Laser cutting machine

Abstract

To improve the convenience of a laser cutting machine in various situations and, as a result, to improve the operation rate and maintainability of the laser cutting machine.SOLUTION: A laser cutting machine 1 includes: an upstream belt conveyor 3 that carries in a material; a downstream belt conveyor 5 that is disposed in a feeding direction of the upstream belt conveyor 3 and to which the material is transferred from the upstream belt conveyor 3; a machining head 7 that is disposed between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 and cuts the material with a laser beam; and a control unit 9 that executes control for cutting the material. The control unit 9 changes a distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 when the laser beam is not emitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laser cutting machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, laser cutting processing has been performed in which plate-shaped materials are transported on a belt conveyor and processed into products by laser cutting. Patent Document 1 discloses a laser cutting device in which the material is carried in by an upstream belt conveyor mechanism, laser cutting is performed by a processing head, and then the cut parts are carried out by a downstream belt conveyor mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-28794 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional laser cutting device described above, a dust collection box is installed between the upstream belt conveyor mechanism and the downstream belt conveyor mechanism. Therefore, the distance between the upstream belt conveyor mechanism and the downstream belt conveyor mechanism cannot be changed, which reduces the convenience of the laser cutting machine in various situations. For example, if the scrap generated by laser cutting is large, if the distance between the belt conveyors cannot be changed, the scrap cannot be discharged downward and operation must be stopped, resulting in a decrease in operating rate. Furthermore, if the distance between the belt conveyors cannot be changed during maintenance, maintenance is not possible, which reduces maintainability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the laser cutting machine comprises an upstream belt conveyor that transports material, a downstream belt conveyor that is arranged in the feed direction of the upstream belt conveyor and to which the material is transferred from the upstream belt conveyor, a processing head that is arranged between the upstream belt conveyor and the downstream belt conveyor and that cuts the material with a laser beam, and a control unit that controls the cutting of the material, wherein the control unit changes the distance between the upstream belt conveyor and the downstream belt conveyor when the laser beam is not being irradiated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one or more embodiments of the laser cutting machine, the convenience of the laser cutting machine can be improved in various situations, thereby improving the availability and maintainability of the laser cutting machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a laser cutting machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure of the laser cutting machine according to one embodiment, as viewed from the X-axis direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view showing the internal structure of the laser cutting machine according to one embodiment as viewed from the Y-axis direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view showing the internal structure of the laser cutting machine as viewed from the Y-axis direction, for explaining the operation of the length adjustment mechanism. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the structure of a shielding panel provided in a laser cutting machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing area when laser cutting is performed in a laser cutting machine according to one embodiment, as viewed from above and from the side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing area when laser cutting is performed in a laser cutting machine according to one embodiment, as viewed from above and from the side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing area when laser cutting is performed in a laser cutting machine according to one embodiment, as viewed from above and from the side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a processing area when laser cutting is performed in the laser cutting machine according to the first modification, as viewed from above and from the side. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing the internal structure of the laser cutting machine according to the second modification as viewed from the Y-axis direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view showing the internal structure of the laser cutting machine according to the third modification as viewed from the Y-axis direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view showing the internal structure of the laser cutting machine according to the fourth modification as viewed from the Y-axis direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Laser cutting machine configuration] The laser cutting machine according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the laser cutting machine according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure of the laser cutting machine as seen from the X-axis direction. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the laser cutting machine 1 according to this embodiment includes an upstream belt conveyor 3, a downstream belt conveyor 5, a processing head 7, and a control unit 9.

[0009] The laser cutting machine 1 transfers flat material carried in on the upstream belt conveyor 3 to the downstream belt conveyor 5, where it is cut by irradiating it with a laser beam from the processing head 7. The cut product is then carried out from the downstream belt conveyor 5. Here, scrap generated when cutting the material is dropped downward through the gap space formed between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 and collected. For this reason, the laser cutting machine 1 is equipped with a scrap conveyor 11 and a dust collector 13.

[0010] The upstream belt conveyor 3 carries materials into the laser cutting machine 1. The upstream belt conveyor 3 also transports the carried-in materials in the feed direction to the downstream belt conveyor 5. However, the laser cutting machine 1 is structurally capable of carrying materials in from either side in the X-axis direction, and can also carry processed products out to either side. In this embodiment, the left side of FIG. 1 is the material carry-in side, and the right side is the material carry-out side, so the left side is the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the right side is the downstream belt conveyor 5.

