Device and method for controlling transmission fiber angle and laser device

Abstract

To provide a device and method for controlling a transmission fiber angle, capable of more easily controlling the angle of a laser beam entering into a transmission fiber, and a laser device.SOLUTION: A device for controlling a transmission fiber angle includes: a rotation part for rotating the end surface of a transmission fiber; and an angle change part for changing an angle formed by the optical axis of a laser beam entering into a support pin 48 transmission fiber and the central axis of a support pin 48 transmission fiber core. The support pin 48 rotation part and the support pin 48 angle change part independently rotate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transmission fiber angle adjustment device, a transmission fiber angle adjustment method, and a laser device. [Background technology]

[0002] In laser processing, laser light emitted from a laser oscillator is guided through a transmission fiber to a processing head and is then irradiated onto a workpiece.

[0003] The core of the transmission fiber has individual differences in the center position and the angle of deviation of the central axis. Therefore, the characteristics of the laser light emitted from the processing head change every time the attached transmission fiber is changed. Therefore, when replacing the transmission fiber, it is necessary to find the conditions under which the laser light characteristics for each individual fiber will produce the desired results, such as by adjusting the optical components inside the processing head. This also prolongs the time (downtime) required for restoration work, including the replacement of the transmission fiber.

[0004] Patent Document 1 proposes a method for facilitating the replacement of a transmission fiber by monitoring the incident end face of the transmission fiber and, based on the results, adjusting the focal point of the laser light to the center of the incident end face. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-104147 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the angle of the laser light incident on the transmission fiber. The incident angle on the transmission fiber significantly affects the beam quality of the laser light emitted from the transmission fiber. Therefore, if the incident angle changes after replacing the transmission fiber, there is a risk that the beam quality will deteriorate.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a transmission fiber angle adjustment device and a transmission fiber angle adjustment method that can more easily adjust the incident angle of laser light incident on a transmission fiber to an appropriate condition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The transmission fiber angle adjustment device according to the present disclosure includes a rotation unit that rotates the end face of the transmission fiber, and an angle change unit that changes the angle between the optical axis of the laser light incident on the transmission fiber and the central axis of the core of the transmission fiber, and the rotation unit and the angle change unit rotate independently.

[0009] The transmission fiber angle adjustment method according to the present disclosure is a transmission fiber angle adjustment method using a transmission fiber angle adjustment device, and includes the steps of rotating the end face of the transmission fiber and changing the inclination of the central axis of the core of the transmission fiber relative to the optical axis of the laser light incident on the transmission fiber.

[0010] The laser device according to the present disclosure includes: a laser oscillator that emits laser light; and a focusing lens that focuses the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator. The laser beam converged by the focusing lens is transmitted through a transmission fiber having a core, a rotation unit that rotates an incident end face of the transmission fiber on the side where the laser beam is incident, and an angle change unit having a screw. The angle change unit adjusts the amount of movement of the screw so that the optical axis of the laser beam converged by the focusing lens and the axis of the core of the transmission fiber are coaxial. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The transmission fiber angle adjustment device, transmission fiber angle adjustment method, and laser device according to the present disclosure can more easily adjust the angle of laser light incident on the transmission fiber. This can prevent deterioration of beam quality due to replacement of the transmission fiber. Furthermore, the replacement of the transmission fiber and the associated adjustment work can be simplified, reducing downtime of the laser device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] External view of a laser device with a transmission fiber angle adjustment device [Figure 2] Conceptual diagram of transmission fibers with individual differences in the deviation angle of the core axis [Figure 3] An example of a declination measurement system [Figure 4] Diagram showing the procedure for measuring declination [Figure 5] Conceptual diagram explaining the procedure for measuring declination [Figure 6] Diagram showing the relationship between declination angle and declination direction [Figure 7] A diagram explaining the procedure for determining point Q [Figure 8] Conceptual diagram of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device [Figure 9] Conceptual diagram of the rotating part [Figure 10] Conceptual diagram of angle change unit [Figure 11] Diagram showing the angle adjustment procedure using the transmission fiber angle adjustment device [Figure 12] Conceptual diagram to explain the angle adjustment procedure DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [Background to the invention] The inventors have devised a method of adjusting the inclination of a transmission fiber angle adjusting device as a means for adjusting the angle between the transmission fiber and the laser light incident on the transmission fiber.

