Turrets for laser and / or measuring equipment suitable for mounting optical devices

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a turret (10) for a laser and / or measuring apparatus suitable for mounting at least one optical device and rotating it on a workpiece to be processed and / or measured, said turret (10) comprising at least one turret body supported by said apparatus, at least one rotating drum (120) supported by said turret body and supporting at least two devices selected from optical, gripping, processing, measuring or vision devices, and a laser scanner mounted entirely or partly inside the rotating drum of said turret, said laser scanner being capable of using a laser beam, said laser beam having a reflection axis and generated by a laser generator external to said turret (10), said rotating drum (120) being rotatably mounted around said turret body and rotating to alternately align or correspond each device with respect to the reflection axis of the laser beam coming from the laser scanner.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The object of the invention is a turret for a laser and / or measuring device that is suitable for mounting optical devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Laser scanners are known to be tools capable of very rapidly measuring the positions of hundreds of thousands of points that define the surface of surrounding objects.

[0003] Laser scanners use the reflection of a laser beam from an illumination device on the workpiece to reproduce the surface shape of the workpiece itself. Another way laser scanners work is by directing a laser beam onto the workpiece to be processed. This system allows the execution of various operations such as engraving, ablation, welding, cutting, localized heat treatment, etc.

[0004] The device that projects the laser light beam is typically combined with one or two scanning mirrors that can assume various positions so that when struck by the laser light beam projected by the projection device, they redirect the laser light beam towards the object to be measured or processed. The extent of the scanned area is a function of the rotation angle through which the mirror moves.

[0005] Receiving the laser beam can be by means of various optical devices depending on the processing needs.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system that can align a desired optical device to an object being scanned or processed. Another object of the present invention is to increase the alignment accuracy of the optical devices used. It is a further object of the present invention to achieve the above results in an economical and practical manner. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The stated object is achieved by a turret (10) for a laser and / or measuring apparatus suitable for mounting at least one optical device and rotating it to correspond to a workpiece to be processed and / or measured. The turret (10) is at least one turret body supported by the apparatus; at least one rotating drum (120) supported by the turret body and supporting at least two devices selected from optical, gripping, processing, measuring or vision devices; a laser scanner mounted entirely or partially inside the rotating drum of the turret. The laser scanner may use a laser beam, the laser beam having a reflection axis and generated by a laser generator external to the turret (10); The rotating drum (120) is rotatably mounted about the turret body and rotates to alternately align or correspond each device with the axis of reflection of the laser beam from the laser scanner.

[0008] The present invention has a number of important advantages. First, the use of a rotating turret allows processing tools or optical devices to be positioned whenever needed on the workpiece being processed, thereby enabling more versatile use of the laser equipment and providing significant savings in time and space with associated economic benefits.

[0009] Second, the present invention allows for detection and processing accuracy combined with speed and effectiveness. According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotating drum is provided with a translational movement. Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, each of the above mentioned optical, gripping, processing, measuring or vision devices is mounted on an ultra-precise centering plate equipped with a zero point index system. Specifically, the rotating drum has a translational motion such that the indexing system engages and disengages with a centering plate, which in turn carries one of an optical, gripping, processing, measuring, or vision device. Further features of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims.

[0010] The advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the figures set forth below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a turret according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the turret of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the turret of FIG. 1 taken from the opposite side to that of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the turret of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a further cross-sectional view of a turret according to an embodiment of the invention, taken along plane AA of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a turret according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of the turret of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane parallel to the rotation axis of the turret of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the turret in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 1-5, a turret for a laser and / or measurement device, generally designated 10, is described.

[0013] The turret 10 rotates about an axis designated XX in FIG. 4 to carry optical devices, possibly devices for machining, and to insert other types of equipment into the workpiece to be machined and / or measured. In particular, the turret 10 consists of at least one turret body supported by a laser device and / or a measuring device.

[0014] The turret 10 consists of at least one rotatable drum 120 supported by the turret body. The rotating drum 120 supports at least two of the optical or gripping or processing or measurement devices.

[0015] More specifically, with reference to Figures 1-5, the following devices can be identified mounted on the rotary table 120: a chromatic confocal sensor 20, a lens 30 with a focal length of less than 50 mm, a lens 50 with a focal length of approximately 100 mm, and a lens 70 with a focal length of 160 mm or more.

[0016] The optical devices are angularly spaced relative to the rotating drum 120 of the turret 10, and in the embodiment described, eight different positions are provided, angularly spaced at the same angle, with the caveat that in alternative embodiments of the invention for such devices on the turret 10, the angles need not necessarily be the same.

[0017] In addition to the optical devices, always angularly spaced relative to the rotating drum 120 of the turret 10 are processing devices such as, for example, a 3D mechanical probe 60 , a laser cutting head 40 , and a pneumatic gripper 100 .

[0018] Thus, in general, the rotating drum 120 supports at least two devices selected from optical, gripping, processing, measuring or vision devices.

[0019] Such optical, grasping, processing, measuring or vision devices are mounted on a centering plate 90 equipped with an indexing system that precisely limits their position in all degrees of freedom (3 translations + 3 rotations).

