet metal.

[0046] In one embodiment of this application, the support structure 4 is provided with a guide portion 41 on the side away from the cutting gap 5. The height of the guide portion 41 gradually decreases along the direction away from the cutting gap 5, so as to guide and limit the movement direction of the plate.

[0047] Through the above technical solution, a guide portion 41 with a gradually decreasing height along the direction away from the cutting gap 5 is provided on the side of the support structure 4 away from the cutting gap 5. This allows the plate to be smoothly and accurately guided by the guide portion 41 when it is driven to move by the driven clamping assembly 14. This gradually decreasing height guide design effectively avoids impact, jamming, or lateral deviation that may occur when the plate enters or leaves the support structure 4, thereby ensuring the accuracy and stability of the plate's movement direction. Especially in laser cutting processes where high cutting precision is required, the guide portion 41 can significantly improve the positioning accuracy and feeding stability of the plate, reduce cutting defects caused by plate vibration or misalignment, and further improve the overall operating efficiency and cutting quality of the laser cutting machine.

[0048] In one embodiment of this application, the support structure 4 is provided with a slag blowing slope 42 on the side near the cutting gap 5, and a plurality of slag blowing holes 43 are provided on the slag blowing slope 42, with the air outlet direction of the slag blowing holes 43 facing the laser.

[0049] Specifically, the slag-blowing ramp 42 is an inclined surface on the support structure 4 near the cutting gap 5, whose main function is to guide the slag and debris generated during laser cutting. By setting the ramp, gravity or airflow can be used to prevent slag and debris from accumulating near the cutting gap 5, instead causing them to slide down the ramp or be guided to a specific area, thus keeping the cutting area clean. The ramp can be integrally formed with the support structure 4 or it can be a separate component mounted on the support structure 4, and its inclination angle can be optimized according to the actual cutting material and process requirements. Multiple slag-blowing holes 43 are provided on the slag-blowing ramp 42, designed to eject high-speed airflow through these holes to actively remove slag and debris from the cutting area. These slag-blowing holes 43 can be arranged linearly, in an array, or in other specific arrangements, and their diameter, spacing, and number can be adjusted according to the required airflow coverage and intensity. The airflow is usually provided by an external air source (such as a compressed air system) and delivered to each slag-blowing hole 43 through pipes inside or outside the support structure 4. The exhaust direction of the slag-blowing hole 43 is precisely designed to face the laser. This ensures that the ejected airflow effectively acts on the cutting point and its vicinity, blowing away molten slag and debris from the laser and preventing them from adhering to the laser's optical components, thus protecting the laser from contamination and damage. Simultaneously, this directional airflow also helps guide slag to the pre-designed slag discharge channel, improving slag discharge efficiency. By rationally designing the airflow pressure, flow rate, and injection angle of the slag-blowing hole 43, a specific airflow field can be formed, effectively suppressing the disorderly splashing of molten metal or non-metal particles generated during laser cutting. This "air curtain" or "air wall" not only protects the operator and the surrounding environment but also prevents secondary contamination or damage to the plate surface or other equipment components caused by splashes. To avoid potential reduction in cutting quality or energy loss due to direct blowing towards the laser cutting point, the exhaust path of the slag-blowing hole 43 in this embodiment is designed not to directly impact the cutting point. Conversely, its airflow path works in conjunction with the auxiliary gas outlet of the laser in the lower laser unit 72 to form a directional vortex on both sides of the cutting point. This vortex field efficiently entrains and carries away the molten slag, fumes, and exhaust gases generated during cutting from the cutting area into the slag removal system, thus achieving a more thorough and efficient slag removal effect without affecting the cutting process. This vortex slag removal mechanism optimizes the utilization efficiency of airflow and improves the overall cleanliness of the cutting environment.

[0050] Through the above technical solution, a slag-blowing inclined surface 42 and multiple slag-blowing holes 43 are provided on the side of the support structure 4 near the cutting gap 5, with the air outlet direction of the slag-blowing holes 43 facing the laser. This application can effectively guide and remove molten slag and debris generated during laser cutting. The slag-blowing inclined surface 42 uses its tilt angle to assist the slag to slide off, while the directional airflow ejected from the slag-blowing holes 43 actively blows the slag away from the cutting area and the laser, thereby preventing material splashing and protecting the laser from contamination. Furthermore, by designing the air outlet path of the slag-blowing holes 43 to not directly blow onto the cutting point, but to work in conjunction with the auxiliary air outlet of the laser in the lower laser unit 72, a guiding vortex is formed on both sides of the cutting point. This innovative slag removal mechanism can efficiently entrain and carry away molten slag and dust from the cutting area. This not only avoids the adverse effects on cutting quality that may be caused by traditional direct blowing methods, but also significantly improves slag removal efficiency and the cleanliness of the cutting environment, ensuring the stability of the cutting process and the quality of the cut parts, while extending the service life of the laser and related components.

