Worktable flow method of a laser cutting device

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for the turnover of a worktable in a laser cutting equipment. The laser cutting equipment includes a fixed component, a turnover component, and a closed-loop track. The fixed component includes a bed, a crossbeam, and a head unit. The turnover component includes a worktable and a moving carriage. The moving carriage carries the worktable along the closed-loop track to the cutting station. The bed has a discontinuous structure and is located on both sides of the closed-loop track. Clamping structures on the bed clamp and fix the worktable. The head unit performs cutting operations on the workpiece. After cutting, the clamping structures release the worktable. The moving carriage carries the worktable along the closed-loop track to the loading and unloading station, completes unloading and loading, and then returns to the cutting station. This invention achieves efficient closed-loop turnover of the worktable between the cutting station and the loading and unloading station, facilitating the integration of automatic loading and unloading robots, vision inspection units, and docking with automated storage and retrieval systems (AS / RS) and AGV logistics systems, adapting to the needs of automated continuous production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser cutting equipment technology, specifically a method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, planar laser cutting machines are mainly divided into single-platform, exchange table, and ground-rail structures. To improve cutting efficiency, some high-power laser cutting equipment adopts a double-beam plus head structure. Among the above types of equipment, the exchange or transfer method of the worktable directly affects the overall efficiency of the equipment, the maintenance of processing accuracy, and the flexibility of the production line.

[0003] Publication No. CN222790902U discloses a parallel-exchange laser cutting device. Its bed has a hollow structure, and two worktables exchange in parallel via a drive chain and slide rails. During cutting, a clamping mechanism effectively clamps the worktables, ensuring that loading and unloading do not interfere with the cutting operation. This solution achieves parallel cutting and loading / unloading through the parallel exchange of two worktables; however, the number of worktables is fixed at two, and the exchange path is a straight-line back-and-forth motion, making it impossible to increase the number of workstations or integrate more process units.

[0004] Publication No. CN222608405U discloses a conveying device and laser processing equipment, which realizes the flow of workpieces between the loading area, processing area and unloading area by the bidirectional movement of a pallet in the first and second conveying channels, and can adjust the production cycle. This solution adopts a linear channel reciprocating conveyor, with the pallet moving within a fixed channel. The workstation layout is limited by the channel form, making it inconvenient to expand the workstation as needed.

[0005] Publication No. CN222113903U discloses a continuous conveying device for a laser cutting machine, which has multiple clamping holes arranged in a circular array on a turntable. The rotation of the turntable allows for simultaneous feeding, processing, and unloading, with the clamps automatically clamping without manual operation. This solution uses a turntable-type rotating feeding structure, but the number of workstations is limited by the turntable structure, and it is difficult to apply to the cutting and transfer of large-format panels.

[0006] Publication No. CN223616964U discloses a large-format glass laser cutting device, which features a ring-shaped conveying mechanism. A driving mechanism causes a connecting plate to slide on a ring-shaped guide rail assembly, enabling the cyclical flow of the carrier plate and thus completing continuous cyclic processing. While this solution achieves ring-shaped conveying, the carrier plate slides directly on the guide rail without a separate moving carriage or bed clamping structure. It is primarily geared towards the glass processing field and is difficult to directly apply to the flow of the worktable in metal sheet laser cutting equipment.