[0014] A two-axis adjustment mechanism, with one fulcrum and two screws, is considered as a means for changing the tilt of a transmission fiber angle adjustment device. The inventors then attempted to apply two-axis adjustment to the tilt adjustment of a transmission fiber angle adjustment device. However, when there are two or more screws, adjusting one screw after completing the adjustment of the other may result in the screw that was supposed to be adjusted slightly in an unintended direction. Therefore, it was difficult to perform two-axis adjustment for the tilt adjustment of a transmission fiber, which requires fine adjustment within a ±20 mrad range. A method for accurately adjusting the tilt of a transmission fiber using two-axis adjustment could be to optimize it by monitoring the changes in the laser beam in real time, but this required a separate monitoring mechanism. The inventors then came up with the idea of ​​using one-axis adjustment, which is not affected by the adjustment of other screws and can absorb individual differences in the core deviation angle. [Detailed Description of the Invention] Hereinafter, embodiments of a transmission fiber angle adjustment device, a transmission fiber angle adjustment method, and a laser device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments disclosed below are all examples, and are not intended to impose any limitations on the transmission fiber angle adjustment device and the transmission fiber angle adjustment method according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Furthermore, in the embodiments disclosed below, unnecessary detailed explanations may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the explanations and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0016] 1 is an external view of a laser device having a transmission fiber angle adjustment device. As shown in FIG. 1, the laser device 100 has a laser oscillator 10, a focusing unit 40, a transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42, a transmission fiber 3, and a processing head 50.

[0017] The laser oscillator 10 is, for example, a direct diode laser using wavelength synthesis technology, and emits laser light 13. The focusing unit 40 focuses the laser light 13 emitted from the laser oscillator 10. The transmission fiber 3 transmits the laser light 13 focused by the focusing unit 40 to the processing head 60. The processing head 50 focuses the laser light 13 transmitted by the transmission fiber 3 toward the workpiece 60 and irradiates it.

[0018] The transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 is attached to the light collecting unit 40 and adjusts the tilt of the transmission fiber 3. The detailed structure of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 will be described later. The transmission fiber 3 often needs to be replaced due to burnout caused by excessive reflected light from the workpiece. Therefore, the transmission fiber 3 is configured to be detachable from the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 and the processing head 50.

[0019] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating transmission fibers with individual differences in the deflection angle of the central axis of the core. Generally, transmission fibers have different deflection angles θ at the input end face 57 and the output end face 58. Note that the expression "not having a deflection angle θ" used in the following explanation also includes cases where the deflection angle θ is so small that it can be ignored.

[0020] Fig. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view in the YZ plane of the transmission fiber 3a before replacement, in which neither the incident end face 57 nor the exit end face 58 has a deflection angle θ. Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view in the YZ plane of the transmission fiber 3b after replacement, in which the incident end face 57 has a deflection angle θ and the exit end face 58 does not have a deflection angle θ. Fig. 2(c) is a cross-sectional view in the YZ plane of the transmission fiber 3b after replacement, in which the incident end face 57 does not have a deflection angle θ and the exit end face 58 has a deflection angle θ.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission fiber 3 has a core 8, and the laser light 13 is transmitted through the core 8. In the description of the present disclosure, the deflection angle θ is the angle between the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber and the central axis 8a of the core (see FIG. 2(b)). Here, the incident angle θ inThe divergence angle θ is the angle formed by the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber, particularly the central axis 8a of the core near the incident end face 57, and the outermost ray of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3. out This refers to the angle formed by the optical axis 13 a of the laser light 13 emitted from the transmission fiber 3 and the outermost ray of the laser light 13 emitted from the transmission fiber 3 .