[0051] In one embodiment of this application, the laser cutting assembly 7 includes an upper laser unit 71 and a lower laser unit 72. Two adjustment frames 62 are respectively provided for the upper laser unit 71 and the lower laser unit 72, and the cutting gap 5 is located between the two adjustment frames 62. The upper laser unit 71 and the lower laser unit 72 are respectively driven and connected to the corresponding adjustment frames 62 through the corresponding control mechanism 8. Both the upper laser unit 71 and the lower laser unit 72 are equipped with lasers that are positioned toward the cutting gap 5.

[0052] By introducing an upper laser unit 71 and a lower laser unit 72, and providing them with independent adjustment frames 62 and control mechanisms 8, this application enables double-sided synchronous or asynchronous laser cutting of sheet metal. This configuration significantly improves cutting efficiency, especially when processing thicker sheets, effectively reducing the need for multiple reciprocating motions or high power requirements for single-sided cutting. Simultaneously, the synergistic effect of the two laser units helps optimize cutting quality, for example, by balancing heat input to reduce sheet metal deformation, or by precisely controlling the upper and lower cutting paths to form complex cut geometry, such as double-sided beveling. Furthermore, the independent control mechanism 8 allows the two laser units to flexibly adjust their relative positions and cutting parameters, thereby adapting to the processing needs of different materials, thicknesses, and cutting requirements, improving the equipment's versatility and processing accuracy.

[0053] In one embodiment of this application, both the upper laser unit 71 and the lower laser unit 72 are connected to the corresponding adjustment frame 62 via a lifting mechanism to achieve vertical position adjustment of the laser.

[0054] Specifically, a lifting mechanism is a mechanical device that enables precise vertical displacement of components. It can be implemented in various ways; for example, a screw-nut mechanism can be used, where rotating the screw drives the nut and connected components to move up and down; a gear and rack mechanism can be used, where a motor drives the gears to mesh with the rack to achieve lifting; or a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or other drive methods can be employed. In laser cutting machines, the lifting mechanism typically needs to possess high precision, high stability, and a certain load-bearing capacity to ensure that the laser does not vibrate or deviate during adjustment.

[0055] Vertical laser positioning is crucial for laser cutting. It allows for precise adjustment of the laser beam's focal point based on varying sheet thicknesses, specific cutting focus requirements, and particular cutting processes (such as piercing, cutting, and marking). A lifting mechanism ensures optimal focal length between the laser's output port and the sheet surface, resulting in high-quality cut surfaces, improved cutting efficiency, and reduced heat-affected zones. The adjustment process can be automated and highly precise, driven by manual knobs, stepper motors, or servo motors, combined with closed-loop control using position sensors.

[0056] Through the above technical solution, both the upper laser unit 71 and the lower laser unit 72 are connected to the corresponding adjusting frame 62 via a lifting mechanism, enabling precise vertical position adjustment of the laser. This effectively solves the problem of difficulty in accurately adjusting the laser position in processes requiring different thicknesses of plates or different cutting focal points. With the help of the lifting mechanism, operators or the control system can flexibly and accurately adjust the laser's focal length according to actual needs, ensuring the laser beam is always focused at the optimal position, thereby significantly improving cutting accuracy and quality, reducing scrap rate, and enhancing the equipment's process adaptability and production efficiency.

[0057] In one embodiment of this application, the movable frame 11 is provided with a guide rail 12 and a drive rack 13 along its length direction; The drive clamping assembly 14 includes a main body 15 slidably connected to the guide rail 12 and a clamping part 16 disposed toward the air-bearing support platform 2; The drive mechanism 17 is located on the main body 15 and is meshed with the drive rack 13 for transmission, so as to drive the drive clamping assembly 14 to move along the guide rail 12.