[0007] In summary, existing laser cutting equipment mainly uses linear exchange, reciprocating channels, and rotary table rotation for worktable exchange or transfer. However, the number of workstations and the types of processes are fixed, resulting in poor scalability and difficulty in seamlessly integrating functional units such as automatic loading and unloading robots, visual inspection, automatic deburring, and finished product sorting. The worktable and bed are usually integrated or tightly coupled structures, making it easy for the heat generated during cutting to be conducted to the bed, causing thermal deformation and affecting the long-term processing accuracy of the equipment. The fumes generated during cutting are difficult to seal reliably and collect in a timely manner, resulting in insufficient environmental protection. The efficiency of worktable replacement or transfer is low, making it difficult to adapt to the continuous production needs of automated production lines. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention provides a worktable rotation method for laser cutting equipment, which solves the technical problems of poor workstation expandability, heat conduction to the bed affecting long-term accuracy, difficulty in sealing and collecting cutting fumes, low worktable rotation efficiency, and difficulty in adapting to continuous production in automated production lines.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment. The laser cutting equipment includes a fixed component, a rotating component, and a closed-loop track. The fixed component includes an independent bed, a crossbeam, and a machine head. The rotating component includes a moving carriage and a worktable. The method includes the following steps: Step S1: The mobile carriage carrying the worktable moves along the closed-loop track to the cutting station; the independent bed is a disconnected structure, and the independent bed is set on both sides of the closed-loop track, and a clamping structure is provided on the independent bed; after the worktable is transferred to the cutting station, the clamping structure clamps and fixes the worktable; the crossbeam and the cutting head are integrally installed on the independent bed, and the cutting head performs cutting operations on the workpiece on the worktable; Step S2: After the cutting operation is completed, the clamping structure releases the worktable; Step S3: The mobile vehicle carrying the workbench moves along the closed-loop track to the loading and unloading station; Step S4: At the loading and unloading station, the cut workpiece is unloaded from the workbench and the workpiece to be cut is loaded onto the workbench. Step S5: The mobile vehicle carrying the worktable loaded with the workpiece to be cut returns to the cutting station along the closed-loop track. Steps S1 to S5 are repeated to form a closed-loop flow of the worktable between the cutting station and the loading / unloading station along the closed-loop track.

[0010] Preferably, the transfer component further includes a receiving box; the receiving box and the worktable are carried together on the mobile vehicle and move together with the mobile vehicle; the receiving box is used to receive materials that fall during the cutting operation.

[0011] Preferably, the receiving box contains refractory bricks; the refractory bricks are used to receive materials falling during the cutting operation and to protect the mobile vehicle.

[0012] Preferably, the fixing component further includes an outer sheet metal; the outer sheet metal surrounds the independent bed, and the outer sheet metal is equipped with a dust removal and fume extraction port; the inlet and outlet of the outer sheet metal are provided with a lifting door, and the lifting door allows the mobile vehicle to carry the workbench in and out.

[0013] Preferably, in step S1, the lifting door opens when the mobile vehicle carrying the workbench passes through the lifting door; during the cutting operation, the lifting door closes, and the dust removal vent collects the fumes generated during cutting.

[0014] Preferably, the fixed component and the transfer component are provided in several groups; the several groups of independent bed frames are arranged along the closed loop track and each corresponds to one of the cutting stations, and the loading and unloading stations are provided in several groups; the several moving carts respectively carry the worktable and move it along the closed loop track.

[0015] Preferably, at least one functional station is provided on the closed-loop track; the functional station includes at least one of an automatic loading and unloading robot, a vision inspection device, an automatic deburring device, and a finished product sorting device; step S3 further includes: when the moving vehicle is transferred to the functional station, it performs the corresponding process on the workpiece on the workbench.

[0016] Preferably, while the cutting head performs a cutting operation on a workpiece on one of the worktables at the cutting station, at least one of the moving vehicles performs loading and unloading operations at the corresponding loading and unloading station or flows along the closed-loop track.