[0011] The downstream belt conveyor 5 is arranged in the feeding direction of the upstream belt conveyor 3, and materials are transferred from the upstream belt conveyor 3. The downstream belt conveyor 5 forms a gap space with the upstream belt conveyor 3 and is arranged in series with the feeding direction of the upstream belt conveyor 3.

[0012] The processing head 7 is positioned between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 and cuts the material with a laser beam. The processing head 7 is connected to a laser oscillator (not shown) that emits a laser beam, converts the divergent laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator into collimated light, and focuses the collimated light to irradiate the material. The processing head 7 is also movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the material support surface of the upstream belt conveyor 3 or the downstream belt conveyor 5, and is mounted on a Y-axis carriage 15 that moves in the width direction of the belt conveyor (Y-axis direction). The Y-axis carriage 15 is mounted on an X-axis carriage 17 that moves in the feed direction of the belt conveyor (X-axis direction). Therefore, the processing head 7 moves in the feed direction (X-axis direction) by the movement of the X-axis carriage 17, and moves in the width direction of the belt conveyor (Y-axis direction) by the movement of the Y-axis carriage 15.

[0013] The control unit 9 executes control to cut and process the material. In particular, the control unit 9 changes the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 when the laser beam is not being irradiated. For example, when scrap is dropped downward from between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 to be collected, the control unit 9 changes the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 according to the size of the scrap. Furthermore, when performing maintenance, the control unit 9 changes the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 so that the maintenance position and the clearance space coincide with each other.

[0014] The control unit 9 is configured by a computer having a memory, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and various interfaces. The memory and various interfaces are connected to the processor via a bus. By having the processor execute a program stored in the memory, the control unit 9 executes a process to cut the material and a process to change the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5.

[0015] [Internal structure of a laser cutting machine] Next, the specific internal structure of the laser cutting machine 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the laser cutting machine 1 as viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the upstream belt conveyor 3 is equipped with an upstream movable support roller 21a at its end on the machining head 7 side, and with a reference fixed support roller 22a and a fixed support roller 23a at its end opposite the machining head 7. The upstream movable support roller 21a is movable in the feed direction of the belt conveyor, and the conveyor belt is looped between the upstream movable support roller 21a and the reference fixed support roller 22a to form a material support surface. As the upstream movable support roller 21a moves in the feed direction, the material support surface expands and contracts in the X-axis direction. A drive motor for rotating the conveyor belt is attached to the reference fixed support roller 22a and one or more of the other fixed support rollers 23a, 45a to 50a.

[0017] Similarly, the downstream belt conveyor 5 is equipped with a downstream movable support roller 21b at its end on the machining head 7 side, and a reference fixed support roller 22b and a fixed support roller 23b at its end opposite the machining head 7. The downstream movable support roller 21b is movable in the feed direction of the belt conveyor, and the conveyor belt is looped between it and the reference fixed support roller 22b to form a material support surface. As the downstream movable support roller 21b moves in the feed direction, the material support surface expands and contracts in the X-axis direction. A drive motor for rotating the conveyor belt is attached to the reference fixed support roller 22b and one or more of the other fixed support rollers 23b, 45b to 50b.

[0018] The upstream belt conveyor 3 and downstream belt conveyor 5 are arranged in series in the X-axis direction at a predetermined reference distance apart without contacting or interfering with each other, forming a gap parallel to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the conveyor belts. The upstream belt conveyor 3 and downstream belt conveyor 5 are joined endlessly and a single conveyor belt is wound around them in the width direction, but multiple conveyor belts may be wound around them in the width direction. Furthermore, the conveyor belts of the upstream belt conveyor 3 and downstream belt conveyor 5 may be detachable circular belts.

[0019] The upstream moving support rollers 21a and downstream moving support rollers 21b move in conjunction with the movement of the processing head 7 in the X-axis direction, while maintaining a constant width of the gap space between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5. Therefore, the gap space moves so as to always be positioned directly below the processing head 7, and accordingly, the material support surfaces of the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 expand and contract in the X-axis direction. As a result, during cutting, the gap space is always positioned directly below the processing point within the processing area.

