Laser processing machine

Abstract

To provide a laser processing machine which enables processing of a sheet metal larger than a processing area and achieves space saving.SOLUTION: A laser processing machine (91) includes: a base part (1) installed at the inner side of a reference installation area (RV1) of an installation surface (FL); a pallet (7) which is disposed on an upper part of the base part (1) and moves in a horizontal first direction between a first position and a second position where a projection area (RV2) extends to the outer side of the reference installation area (RV1) relative to the installation surface (FL); and a processing head (55) which is provided so as to be movable at the inner side of an upper area of the base part (1) and emits a laser beam to a sheet metal (W) placed on the pallet (7) even if the pallet (7) is in either of the first position and the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a clamping device in a laser processing machine that includes a first clamp and a second clamp that clamp a workpiece on a work table and move in the same direction. According to this clamping device, the laser processing area of ​​the workpiece on the work table can be easily changed by moving the first clamp and the second clamp. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-318389 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A laser processing machine is generally equipped with a pallet that can hold standard-sized sheet metal pieces, such as 4x8 (1219mm x 2438mm), and the laser processing head moves two-dimensionally so that it can process the entire area of ​​the 4x8 standard-sized sheet metal pieces placed on the pallet. Incidentally, laser processing machines are also widely used to process standard-sized sheet metal, such as 4x4 (1219mm x 1219mm), which is half the size of a 4x8. Some users primarily use their laser processing machines to process standard-sized 4x4 sheet metal, and rarely process standard-sized 4x8 sheet metal. For this reason, users who primarily process standard-sized 4x4 sheet metal are demanding space-saving laser processing machines.

[0005] In response to this demand, a laser processing machine is being considered that, by applying the clamping device described in Patent Document 1, is provided with a pallet of a size equivalent to a 4x4 standard-size sheet metal as a work table, and the clamping device grips and moves the 4x8 standard-size sheet metal placed on the pallet, thereby essentially expanding the processing area. However, when the sheet metal is thin, there is a risk that the part of the sheet metal that protrudes from the pallet will bend significantly under its own weight, causing problems during processing. Therefore, it is desirable for laser processing machines to be space-saving yet capable of processing large sheet metals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is as follows. 1) and 2) It has the following configuration. 1) a base portion installed inside a reference installation area of ​​the installation surface; a pallet disposed on top of the base unit and movable in a horizontal first direction between a first position and a second position where a projection area extends outside the reference installation area relative to the installation surface; a connection receiving portion provided on the pallet; a laser processing head that is movably provided inside the upper region of the base portion and that emits a laser beam toward the metal plate placed on the pallet regardless of whether the pallet is at the first position or the second position; a coupling drive unit that moves with the movement of the laser processing head in the first direction and can be selectively placed in a coupled state and a non-coupled state with respect to the coupling receiving unit; The connection drive unit is in the connected state with the connection receiving unit, and moves the pallet in accordance with the movement of the laser processing head in the first direction. It is a laser processing machine. 2) a base part installed inside a standard installation area of ​​the installation surface; a pallet disposed on top of the base unit and movable in a horizontal first direction between a first position and a second position where a projection area extends outside the reference installation area relative to the installation surface; a laser processing head that is movably provided inside the upper region of the base portion and that emits a laser beam toward the metal plate placed on the pallet regardless of whether the pallet is in the first position or the second position; The base portion includes a collection box for receiving dross and scrap generated in laser processing, the collection box corresponding to the laser processing area by the laser processing head, The laser processing machine is provided with a guard plate that closes the gap between the pallet and the collection box. As a result, one aspect of the present invention allows laser processing of the metal sheet to be processed placed on the pallet both when the pallet is in a first position and when it is in a second position moved from the first position. This allows laser processing of an area of ​​the metal sheet to be processed that is wider than the processing area compared to when the pallet is not moving, making it possible to process metal sheets larger than the processing area and saving space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to process sheet metal that is larger than the processing area, thereby saving space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a normal state of a laser processing machine 91 which is an example of a laser processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the laser processing machine 91 with the pallet 7 in the extended position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the moving state of the pallet 7 of the laser processing machine 91. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the position of the pallet 7 of the laser processing machine 91 and the processable area AR1, where Figure 4(a) shows the reference position of the pallet 7 and Figure 4(b) shows the protruding position of the pallet 7. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a front view showing the pallet connection part 6 of the laser processing machine 91 (see Figure 1), where Figure 5(a) shows the normal position, Figure 5(b) shows the position where the pallet 7 is moved, and Figure 5(c) shows the state when overloaded. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the collection box 11 provided in the laser processing machine 91. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a first diagram illustrating the operation of the sputter guard device 13 provided in the laser processing machine 91, and shows a state in which the guard plate 134 is in an upright position. [Figure 7B]FIG. 7B is a second diagram illustrating the sputter guard device 13 provided in the laser processing machine 91, showing the state in which the guard plate 134 is placed face down. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the laser processing machine 91. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Example) A laser processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a laser processing machine 91 (see FIG. 1) of the embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a normal state of a laser processing machine 91, which is an example of a laser processing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The up, down, left, right, front, and back directions are defined by the directions of the arrows shown in Fig. 1. The left-right direction is defined as the first direction.

