Laser processing machine

Abstract

To provide a laser processing machine that can improve the efficiency of gas supply. [Solution] The laser processing machine 10 according to this disclosure includes a processing point nozzle 3 that supplies gas to the processing point WP of the laser beam LL. The processing point nozzle 3 includes a hemispherical portion 32 having a substantially hemispherical internal space to which gas is supplied from a gas supply unit 4, and a hemispherical concave surface 32a that encloses the substantially hemispherical internal space, and a plurality of flow paths 33 that branch off from the hemispherical portion 32. Each flow path 33 includes a straight portion 33a extending linearly from the hemispherical portion 32, a fan-shaped portion 33b spreading out in a fan shape from the straight portion 33a, a group of nozzles 33c consisting of a plurality of nozzles 33d arranged in a row at the tip of the fan-shaped portion 33b, and an opening 33aa that opens in the hemispherical concave surface 32a. The hemispherical portion 32 includes a conical projection 37 provided at the center of the plurality of openings 33aa provided by each of the plurality of flow paths 33 in the hemispherical concave surface 32a.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laser processing machine.

Background Art

[0002] The laser processing machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a laser emission unit, a housing, a first air flow generation unit, a second air flow generation unit, and an air supply unit. The laser emission unit has a protective glass through which laser light can pass. The housing is provided so as to surround the optical path of the laser light emitted from the laser emission unit. The first air flow generation unit blows out an air flow in a substantially planar range in a direction intersecting the central axis of the housing. The second air flow generation unit blows out an air flow in a substantially conical range having the second air flow generation unit as the apex so as to cover the entire workpiece. The air supply unit can individually pump air to the first air flow generation unit and the second air flow generation unit by an air pump.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The laser processing machine related to this disclosure is A laser processing machine equipped with a processing point nozzle that supplies gas to the processing point of the laser beam, The aforementioned processing point nozzle is A hemispherical portion having a substantially hemispherical internal space from which gas is supplied from a gas supply unit, and a hemispherical concave surface enclosing the substantially hemispherical internal space, It comprises a plurality of channels branching off from the hemispherical portion, Each channel is, A straight portion extending linearly from the aforementioned hemispherical portion, A fan-shaped portion that spreads out in a fan shape from the aforementioned straight portion, At the tip of the fan-shaped portion, there is a group of nozzles consisting of multiple nozzles arranged in a row, The hemispherical concave surface includes an opening that opens in the hemispherical concave surface, The hemispherical portion includes conical projections provided at the center of the multiple openings, each of which is provided by the multiple flow channels, on the hemispherical concave surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to improve the efficiency of gas supply. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing a laser processing machine according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the processing point nozzle according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the main part of the processing point nozzle according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the main part of the processing point nozzle according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the internal space of the flow path of the processing point nozzle according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the internal space of the flow path of the processing point nozzle according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied, with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, for clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 is a side view showing a laser processing machine according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a processing point nozzle according to Embodiment 1. Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the main parts of the processing point nozzle according to Embodiment 1. Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the internal space of the flow path of the processing point nozzle according to Embodiment 1. Note that in Figures 5 and 6, the outer wall of the flow path of the processing point nozzle is not shown.

[0011] It should be noted that the right-handed XYZ coordinate system shown in Figure 1 and other drawings is merely for convenience in explaining the positional relationships of the components. Typically, the positive Z-axis direction is vertically upward, and the XY plane is the horizontal plane, and this is consistent across drawings.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the laser processing machine 10 comprises an irradiation unit 1, a side nozzle 2, and a processing point nozzle 3. The laser processing machine 10 may be fixed in a predetermined position or may be held movably by a robot or the like. The side nozzle 2 and the processing point nozzle 3 may be held by, for example, a holding part 5. The holding part 5 may be fastened to the irradiation unit 1 by, for example, bolts.

[0013] The irradiation unit 1 comprises a laser emission section 11, a protective member 12, and a housing 13. Below the irradiation unit 1 is a stage ST on which a workpiece WW is placed. The workpiece WW is, for example, a stack of steel plates. The workpiece WW may be an object to be welded by receiving laser light.

