Laser processing aids

Abstract

To provide a laser processing aid that enables efficient surface treatment of areas not directly irradiated by the laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit during laser surface treatment. [Solution] A laser processing aid for assisting surface treatment with laser light, comprising a fixing part attached to the laser irradiation part of a laser processing device, a mirror part that reflects the laser light irradiated from the laser irradiation part, and a connecting part that connects the fixing part and the mirror part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a laser processing aid. In particular, the present invention relates to a laser processing aid that can efficiently perform surface treatment on an area where laser light emitted from a laser irradiation unit cannot be directly irradiated in surface treatment using laser light.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, anti-rust painting has been applied to bridges, towers, plants, tanks, machine parts, etc. for anti-rust purposes. When applying anti-rust paint, in order to improve the adhesion between the painting object such as a bridge and the anti-rust paint, for example, after performing laser cleaning on the surface (exposed surface) of the painting object, the anti-rust paint is applied.

[0003] Here, laser cleaning of the painting object is performed, for example, by irradiating laser light from above the painting object as shown in FIG. 9. The laser light is irradiated from a laser processing apparatus 100 for laser cleaning to the painting object. At this time, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10(a) to (c), it is common to perform scanning of the laser light within a predetermined area with respect to the painting object. By sequentially performing scanning of the laser light within this predetermined area while changing the position, laser cleaning of the entire area of the planned painting range is performed. FIG. 10(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the laser light is scanned while moving in a zigzag pattern within the X - Y plane, and FIG. 10(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the laser light is scanned in a spiral shape. FIG. 10(c) is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the laser light is irradiated so as to draw a circle, and the irradiation position of the laser light is gradually changed from the outer peripheral side to the center of the bolt head for scanning.

[0004] This type of laser cleaning surface treatment is extremely useful because it is performed by scanning laser light, allowing for laser cleaning of the entire area to be painted in a very short time. However, it has the problem that laser cleaning can only be performed on surfaces that are directly exposed to the laser light emitted from the laser processing device, and areas that cannot be directly exposed to the laser light, such as areas facing gaps indicated by arrow Z in Figure 9, cannot be cleaned. In practice, areas that cannot be directly exposed to the laser light were either cleaned (surface treatment) to improve adhesion with the rust-preventive paint by polishing with a wire brush or the like, or the area was not cleaned at all. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] As described above, when cleaning (surface treatment) to improve adhesion with rust-preventive paint by polishing with a wire brush or the like, there is a problem that the cleaning (surface treatment) time is very long. Also, the areas polished with a wire brush or the like have a poorer surface cleaning condition compared to areas cleaned with laser light, so the applied rust-preventive paint is more likely to peel off. Furthermore, if cleaning is not performed, the adhesion with the rust-preventive paint is extremely poor, making the applied rust-preventive paint even more likely to peel off.

[0006] The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a laser processing aid that enables efficient surface treatment of areas that cannot be directly irradiated with laser light emitted from the laser irradiation unit during laser surface treatment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by a laser processing auxiliary device for assisting surface treatment with laser light, comprising a fixing part attached to the laser irradiation part of a laser processing apparatus, a mirror part that reflects the laser light irradiated from the laser irradiation part, and a connecting part that connects the fixing part and the mirror part.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the fixing portion is configured to be detachably attached to the laser irradiation portion.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the fixing portion is configured to be fitted around the laser irradiation portion.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the mirror portion be configured to be able to swivel relative to the connection portion.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the connecting portion is formed in a rod shape.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the connecting portion be configured to be expandable and retractable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, in surface treatment using laser light, it is possible to provide a laser processing aid that enables efficient surface treatment of areas that are not directly irradiated by the laser light emitted from the laser irradiation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of the laser processing aid of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing section AA. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the BB (Ballpoint of Binding). [Figure 4] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the laser processing aid attached to the laser irradiation section of a laser processing device. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic front view illustrating the function of the laser processing aid shown. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a schematic front view illustrating the function of the laser processing aid shown. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how to use the laser processing aid shown. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how to use the laser processing aid shown. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram for describing the laser cleaning method. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a scanning pattern of laser light emitted from a laser processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, a laser processing aid 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The laser processing aid 1 according to the present invention is an instrument used to efficiently perform surface treatment (laser cleaning, etc.) on areas that cannot be directly irradiated with laser light emitted from a laser irradiation unit, and comprises a fixing part 2, a mirror part 3, and a connecting part 4, as shown in the schematic front view of Figure 1, the schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 2 showing the AA cross-section in Figure 1, and the schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 3 showing the BB cross-section in Figure 1.

[0016] As shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 4, the fixing portion 2 is a portion to be attached to the laser irradiation portion 101 of the laser processing apparatus 100, and is preferably configured to be detachably attached to the laser irradiation portion 101. This fixing portion 2 is configured as, for example, a cylindrical member or a ring-shaped member to be fitted on the outer peripheral portion of the laser irradiation portion 101, and can be configured to include a bolt member 21 screwed from the outside of the side wall to the inside of the side wall of the cylindrical member (or ring-shaped member). By pressing the tip of the bolt member 21 screwed from the outside of the side wall of the fixing portion 2 against the outer peripheral portion of the laser irradiation portion 101, the fixing portion 2 is fitted and installed on the outer peripheral portion of the laser irradiation portion 101, and the laser processing aid 1 is prevented from falling. It is more preferable that a hole with an internal thread into which the tip of the bolt member 21 screwed from the outside of the side wall of the fixing portion 2 is screwed is formed at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral portion of the laser irradiation portion 101.