[0020] Additionally, there is a laser scanner mounted, wholly or partially, inside the rotating drum 120 of the turret 10 . Such a laser scanner may consist of an amperometric scanner.

[0021] The laser scanner may use a laser beam generated by a laser generator located external to the turret 10 . It may also be equipped with a camera that operates autonomously and does not require a laser scanner.

[0022] The laser scanner may use a laser beam, said laser beam having a reflection axis, said laser beam being generated by a laser generator located outside said turret 10 .

[0023] As for the rotating drum 120, it has a translational motion. In particular, the translational movement of the rotating drum 120 allows for engagement and disengagement with an indexing system on the centering plate 90, which in turn carries one of the optical or measurement devices.

[0024] Furthermore, a rotating drum 120 is rotatably mounted around the turret body and rotates about an axis X such that each optical device is alternately aligned with or relative to the reflection axis of the laser beam coming from the laser scanner.

[0025] In particular, translational motion of the turret 10 is generated by a drive motor 160 along a respective translation guide 150 and utilizes a carriage 110 . Additionally, a rotating drum 120 is rotatably mounted about the turret body and rotates to align each optical device with a reflection of the laser beam coming from the laser scanner.

[0026] For non-optical devices, rotation of the rotating drum 120 brings the device into an operative position in front of the workpiece. In particular, rotation of the rotating drum 120 relative to the turret body is effected by a pinion 130 and internal gear 135 , utilizing the location of a bearing 140 .

[0027] The laser beam is conditioned by conditioning system 180 and projected through a channel 190 (see FIG. 3).

[0028] In the turret 10, each of the aforementioned optical devices is positioned on a respective index plate 90 which allows them to be positioned under the scanner in an accurate and repeatable manner. An indexing plate 90 is associated with each indexing interface and is preferably pneumatically driven.

[0029] 6-9 show a turret according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the confocal sensor 20 and the mechanical probe 60 are shown in FIGS.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the turret of FIGS. 6-7, showing bearings 140 which enable rotational movement of the turret.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret of FIGS. 6-7, and in particular shows translation guide 150 and index plate 90.

[0032] Generally, in the present invention, the laser is used primarily for processing and not for measurement. If its use for measurement is desired, it can be combined with a test carried out in a robust and accurate manner by the index system.

[0033] A second possibility is to place the camera in the correct position to measure the image. It is also possible to place a camera upstream of the scanner and use the reflected image.

[0034] This allows the magnifying lens to be placed on the output plate, further improving accuracy.

[0035] Furthermore, the rotating drum is preferably equipped with an airtight closure. The airtight closure of the rotating drum is ensured by injecting pressurized air via special air delivery means, in such a way that the pressure generated inside the rotating drum does not allow any foreign objects to penetrate inside.

[0036] Obviously, variations or modifications, whether accidental or dictated by specific reasons, can be made to the invention described without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

1. A turret (10) for a laser and / or measuring apparatus suitable for mounting at least one optical device and rotating it to correspond to a workpiece to be processed and / or measured, said turret (10) comprising: at least one turret body supported by at least one of the laser device or the measurement device; at least one rotating drum (120) supported by the turret body and supporting at least two devices selected from optical, gripping, processing, measuring or vision devices; a laser scanner attached to the entire or a portion of the interior of the rotating drum of the turret; The laser scanner may use a laser beam, the laser beam having a reflection axis and generated by a laser generator external to the turret (10); The rotating drum (120) is rotatably mounted around the turret body and rotates to alternately align or correspond each device with the axis of reflection of the laser beam coming from the laser scanner, turret (10).

2. The turret (10) of claim 1, wherein the rotating drum is provided with a translational motion.

3. The turret (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the optical, gripping, processing, measuring or vision devices is mounted on a centering plate (90) with an indexing system.

4. 4. The turret (10) of claim 3, wherein the rotating drum has a translational movement that allows engagement and disengagement of the indexing system on a centering plate (90), which in turn carries one of the optical, gripping, processing, measuring or vision devices, respectively.

5. The turret (10) of claim 1, wherein a plurality of optical devices are provided, each of said optical devices being angularly spaced relative to said rotating drum (120) of said turret (10).

6. 3. The turret (10) of claim 2, wherein the optical device is selected from the group consisting of a chromatic confocal sensor (20), a lens (30) with a focal length of less than 50 mm, a lens (50) with a focal length of approximately 100 mm, a lens (70) with a focal length of 160 mm or more, and a camera (15).

7. The turret (10) of claim 1, wherein the rotating drum comprises an airtight closure.

8. 8. The turret (10) according to claim 7, wherein the airtight closure of the rotating drum is ensured by injecting pressurized air through special air supply means so that the pressure generated in the rotating drum does not allow foreign objects to penetrate inside.

9. The turret (10) of claim 1, wherein a three-dimensional mechanical probe (60), a laser cutting head (40) and a pneumatic gripper (100) are provided and positioned at respective angular positions of the rotating drum (120) of the turret (10).

10. The turret (10) of claim 1, wherein the rotation of the rotating drum (120) relative to the turret body is effected by a pinion (130) and an internal gear (135).

11. The turret (10) of claim 1, wherein translational motion of the turret (10) is generated by a drive motor (160) along a respective translation guide (150).

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