Workpiece support device

Abstract

To provide a work supporting device capable of reducing the frequency of the maintenance work of a work supporting structure and improving the working efficiency of a thermal cutting machine.SOLUTION: The workpiece supporting device 3 is a workpiece supporting device that supports the workpiece W to be cut by the laser beam machine 1, and has a pinholder-shaped workpiece supporting structure including a plurality of protruding portions 6 that horizontally support the workpiece W, a surface of a metal base material constituting the protruding portions 6 is coated with a thermosetting resin coating, and the thermosetting resin coating is an electrodeposition coating of an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece supporting device used in a thermal cutting machine such as a laser processing machine or a plasma processing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] A laser processing machine is an example of a thermal cutting machine for workpieces (workpieces) such as steel plates. A known laser processing machine has a laser head that emits a laser beam. The laser head is moved relative to the workpiece placed in the processing area, and the workpiece is processed by irradiating it with the laser beam. After processing, the workpiece is removed from the machine, for example, by being sucked by a suction pad of a takeout loader.

[0003] A laser processing machine is provided with a workpiece support device to support a workpiece horizontally relative to a laser head. The workpiece support device is provided with a plurality of protrusions, which form a pinholder-shaped workpiece support structure. For example, in Patent Document 1, a number of support pins are erected on a processing table to form a pinholder-shaped workpiece support structure. The protrusions, such as the support pins, are made of metal, such as iron, brass, or aluminum.

[0004] However, in the laser processing machine described above, dross is generated when cutting the workpiece, and this dross adheres to the protrusions of the workpiece support structure, or the heat from the processing melts and causes sagging of the protrusions. The adhesion of dross to the protrusions and the sagging of the protrusions cause variations in the height level between the protrusions of the workpiece support structure, making it difficult to ensure horizontality and stable support of the workpiece. This can result in a deterioration in processing quality.

[0005] Furthermore, for example, in a configuration in which a laser processing system is automated in that the workpiece is automatically fed to a laser processing machine, the workpiece is cut and processed by the laser processing machine, and the product is discharged by a takeout loader, variations in the height levels between the protrusions may cause abnormal suction in the takeout loader, which may have an adverse effect on product discharge, etc.

[0006] Conventionally, to resolve the above-mentioned problems, the protrusions that make up the workpiece support structure have been periodically replaced, and dedicated machines have been used to periodically clean off the dross that has adhered to the protrusions. For example, replacing the protrusions takes several hours per pallet, during which the thermal cutting machine must be stopped. Therefore, the downtime of the thermal cutting machine for maintenance work such as replacement and cleaning results in lost time, leading to reduced processing efficiency. In particular, in workplaces where high levels of productivity are required, the fact that production time is eroded by workpiece support structure maintenance time is a significant problem. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-277790 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a work support device that can reduce the frequency of maintenance work on the work support structure and thereby improve the processing efficiency of the thermal cutting machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The work support device of the present invention is a work support device that supports a work to be cut by a thermal cutting machine, and is characterized in that the work support device has a pinholder-shaped work support structure consisting of a plurality of protrusions that support the work horizontally, and the surface of the metal base material that makes up the protrusions is coated with a thermosetting resin coating.

[0010] The thermosetting resin coating is characterized in that it is an electrodeposition coating of an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin.

[0011] The workpiece support structure is characterized in that it is configured by arranging a plurality of support plates in parallel, each of which has the protrusions arranged on its upper surface and formed in a sawtooth shape.

[0012] The sawtooth-shaped protrusions on the support plate have their tops formed with curved surfaces, and the curved surfaces have a radius of curvature of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0013] The metal substrate is characterized in that it is an iron-based material.

[0014] The present invention is used in a thermal cutting processing system that includes the thermal cutting machine, a work supply device that places the work from a work storage section onto the work support device, and a parts removal device that removes parts from the cut work, and is characterized in that in the thermal cutting processing system, the work support device, with the work placed on it, is transported into the chamber of the thermal cutting processing machine, where cutting processing is performed, and the work support device is transported out of the chamber after cutting processing, and the parts are removed from the cut work by the suction means of the parts removal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The work support device of the present invention has a pinholder-shaped work support structure consisting of multiple protrusions that support the work horizontally, and the protrusions have a metal base surface coated with a thermosetting resin film.As shown in the examples described below, this means that the protrusions have a lower affinity with dross (e.g., molten iron) derived from the work than when the base is metal, and dross adhesion can be suppressed, which reduces the frequency of maintenance work on the work support structure and ultimately leads to improved processing efficiency of the thermal cutting machine.