[0020] The upstream movement support roller 21a and the downstream movement support roller 21b are slidably mounted on a guide rail 24 that is arranged parallel to the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5. Specifically, the upstream movement support roller 21a and the downstream movement support roller 21b are assembled via slide nuts to the guide rail 24 that is arranged parallel to the X-axis.

[0021] A drive motor 25 is attached to the downstream movement support roller 21b, so that the downstream movement support roller 21b is movable in the X-axis direction. Meanwhile, the upstream movement support roller 21a is connected to the downstream movement support roller 21b by a ball screw 26. This allows the upstream movement support roller 21a to change the gap distance relative to the downstream movement support roller 21b, and the upstream movement support roller 21a and the downstream movement support roller 21b can move in the X-axis direction in conjunction with each other.

[0022] Furthermore, the downstream movement support roller 21b is provided with a drive motor 27 for rotating the ball screw 26. The drive motor 27 rotates the ball screw 26 to control the movement distance of the upstream movement support roller 21a. Therefore, the upstream movement support roller 21a and the downstream movement support roller 21b can move independently in the feed direction of the belt conveyor. This makes it possible to change the distance between the upstream movement support roller 21a and the downstream movement support roller 21b based on the downstream movement support roller 21b.

[0023] Therefore, when scrap is discharged from between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5, scrap of various sizes can be efficiently discharged by changing the distance between the upstream moving support roller 21a and the downstream moving support roller 21b according to the size of the scrap.

[0024] For example, during cutting, the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 is set to a predetermined reference distance. If the size of the scrap generated during cutting in the X-axis direction is larger than the reference distance, the upstream moving support roller 21a and the downstream moving support roller 21b move in opposite directions, sandwiching the nozzle tip of the processing head 7. That is, the control unit 9 sets the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 to the predetermined reference distance while the laser beam is being irradiated, and when the laser beam irradiation is completed, moves the upstream moving support roller 21a and the downstream moving support roller 21b in directions away from each other.

[0025] As a result, by moving the upstream movement support rollers 21a and downstream movement support rollers 21b according to the size of the scrap, even if the scrap is large, it is possible to discharge the scrap from between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5. After the scrap is discharged, the upstream movement support rollers 21a and downstream movement support rollers 21b move toward the processing head 7 and return to the reference distance. In other words, the control unit 9 returns the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 to the reference distance when a predetermined time has elapsed after the laser beam irradiation has ended and the upstream movement support rollers 21a and downstream movement support rollers 21b have moved in directions away from each other.

[0026] Further, small diameter support rollers 28a, 28b for reducing deflection of the conveyor belt are provided between the reference fixed support rollers 22a, 22b constituting the material support surface and the movable support rollers 21a, 21b.

[0027] The small diameter support rollers 28a, 28b are assembled with multiple cylindrical rollers each having a smaller diameter than the other support rollers. The small diameter support rollers 28a, 28b are rotatably assembled to a block that slides on the same guide rail 24 as the moving support rollers 21a, 21b, and are structured to support the material support surface of the conveyor belt from below.

[0028] A pantograph mechanism is attached to the small diameter support rollers 28a, 28b, and when the movable support rollers 21a, 21b move, the small diameter support rollers 28a, 28b slide in conjunction with the movement so that the pitch between the small diameter support rollers 28a, 28b becomes equal.

[0029] Cameras 29a and 29b are installed above the processing area where the material is cut, and are imaging means that can monitor the condition of the entire top surface of the material. Control unit 9 acquires the images taken by cameras 29a and 29b, and analyzes the images of the material's top surface simultaneously with the cutting process or after the cutting process is completed to check whether the product was cut properly, whether there is any remaining scrap, etc.

[0030] [Length adjustment mechanism] Next, the conveyor belt length adjustment mechanism will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, length adjustment mechanisms 40a and 40b are provided below the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5, respectively. The length adjustment mechanisms 40a and 40b adjust the length of the conveyor belt that changes when the movement support rollers 21a and 21b move in the X-axis direction.