[0017] The worktable moves between the cutting and loading / unloading stations via a mobile trolley along a closed-loop track, facilitating convenient movement. While the cutting head performs a cutting operation on one worktable, the other worktables can simultaneously complete loading and unloading at the loading / unloading stations, ensuring the cutting equipment is always in processing mode and significantly improving overall efficiency. The bed has a disjointed structure and is positioned on both sides of the closed-loop track. The worktable is independently carried and moved by the mobile trolley, separating the bed from the worktable. This reduces the heat transfer from cutting to the bed, preventing thermal deformation and helping the equipment maintain high precision over long-term use. The closed-loop track can be flexibly expanded to accommodate more workstations and processes, seamlessly integrating automatic loading / unloading robots, vision inspection, automatic deburring, and finished product sorting functions to form a one-stop flexible laser processing system. The unit; the loading and unloading stations can also be integrated with automated material handling systems and AGV logistics systems, facilitating integration into intelligent sheet metal production lines and adapting to the needs of automated continuous production. The outer sheet metal surrounds the entire bed and is equipped with a dust removal system. Lifting doors are installed at the inlet and outlet; when cutting, the lifting doors close to effectively prevent smoke leakage and better meet environmental protection requirements. A receiving box is installed on the moving cart, and the refractory bricks placed in the receiving box can not only catch materials falling during cutting but also protect the moving cart from damage caused by high-temperature falling objects, improving the service life of the transfer components and the reliability of equipment operation. Fixed and transfer components can be set in one or more sets as needed, and the production capacity of the transfer line can be flexibly expanded. The closed-loop transfer mode makes the workbench maintenance convenient, and removing a single workbench does not affect the operation of the entire transfer line. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this 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 for this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall layout of the workbench transfer device provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flow scheme of the workbench transfer device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow scheme of the workbench transfer device provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the dust removal fume outlet in the fixed component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lifting door in the fixed component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transfer component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; In the diagram: 1. Fixed component, 2. Transfer component, 3. Closed-loop track, 4. Functional workstation, 11. External sheet metal, 12. Independent bed, 13. Crossbeam, 14. Machine head, 15. Dust removal and fume extraction port, 16. Lifting door, 21. Moving cart, 22. Workbench, 23. Receiving box.

[0020] Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Three layout embodiments of the workbench transfer device are shown respectively. The difference between the three lies in the shape of the closed loop track 3 and the arrangement and position of the fixed component 1 and the transfer component 2. Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment also includes a functional workstation 4. It should be noted that the closed-loop track 3 is in a closed-loop form and can be extended into various forms, including but not limited to rings. Those skilled in the art can select a suitable track shape according to site conditions and production capacity requirements. Any closed-loop track form that enables the mobile vehicle 21 to carry the workbench 22 to circulate between the cutting station and the loading / unloading station is applicable to this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following describes a method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting device according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the laser cutting equipment provided in this embodiment of the invention includes one or more sets of fixed components 1, transfer components 2 and closed-loop tracks 3. The fixed components 1 include an outer sheet metal 11, an independent bed 12, a crossbeam 13, a machine head 14, a dust removal and fume outlet 15, a lifting door 16 and various auxiliary machines; the transfer components 2 include a moving cart 21, a worktable 22 and a receiving box 23; the closed-loop track 3 is a ring-shaped closed form.

[0023] like Figure 4 As shown, the bed 12 is a discontinuous structure, resting on both sides of the closed-loop track 3. The crossbeam 13 and the head 14 are integrally placed on the bed 12. The head 14 can move along the crossbeam 13 to perform laser cutting on the workpiece located in the cutting station inside the bed 12. The bed 12 is equipped with a clamping structure for fixing the worktable 22 in place. The clamping structure can be a clamping structure, that is, applying clamping force from both sides of the worktable 22 towards the middle, or an upward lifting structure, that is, lifting the worktable 22 from below to make it close to the positioning reference, so as to reliably position the worktable 22 during the cutting operation and avoid displacement or vibration of the worktable 22 during the cutting process. Various auxiliary machines such as laser, chiller, cutting gas supply device, etc. are normally arranged near the bed 12.