[0010] The laser processing machine 91 is configured to have a base unit 1, a pair of front and rear side frames 2 and 3, a carriage unit 5, a pallet 7, a control device 81 including a control unit CT, a laser oscillator 82, and an input unit 83. The input unit 83 is used by an operator to input instructions for control of the control unit CT, operating conditions, etc.

[0011] The base unit 1 is assembled into a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and placed on an installation surface FL. On the right side of the base unit 1, a box-shaped control device 81 is connected to the base unit 1 and placed. The side frames 2 and 3 are arranged parallel to the front and rear edges of the base 1, respectively. The carriage section 5 includes a pair of front and rear support columns 51 and 52, a carriage main body section 53, a laser processing head 55, and a pallet connecting section 6. The pillars 51 and 52 are supported by the side frames 2 and 3, respectively, so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The carriage main body 53 is a beam-shaped member that connects the upper ends of the pillars 51 and 52 in the front-rear direction. The side frame 2 has a carriage drive unit 21 that moves the pillar 51 in the left-right direction.

[0012] The laser processing head 55 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction by the carriage main body 53. The carriage main body 53 has a head drive unit 531 that moves the laser processing head 55 in the front-rear direction. The pallet 7 has a frame 70, a skid group 71G consisting of a plurality of skids 71, and a plurality of free ball bearings 72.

[0013] The frame 70 has a length in the left-right direction that is approximately the same as the combined length of the base unit 1 and the control device 81, and is a flat frame-shaped member that is rectangular when viewed from above. In FIG. 1, the right edge of the frame 70 is inserted into the gap between the control device 81 and the laser oscillator 82 disposed above the control device 81 at a distance. On the upper part of the frame 70, a plurality of plate-like skids 71, each having an upper edge formed in a sharp sawtooth shape, are arranged side by side in an upright position extending in the front-rear direction and spaced apart in the left-right direction. A group of a plurality of skids 71 ​​is referred to as a skid group 71G. In the frame 70, the skid group 71G is provided in an area where a standard-sized metal sheet of, for example, 4×8 (1219 mm×2438 mm) can be placed in its entirety.

[0014] The frame 70 has, between the skids 71, a plurality of free ball bearings 72 that rise and fall between a lower position and an upper position relative to the height position of the upper end of the skid 71. The plurality of free ball bearings 72 can be manually raised and lowered synchronously by a link mechanism (not shown). The plurality of free ball bearings 72 can also be automatically raised and lowered synchronously under the control of the control unit CT by a bearing drive unit 721 (see FIG. 3) instead of being manually raised and lowered.

[0015] A plurality of clamps (not shown) for gripping a metal plate are provided at the front edge of the frame 70. The clamps grip the metal plate placed on the skid group 71G or supported by a plurality of free ball bearings 72 under the control of the control unit CT.

[0016] The laser oscillator 82 is, for example, a fiber laser oscillator, and generates a laser beam and supplies it to the laser processing head 55. The laser processing head 55 emits the supplied laser beam as a laser beam with an optical axis PL toward the pallet 7 below.