[0058] By setting a guide rail 12 and a drive rack 13 on the moving frame 11, and slidingly connecting the main body 15 of the drive clamping assembly 14 to the guide rail 12, while integrating the drive mechanism 17 into the main body 15 and meshing with the drive rack 13 for transmission, this application effectively solves the problem of insufficient drive accuracy and stability during sheet material feeding. The guide rail 12 provides a high-precision linear motion trajectory for the drive clamping assembly 14, significantly reducing friction and deviation during movement. The precise meshing of the drive rack 13 with the gears of the drive mechanism 17 ensures the stability of the transmission process and the accuracy of positioning, avoiding slippage, vibration, or accumulated errors that may occur with traditional friction transmission or chain transmission. In addition, both the drive mechanism 17 and the control mechanism 8 are driven by motors, and the entire drive system has high controllability and responsiveness through the cooperation of the motor and the drive rack 13, enabling precise control and rapid adjustment of the sheet material position. This not only significantly improves the accuracy and stability of sheet material feeding, thereby ensuring the quality of laser cutting, but also improves the operating efficiency and reliability of the equipment and reduces the scrap rate caused by inaccurate positioning.

[0059] In the accompanying drawings of this embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0060] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A laser cutting machine, characterized in that, include: A drive assembly, comprising a movable frame and a drive clamping assembly disposed on the movable frame, wherein the drive clamping assembly is slidably connected to the movable frame and is drivenly connected to the movable frame through a drive mechanism, and at least two drive clamping assemblies are provided and arranged at intervals along the feeding direction for clamping and driving the plate to move. An air-floating support platform is provided on one side of a movable frame equipped with a drive clamping assembly. The air-floating support platform includes a first support platform and a second support platform, with a cutting gap between the first support platform and the second support platform. A supporting airflow is formed inside the air-floating support platform in the vertical direction, and a water-cooling pipe is provided at one end near the cutting gap. The water-cooling pipe is arranged within the supporting airflow. A laser cutting mechanism includes a gantry frame and a laser cutting assembly mounted on the gantry frame. The gantry frame spans above a cutting gap. An adjustment frame is provided on the gantry frame along the extension direction of the cutting gap. The laser cutting assembly is slidably mounted on the adjustment frame and is drivenly connected to the adjustment frame through a control mechanism. The laser cutting assembly includes a laser positioned towards the cutting gap.

2. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-floating support platform includes a frame and a top plate connected to the opening of the frame's inner cavity. The top plate is provided with an array of multiple air outlets. An air pump is connected to one end of the frame away from the top plate to deliver airflow into the frame's inner cavity to form a supporting airflow through the air outlets. The inner cavity of the frame is provided with a honeycomb support frame, which is used to evenly distribute and rectify the airflow so that the airflow output from the air outlet is evenly distributed.

3. A laser cutting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support frame includes multiple honeycomb panels, and each honeycomb panel has a mounting groove symmetrically arranged at both ends. Two of the mounting grooves are respectively arranged opposite to the top plate and the frame to form an assembly positioning structure. The water-cooled pipeline is arranged in a loop, serpentine path, or spiral coil structure along the multiple mounting slots.

4. A laser cutting machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The honeycomb cell has multiple flow equalization holes spaced vertically. These holes are used to guide and equalize the airflow in layers, thereby improving the stability of the airflow output by the air flotation support platform.

5. A laser cutting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air flotation support platform also includes a support structure. A matching groove for accommodating the support structure is formed between the end of the top plate near the cutting gap and the frame. The support structure is slidably disposed in the matching groove. A telescopic rod is provided between the support structure and the frame, and a spring connects the telescopic rod to the support structure; The support structure is positioned above the water-cooling pipeline.

6. A laser cutting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The support structure has a guide section on the side away from the cutting gap. The height of the guide section gradually decreases along the direction away from the cutting gap to guide and limit the movement direction of the plate.

7. A laser cutting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The support structure has a slag-blowing slope on one side near the cutting gap, and the slag-blowing slope has multiple slag-blowing holes, with the air outlet direction of the slag-blowing holes facing the laser.

8. A laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser cutting assembly includes an upper laser unit and a lower laser unit. Two adjustment frames are respectively provided for the upper laser unit and the lower laser unit, and the cutting gap is located between the two adjustment frames. The upper laser unit and the lower laser unit are respectively driven and connected to the corresponding adjustment frames through corresponding control mechanisms. Both the upper laser unit and the lower laser unit are equipped with lasers that are positioned toward the cutting gap.

9. A laser cutting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, Both the upper and lower laser units are connected to the corresponding adjustment frame via a lifting mechanism to achieve vertical position adjustment of the laser.

10. A laser cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable frame is provided with guide rails and a drive rack along its length; The drive clamping assembly includes a main body that is slidably connected to the guide rail and a clamping part that is disposed toward the air-bearing support platform; The drive mechanism is located in the main body and is connected to the drive rack for transmission, so as to drive the drive clamping assembly to move along the guide rail.

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