[0031] The length adjustment mechanism 40a includes a plurality of movable support rollers 41a, 42a, a movable member 43a, a drive motor 44a, and fixed support rollers 45a to 50a. The length adjustment mechanism 40a moves the movable member 43a in the X-axis direction by the drive motor 44a in conjunction with the movement of the upstream movable support roller 21a, thereby adjusting the length of the conveyor belt of the upstream belt conveyor 3 to a constant length.

[0032] Similarly, the length adjustment mechanism 40b includes multiple movable support rollers 41b and 42b, a movable member 43b, a drive motor 44b, and fixed support rollers 45b to 50b. The length adjustment mechanism 40b moves the movable member 43b in the X-axis direction using the drive motor 44b in conjunction with the movement of the downstream movable support roller 21b, thereby adjusting the length of the conveyor belt of the downstream belt conveyor 5 to a constant length.

[0033] The length adjustment mechanisms 40a, 40b loop the conveyor belt around multiple support rollers and move the movable members 43a, 43b to adjust the length of the conveyor belt. This allows the moving distance of the movable members 43a, 43b to be shorter than the moving distance of each movable support roller 21a, 21b, maintaining the circumferential length of the conveyor belt and preventing the conveyor belt from loosening or spinning freely.

[0034] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the processing head 7 moves a distance Lx in the X-axis direction, the movable support rollers 21a and 21b also move a distance Lx in the X-axis direction. At this time, the movable members 43a and 43b of the length adjustment mechanisms 40a and 40b are configured to move in the same direction as the movable support rollers 21a and 21b. The movable members 43a and 43b move at half the speed of the processing head 7, making their movement distance half (1 / 2Lx) of the movement distance Lx of the processing head 7 (the movement distance of each movable support roller 21a and 21b). As a result, a space can be secured between the length adjustment mechanisms 40a and 40b in the center of the laser cutting machine 1 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, a scrap collection mechanism 60, which will be described later, is provided in this space.

[0035] [Scrap Collection Organization] Next, the scrap collection mechanism will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the scrap collection mechanism 60 is disposed in the center of the laser cutting machine 1 in the X-axis direction between the length adjustment mechanisms 40a and 40b, and includes shielding panels 61a and 61b, a scrap chute 62, and a scrap conveyor 11. The scrap collection mechanism 60 discharges scrap generated by the cutting process downward from between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 and collects it.

[0036] Shielding panels 61a, 61b are provided on each of the movable support rollers 21a, 21b, respectively, to protect the conveyor belt from spatters and the like generated during laser beam irradiation and cutting. In addition, the lower ends of the shielding panels 61a, 61b are connected to the scrap chute 62, so that dust and scrap generated during cutting can fall downward through the gap between the movable support rollers 21a, 21b and be introduced into the scrap chute 62.

[0037] The shielding panels 61a, 61b are each U-shaped and have three shielding surfaces, as shown in the enlarged perspective view of Fig. 5. The central planes 611a, 611b of the U-shape have a width corresponding to the length of each of the moving support rollers 21a, 21b in the width direction (Y-axis direction), and have semicircular cylindrical portions corresponding to the shapes of each of the moving support rollers 21a, 21b.

[0038] Furthermore, the side surfaces 612a, 612b on both sides of the U-shape shield the Y-axis side surfaces of the gap space between the upstream movement support roller 21a and the downstream movement support roller 21b, thereby preventing scrap from scattering in the Y-axis direction. The length of the X-axis direction of the side surfaces 612a, 612b on both sides is set to a length corresponding to the reference distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5. That is, the length of the X-axis direction of the side surfaces 612a, 612b on both sides is set so that the side surfaces 612a, 612b on both sides can overlap each other when the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 is the reference distance. Furthermore, the upper portions of the side surfaces 612a, 612b on both sides are provided with semicircular portions corresponding to the shapes of the movement support rollers 21a, 21b.

[0039] The shielding panels 61a, 61b are provided on the respective moving support rollers 21a, 21b, and therefore move in the X-axis direction together with the respective moving support rollers 21a, 21b. However, during maintenance work, the shielding panels 61a, 61b are structured so that they can be manually removed from the respective moving support rollers 21a, 21b as necessary.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3, scrap chute 62 is provided below upstream belt conveyor 3 and downstream belt conveyor 5 to collect dust and scrap generated during cutting. Scrap chute 62 is installed over a range wider than the movement range of each movable support roller 21a, 21b in the X-axis direction, and has a width equivalent to the width of each movable support roller 21a, 21b in the Y-axis direction. The conveyor belts of upstream belt conveyor 3 and downstream belt conveyor 5 are looped around the outside via reference fixed support rollers 22a, 22b and support rollers of length adjustment mechanisms 40a, 40b, respectively, so as not to interfere with scrap chute 62.