[0017] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the laser processing machine 91. As shown in Fig. 8, the operations of the carriage driving unit 21, the head driving unit 531, and the laser oscillator 82 are controlled by a control unit CT. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the laser processing machine 91 can perform laser processing on the sheet metal placed on the pallet 7 by moving the laser processing head 55 two-dimensionally in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, along the desired processing path.

[0018] The left-right movement distance of the carriage unit 5 is the left half of the skid group 71G or a distance slightly larger than the left half. This distance is at least equal to or greater than the length of one side of a 4×4 (1219 mm×1219 mm) standard sheet metal (corresponding to distance Lx1, described later). In this way, the laser processing machine 91 can perform laser processing on the entire area of ​​the 4×4 standard-size metal sheet placed on the pallet 7.

[0019] The position of the pallet 7 located above the base unit 1 and the control device 81 as shown in FIG. 1 is defined as a reference position, which is a first position.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the laser processing machine 91 is movable between a second position, which is an extended position, and a second position, which is obtained by moving the pallet 7 a predetermined distance to the left from the reference position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the laser processing machine 91 with the pallet 7 in the extended position. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view showing the movement of the pallet 7 of the laser processing machine 91. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the position of the pallet 7 of the laser processing machine 91 and the laser processing area AR1 which is the area that can be processed, Fig. 4(a) shows the reference position of the pallet 7, and Fig. 4(b) shows the extended position of the pallet 7.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the laser processing machine 91 has a linear guide 76 that moves the pallet 7 linearly. The linear guide 76 is configured to include a long rail 73 and two sliders 74 and 75 that engage with the rail 73 and move along the rail 73 . In the laser processing machine 91, a pair of rails 73 are attached to the front and rear edges of the lower surface of the frame 70 of the pallet 7 so as to extend in the left-right direction. The sliders 74 and 75 engaged with the rail 73 are attached to the left half area of ​​the base 1, spaced apart in the left-right direction. As a result, the pallet 7 is movable relative to the base 1 horizontally to the left in the first direction from the reference position as shown by the arrow DR3. The maximum distance that the pallet 7 can move leftward from the reference position is equal to or greater than one side of a 4×4 standard-length metal sheet (corresponding to distance L7, which will be described later).

[0022] The rails 73 of the linear guides 76 are attached to the frame 70 side of the pallet 7, thereby improving the bending rigidity of the frame 70. This improves the laser processing accuracy of the laser processing machine 91.

[0023] The position where the pallet 7 has moved the maximum distance to the left is defined as the extended position. FIG. 2 shows the laser processing machine 91 with the pallet 7 in the extended position. 3, if the installation area of ​​the laser processing machine 91 on the installation surface FL when the pallet 7 is in the reference position is defined as a reference installation area RV1, the base unit 1 is installed within the reference installation area RV1. An overhang projection area RV2, which is the area where the overhanging portion of the pallet 7 is projected onto the installation surface FL, overhangs from the reference installation area RV1. In other words, when nothing other than the laser processing machine 91 is placed on the installation surface FL, the part of the pallet 7 in the overhanging position that corresponds to the overhang projection area RV2 that protrudes from the reference installation area RV1 directly faces the installation surface FL. The reference installation area RV1 is shown in Figure 3 as a schematic area where only the base part 1 is installed, but it means the area required to install a laser processing machine 91 including a control device 81 as shown in Figure 1.

[0024] 2, a first pallet sensor 31 and a second pallet sensor 32 are arranged, spaced apart in the left-right direction, on the inner surface of the side frame 3 facing the pallet 7. The first pallet sensor 31 and the second pallet sensor 32 are so-called proximity sensors. When the pallet 7 is in the reference position, the first pallet sensor 31 and the second pallet sensor 32 are both ON, and when the pallet 7 is in the extended position, the first pallet sensor 31 and the second pallet sensor 32 are both OFF. When the pallet 7 is halfway between the reference position and the extended position, the second pallet sensor 32 is OFF and the first pallet sensor 31 is ON. Detection signals indicating the ON / OFF states of the first pallet sensor 31 and the second pallet sensor 32 are output to the control unit CT (see FIG. 8).