[0022] As shown in Figure 2(a), the transmission fiber 3a before replacement does not have a deflection angle θ, so the optical axis 13a is coaxial with the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber and the central axis 8a of the core. In this case, the laser light 13 is incident on the transmission fiber 3a at an incident angle θ in When the light is incident at an incident angle θ in The divergence angle θ is equivalent to out On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the replaced transmission fiber 3b has a deflection angle θ at the incident end face 57. In other words, the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3b is coaxial with the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber, but the optical axis 13a is not coaxial with the central axis 8a of the core. In this case, the laser light 13 is incident on the transmission fiber 3b at an incident angle θ in Even if the light is incident at a divergence angle θ out is the incident angle θ in and the deflection angle θ. In other words, by replacing the transmission fiber 3, the divergence angle θ out Here, the beam quality is determined by the diameter of the core 8 and the divergence angle θ out The smaller the value, the better the beam quality. out Therefore, when the transmission fiber 3 has a deflection angle θ at the incident end face 57, the divergence angle θ of the laser light 13 emitted from the transmission fiber 3 is out As the divergence angle θ increases, the beam quality deteriorates. out is the incident angle θ in and the deflection angle θ at the incident end face 57, it is difficult to improve the beam quality even if the laser light 13 after being emitted from the transmission fiber 3 is adjusted by an optical system.

[0023] In the transmission fiber 3b after replacement shown in FIG. 2(c), the incident end face 57 does not have a deviation angle θ, but the exit end face 58 has a deviation angle θ. As described above, the divergence angle θ out is the incident angle θ in and the deflection angle θ at the incident end face 57. Therefore, the transmission fiber 3b having the deflection angle θ at the output end face 58 has the same divergence angle θ as the case of the deflection angle θ at the incident end face 57. out does not increase. In other words, the deflection angle θ on the side of the output end face 58 does not affect the deterioration of beam quality. However, since the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 output from the transmission fiber 3b coincides with the line extending from the central axis 8a of the core, if the deflection angle θ is present at the output end face 58, the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 output from the transmission fiber 3b will be tilted by θ from the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber 3b.

[0024] As described above, if the transmission fiber 3b after replacement has a deviation angle θ, the incident conditions that were appropriate for the transmission fiber 3a before replacement may become inappropriate for the transmission fiber 3b after replacement. In this embodiment, attention is focused on the deviation angle θ at the incident end face 57, which has an adverse effect on beam quality.

[0025] Therefore, in the present invention, the deflection angle θ at the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3 is measured in advance, and the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 is adjusted based on the calculated result. In this way, adjustment is made so that the laser light 13 is appropriately incident on the replaced transmission fiber 3b as well.

[0026] 2, an example was shown in which the transmission fiber 3a before replacement did not have a deviation angle θ, but this is not limited to this, and there is also a case in which the transmission fiber 3a has a deviation angle θ before replacement. It goes without saying that the magnitude of the deviation angle θ differs depending on the transmission fiber 3. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the deviation angle θ at the entrance end face 57 and the deviation angle θ at the exit end face 58 are indicated by the same symbol, but there are also cases in which the magnitude of the deviation angle θ at the entrance end face 57 and the deviation angle θ at the exit end face 58 differ.

[0027] (declination measurement system) The following describes a deviation angle measurement system 200 that can measure individual differences among transmission fibers 3, particularly the deviation angle θ of the incident end face 57. Note that the deviation angle measurement system 200 described below is just an example, and any system can be selected as appropriate as long as it can calculate the deviation angle θ and deviation angle direction Φ, which will be described later.

[0028] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a deflection angle measurement system. Generally, the incident end face 57 and the exit end face 58 of the transmission fiber 3 are determined at the time of delivery. Therefore, in the above-mentioned laser device 100, the determined incident end face 57 and the exit end face 58 are connected to the focusing unit 40 and the processing head 50, respectively.

[0029] The deviation angle measurement system 200 in this embodiment can measure the deviation angle θ of the end face on the side where the guide light 12, which will be described later, is emitted. Therefore, the deviation angle measurement system 200 is installed so that the end face on the side where the guide light 12 is incident is the exit end face 58 of the transmission fiber 3, and the end face on the side where the guide light 12 is emitted is the entrance end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3. The entrance end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3 is defined as the XY plane, and the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber is defined as the Z axis.

[0030] The deflection angle measurement system 200 includes a light source 1 , a condenser lens 2 , a transmission fiber 3 , a fixture 5 , and a screen 6 .

[0031] The light source 1 emits guide light 12 having a wavelength range in the visible light region toward the condenser lens 2. The condenser lens 2 condenses the guide light 12 emitted from the light source 1 toward the exit end face 58 of the transmission fiber 3.