[0017] The mirror portion 3 is a member that reflects the laser light irradiated from the laser irradiation portion. For example, it is configured by installing a plate-shaped mirror body 32 on the upper surface side of a plate-shaped base portion 31 having a rectangular shape in plan view. The mirror body 32 is configured by applying a mirror coating to one surface of a base material plate formed of, for example, quartz, glass, or the like.

[0018] The connecting portion 4 is a member that connects the fixing portion 2 and the mirror portion 3, and is preferably configured as a rod-shaped body having the fixing portion 2 connected and fixed to one end side and the mirror portion 3 connected to the other end side. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, this connecting portion 4 is preferably configured to be stretchable along its longitudinal direction. In FIGS. 1 and 5, the connecting portion 4 is configured as a telescopic rod, but it is not particularly limited to such a telescopic rod configuration as long as it is configured to be stretchable along the longitudinal direction.

[0019] Also, on the other end side of the connecting portion 4, the mirror portion 3 is connected. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, this mirror portion 3 is configured to be able to swing with respect to the connecting portion 4. The mirror portion 3 is configured to be able to swing within a range where it can reflect the laser light irradiated from the laser irradiation portion. The swinging mechanism of the mirror portion 3 is not particularly limited, but for example, a configuration in which the base portion 31 of the mirror portion 3 is rotatably connected to a rotating shaft portion 41 provided on the other end side of the connecting portion 4 can be exemplified. The rotating shaft portion 41 is installed such that its axis is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 4.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, such a laser processing aid 1 according to the present invention is used by fitting the fixing portion 2 around the laser irradiation portion 101 of the laser processing apparatus 100. Here, the laser processing apparatus 100 is preferably configured such that the laser light irradiated from the laser irradiation portion 101 can be scanned within a predetermined region as shown in FIG. 9. The laser processing aid 1 installed on the laser irradiation portion 101 inserts the mirror portion 3 into the gap region facing the surface treatment difficult region Z where it is difficult to directly irradiate the laser light emitted from the laser irradiation portion 101, or arranges and sets the mirror portion 3 above the surface treatment difficult region Z. Then, by irradiating the mirror portion 3 with laser light from the laser irradiation portion 101, the laser light reflected by the mirror portion 3 reaches the surface treatment difficult region Z, and surface treatment (laser cleaning) can be performed on the region. That is, according to the laser processing aid 1 according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently perform surface treatment on a region where it is difficult to directly irradiate laser light.

[0021] Furthermore, since the connecting portion 4 is configured to be expandable and contractible along its longitudinal direction, the distance between the fixing portion 2 and the mirror portion 3 can be changed. This makes it possible to easily change the distance between the focal position of the laser beam emitted from the laser beam irradiation portion 101 of the laser processing apparatus 100 and the mirror body 32. As a result, the laser energy applied to the workpiece can be easily changed, and it becomes possible to find the optimal distance between the laser irradiation portion 101 and the mirror body 32 to achieve the optimal surface treatment state and perform surface treatment.

[0022] Furthermore, since the mirror section 3 is configured to pivot relative to the connection section 4, it is possible to change the reflection angle of the laser light emitted from the laser irradiation section. By appropriately changing the angle of the mirror section 3 relative to the connection section 4 according to the location and range of the difficult-to-treat surface area Z on the workpiece, it becomes possible to perform surface treatment over a wide range of areas.

[0023] Furthermore, by configuring the connecting portion 4 in a rod shape, it becomes easier to insert the mirror portion 3 into a narrow space, thereby improving the work efficiency of the surface treatment worker and enabling surface treatment to be performed on the hard-to-reach area Z of the workpiece.

[0024] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the fixing part 2 is configured to be detachably attached to the laser irradiation part 101 of the laser processing apparatus 100, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this configuration, and a configuration in which it is integrally fixed to the laser irradiation part 101 in a manner that does not allow for detachment may be adopted.

[0025] Furthermore, although the fixing part 2 is configured as a cylindrical or ring-shaped member so as to be fitted around the laser irradiation part 101, it is not necessary to configure it as such a cylindrical or ring-shaped member if it has a structure that can be stably connected and fixed to the laser irradiation part 101.

[0026] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connecting portion 4 is configured to be extendable and retractable, but such an extendable and retractable configuration is not essential, and the connecting portion 4 may be configured not to be extendable and retractable. Also, the mirror portion 3 is configured to be able to swivel relative to the connecting portion 4, so that the reflection angle of the laser light emitted from the laser irradiation portion 101 can be changed, but the mirror portion 3 may be connected and fixed to the connecting portion 4 at a specific angle so that it cannot swivel.

[0027] Furthermore, while the description of the above embodiment mainly focuses on laser cleaning as the content of surface treatment using laser light with the laser processing aid 1, the specific content of the surface treatment is not particularly limited to cleaning, and the laser processing aid 1 according to the present invention can also be used for laser marking and surface alteration. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0028] 1. Laser processing aid 2 Fixed part 21 Bolt Member 3 Mirror section 31 Base 32 Mirror Images 4 Connection part 100 Laser Processing Equipment 101 Laser irradiation area Z-axis surface treatment difficult region

Claims

1. A laser processing assist device that assists in surface treatment using laser light, A fixing part attached to the laser irradiation section of a laser processing device, A mirror portion that reflects the laser light emitted from the laser irradiation portion, A laser processing aid characterized by comprising a connecting part for connecting the aforementioned fixing part and the aforementioned mirror part.

2. The laser processing aid according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing part is detachably attached to the laser irradiation part.

3. The laser processing aid according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing portion is configured to be fitted around the laser irradiation portion.

4. The laser processing aid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mirror portion is configured to be swivelable relative to the connecting portion.

5. The laser processing aid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting portion is formed in the shape of a rod.

6. The laser processing aid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting portion is configured to be extendable and retractable.

Images