[0041] The scrap chute 62 collects dust, scrap, etc. that falls from the gap between the movable support rollers 21a, 21b. The scrap chute 62 is inclined downward toward the center in the X-axis direction, so that the collected dust, scrap, etc. can be collected on the scrap conveyor 11 located in the center. To ensure reliable collection of scrap, the scrap chute 62 may be configured as a vibrating conveyor or other transport means.

[0042] Furthermore, a scrap chute cover 63 that is extendable in the X-axis direction and is configured as, for example, a telescopic cover or a bellows cover is provided on the top of the scrap chute 62. The scrap chute cover 63 is connected to the lower ends of the shielding panels 61a, 61b, so that a closed space is formed from the gap between the belt conveyors to the top of the scrap chute 62.

[0043] The scrap conveyor 11 is disposed in the center of the laser cutting machine 1 in the X-axis direction, and continuously discharges scrap to the outside in the Y-axis direction. The scrap conveyor 11 is preferably installed as close as possible to the floor on which the laser cutting machine 1 is installed. A dust collector 13 is connected near the scrap conveyor 11 to improve the efficiency of collecting dust generated during cutting. The scrap conveyor 11 may also be a scrap tray.

[0044] [Laser cutting] Next, a specific example of laser cutting using the laser cutting machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figures 6 and 7 are top and side views of the processing area of the laser cutting machine 1 during laser cutting. As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 9 synchronously rotates the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 to transport the material W into the processing area of the processing head 7. The material W is positioned at a predetermined position within the processing area, for example, at the machine origin position.

[0045] At this time, if the material W is a cut sheet, the material W is continuously supplied sheet by sheet from the supply side to the laser cutting machine 1. Also, if the material W is a long material, the material W is uncoiled by an uncoiler, flattened by a leveler, and supplied to the laser cutting machine 1 by a feeder via a loop pit. At this time, the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 rotate in synchronization with the feed speed of the feeder. The material W may also be supplied by a leveler feeder.

[0046] Next, the control unit 9 aligns the position of the material W with the origin of the processing program using an end face detection function or the like, and then performs cutting to cut the products P1 to P4. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which products P1 to P4, each having a rectangular outer shape with one square hole A in the center and four round holes B at the four corners, are cut from a fixed-length material.

[0047] When cutting the material W while stopping it, the processing head 7 moves to the processing start position according to the processing program when the material W stops in the processing area, and performs cutting by tracing a path on the XY plane according to the cutting shape. Also, when cutting the material W while constantly feeding it, the processing head 7 starts cutting when the leading edge of the material W reaches the center of the processing area in the X direction, and performs cutting by tracing a path on the XY plane according to the cutting shape.

[0048] Figure 6 shows that products P1 to P3 have already been cut, and the fourth product P4 is now being cut to form a round hole B. The processing program is set so that the size of the scrap generated in cutting the round hole B can be recovered if the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 is within the reference distance.

[0049] Therefore, the control unit 9 performs the cutting process for the round hole B, and even after the cutting is completed and the irradiation of the laser beam is terminated, the control unit 9 does not change the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5. Since the size of the scrap Sb for the round hole B in the X-axis direction is smaller than the reference distance, it falls downward from between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5.

[0050] Thereafter, the scrap Sb that has been cut out and dropped falls onto the scrap chute 62, is collected by the scrap conveyor 11 disposed in the center, and is then discharged outside the machine.

[0051] Next, the control unit 9 cuts a square hole A in the product P4 as shown in Fig. 7. First, the control unit 9 moves each of the movable support rollers 21a, 21b to the next processing point in conjunction with the movement of the processing head 7 while maintaining the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 at a reference distance. As a result, the gap space formed between the upstream movable support roller 21a and the downstream movable support roller 21b moves to the cutting start position 70 located directly below the processing head 7, and cutting processing begins.