[0014] The laser emission unit 11 emits a laser beam LL. The laser beam LL is, for example, a CO2 laser, a YAG laser, a fiber laser, a disk laser, an excimer laser, or the like. The laser emission unit 11 includes, for example, a laser oscillator and a laser scanner. The laser oscillator generates the laser beam LL and guides it to the laser scanner via an optical fiber cable or the like. The laser scanner includes an optical system. The optical system includes, for example, a mirror and a lens group. An example of the mirror is a galvanometer mirror. The lens group may include, for example, a collimating lens for making the laser beam parallel light, a focusing lens for focusing the laser beam on the processing point WP on the workpiece WW, and the like.

[0015] The protection member 12 is provided on the workpiece WW side in the laser emission unit 11. The protection member 12 is provided, for example, at the laser beam LL emission port in the laser scanner. The protection member 12 is made of a material that can transmit the laser beam LL. Such a material is, for example, a glass material or the like. During laser processing, spatter scatters from the processing point WP on the workpiece WW, or the metal contained in the workpiece WW sublimates. As a result, foreign substances such as fumes are generated. The protection member 12 suppresses foreign substances such as spatter and fumes from colliding with the optical system of the laser emission unit 11, for example, the mirror and the lens group.

[0016] The housing 13 is a cylindrical body provided on the side of the protective member 12 in the laser emission unit 11. The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical body is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be a polygonal square tube shape or a substantially circular shape. The housing 13 surrounds the periphery of the protective member 12. The housing 13 may be made of, for example, a metal material, a resin material, or ceramics. The housing 13 preferably has a flow path through which air can flow. The housing 13 is supplied with air from the gas supply unit 4. The housing 13 passes the supplied air A1 through the flow path and sends it to the inner space of the housing 13 and a predetermined region extending from the opening end 13a of the housing 13 to the workpiece WW side. The gas supply unit 4 is, for example, a blower. Note that the gas supply unit 4 may supply a gas such as nitrogen to the housing 13 instead of air, for example. Further, the gas supply unit 4 may be a gas generator provided outside the laser processing machine 10.

[0017] The laser emission unit 11 emits the laser beam LL toward the workpiece WW. Then, the laser beam LL passes through the protective member 12 and passes through the inside of the housing 13. When the laser beam LL further advances, it reaches the processing point WP of the workpiece WW. The workpiece WW can be irradiated with the laser beam LL.

[0018] The side nozzle 2 blows the air A2 onto the axis LZ of the laser beam LL. The diameter of the side nozzle 2 preferably becomes thinner from the base of the side nozzle 2 toward the tip of the side nozzle 2. The side nozzle 2 is preferably supplied with air from the gas supply unit 4.

[0019] The processing point nozzle 3 blows the air A3 onto the processing point WP of the workpiece WW. The air A3 preferably flows in the axial direction Z3 along the axis of the processing point nozzle 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the processing point nozzle 3 includes a tube 30, a plate-like member 31, a hemispherical portion 32, and flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36. Note that the processing point nozzle 3 according to the present embodiment includes four flow paths, but is not particularly limited, and may include a plurality of flow paths.

[0020] The pipe 30 is connected to the hemispherical portion 32 via the plate-shaped member 31. The pipe 30 is supplied with air A0 and guided to the hemispherical portion 32. The pipe 30 may be supplied with air A0 from the gas supply unit 4. The pipe 30 may be flexible, for example, a hose. The plate-shaped member 31 may be fastened to the holding portion 5 via bolts.

[0021] The hemispherical portion 32 has a substantially hemispherical internal space. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hemispherical portion 32 comprises a hemispherical concave surface 32a, a flange 32b, and a conical projection 37. The hemispherical concave surface 32a is recessed toward the flow channels 33, 34, 35, and 36 (here, in the negative Z-axis direction). The flow channels 33, 34, 35, and 36 each have openings 33aa, 34aa, 35aa, and 36aa that open in the hemispherical concave surface 32a, respectively. The conical projection 37 is provided at the center of the openings 33aa, 34aa, 35aa, and 36aa in the hemispherical concave surface 32a. Alternatively, the openings 33aa, 34aa, 35aa, and 36aa may be arranged at equal intervals on a circle centered on the center of the hemispherical concave surface 32a. The hemispherical concave surface 32a encloses the approximately hemispherical internal space described above. The flange 32b is a plate-like portion that protrudes outward from the outer edge of the hemispherical concave surface 32a in the horizontal plane (here, the XY plane). The flange 32b is preferably fastened to the plate-like member 31 shown in Figure 2 via bolts. The hemispherical portion 32 is supplied with air A0 from the gas supply unit 4 via the pipe 30 and stored in the approximately hemispherical internal space described above.