[0025] The side frame 2 has a first pallet locking unit 22 and a second pallet locking unit 23 that prohibit movement and lock the position when the pallet 7 is in the standard position or the extended position. The first pallet locking unit 22 and the second pallet locking unit 23 lock and unlock the pallet 7 to the base unit 1 by, for example, a recessed and protruding engagement caused by the operation of a solenoid. The operations of the first pallet locking unit 22 and the second pallet locking unit 23 are controlled by a control unit CT (see FIG. 8).

[0026] Next, the movement of the pallet 7 and the processing area of ​​the metal plate W to be processed placed on the pallet 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] In FIG. 4(a), a workpiece, for example, a 4×8 standard-sized metal plate W, is positioned and placed on a pallet 7. As described above, when the pallet 7 is in the reference position, the right side of the pallet 7 of the laser processing machine 91 is inserted between the laser oscillator 82 and the control device 81 (see FIG. 1) thereunder.

[0028] 4(a), the carriage main body 53 moves in the left-right direction through a region of distance Lx1 as indicated by arrow DR1, and the laser processing head 55 moves in the front-rear direction relative to the carriage main body 53 through a region of distance Ly1 as indicated by arrow DR2. As a result, the laser processing machine 91 has a processable area (processing area) in an area AR1 of distance Lx1×distance Ly1 indicated by hatching slanting upward to the right, which roughly corresponds to the left half of the pallet 7.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4(b), the laser processing machine 91 can move the pallet 7 to the left from the reference position by a maximum distance L7. Distance L7 is shorter than distance Lx1 by distance La. As a result, the processable area AR1 when the pallet 7 is in the reference position becomes area ARW1 at the protruding position, and overlaps with the processable area AR1 at the protruding position by a width of distance La in the left-right direction. In other words, even though the laser processing machine 91 is a space-saving device whose processable area is set to a small area equivalent to a 4x4 standard length sheet metal, by moving the pallet 7 and processing, the processable area can be relatively expanded, making it possible to process a 4x8 standard length sheet metal.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 2, the pallet 7 can be manually moved between the reference position and the extended position with the first pallet locking unit 22 and the second pallet locking unit 23 unlocked. Furthermore, as will be described next with reference to Fig. 5, the pallet 7 may be moved in synchronization with the movement of the carriage unit 5 by the pallet connecting unit 6. Figure 5 is a front view showing the pallet connection part 6 of the laser processing machine 91, where Figure 5(a) shows the normal position, Figure 5(b) shows the position where the pallet 7 is moved, and Figure 5(c) shows the state when overloaded.

[0031] The pallet connecting portion 6 is made up of a pair of a connecting receiving portion 61 and a connecting driving portion 62 . The connecting receiving portion 61 is fixed to the frame 70 of the pallet 7. The connecting receiving portion 61 has a base 611 and a pillar portion 612. As shown in FIG. 5(a), a receiving surface 613, which is the upper surface of the tip of the pillar portion 612, is formed as part of a cylindrical surface centered on a central axis line CL61 extending in the front-rear direction. The connecting drive unit 62 includes a bracket 621 , a connecting cylinder 622 , a moving column 624 , and a roller 625 .

[0032] The bracket 621 is a plate-like member fixed to the carriage main body 53 and protruding to the right. The connecting cylinder 622 is fixed to the bracket 621, and moves a moving column 624 protruding downward from the lower end surface in the up and down direction by its operation. The operation of the connecting cylinder 622 is controlled by a control unit CT (see FIGS. 1 and 2). 5(a), roller 625 rotates around shaft member 626 extending in the front-rear direction and provided at the lower end of moving column 624. The radius of the outer circumferential surface of roller 625 is the same as or slightly smaller than the radius of receiving surface 613.

[0033] When the pallet 7 is not to be moved, as shown in Figure 5(a), the control unit CT (see Figures 1 and 2) retracts the moving column 624 of the connecting cylinder 622 upward, separating the connecting receiving portion 61 and the connecting driving portion 62. In this state, the carriage unit 5 moves independently of the pallet 7 without interlocking with it.