[0052] Here, the size of the square hole A in the X direction is larger than the reference distance, so the scrap Sa in the square hole A cannot fall through the gap space. Therefore, when the cutting process is completed and the laser beam is not being irradiated, the control unit 9 changes the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 in accordance with the size of the scrap Sa.

[0053] Specifically, when the irradiation of the laser beam is completed, the control unit 9 moves the upstream moving support roller 21a and the downstream moving support roller 21b in directions away from each other from the position of the processing head 7. The movement distance of each moving support roller 21a, 21b may be the distance from the position of each moving support roller 21a, 21b to the end of the scrap Sa in the X-axis direction, or may be a distance further away from the end of the scrap Sa in the X-axis direction by the radius of each moving support roller 21a, 21b.

[0054] The control unit 9 may move the movable support rollers 21a, 21b the same distance away from each other, or different distances. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, when the cutting end position 71 is at the center of the square hole A in the X-axis direction, the control unit 9 moves the movable support rollers 21a, 21b the same distance away from each other. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 8, when the cutting end position 71 is not at the center of the square hole A in the X-axis direction, the control unit 9 moves the movable support rollers 21a, 21b different distances away from the cutting end position 71.

[0055] As soon as the cutting process is completed, the width of the clearance space expands to a collectable width according to the size of the scrap Sa, so that the scrap generated each time the cutting process is performed can be immediately separated from the product and collected.

[0056] If the size of the scrap is larger than the maximum width that the gap space can be expanded to, the scrap is cut into pieces smaller than the maximum width of the gap space, and the cut scraps are collected from the gap space. If the scrap is large, the processing program is set in advance to divide the scrap into pieces smaller than a predetermined size. Also, if the scrap is too large to be carried out by the scrap conveyor 11, the scrap is similarly cut into pieces and then collected.

[0057] After that, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 9 moves each of the movable support rollers 21a, 21b toward the processing head 7, and returns the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 to the reference distance. Then, when the remaining round holes B in the product P4 are cut, the process of cutting the products P1 to P4 from the material W ends.

[0058] Here, the control unit 9 analyzes the images captured by the cameras 29a and 29b to check whether the products were cut properly, whether there is any remaining scrap, etc., before carrying out the products P1 to P4. At this time, if the products were machined by hollowing out the material W, the products P1 to P4 and skeletons (peripheral scrap frames) will remain on the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5.

[0059] Therefore, the products P1 to P4 and the skeleton are carried out of the machine by rotating and driving both or one of the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5. Also, when cutting and processing the material W from the outside, only the products P1 to P4 remain on the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5, so the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 are rotated and driven to carry out only the products P1 to P4 out of the machine.

[0060] In this way, the control unit 9 executes control to cut the material W with the laser beam, and when all the products P1 to P4 have been cut out, the laser cutting according to this embodiment ends.

[0061] [Variation 1] In the laser cutting process described above, scraps cut from the material may remain on the product instead of falling. Therefore, the laser cutting machine 1 according to Modification 1 further includes a pressing device 30 that presses and drops the remaining scraps Sa, as shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, the scraps Sa cut from the material W remain on the product P2.

[0062] The pressing device 30 is a device, such as an air cylinder, that presses the scrap Sa remaining on the material W from above downward to cause it to drop downward. The pressing device 30 is provided on the processing head 7 as shown in FIG. 9 , and can therefore be moved to the position of the scrap Sa on the material W by moving the X-axis carriage 17 and the Y-axis carriage 15. The pressing device 30 may also be provided on the Y-axis carriage 15.

[0063] When the control unit 9 determines that scrap Sa remains in the material W, it positions the pressing device 30 at the center position of the scrap Sa. In conjunction with the movement of the pressing device 30, the movement support rollers 21a and 21b also move.

[0064] At the same time as completing the positioning of the pressing device 30, the control unit 9 moves the movable support rollers 21a, 21b in directions away from the position of the pressing device 30. The movement distance of each movable support roller 21a, 21b is the distance from the position of each movable support roller 21a, 21b to the end of the scrap Sa in the X-axis direction.