[0022] The channels 33, 34, 35, and 36 branch off from the hemispherical section 32. Air is supplied to the channels 33, 34, 35, and 36 from the approximately hemispherical internal space of the hemispherical section 32, and air A3 is injected from their tips. The hemispherical section 32 and the channels 33, 34, 35, and 36 may be integrated. The integrated hemispherical section 32 and the channels 33, 34, 35, and 36 may be made of a metal material, for example. Such a metal material may be an aluminum alloy. If the integrated hemispherical section 32 and the channels 33, 34, 35, and 36 are made of an aluminum alloy, the processing nozzle 3 can be made lighter.

[0023] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the flow path 33 comprises a straight section 33a, a fan-shaped section 33b, and a group of nozzles 33c. The straight section 33a extends linearly from the hemispherical section 32. The fan-shaped section 33b spreads out in a fan shape from the straight section 33a. The group of nozzles 33c consists of six nozzles 33d arranged at the tip of the fan-shaped section 33b. In this embodiment, the group of nozzles 33c comprises six nozzles 33d, but it is not particularly limited and may have multiple nozzles 33d.

[0024] Flow paths 34, 35, and 36 have the same configuration as flow path 33. Specifically, flow path 34 includes a straight section 34a, a fan-shaped section 34b, and a nozzle group 34c. Similarly, flow path 35 includes a straight section 35a, a fan-shaped section 35b, and a nozzle group 35c. Flow path 36 also includes a straight section 36a, a fan-shaped section 36b, and a nozzle group 36c. The straight sections 34a, 35a, and 36a have the same configuration as the straight section 33a. The fan-shaped sections 34b, 35b, and 36b have the same configuration as the fan-shaped section 33b. The nozzle groups 34c, 35c, and 36c have the same configuration as the nozzle group 33c. The nozzles 34d, 35d, and 36d have the same configuration as the nozzle 33d.

[0025] The nozzle groups 33c, 34c, 35c, and 36c are arranged in a chain along the annular CC. The annular CC is a circle centered at the center C3 of the nozzle groups 33c to 36c in a plane (here, the XY plane) that is approximately perpendicular to the axial direction Z3 of the machining point nozzle 3, and on which the tips of the nozzle groups 33c to 36c are located.

[0026] Adjacent straight sections 33a to 36a are separated from each other. Specifically, straight sections 33a and 34a are separated from each other, straight sections 34a and 35a are separated from each other, straight sections 35a and 36a are separated from each other, and straight sections 36a and 33a are separated from each other.

[0027] <Welding Method> Next, we will explain a welding method using the laser processing machine 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0028] The laser emission unit 11 emits laser light LL. The laser light LL then passes through the protective member 12 and reaches the workpiece WW. The workpiece WW is welded upon irradiation with the laser light LL. At this point, spatter is scattered from the processing point WP on the workpiece WW. In addition, fumes are generated as the metal contained in the workpiece WW sublimes.

[0029] Simultaneously with the emission of laser beam LL by the laser emission unit 11, the housing 13 sends air A1 to the inner space of the housing 13 and to a predetermined area extending from the opening end 13a of the housing 13 toward the workpiece WW. The side nozzle 2 blows air A2 toward the axis LZ of the laser beam LL. The machining point nozzle 3 blows air A3 toward the machining point WP of the workpiece WW. Airs A1, A2, and A3 separate foreign matter such as spatter and fumes from the protective member 12. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter such as spatter and fumes to the protective member 12.

[0030] Next, we will explain the details of the spraying process at the processing point nozzle 3 with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0031] First, the hemispherical section 32 is supplied with air A0 from the gas supply unit 4 via the pipe 30. The air A0 accumulates in the approximately hemispherical internal space of the hemispherical section 32. The conical projection 37 branches the air A0 and guides it to the openings 33aa, 34aa, 35aa, and 36aa. This prevents the air A0 from circulating within the approximately hemispherical internal space of the hemispherical section 32. As a result, the air A0 can move smoothly from the hemispherical section 32 to the flow paths 33, 34, 35, and 36.

[0032] Next, the air A0 introduced to the opening 33aa is guided by the straight section 33a and the fan-shaped section 33b. Similarly, the air A0 introduced to the openings 34aa to 36aa is guided by the straight sections 34a to 36a and the fan-shaped sections 34b to 36b, respectively. Since the straight sections 33a to 36a extend in a straight line, turbulence in the flow of air A0 introduced to the openings 34aa to 36aa can be suppressed. In addition, since the fan-shaped sections 33b to 36b spread out in a fan shape, the width of the air A0 can be increased and the flow velocity can be made more uniform.