[0016] Because the thermosetting resin coating is an electrodeposition coating of acrylic or epoxy resin, it is easy to mass-produce the components that make up the protrusions, which are intended to be replaced, and it is also easy to form a uniform thermosetting resin coating on the tips of the protrusions.

[0017] Furthermore, since the tops of the sawtooth projections on the support plate are formed with curved surfaces, it is easy to form a thermosetting resin coating without gaps on the tops of the projections, and adhesion of dross can be further suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic plan view of a laser processing machine equipped with a workpiece support device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laser processing machine of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the support plate. [Figure 4] 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional photograph of the top of the protrusion of the support plate. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are schematic plan views showing another embodiment of the workpiece supporting device of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a photo of the entire work support device before processing (day 0). [Figure 7] These are overall photos of the work support device from the first to third days. [Figure 8] These are overall photos of the work support device taken on the 4th to 6th days. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present inventors have conducted extensive research into work support devices, focusing particularly on the adhesion of dross to protrusions, in order to reduce the frequency of maintenance work, and have surprisingly found that dross adhesion can be suppressed by forming a thermosetting resin coating on the surface of the metal base material of the protrusions. The present invention is based on this finding.

[0020] The workpiece support device of the present invention is a device for supporting a workpiece to be cut by a thermal cutting machine. Examples of thermal cutting machines include laser processing machines and plasma processing machines. In the following drawings, a laser processing machine will be used as an example.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a laser processing machine equipped with a workpiece support device, and Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof. In the XYZ coordinate system shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a plane parallel to the horizontal plane is defined as the XY plane. In this XY plane, the width direction of the workpiece support device is referred to as the X-axis direction, and the transport direction of the workpiece support device is referred to as the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the height direction of the workpiece support device, which is perpendicular to the XY plane, is referred to as the Z-axis direction.

[0022] For example, the workpiece support device of the present invention is used in a laser processing system as a thermal cutting system. The laser processing system includes, for example, a laser processing machine, a workpiece supply device that places a workpiece on the workpiece support device from a workpiece storage unit (for example, a workpiece shelf), and a parts removal device (for example, a takeout loader (TKL)) that removes parts from the cut workpiece. This laser processing system may also include a scrap shelf that stores the workpiece (scrap) after the parts have been removed. In this laser processing system, the following processes are automated: (1) supplying the workpiece from the workpiece shelf to the laser processing machine, (2) cutting the workpiece with the laser processing machine, (3) removing the parts with the takeout loader, and (4) discharging the scrap to the scrap shelf.

[0023] The laser processing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is one component of the laser processing system described above. The laser processing machine 1 includes a laser head 2 as a processing head, and a workpiece support device 3. A workpiece W (such as a steel plate) supplied from a workpiece shelf is placed on the workpiece support device 3, which is then transported into a chamber (not shown) where laser processing is performed. The laser head 2 performs laser processing on the workpiece W placed on the workpiece support device 3 to manufacture a product. Specifically, the product is manufactured by cutting a portion of the workpiece W by irradiating it with laser light while moving the laser head 2. The laser processing machine 1 may be configured such that the laser head 2 is fixed and the workpiece W is moved, or such that both the laser head 2 and the workpiece W are moved.

[0024] The laser head 2 has an emission unit 2a (see FIG. 2) that emits laser light in the Z direction, and is connected to a laser light source such as a carbon dioxide gas laser. In FIG. 1, the laser head 2 is provided so as to be movable in the X, Y, and Z directions by a movement mechanism (not shown).