[0065] After this, the control unit 9 extends the tip of the pressing device 30 downward to press the scrap Sa from above downward, causing it to fall. Alternatively, the processing head 7 may be used as the pressing device. In this case, the nozzle of the processing head 7 is replaced with a scrap pressing nozzle using a nozzle changer, and the processing head 7 is moved downward. As a result, the tip of the nozzle presses the scrap Sa from above downward, causing it to fall.

[0066] [Variation 2] In the above-described embodiment, the upstream movement support roller 21a is connected to the downstream movement support roller 21b by a ball screw 26 as shown in Fig. 3, but in Modification 2, the upstream movement support roller 21a is also provided with a drive motor 73 as shown in Fig. 10. As a result, the movement support rollers 21a, 21b are provided with independent drive motors 73, 25, respectively, and can therefore be moved independently in the X-axis direction.

[0067] [Variation 3] The length adjustment mechanisms 40a, 40b shown in Fig. 4 are configured to move in the same direction as the movement of the respective movement support rollers 21a, 21b. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 11, the length adjustment mechanisms 40a, 40b can be configured to move in the opposite direction to the movement of the respective movement support rollers 21a, 21b.

[0068] The length adjustment mechanisms 40a, 40b shown in Fig. 11 move to the right when the movable support rollers 21a, 21b move to the left, and move to the left when the movable support rollers 21a, 21b move to the right. With this structure, as with the length adjustment mechanisms 40a, 40b shown in Fig. 4, the movement distance of the movable members 43a, 43b can be set to half (1 / 2Lx) of the movement distance Lx of the processing head 7 (the movement distance of each movable support roller 21a, 21b).

[0069] Furthermore, the structure shown in Fig. 11 can reduce the number of support rollers around which the conveyor belt is wound compared to the structure shown in Fig. 4. On the other hand, in the structure shown in Fig. 11, the wound conveyor belt surrounds the outside in the X-axis direction, and since the scrap collection mechanism 60 is located in the center, the length adjustment mechanisms 40a, 40b are surrounded on all sides and installed in a closed space. Therefore, the structure shown in Fig. 11 is difficult to maintain, and the structure shown in Fig. 4 is easier to maintain.

[0070] [Variation 4] The length adjustment mechanisms 40a and 40b shown in Figure 3 move in synchronization with the movable support rollers 21a and 21b. During this movement, the conveyor belt repeatedly rotates forward and backward, causing the tension of the conveyor belt to change. However, to maintain feeding accuracy and other reasons, the tension of the conveyor belt must be maintained within a certain range. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, tension adjustment mechanisms 52a and 52b may be further provided on the fixed support rollers 50a and 50b.

[0071] The tension adjustment mechanisms 52a and 52b are configured to constantly apply a force to retract the fixed support rollers 50a and 50b to prevent the tension of the conveyor belt from becoming too loose, and are configured, for example, with a spring mechanism. This allows the tension adjustment mechanisms 52a and 52b to maintain the tension of the conveyor belt within a certain range. However, the tension adjustment mechanisms 52a and 52b do not need to be provided on the fixed support rollers 50a and 50b; they may be provided on any fixed support roller other than the reference fixed support rollers 22a and 22b.

[0072] [maintenance] As described above, the upstream moving support roller 21a and the downstream moving support roller 21b can move independently in the feed direction of the belt conveyor. Therefore, during maintenance, the moving support rollers 21a and 21b are moved to widen the gap between the upstream moving support roller 21a and the downstream moving support roller 21b so that the area to be maintained can be seen from the outside. At this time, the moving support rollers 21a and 21b can move regardless of the position of the processing head 7. This allows the laser cutting machine 1 according to this embodiment to be easily maintained.

[0073] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above in detail, in the laser cutting machine 1 according to this embodiment, the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 is changed when the laser beam is not being emitted. This improves the convenience of the laser cutting machine 1 in various situations. For example, even when the scrap generated by laser cutting is large, widening the gap between the belt conveyors allows the scrap to be easily discharged downward, thereby improving the operating rate. Furthermore, widening the gap between the belt conveyors during maintenance makes it easier to perform maintenance, improving maintainability.