[0032] The transmission fiber 3 transmits the guide light 12 condensed by the condenser lens 2 and emits it from an incident end face 57 toward an object, for example, a screen 6. The incident end face 57 and the exit end face 58 of the transmission fiber 3 are each protected by a connector (not shown) for attaching it to the laser device 100.

[0033] The fixing jig 5 fixes the transmission fiber 3 so that the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber is perpendicular to the screen 6. At this time, a mark 9 is recorded at an arbitrary point extending perpendicularly from the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber. The transmission fiber 3 is detachable from the fixing jig 5.

[0034] Furthermore, in the XY plane (incident end surface 57 of the transmission fiber 3) of the deflection angle measurement system 200 described above, the positive direction of the Y axis is the direction perpendicular to the mark 9 from the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber. The positive direction of the X axis can be determined arbitrarily.

[0035] Fig. 4 shows the procedure for measuring the declination angle, and Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the procedure for measuring the declination angle.

[0036] First, the user fixes the connector on the incident end face 57 side of the transmission fiber 3 to the fixing jig 5 and marks a mark 9 at an arbitrary point extending perpendicularly from the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber (step St1). After fixing to the fixing jig 5, the light source 1 emits a guide light 12 (step St2). At this time, the guide light 12 is transmitted through the transmission fiber 3 and irradiated onto the screen 6 (FIG. 5(a)). After irradiating the screen 6 with the guide light 12, the user records a position P1 of the guide light 12 on the screen (step St3). The position of the guide light 12 is recorded on the XY coordinate system with a point on the screen 6, for example, the lower left corner of the screen 6, as the origin. After recording the position P1 of the guide light 12, the user rotates the transmission fiber 3 180 degrees, i.e., rotates the mark 9 on the transmission fiber 3 180 degrees, and fixes the transmission fiber 3 to the fixing jig 5 again (step St4). After being re-fixed to the fixture 5, the position P2 of the guide beam 12 on the XY coordinate system after the rotation is recorded (step St5, FIG. 5(b)). Then, the position of point O on the XY coordinate system, which is the center of the line connecting the obtained points P1 and P2, is calculated (step St6). Point O corresponds to the center O of the core of the transmission fiber 3. After calculating the position of point O on the XY coordinate system, the position of P1 is redefined as P1' (X1', Y1') in a coordinate system with point O as the origin. P2 is similarly defined as P2' (X2', Y2') (step St7). Based on the redefined P1' and P2', the deflection angle θ and deflection direction Φ at the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3 are calculated (step St8). The correlation between the deflection angle θ and deflection direction Φ at the incident end face 57 and the calculation method will be described in detail later. Furthermore, the emission of the guide light may be temporarily stopped during the operation of rotating the transmission fiber 3 by 180 degrees and re-fixing it to the fixing jig 5 (step St4). In this case, the guide light 12 is emitted again after the transmission fiber 3 is re-fixed to the fixing jig 5. Note that the deflection angle measurement is terminated after the deflection angle θ and the deflection angle direction Φ at the incident end face 57 are calculated.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the deflection angle and the deflection angle direction. Fig. 7 shows the procedure for determining point Q. As shown in Fig. 6, the deflection angle θ and deflection angle direction Φ at the incident end face 57 are expressed in three-dimensional coordinates, with the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3 as the XY plane and the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber as the Z axis.

[0038] The deflection angle θ is the amount of deviation starting from the Z axis, that is, the angle between OP1' and the positive direction of the Z axis. The deflection angle θ (θ≧0) is calculated using equation (1) using P1' (X1', Y1'), P2' (X2', Y2'), and the distance L from the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3 to the screen. TIFF2025126824000002.tif12106

[0039] The direction of the deflection angle Φ is the direction of deviation of the deflection angle θ in the XY plane, specifically, the angle between the positive direction of the Y axis and OQ. Q ,Y Q ) is determined in the next decision step (Figure 7). First, it is determined whether the Y coordinate (Y1') of P1' is greater than 0 (step St20). If the Y coordinate (Y1') of P1' is greater than 0, the perpendicular line drawn from P1' into the XY plane is set to point Q (step St21, left side of Figure 6). If the Y coordinate (Y1') of P1' is less than 0, the perpendicular line drawn from P2' into the XY plane is set to point Q (step St22, right side of Figure 6). The deflection angle direction Φ (-90°<Φ<90°) is calculated using equation (2) using P1' (X1', Y1') and P2' (X2', Y2'). TIFF2025126824000003.tif1264

[0040] As described above, by calculating the deflection angle θ and the deflection angle direction Φ in advance, the transmission fiber 3 can be adjusted in one axis by the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42, which will be described later.