[0025] In Fig. 1, the workpiece support device 3 has a pair of base arms 4, 4 and multiple support plates 5 suspended between them. The pair of base arms 4, 4 are spaced apart in the X direction, and both ends 5a, 5a of the support plate 5 are hooked onto the base arms 4, 4, respectively. In Fig. 1, the multiple support plates 5 are arranged in parallel in the Y direction, and each support plate 5 is arranged to extend in the X direction. The intervals between the support plates in the Y direction are set to appropriate predetermined intervals, and may be the same intervals as each other, or, for example, some of the intervals may be different.

[0026] The workpiece support device 3 has a pinholder-shaped workpiece support structure made up of multiple protrusions 6 that horizontally support the workpiece W, and in FIG. 1, this workpiece support structure is made up of multiple support plates 5. The cross-sectional shape of the support plates is shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 5 is a flat plate member with a thickness of approximately 2 mm to 3 mm, one surface of which is formed in a sawtooth shape, and the support plate 5 is placed with this surface facing upward. In FIG. 2, the sawtooth shape is formed by arranging protrusions 6, each having a pair of inclined surfaces 6a (inclined surface rising to the right) and 6b (inclined surface falling to the right), in a line. In the protrusions 6, a peak 6c is formed between the inclined surfaces 6a and 6b, and in FIG. 2, the peaks 6c have a pointed shape. In the support plate 5, each peak 6c is formed to be at the same height position (position in the Z direction), and the workpiece W is placed thereon, allowing the workpiece W to be stably supported along a horizontal plane (XY plane).

[0028] The tops 6c are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the X and Y directions. The pitch width is not particularly limited and is approximately 30 mm to 80 mm. By supporting the workpiece W with multiple protrusions 6 in this way, the contact area between the tops 6c and the workpiece W is reduced, thereby preventing the workpiece W from welding to the supporting part due to processing heat.

[0029] However, the protrusions that make up such a pinholder-shaped workpiece support structure are generally made of a metal base material, and laser processing can cause dross to adhere to the protrusions or cause them to melt, requiring regular maintenance work, which, as mentioned above, can lead to a decrease in processing efficiency.

[0030] In contrast, in the workpiece support device of the present invention, the surface of the metal substrate at the protrusions that make up the workpiece support structure is coated with a thermosetting resin coating. In FIG. 2, the entire surface of the support plate 5, including the surface of the protrusions 6, is coated with a thermosetting resin coating 7. By coating the surface of the metal substrate at the protrusions 6 with the thermosetting resin coating 7, the affinity with dross (such as molten iron) is reduced compared to protrusions made of a metal base material, making it difficult for dross to adhere. In addition, removal of adhered dross is simplified. Furthermore, covering the surface of the protrusions 6 with the thermosetting resin coating 7 also helps prevent direct thermal damage to the metal base material.

[0031] Although the thermosetting resin coating 7 is not particularly limited in its film formation, it is preferable that the thermosetting resin coating 7 be an electrodeposition coating. The electrodeposition paint constituting the electrodeposition coating contains, for example, a base resin, a curing agent, a pigment, a pigment dispersant, a surface conditioner, a curing catalyst, a solvent, and the like. Examples of base resins include epoxy resins, acrylic resins, polybutadiene resins, and polyester resins. Note that the epoxy resins referred to in the present invention include polyamine resins, such as amine-added epoxy resins. Examples of curing agents include blocked polyisocyanate compounds and amino resins.

[0032] Although either cationic or anionic electrodeposition coating can be used as the electrodeposition coating, cationic electrodeposition coating is preferred because anionic electrodeposition coating of, for example, iron-based materials may cause electrochemical leaching from the substrate. In the present invention, the thermosetting resin coating 7 is preferably an electrodeposition coating of an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin.

[0033] In electrodeposition coating, the above-mentioned electrodeposition paint is placed in an electrodeposition tank, and an object to be coated (e.g., a metal substrate of a support plate) is immersed while a DC voltage is applied between the electrodeposition paint and the object to be coated, thereby forming an uncured electrodeposition coating film on the surface of the object to be coated. In the case of cationic electrodeposition coating, the object to be coated acts as the cathode and the electrodeposition paint acts as the positive electrode, while in the case of anionic electrodeposition coating, the opposite is true. In addition, as a pre-process, the metal substrate may be subjected to water washing, degreasing, cleaning, etc.