[0074] Furthermore, in the laser cutting machine 1 according to this embodiment, the upstream belt conveyor 3 is equipped with an upstream movement support roller 21a at its end on the processing head 7 side, and the downstream belt conveyor 5 is equipped with a downstream movement support roller 21b at its end on the processing head 7 side. The upstream movement support roller 21a and the downstream movement support roller 21b are capable of moving independently in the feed direction of the belt conveyors. This allows the gap space between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 to be freely widened, thereby improving the convenience of the laser cutting machine 1 in various situations. In particular, the availability and maintainability of the laser cutting machine 1 can be improved.

[0075] Furthermore, the laser cutting machine 1 according to this embodiment sets the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 to a predetermined reference distance while the laser beam is being emitted. Then, when the laser beam emission ends, the laser cutting machine 1 moves the upstream support roller 21a and the downstream support roller 21b away from each other. This maintains the distance between the belt conveyors at a constant reference distance, preventing the gap from becoming too wide or too narrow, allowing for stable cutting. Furthermore, by moving the upstream support roller 21a and the downstream support roller 21b away from each other, the gap can be widened, improving scrap collection efficiency and ease of maintenance.

[0076] Furthermore, in the laser cutting machine 1 according to this embodiment, after the upstream movement support roller 21a and the downstream movement support roller 21b have moved away from each other upon completion of laser beam irradiation, the distance between the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 is returned to the reference distance when a predetermined time has elapsed. This allows for a rapid transition to the next cutting process after scrap collection and maintenance are completed.

[0077] Furthermore, in the laser cutting machine 1 according to this embodiment, the upstream movement support rollers 21a and the downstream movement support rollers 21b are slidably mounted on guide rails that are provided parallel to the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5. This allows the upstream movement support rollers 21a and the downstream movement support rollers 21b to move stably along the guide rails, allowing the upstream belt conveyor 3 and the downstream belt conveyor 5 to move in a stable extension and contraction manner.

[0078] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. Laser cutting machine 3 Upstream conveyor belt 5 Downstream conveyor belt 7 Processing head 9 Control Unit 11 Scrap conveyor 13 Dust collector 15 Y-axis carriage 17 X-axis carriage 21a Upstream movement support roller 21b Downstream movement support roller 22a, 22b Standard fixed support rollers 23a, 23b, 45a-50a, 45b-50b Fixed support rollers 24 guide rail 25, 27, 44a, 44b, 73 Drive motor 26 Ball screw 28a, 28b Small diameter support rollers 29a, 29b Camera 30 Pressing device 40a, 40b Length adjustment mechanism 41a, 41b, 42a, 42b Movement support rollers 43a, 43b moving members 52a, 52b Tension adjustment mechanism 60 Scrap Collection Organization 61a, 61b Shielding panels 62 Scrapshooter 63 Scrapshooter Cover 70 Cutting start position 71 Cutting end position 611a, 611b midplane 612a, 612b side P1~P4 products double work Sa, Sb scrap

Claims

1. an upstream belt conveyor for transporting materials; a downstream belt conveyor disposed in a feeding direction of the upstream belt conveyor and through which the material is transferred from the upstream belt conveyor; a processing head disposed between the upstream belt conveyor and the downstream belt conveyor, the processing head cutting the material with a laser beam; a control unit that controls cutting of the material, The control unit When the laser beam is not irradiated, the distance between the upstream belt conveyor and the downstream belt conveyor is changed. Laser cutting machine.

2. the upstream belt conveyor includes an upstream movement support roller at an end portion on the processing head side; the downstream belt conveyor includes a downstream movement support roller at an end portion on the processing head side, The upstream movement support roller and the downstream movement support roller are independently movable in the feed direction. The laser cutting machine according to claim 1.

3. The control unit setting the distance between the upstream belt conveyor and the downstream belt conveyor to a predetermined reference distance while the laser beam is being irradiated; When the irradiation of the laser beam is completed, the upstream moving support roller and the downstream moving support roller are moved in directions away from each other. The laser cutting machine according to claim 2.

4. The control unit After the irradiation of the laser beam is completed and the upstream movement support roller and the downstream movement support roller move in directions away from each other, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the distance between the upstream belt conveyor and the downstream belt conveyor is returned to the reference distance. The laser cutting machine according to claim 3.

5. The upstream movement support rollers and the downstream movement support rollers are slidably mounted on guide rails that are provided parallel to the upstream belt conveyor and the downstream belt conveyor. The laser cutting machine according to claim 2.

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