[0041] (Transmission fiber angle adjustment device) FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of the rotation unit. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the angle change unit. Also, FIG. 10(a) is a conceptual diagram of the fixed plate 45a on the XY plane, and FIG. 10(b) is a conceptual diagram of the inclined plate 45b on the XY plane. In the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42, the central axis 42a of the device is in the positive direction of the Z axis, the direction perpendicular to the central axis 42a of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 toward a screw 47 (described later) is the positive direction of the Y axis, and the axis perpendicular to the Z axis and the Y axis is the X axis. The positive direction of the X axis can be determined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the following description, the X, Y, and Z axes refer to the X, Y, and Z axes of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 unless otherwise specified.

[0042] The transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 includes a rotation unit 44 having a cavity for inserting the transmission fiber 3, and an angle change unit 45. The rotation unit 44 includes a clamping portion 44a and a movable pin 44b. The movable pin 44b is movable and can transition between a state in which the movable pin 44b does not protrude from the inner wall of the cavity and a state in which the movable pin 44b protrudes from the inner wall of the cavity (see FIG. 9). The amount of movement of the movable pin 44b is adjusted by the clamping amount of the clamping portion 44a. The rotation unit 44 fixes the transmission fiber 3 by adjusting the clamping amount of the clamping portion 44a and causing the movable pin 44b to protrude from the inner wall of the cavity. Furthermore, the rotation unit 44 rotates the transmission fiber 3 in the C direction. Rotation in the C direction refers to rotation within the XY plane centered on the Z axis. Note that a predetermined scale, for example, 1°, is marked on the side of the rotation unit 44. Furthermore, the amount of rotation of the rotation unit 44 is determined based on the calculated deflection angle direction Φ.

[0043] The angle change unit 45 has a fixed plate 45a, an inclined plate 45b, two support pins 48, a screw 47, and an O-ring 49. The two support pins 48 are fixed to the fixed plate 45a. The fixed plate 45a supports the inclined plate 45b via the two support pins 48. A screw 47 passes through the inclined plate 45b. The screw 47 adjusts the rotation of the inclined plate 45b in direction B by changing the amount of tightening of the screw 47 (moving in direction A) with the support pin 48 as a fulcrum. Movement in direction A refers to movement in the Z-axis direction, and rotation in direction B refers to rotation in the YZ plane. In other words, the rotation of the transmission fiber 3 in the YZ plane is adjusted by adjusting one axis of the screw 47. In other words, the angle between the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 and the central axis 8a of the core of the transmission fiber 3 is adjusted by adjusting one axis of the screw 47. The rotation amount based on the tightening amount (movement amount) of the screw 47 is measured in advance. The movement amount of the angle changer 45 is determined based on the calculated deflection angle θ.

[0044] Incidentally, the rotation unit 44 has two support pins 48, which allows the tilting plate 45b to rotate more accurately within the YZ plane around the fulcrum 48a. Furthermore, the two support pins 48 are preferably installed so that, when the transmission fiber 3 is inserted into the angle changing unit 45, the core center O at the incident end face 57 coincides with the fulcrum 48a of the support pin 48 on the YZ coordinate system. This allows the tilting plate 45b to be tilted more reliably within the YZ plane around the core center O as the fulcrum. In other words, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the core center O on the XYZ coordinate system due to adjustment of the angle changing unit 45. Generally, the position of the focusing lens 43 on the XYZ coordinate system is determined so that the laser light 13 is focused within the core 8. Therefore, if there is no misalignment of the core center O on the XYZ coordinate system even after adjusting the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42, the user does not need to adjust the position of the focusing lens 43 again after adjusting the connection of the transmission fiber 3 using the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time (downtime) required for restoration work, including replacement of the transmission fiber. The O-ring 49 has a repulsive force and is provided to seal the gap between the fixed plate 45a and the inclined plate 45b.