[0034] Next, in the curing step, the substrate is placed in an electrodeposition baking furnace, and the uncured electrodeposition coating is cured by baking under predetermined conditions (e.g., 160°C to 180°C for 15 to 30 minutes). The thickness of the resulting electrodeposition coating is, for example, 10 μm to 30 μm, and preferably 15 μm to 25 μm.

[0035] 2 is a metal substrate having a similar shape to the support plate 5 that has been immersed and electrodeposited, and has a thermosetting resin coating 7 formed on the entire surface. Note that the thermosetting resin coating only needs to be formed on the surfaces of at least the protrusions, but since dross adhering to the side surfaces of the support plate 5, for example, will cause the dross to snowball and accumulate, it is preferable that the thermosetting resin coating 7 be formed on the entire surface of the support plate 5, including the protrusions 6.

[0036] The metal substrate of the protrusion 6 (which is also the metal substrate of the support plate 5 in FIG. 2) is not particularly limited, but is preferably an iron-based material that can be electrodeposited (for example, SPHC-P or SS400P).

[0037] 1 and 2, the support plate 5 is provided so as to span a pair of base arms, but this is not limiting, and the support plate may be provided, for example, standing on the upper surface of a base plate that is rectangular in plan view. Furthermore, the top 6c of the protrusion 6 is shown as having a pointed shape, but this is not limiting, and the top 6c may have a curved shape with an R, for example. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the support plate as an example.

[0038] FIG. 3(a) is an overall cross-sectional view of the support plate, and FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged view of portion B. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the support plate 8 has protrusions 9 arranged on its upper surface in a sawtooth pattern. The protrusions 9 have apexes 9c formed between inclined surfaces 9a and 9b, and in FIG. 3, the apexes 9c are curved. Specifically, the curved surfaces have a predetermined radius of curvature r. The radius of curvature r is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm or 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and more specifically, is approximately 1.0 mm. Furthermore, the curved surfaces are not limited to those having a predetermined radius of curvature, and may be free-form surfaces.

[0039] Here, if the tops 9c of the protrusions 9 are formed with curved surfaces, the contact area with the workpiece W increases compared to a pointed shape, and at first glance, it would appear that dross would be more likely to adhere to them. However, from the perspective of forming a thermosetting resin coating, it becomes easier to form a resin coating without gaps on the tops 9c of the protrusions 9, and the film thickness can be ensured, which improves the durability of the resin coating and effectively suppresses dross adhesion. In fact, as shown in the enlarged photograph of Figure 4, it can be seen that the thermosetting resin coating 10 is formed on the tops 9c without gaps and as a layer with a substantially uniform film thickness.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 1, after laser processing by the laser processing machine 1, the workpiece support device 3 is transported from the chamber with the processed workpiece W on board. After that, only the part is picked up by the suction means (e.g., suction pad) of the takeout loader, and the part is carried out of the machine. After the part is carried out, scrap is carried out of the machine by a separate means.

[0041] The workpiece support device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, although the configuration of the workpiece support device shown in Figures 1 to 4 has a support plate with a sawtooth upper surface, the configuration is not limited to this as long as it has a pinholder-shaped workpiece support structure made up of multiple protrusions.

[0042] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the work support device of the present invention, which has multiple support pins. Figure 5(a) is a schematic plan view, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along CC line. As shown in Figure 5(a), the work support device 11 has a frame body 12 that is rectangular in plan view, multiple crosspiece members 13 arranged in parallel inside the frame body 12, and multiple support pins 14 arranged upright on each crosspiece member 13. The multiple support pins 14 are arranged to have the same height.

[0043] 5, the support pin 14 corresponds to the protrusion, and the surface of the metal base is coated with the above-mentioned thermosetting resin coating. The tip side of the support pin 14 is tapered, and the top may be pointed or may be formed with a curved surface (e.g., hemispherical). The support pin 14 may also be attached with a screw or the like, and provided detachably. [Example]

[0044] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0045] [Example 1] An acrylic resin coating was formed by cathodic electrodeposition coating on the entire surface of the metal substrate (SPHC-P) of the support plate having the shape shown in Figure 2. Specifically, cathodic coating was performed to a film thickness of about 20 μm.