[0034] 5(b), when the pallet 7 is moved from the reference position to the extended position, or when the pallet 7 is moved from the extended position back to the reference position, the control unit CT (see FIGS. 1 and 2) pushes the moving column 624 of the connecting cylinder 622 downward, causing the roller 625 to come into contact with the receiving surface 613 or enter the recess in the receiving surface 613 (see arrow DR4). In this state, the carriage unit 5 and the pallet 7 are connected via the pallet connecting unit 6, and the pallet 7 moves integrally in conjunction with the left-right movement of the carriage unit 5.

[0035] 1, the control unit CT operates the carriage driving unit 21 to move the carriage unit 5 to the rightmost position. When the carriage unit 5 is in the rightmost position and the pallet 7 is in the reference position, the connection driving unit 62 and the connection receiving unit 61 can be connected to each other.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the control unit CT (see FIG. 1) operates the connection cylinder 622 to connect the connection driving unit 62 to the connection receiving unit 61. 1, the control unit CT operates the first lock cylinder 221 and the second lock cylinder 231 to unlock the pallet 7 and make the pallet 7 movable, and then operates the carriage drive unit 21 to move the carriage unit 5 to the leftmost position. Along with this movement, the pallet 7, which is integrated with the carriage unit 5 by the pallet connection unit 6, also moves leftward, and the pallet 7 moves to the protruding position.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5(c), the pallet connecting portion 6 is designed to automatically release the connection when the movement resistance of the pallet 7 becomes greater than a predetermined value due to an overload. The moving column 624 of the connecting drive unit 62 is pushed downward by the air pressure supplied for the operation of the connecting cylinder 622 . FIG. 5(c) shows a case where, even if the carriage unit 5 moves, for example, to the right while the pallet connection unit 6 is in the connected state, the pallet 7 does not move for some reason.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5(c), the roller 625 pushes the moving column 624 itself upward against the air pressure while rotating along the receiving surface 613. Then, the roller 625 climbs over the raised edge of the receiving surface 613 as shown by the arrow DR5, and the moving column 624 separates from the receiving surface 613. As a result, the connection between the connection drive portion 62 and the connection receiving portion 61 is released.

[0039] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, comprises a base portion 1 (see FIG. 1), a pallet 7 arranged on top of the base portion 1 and moving between a first position and a second position that protrudes from the base portion 1 beyond the first position, and a laser processing head 55 that emits a laser beam toward the pallet 7 regardless of whether the pallet 7 is in the first position or the second position, and performs laser processing on the sheet metal W placed on the pallet 7.

[0040] As a result, this embodiment can process a metal plate W that is larger than the processing area AR1, thereby saving space.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the collection box 11 provided in the laser processing machine 91. Fig. 7A is a first diagram illustrating the operation of the spatter guard device 13 provided in the laser processing machine 91, showing a state in which the guard plate 134 is upright. Fig. 7B is a second diagram illustrating the operation of the spatter guard device 13 provided in the laser processing machine 91, showing a state in which the guard plate 134 is down.

[0042] 6, 7A, and 7B, a collection box 11 is disposed corresponding to the processing area on the base 1 of the laser processing machine 91. The collection box 11 is a box for receiving dross, scrap, etc. that is generated during laser processing and falls through gaps between the skids 71, and is disposed below the pallet 7.

[0043] The laser processing machine 91 is also provided with a suction device (not shown) that sucks in air. The suction device sucks in air from the inside of the collection box 11 and discharges it to the outside through a filter. By suctioning air using this suction device, most of the spatter scattered during laser processing is discharged to the outside through the collection box 11. However, if the gap G between the pallet 7 and the collection box 11 is large, the spatter will fly from the internal space V11 of the collection box 11 through the gap G to the outside space, where it may adhere to the product and cause defects. Therefore, the laser processing machine 91 has a pallet guard plate 77 and a spatter guard device 13 so that a large opening does not occur in the gap G between the pallet 7 and the collection box 11 regardless of whether the pallet 7 is in the standard position or the extended position.