[0045] Here, the rotation unit 44 and the angle change unit 45 rotate independently. As a result, even if the rotation unit 44 is rotated in the direction C, the position of the angle change unit 45 does not change. In other words, even if the rotation unit 44 is rotated in the direction C, the positive direction of the Y axis of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 does not change. This enables uniaxial adjustment using the screw 47 in the angle change unit 45. Note that, by moving the rotation unit 44 in the direction C as described above, the transmission fiber 3 inserted in the angle change unit 45 also rotates in the direction C. In other words, the rotation unit 44 has the function of fixing the transmission fiber 3, but the angle change unit 45 does not have the function of fixing the transmission fiber 3. This allows the incident end surface 57 of the transmission fiber 3 to be more reliably adjusted by Φ. Note that not having the function of fixing the transmission fiber 3 means that the transmission fiber 3 is held so that it can rotate freely within the angle change unit 45.

[0046] Furthermore, the transmission fiber 3 is attached to the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 so that the positive direction of the Y axis of the transmission fiber 3 (the direction perpendicular to the mark 9 from the central axis 4 of the transmission fiber) coincides with the positive direction of the Y axis of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42. This makes it possible to easily reflect the values ​​of the deflection angle θ and deflection direction Φ at the incident end face 57 calculated by the deflection angle measurement system 200 in the amount of movement of the angle change unit 45 and the rotation unit 44. In other words, it becomes easier to adjust the angle formed between the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 and the central axis 8a of the core of the transmission fiber 3 by moving the screw 47 on one axis.

[0047] Furthermore, the laser device 100 is provided with an angle changer 45 and a rotation unit 44 in this order from the side where the laser light 13 is incident. This is because, if the rotation unit 44 and the angle changer 45 are provided in this order from the side where the laser light 13 is incident, the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3 or a protective member (not shown) protecting the incident end face 57 would be fixed by the rotation unit 44. In this case, the position of the central axis 8a of the core at the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3 cannot be adjusted by adjusting the angle changer 45, making it difficult to align the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 with the central axis 8a of the core at the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3. In other words, by providing the angle changer 45 and the rotation unit 44 in this order from the side where the laser light 13 is incident, the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 can align the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 with the central axis 8a of the core of the transmission fiber 3.

[0048] (Tilt adjustment of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device) Fig. 11 shows the angle adjustment procedure using the transmission fiber angle adjustment device. Fig. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the angle adjustment procedure. Note that Fig. 12 shows the angle adjustment procedure when Φ>0 and Y1'-Y2'>0. This flow is performed after the transmission fiber 3 is replaced.

[0049] First, the rotation unit 44 is rotated by Φ in the C direction (step St10). Specifically, it is determined whether the calculated deflection angle direction Φ is positive (step St12). If the deflection angle direction Φ is positive, the rotation unit 44 is rotated by Φ from the positive direction of the X axis to the positive direction of the Y axis (step St13). If the deflection angle direction Φ is negative, the rotation unit 44 is rotated by Φ from the positive direction of the Y axis to the positive direction of the X axis (step St14). Next, the inside of the angle change unit 45 is tilted by θ in the B direction, that is, the screw 47 is moved by θ in the A direction (step St11). Specifically, it is first determined whether the Y coordinate (Y1') of P1' is greater than the Y coordinate (Y2') of P2' (step St15). If the Y coordinate (Y1') of P1' is greater than the Y coordinate (Y2') of P2', the rotation unit 44 is tilted by θ from the positive direction of the Y axis to the positive direction of the Z axis (step St16). On the other hand, if the Y coordinate (Y1') of P1' is smaller than the Y coordinate (Y2') of P2', tilt by θ from the positive direction of the Z axis to the positive direction of the Y axis (step St17). The adjustment of the rotation unit 44 and the angle change unit 45 may be performed by an operator, or may be performed automatically by connecting a control unit (not shown) to the components. After adjusting the angle change unit 45, the angle adjustment of the transmission fiber 3 is completed. Note that the adjustment of the angle change unit (step St11) may be performed before the adjustment of the rotation unit 44 (step St10).