[0046] [Example 2] An epoxy resin coating was formed by cathodic electrodeposition coating on the entire surface of the metal substrate (SPHC-P) of the support plate having the shape shown in Figure 2. Specifically, cathodic coating was performed to a film thickness of about 20 μm.

[0047] [Comparative Example 1] The metal substrate (SPHC-P) of the support plate having the shape shown in FIG. 2 was used as is.

[0048] The entire surface of the metal substrate (SPHC-P) of the support plate having the shape shown in FIG. 2 was zinc plated.

[0049] As shown in the photograph in Fig. 6, each of the obtained support plates was arranged between a pair of base arms so that the support plates of Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 were repeatedly configured in order to form a test workpiece support device. Laser processing was then performed using this workpiece support device from the start (day 0), and the state of dross adhesion on the protrusions of the support plates was visually observed every day until day 6. Photographs of the observations over time are shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, on the first day, almost no dross adhesion was observed in Examples 1 and 2 (products with cationic electrodeposition coating), but dross was confirmed to have begun to adhere to Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Then, on the third day, dross adhesion to the protrusions became noticeable in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, and the resulting unevenness caused poor suction by the takeout loader. Therefore, at the end of the third day, dross was removed from the support plates of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 using a dedicated machine.

[0051] The photograph in Figure 8 on the fourth day is a photograph after the dross had been removed. The cleaning work described above reduced the amount of dross adhering to the support plates of Comparative Examples 1 and 2. However, for Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the amount of dross adhering increased over time (fifth and sixth days). There was no difference in the degree of adhesion between Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

[0052] On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 2, cleaning was not particularly necessary until the sixth day. Thus, in Examples 1 and 2, in which a resin coating was formed, the adhesion of dross was significantly reduced compared to Comparative Examples 1 and 2. The cleaning frequency and replacement frequency are shown in Table 1 below.

[0053] [Table 1]

[0054] As shown in Table 1, in Examples 1 and 2, both the cleaning frequency and the replacement frequency were significantly lower than in Comparative Examples 1 and 2. In addition, in Examples 1 and 2, the degree of dross adhesion was low and the affinity for dross was low, so the time required for cleaning work was also significantly reduced. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The work support device of the present invention can reduce the frequency of maintenance work on the work support structure, thereby improving the processing efficiency of the thermal cutting machine, and can therefore be widely used in thermal cutting machines such as laser processing machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Laser processing machine (thermal cutting machine) 2 laser heads 3 Work support device 4 Base Arm 5 Support Plate 6 Protrusion 7 Thermosetting resin coating 8 Support Plate 9 Protrusion 10 Thermosetting resin coating

Claims

1. A workpiece support device that supports a workpiece to be cut by a thermal cutting machine, The work support device has a pinholder-shaped work support structure consisting of a plurality of protrusions that support the work horizontally, and the surface of the metal base material that makes up the protrusions is coated with a thermosetting resin coating.

2. 2. The workpiece supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the thermosetting resin coating is an electrodeposition coating of an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin.

3. 3. The workpiece support device according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece support structure is configured by arranging a plurality of support plates in parallel, the upper surfaces of which have the protrusions arranged in a sawtooth pattern.

4. 4. The workpiece supporting device according to claim 3, wherein the tops of the sawtooth-shaped protrusions on the support plate are formed as curved surfaces.

5. 5. The workpiece supporting device according to claim 4, wherein the curved surface has a radius of curvature of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm.

6. 3. The workpiece supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the metal substrate is made of an iron-based material.

7. The thermal cutting machine is used in a thermal processing system including a work supply device that places the work from a work storage unit onto the work support device, and a part carrying-out device that carries out parts from the cut workpiece, 3. The work support device according to claim 1, wherein in the thermal cutting system, the work support device is transported into a chamber of the thermal cutting machine with the work placed thereon, where cutting is performed, and the work support device is transported out of the chamber after cutting, and the parts are removed from the cut work by the suction means of the part removal device.

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