[0044] FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the spatter guard device 13 in FIG. 6, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view showing the same part in a state where the pallet 7 has returned to the reference position. 6, the pallet 7 is in the extended position. In this state, the gap G between the collection box 11 and the pallet 7 is mostly closed by the raised guard plate 134 of the spatter guard device 13. 6 and 7A, the pallet 7 has a guard supporter 78 that extends downward from the right end in Fig. 7A. The guard supporter 78 extends downward so as to overlap in the vertical direction with the upright guard plate 134. In the horizontal direction, the guard supporter 78 may be in contact with the upright guard plate 134 as shown in Fig. 7A, or there may be a small gap between them. The guard supporter 78 is formed from a metal plate or a rubber plate.

[0045] The spatter guard device 13 includes a guard cylinder 131 , a rod 132 , a fixed plate 133 , a guard plate 134 , a hinge 135 , and a link plate 136 . The guard cylinder 131 is fixed to the top of the shelf board 12 disposed on the right side of the base unit 1. The guard cylinder 131 moves a rod 132 in and out (see arrow DR6) under the control of the control unit CT (see FIG. 1). One end of a link plate 136 is rotatably connected to the tip of the rod 132, and the other end of the link plate 136 is rotatably connected to the guard plate 134 (see arrow DR7). As shown in FIG. 7B, the guard plate 134 is rotatable about an axis in the front-rear direction relative to the fixed plate 133 via a hinge 135 (see arrow DR9). With this configuration, in response to the operation of guard cylinder 131, guard plate 134 rotates about hinge 135 as a fulcrum between the upright position shown in FIG. 7A and the prone position shown in FIG. 7B.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7A, when the pallet 7 is in the extended position, the control unit CT (see Figure 1) operates the guard cylinder 131 to place the guard plate 134 in an upright position. Also, as shown in Figure 7B, when the pallet 7 is in the reference position, the control unit CT operates the guard cylinder 131 to place the guard plate 134 in a prone position. On the other hand, the pallet guard plate 77 is attached to the underside of the frame 70 of the pallet 7 in a position that blocks the gap G between the pallet 7 and the base part 1 in place of the guard plate 134 when the pallet 7 is in the reference position.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit CT operates the guard cylinder 131 (see Figures 7A and 7B) to raise and lower the guard plate 134 in accordance with the position of the pallet 7 as determined by detection information from the first pallet sensor 31 and the second pallet sensor 32.

[0048] As described above, in one aspect of the present invention, as shown in Figure 6, the base portion 1 is provided with a collection box 11 corresponding to the laser processing area AR1 (see Figure 4) in which the laser processing head 55 (see Figure 4) can operate, and is provided with a pallet guard plate 77 that closes the gap G between the pallet 7 and the collection box 11 when the pallet 7 is in the first position, and a guard plate 134 that closes the gap G when the pallet 7 is in the second position.

[0049] As a result, the laser processing machine 91 is less likely to scatter spatter generated by laser processing to the outside regardless of the position of the pallet 7, and the quality of the product is less likely to deteriorate.

[0050] The guard plate 134 is in a prone position when the pallet 7 is in the first position, and stands up to close the gap G when the pallet 7 is in the second position.

[0051] Therefore, the guard plate 134 does not interfere with the movement of the pallet 7, and the gap G can be more widely closed when the pallet 7 is in the second position. As a result, the laser processing machine 91 is less likely to scatter spatter generated by laser processing to the outside regardless of the position of the pallet 7, and the deterioration of product quality is less likely to occur. Furthermore, the gap G may be closed by the guard plate 134 whether the pallet 7 is in the first position or the second position. In this case, the pallet guard plate 77 is not required. Also, guard supporters 78 are provided in place of the pallet guard plate 77 at the end of the pallet shown in Figure 7A and at the position where the pallet guard plate 77 is attached. Also, the guard plate 134 is in a prone position when the pallet 7 is moved, and is raised when the pallet 7 is stopped after the pallet has been moved and positioned. Also, neither the pallet guard plate 77 nor the guard supporter 78 may be provided, and the gap G may be closed only by the guard plate 134. In this case, the guard plate 134 may be rotated between a prone position and an upright position, but the height of the guard plate 134 in the upright position may be set to a height that does not interfere with the pallet 7, or a member made of a flexible material such as a rubber plate may be attached to the tip of the guard plate 134, and the guard plate 134 may be fixed in the upright position using a structure that allows for some interference between the member and the pallet 7.