[0050] As described above, the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 adjusts the angle of the transmission fiber 3 to optimize the angle of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber. The optimized state is a state in which the optical axis 13a of the incident laser light 13 is parallel to the central axis 8a of the core. This allows the divergence angle θ to be adjusted even if there are individual differences in the deflection angle θ of the transmission fiber 3. out This prevents the beam quality from deteriorating due to the replacement of the transmission fiber 3. Furthermore, because the transmission fiber angle adjuster 42 allows for single-axis adjustment, it is not affected by the fluctuations of other screws as is the case with two-axis adjustment. This allows for more precise adjustment, even within a very small range of ±20 mrad.

[0051] Furthermore, in the present invention, the individual differences of the transmission fiber 3 are measured in advance and the amount of movement of the adjustment mechanism is calculated, so that adjustment after installation of the transmission fiber 3 only requires changing the predetermined amount of movement. This makes it easier to perform adjustment work when replacing the transmission fiber, reducing downtime and the burden on the worker. Furthermore, since there is no longer a need to install a monitoring mechanism inside the laser device, manufacturing costs can also be reduced. [Variations] While the configuration of the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Furthermore, the materials, numerical values, etc. described in the above embodiments are merely preferred examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, the configuration of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device and transmission fiber angle adjustment method can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0052] For example, in this embodiment, with an emphasis on improving beam quality, the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 is provided on the focusing unit 40 side to adjust the angle of the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3, but the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 may also be provided on the machining head 50 side to adjust the angle of the exit end face 58 of the transmission fiber 3. In this case, the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 is installed so as to hold the exit end face 58 of the transmission fiber 3. By rotating the angle change unit 45 while holding the exit end face 58 side of the transmission fiber 3, it is possible to adjust the angle between the central axis 42a of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 and the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 emitted from the transmission fiber 3, i.e., the angle of the laser light 13 emitted from the machining head 50 with respect to the workpiece 60.

[0053] For example, in this embodiment, the rotating part 44 fixes the transmission fiber 3 by the movable pin 44b, but the present invention is not limited to this and any other means may be used as long as it can fix the transmission fiber 3.

[0054] For example, in this embodiment, it has been shown that it is preferable to have two support pins 48, but even if there is no support pin 48 or if there is only one support pin 48, adjustment by the angle change unit 45 is possible.

[0055] For example, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the incident end face 57 and the exit end face 58 of the transmission fiber 3 are determined at the time of delivery, but this is not limiting. The deflection angle θ at both ends may be measured using the deflection angle measurement system 200, and the end face with the smaller value may be attached to the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 as the incident end face 57. [Effects, etc.] The transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 according to the present disclosure includes a rotation unit 44 that rotates the end face of the transmission fiber 3 and an angle change unit 45 that changes the angle between the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 and the central axis 8a of the core of the transmission fiber 3. The rotation unit 44 and the angle change unit 45 rotate independently. This configuration allows adjustment of the transmission fiber 3 after installation by changing the angle between the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 and the central axis 8a of the core of the transmission fiber 3 using a predetermined value. This simplifies the adjustment work associated with replacing the transmission fiber, reducing downtime and the burden on the operator. Furthermore, since there is no need to install a monitoring mechanism inside the laser device, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, in the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 according to the present disclosure, the angle changer 45 includes a single screw 47, and the amount of movement of only the screw 47 is adjusted so that the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 is coaxial with the central axis 8a of the core of the transmission fiber 3. With this configuration, the angle changer 45 can change the angle between the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 and the central axis 8a of the core of the transmission fiber 3 through single-axis adjustment using the screw 47. Single-axis adjustment is not affected by fluctuations of other screws, as is the case with biaxial adjustment. This allows for more precise adjustment, even within a very small range of ±20 mrad. The single-axis adjustment according to the present disclosure refers to changing the angle between the optical axis 13a of the laser light 13 incident on the transmission fiber 3 and the central axis 8a of the core of the transmission fiber 3 through single-axis adjustment of the screw 47 provided in the angle changer 45. In other words, even if the screw 47 is fixed at an angle relative to the Z axis in the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42, this effect can be achieved if the angle change unit 45 is adjusted by adjusting only the screw 47.

[0057] Furthermore, in the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 according to the present disclosure, the angle changer 45 includes a support pin 48, and rotates around the support pin 48 as a fulcrum 48a. With this configuration, the angle changer 45 can change the position of the transmission fiber 3 around the fulcrum 48a.