[0033] Next, each nozzle 33d, 33d, ..., 33d of the nozzle group 33c injects air A0 that has been guided to the fan-shaped section 33b. Similarly, each nozzle 34d, 34d, ..., 34d of the nozzle group 34c injects air A0 that has been guided to the fan-shaped section 34b. In addition, each nozzle 35d, 35d, ..., 35d of the nozzle group 35c injects air A0 that has been guided to the fan-shaped section 35b. Furthermore, each nozzle 36d, 36d, ..., 36d of the nozzle group 36c injects air A0 that has been guided to the fan-shaped section 36b. The air A0 injected by each of the above-mentioned nozzles 33d, ..., 33d, 34d, ..., 34d, 35d, ..., 35d, 36d, ..., 36d combines to generate air A3. These features allow the machining point nozzle 3 to blow air A3 onto the machining point WP of the workpiece WW. The large number of nozzles 33d to 36d, and the fact that the nozzle groups 33c to 36c are arranged in a ring CC as described above, make it possible to improve the flow velocity of air A3 and suppress turbulence in the air A3 flow.

[0034] Furthermore, when the processing point nozzle 3 blows air A3, negative pressure is generated inside the flow paths 33-36, drawing in outside air. Specifically, outside air G1-G4 passes between adjacent straight sections 33a-36a. Specifically, outside air G1 passes between adjacent straight sections 33a and 34a. Similarly, outside air G2-G4 passes between adjacent straight sections 34a and 35a, between adjacent straight sections 35a and 36a, and between adjacent straight sections 36a and 33a, respectively. Then, outside air G1-G4 flows into the center C3 of the nozzle group 33c-36c. This improves the flow velocity of air A3.

[0035] As described above, when spraying air from the processing point nozzle 3, it is possible to achieve smooth movement of air A0, suppression of turbulence in the flow of air A0 and A3, expansion of the width of air A0, uniformity of the flow velocity of air A0, and improvement of the flow velocity of air A3. As a result, air can be supplied efficiently. Furthermore, even if the gas supply unit 4 sends air at low pressure, the processing point nozzle 3 can inject air A3 at high speed and high pressure.

[0036] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented by combining the above embodiments or examples thereof as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 10 Laser processing machines 1. Irradiation unit 11 Laser emission section 12 Protective components 13 Housing 13a Open end 2 side nozzles 3. Machining point nozzle 30 tubes 31 Plate-shaped member 32 Hemisphere 32a hemispherical concave 32b flange 33, 34, 35, 36 Channels 33a, 34a, 35a, 36a Straight section 33b, 34b, 35b, 36b Fan-shaped section 33c, 34c, 35c, 36c nozzle group 33d, 34d, 35d, 36d nozzle 37 Conical protrusions 4. Gas supply unit 5 Holding part LL laser light LZ axis WW Work WP processing point ST Stage CC Circular C3 center G1, G2, G3, G4 outside air A0, A1, A2, A3 Air

Claims

1. A laser processing machine equipped with a processing point nozzle that supplies gas to the processing point of the laser beam, The aforementioned processing point nozzle is A hemispherical portion having a substantially hemispherical internal space from which gas is supplied from a gas supply unit, and a hemispherical concave surface enclosing the substantially hemispherical internal space, It comprises a plurality of channels branching off from the hemispherical portion, Each channel is, A straight portion extending linearly from the aforementioned hemispherical portion, A fan-shaped portion that spreads out in a fan shape from the aforementioned straight portion, At the tip of the fan-shaped portion, there is a group of nozzles consisting of multiple nozzles arranged in a row, The hemispherical concave surface includes an opening that opens in the hemispherical concave surface, The hemispherical portion is provided with conical projections located at the center of the multiple openings each of the multiple flow channels in the hemispherical concave surface. Laser processing machine.

2. The multiple groups of injection nozzles provided in each of the multiple flow paths are arranged in a ring-like pattern. The laser processing machine according to claim 1.

3. The straight sections of adjacent flow paths are separated from each other. When the nozzle group injects gas, outside air passes between the straight sections of the adjacent flow paths and flows into the center of the plurality of nozzle groups arranged in a ring shape. The laser processing machine according to claim 2.

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