[0052] As described above, the laser processing machine 91 is capable of processing sheet metal larger than the processing area, thereby saving space. For example, it is possible to process standard-sized sheet metal of 4×8 while saving space. The laser processing machine 91 is not limited to processing standard-sized sheet metal of 4×4 or 4×8 size, but may also be capable of processing standard-sized sheet metal of 5×10 size in a processing area of ​​5×5, or standard-sized sheet metal of 3×6 size in a processing area of ​​3×3.

[0053] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described configurations, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0054] The laser processing machine 91 is not limited to one in which the pallet 7 is locked at two positions, the reference position and the extended position. The pallet 7 may be lockable at three or more positions including the reference position and the extended position, or may be lockable at any position between the reference position and the extended position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Base 11 Collection Box 12 shelves 13 Spatter guard device 131 Guard cylinder 132 Rod 133 Fixing Plate 134 Guard Plate 135 Hinge 136 Link plate 2,3 Side frame 21 Carriage drive unit 22 First pallet lock 221 First lock cylinder 23 Second Pallet Lock 231 Second lock cylinder 31 First pallet sensor 32 Second pallet sensor 5 Carriage section 51,52 Post 53 Carriage body 531 Head drive unit 55 Laser processing head 6 Pallet connection 61 Connection receiving part 611 Pedestal 612 Column section 613 Receptive Surface 62 Connecting drive unit 621 Bracket 622 Connected Cylinder 624 Moving Pillar 625 Laura 626 Shaft member 7 Palettes 70 Frame 71 Skid 71G Skid Group 72 free ball bearing 721 Bearing drive unit 73 Rail 74,75 slider 76 Linear guide 77 Pallet guard plate 78 Guard Supporter 81 Control device 82 Laser Oscillator 83 Input section 91 Laser processing machine AR1, ARW1 area (processing area) CT control unit FL installation surface G Gap Lx1,Ly1,L7,La distance PL optical axis RV1 standard installation area RV2 Projection area (projection area) V11 space W sheet metal

Claims

1. A base part installed inside a reference installation area of ​​the installation surface; a pallet disposed on an upper portion of the base portion and movable in a horizontal first direction between a first position and a second position where a projection area extends outside the reference installation area with respect to the installation surface; A connection receiving portion provided on the pallet; a laser processing head that is movably provided inside the upper region of the base portion and that emits a laser beam toward the metal plate placed on the pallet regardless of whether the pallet is in the first position or the second position; A connection drive unit that moves with the movement of the laser processing head in the first direction and can be selectively placed in a connected state or a disconnected state with respect to the connection receiving portion, A laser processing machine in which the connection drive portion is in the connected state with respect to the connection receiving portion, and the pallet is moved in association with the movement of the laser processing head in the first direction.

2. A base part installed inside a reference installation area of ​​the installation surface; a pallet disposed on an upper portion of the base portion and movable in a horizontal first direction between a first position and a second position where a projection area extends outside the reference installation area with respect to the installation surface; a laser processing head that is movably provided inside the upper region of the base portion and emits a laser beam toward the metal plate placed on the pallet regardless of whether the pallet is in the first position or the second position; The base portion includes a collection box for receiving dross and scrap generated during laser processing, the collection box corresponding to the laser processing area by the laser processing head, The laser processing machine includes a guard plate that closes the gap between the pallet and the collection box.

3. A connection receiving portion provided on the pallet; A connection drive unit that moves with the movement of the laser processing head in the first direction and can be selectively placed in a connected state or a disconnected state with respect to the connection receiving portion, 3. The laser processing machine according to claim 2, wherein the connection drive portion is in the connected state with respect to the connection receiving portion to move the pallet in association with the movement of the laser processing head in the first direction.

4. 4. The laser processing machine according to claim 3, further comprising a pallet guard plate for closing said gap when said pallet is in said first position.

5. 5. The laser processing machine according to claim 3, wherein the guard plate is in a prone position when the pallet is in the first position, and is in an upright position to close the gap when the pallet is in the second position.

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