[0058] Furthermore, in the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 according to the present disclosure, the angle changer 45 includes two support pins 48, and is installed so that the center of the core on the end face coincides with the fulcrum of the support pin on the YZ coordinate system. This configuration allows the tilting plate 45b to tilt more reliably within the YZ plane, with the core center O as the fulcrum. In other words, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the core center O on the XYZ coordinate system due to adjustment of the angle changer 45.

[0059] Furthermore, in the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 according to the present disclosure, the rotation unit 44 fixes the transmission fiber 3, and the angle change unit 45 holds the transmission fiber 3 so that it can freely rotate within the angle change unit 45. With this configuration, the incident end face 57 of the transmission fiber 3 can be more reliably adjusted by Φ.

[0060] Furthermore, the transmission fiber angle adjustment device 42 according to the present disclosure holds the incident end face 57 on the side where the laser light 13 is incident, out of both ends of the transmission fiber 3. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce deterioration of beam quality due to replacement of the transmission fiber 3. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] The present disclosure is useful as a transmission fiber angle adjustment device, a transmission fiber angle adjustment method, and a laser device that can more easily adjust the angle of a transmission fiber. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 100 Laser device 200 Declination Measurement System 2. Condenser lens (deflection measurement system) 3 Transmission Fiber 4. Central axis of transmission fiber 6 Screen (object) 8 cores 8a Core axis 10 Laser oscillator 12 Guide Light 13 Laser light 13a Optical axis 40 Light Concentration Unit 42 Transmission fiber angle adjustment device 43 Condenser lens (laser device) 44 Rotating part 45 Angle change section 47 Screw 48 Support pin 48a Fulcrum 57 Incidence end face (end face) 58 Output end face (end face) O Core Center θ deflection angle Φ declination direction

Claims

1. a rotating unit that rotates the end face of the transmission fiber; an angle changing unit that changes the angle between the optical axis of the laser light incident on the transmission fiber and the central axis of the core of the transmission fiber, The rotation unit and the angle change unit rotate independently of each other.

2. the angle changer includes one screw; 2. The transmission fiber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the movement of only said one screw is adjusted so that the optical axis of said laser light incident on said transmission fiber is coaxial with the central axis of the core of said transmission fiber.

3. The angle changer includes a support pin, 3. The transmission fiber angle adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the angle changer rotates around the support pin as a fulcrum.

4. When the central axis of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device is defined as the Z axis, the direction perpendicular to the screw from the central axis of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device is defined as the Y axis, and the axis perpendicular to the Z axis and the Y axis is defined as the X axis, the angle changer includes two support pins, The support pin is installed so that the center of the core on the end surface and the fulcrum of the support pin coincide with each other on the YZ coordinate system.

4. The transmission fiber angle adjustment device according to claim 3.

5. the rotating part fixes the transmission fiber; 5. The transmission fiber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the angle changer holds the transmission fiber so that the transmission fiber can freely rotate within the angle changer.

6. 6. The transmission fiber angle adjustment device according to claim 5, wherein the end face of the transmission fiber is an incident end face on the side where the laser light is incident, out of both ends of the transmission fiber.

7. 2. A method for adjusting a transmission fiber angle using the transmission fiber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, comprising: rotating the end face of the transmission fiber; changing the inclination of the central axis of the core of the transmission fiber with respect to the optical axis of the laser light incident on the transmission fiber.

8. 8. The method for adjusting the angle of a transmission fiber according to claim 7, further comprising the step of inserting the transmission fiber into the transmission fiber angle adjustment device so that a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the transmission fiber to an arbitrary point on the transmission fiber coincides with a direction from a central axis of the transmission fiber angle adjustment device to the screw.

9. a laser oscillator that emits laser light; a condenser lens that condenses the laser light emitted from the laser oscillator; a transmission fiber having a core for transmitting the laser light focused by the focusing lens; a rotating unit that rotates an incident end surface on the side where the laser light is incident, out of both ends of the transmission fiber; an angle change portion having a screw, The angle changing unit adjusts the amount of movement of the screw so that the optical axis of the laser light focused by the focusing lens and the axis of the core of the transmission fiber are coaxial.

10. The laser device according to claim 9 , wherein the angle changing unit and the rotation unit are provided in this order from the side where the laser light focused by the focusing lens is incident.

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