[0024] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the outer sheet metal 11 surrounds the entire bed 12. The outer sheet metal 11 is equipped with a dust removal system. The dust removal port 15 of the dust removal system is located on the outer sheet metal 11 to discharge and collect the fumes generated during cutting. The inlet and outlet of the outer sheet metal 11 are equipped with lifting doors 16. When the moving cart 21 carries the worktable 22 into and out of the outer sheet metal 11, the lifting door 16 is opened. During the cutting operation, the lifting door 16 is closed, which can effectively prevent the fumes from overflowing and make it easier to meet environmental protection requirements.

[0025] like Figure 7 As shown, the mobile cart 21 moves on the closed-loop track 3; the workbench 22 and the receiving box 23 fall on the mobile cart 21 and move together with the mobile cart 21. The receiving box 23 contains refractory bricks, which can not only catch the materials that fall during cutting, but also protect the mobile cart 21 to prevent high-temperature falling objects from damaging the mobile cart 21 and extend the service life of the transfer components 2.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, at a suitable position on the closed-loop track 3, functional workstation 4 can be expanded according to needs to add automatic loading and unloading, visual inspection, automatic deburring, finished product sorting and other process equipment. The loading and unloading of workbench 22 at the loading and unloading workstation can be completed manually or by an automatic loading and unloading robot. The loading and unloading workstation can also be connected to the three-dimensional material warehouse and AGV logistics system to facilitate integration into the intelligent sheet metal production line.

[0027] Based on the above structure, the workbench transfer method of this invention includes the following steps: Step S1: Transfer to the cutting station: The moving cart 21 carries the worktable 22 and moves it along the closed-loop track 3 to the cutting station. The bed 12 is a disconnected structure and is located on both sides of the closed-loop track 3. The bed 12 is equipped with a clamping structure. After the worktable 22 is transferred to the cutting station, the clamping structure clamps and fixes the worktable 22. Then the lifting door 16 closes, the dust removal system is started, the crossbeam 13 and the cutting head 14 are installed on the bed 12 as a whole, and the cutting head 14 performs cutting operations on the workpiece on the worktable 22. The material falling during the cutting process falls into the receiving box 23, and the fumes are collected by the dust removal system through the dust removal port 15. The lifting door 16 can effectively prevent the fumes from overflowing.

[0028] Step S2, Release: After the cutting operation is completed, the lifting door 16 is opened, the clamping structure releases the worktable 22, the worktable 22 is separated from the bed 12, and is once again supported by the moving vehicle 21.

[0029] Step S3: Transfer to loading and unloading station: The mobile cart 21 carries the workbench 22 and the receiving box 23 and moves along the closed-loop track 3 to the loading and unloading station; when there is a functional station on the closed-loop track 3, the mobile cart 21 passes through the functional station during the transfer process, and the equipment on the functional station performs corresponding processes such as visual inspection, automatic deburring, and finished product sorting on the workpiece on the workbench 22.

[0030] Step S4, Loading and Unloading: At the loading and unloading station, the cut workpieces are unloaded from the worktable 22 by manual or automatic loading and unloading robots, and the cut parts are sorted or transferred; then the workpieces to be cut are loaded onto the worktable 22. The loading and unloading station can be connected to the three-dimensional material storage system or AGV logistics system to realize the automatic supply of raw materials and the automatic transfer of cut parts.

[0031] Step S5, Return: The moving cart 21, carrying the worktable 22 loaded with the workpiece to be cut, returns to the cutting station along the closed-loop track 3. The lifting door 16 opens, and the moving cart 21 enters the interior of the outer sheet metal 11 and places the worktable 22 in the cutting station inside the bed 12. The clamping structure clamps and fixes the worktable 22 again. Then, steps S1 to S5 are repeated to form a closed-loop flow of the worktable 22 along the closed-loop track 3 between the cutting station and the loading / unloading station.

[0032] In a specific application, both the fixed component 1 and the transfer component 2 are provided with several sets: several sets of bed 12 are arranged along the closed-loop track 3, each corresponding to a cutting station; several loading and unloading stations are provided accordingly; several moving carts 21 carry the worktable 22 and move along the closed-loop track 3. Under this configuration, while the cutting head 14 performs cutting operations on the workpiece on one of the worktables 22 at the cutting station, at least one moving cart 21 performs loading and unloading operations or transfers along the closed-loop track 3 at the corresponding loading and unloading station, so that the cutting operation and the loading and unloading operation overlap in time, the cutting equipment is always in the processing state, and the overall efficiency of the transfer line is significantly improved.

[0033] Due to the closed-loop circulation, the maintenance of the worktables is convenient: when a worktable 22 needs maintenance, it can be removed from the circulation line without affecting the operation of the circulation line; the remaining moving cars 21 and worktables 22 continue to circulate along the closed-loop track 3, and the equipment can maintain continuous production.

[0034] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the invention is limited to these examples; within the framework of the invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of the different aspects of the invention as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity. Any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the invention should be included within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment, the laser cutting equipment comprising a fixed component (1), a rotating component (2), and a closed-loop track (3), wherein the fixed component (1) comprises an independent bed (12), a crossbeam (13), and a machine head (14), and the rotating component (2) comprises a moving carriage (21) and a worktable (22), characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: Step S1: The mobile vehicle (21) carries the worktable (22) and moves it along the closed-loop track (3) to the cutting station; the independent bed (12) is a disconnected structure, and the independent bed (12) is set on both sides of the closed-loop track (3). The independent bed (12) is equipped with a clamping structure; after the worktable (22) is transferred to the cutting station, the clamping structure clamps and fixes the worktable (22); the crossbeam (13) and the machine head (14) are integrally installed on the independent bed (12), and the machine head (14) performs cutting operations on the workpiece on the worktable (22); Step S2: After the cutting operation is completed, the clamping structure releases the worktable (22). Step S3: The mobile vehicle (21) carrying the workbench (22) moves along the closed-loop track (3) to the loading and unloading station; Step S4: At the loading and unloading station, the cut workpiece is unloaded from the workbench (22), and the workpiece to be cut is loaded onto the workbench (22); Step S5: The mobile vehicle (21) carrying the worktable (22) loaded with the workpiece to be cut returns to the cutting station along the closed-loop track (3), and steps S1 to S5 are repeated to form a closed-loop flow of the worktable (22) along the closed-loop track (3) between the cutting station and the loading / unloading station.

2. The method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transfer component (2) also includes a receiving box (23); the receiving box (23) and the workbench (22) are carried together on the mobile vehicle (21); the receiving box (23) is used to receive materials that fall during the cutting operation.

3. The method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The receiving box (23) contains refractory bricks.

4. The method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed component (1) also includes an outer sheet metal (11); the outer sheet metal (11) surrounds the independent bed (12), and the outer sheet metal (11) is equipped with a dust removal vent (15); the outer sheet metal (11) is provided with a lifting door (16) at the inlet and outlet of the outer sheet metal (11).

5. The method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, In step S1, when the mobile vehicle (21) carrying the workbench (22) passes through the lifting door (16), the lifting door (16) is opened; during the cutting operation, the lifting door (16) is closed, and the dust removal port (15) collects the fumes generated during cutting.

6. The method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed component (1) and the transfer component (2) are each provided with several sets; several sets of independent bed (12) are arranged along the closed loop track (3) and correspond to one of the cutting stations respectively; several loading and unloading stations are provided accordingly; several moving carts (21) respectively carry the worktable (22) to move along the closed loop track (3).

7. The method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one functional station (4) is provided on the closed-loop track (3); the functional station (4) includes at least one of an automatic loading and unloading robot, a vision inspection device, an automatic deburring device, and a finished product sorting device.

8. The method for rotating the worktable of a laser cutting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, While the cutting head (14) performs a cutting operation on a workpiece on one of the worktables (22) at the cutting station, at least one of the moving vehicles (21) performs loading and unloading operations at the corresponding loading and unloading station or flows along the closed-loop track (3).

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