Cutting apparatus, cutting work apparatus equipped therewith, and cutting method using the same

Abstract

Conventional cutting devices have found it difficult to mechanically cut thick steel materials (40) with a thickness of 10 to 30 cm. [Solution] A cutting device (1) is constructed using a hydraulic excavator (20), a working machine, with a cutting torch (13) mounted on the side (21a) of the bucket (21) as a base (12). The device includes a reference rod (14) parallel to the torch and a guide rod (15) perpendicular to it. The reference rod confirms the verticality of the cutting torch, and its tip (14a) extends beyond the torch tip (13a) to avoid contact with uneven surfaces. The guide rod further confirms verticality. In addition, the operating booth (24) is equipped with a protective screen (25) to protect workers (P) from flames and spatter (42). Thick steel materials can be efficiently cut into small pieces, and costs are reduced by modifying and utilizing existing machinery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting device for disassembling steel structures and processing iron scrap, and particularly to a technique for oxy-fuel cutting thick steel materials.

Background Art

[0002] In the site of disassembling steel structures and the process of processing iron scrap, in order to recycle the recovered iron plates and steel materials, it is necessary to cut them into a size that can be fed into a blast furnace. Conventionally, for relatively thin steel plates and small cross-section materials, cutting has been performed using a scissor-shaped hydraulic cutter attached to a hydraulic excavator.

[0003] However, for thick steel materials and iron blocks, it is difficult to cut them with a scissor cutter, and it was necessary to use a large saw-shaped cutting device or a stationary plasma cutter. As conventional cutting devices, for example, there are inventions disclosed in the following patent documents.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the disclosed invention "Disassembly Attachment and Disassembler" of Patent Document 1 above, a holding device is provided at the tip of the arm of a working machine, and a movable device capable of multi-axis control is provided on its frame to hold a cutting torch. Although positioning accuracy can be obtained, the structure is complicated and costly.

[0006] The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 above, "Field Cutting Machine," is a field cutting machine equipped with a bifurcated boom attached to a power shovel, with a gripping mechanism on one end and a cutting mechanism on the other. This configuration allows for simultaneous gripping and cutting of large scrap materials, but it requires a special boom and two arms, resulting in a large machine structure.

[0007] The invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, mentioned above, "Plasma Cutting Apparatus and Plasma Cutting Method," discloses a cutting mechanism in which a plasma torch is moved along a linear guide member. While this can shorten the cutting time, it involves guide rails and control mechanisms, resulting in a large-scale configuration similar to factory equipment.

[0008] While these prior technologies all enable the cutting of steel materials, they have been ineffective in handling thick steel materials with a thickness of 10 to 30 cm or in block form.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a cutting device, a cutting work device equipped with the same, and a cutting method using the same, which can be easily retrofitted to existing work machines such as hydraulic excavators and function as an end effector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above objective, (1) The cutting device is At the tip of the arm In the direction of cutting A base mounted so as to be rotatable via a pivot shaft, The base Rotating surface The cutting torch is positioned, It is positioned parallel to the cutting torch, and its tip extends a predetermined distance beyond the tip of the cutting torch. The base A reference rod positioned on the rotating surface, The reference rod is perpendicular to the and A rod-shaped extension extending vertically from the rotating surface of the base is used to confirm the perpendicular position of the cutting torch to the thick steel material. Guide rod and It consists of. The pivot axis of the base is configured to have rotational degrees of freedom by being configured as one-axis rotation, two-axis rotation, or three-axis rotation. The aforementioned cutting torch mainly uses a gas cutting torch or a plasma cutting torch.

[0011] (2) The cutting and welding equipment is The aforementioned cutting device, The cutting device is supported by an arm, The boom is rotatably connected to the arm and supported in a cantilevered manner, The boom is rotatably connected and supported in a cantilevered manner, and an operation booth is provided where an operator or remote control means is positioned. from Constituting . A protective screen for preventing molten metal splashes is provided in the aforementioned operating booth. doing . Furthermore, the operating booth may be equipped with a swivel mechanism for rotating the entire end effector, arm, and boom as a single unit. Furthermore, the operation booth may be equipped with a moving mechanism for moving the entire unit as a single unit.

[0012] (3) The cutting method using the cutting device is The thick steel material to be cut is placed on a base such that its top surface is approximately horizontal and a predetermined space is provided on the underside. At the top corner of the thick steel material, the reference rod is positioned vertically, and the cutting torch, which is placed parallel to it, is positioned with its tip close to the operating booth side. After igniting the aforementioned cutting torch, The cutting device is characterized by moving it to the other side while confirming that the guide rod is horizontal and observing the penetrating flame that penetrates the thick steel material and is ejected to the lower side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The present invention provides the following remarkable effects. A) The cutting device of the present invention can be configured by using existing construction machines such as backhoes and hydraulic excavators, and can perform cutting operations on thick steel materials at low cost.

[0014] B) By providing a reference rod arranged along the cutting torch with a slight extension, an appropriate positional relationship with the object to be cut can be ensured, and contact with the uneven portions of the cutting surface of the cutting torch can be avoided. C) Based on the guide rod provided vertically from the trunk of the reference rod, the vertical maintenance of the torch can be confirmed, and the cutting operation can be efficiently advanced. D) By installing a protective screen for preventing cutting splashes on the front surface of the operation booth, the safety of the workers and operating devices inside the booth can be ensured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a plan view showing the overall form of an embodiment of the cutting operation device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the cutting device according to the present invention with solid lines. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing the cutting operation of an embodiment of the cutting method according to the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the operation booth desired from the cutting device and a perspective view showing the enlarged cutting device.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, each embodiment example (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") of the cutting device, the cutting operation device provided with this, and the cutting method using this according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. This embodiment will be described when configured by using the bucket 21 of the hydraulic excavator 20 of the civil engineering work machine.

[0017] However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described below, and various embodiments are conceivable as long as they satisfy the inventive features described in the claims.

[0018] For the sake of explanation, the following explanation will define the vertical, horizontal, and front-to-back directions as being based on the perspective of the bucket 21 of the hydraulic excavator 20 as viewed from the worker P's side. (1) Cutting equipment

[0019] The first invention, a cutting apparatus 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, uses the side surface 21a of a bucket 21, which is rotatably mounted on the tip 11 of an arm 11, as a mounting base 12. The main components, a cutting torch 13, a reference rod 14, and a guide rod 15, are attached to this base 12.

[0020] Furthermore, the side surface 21a of the bucket 21, which serves as the mounting portion for the base 12, rotates on one axis in the front-rear direction and is therefore approximately perpendicular to the ground G. In other words, the base 12 swings in the front-rear direction (reciprocating rotation within a predetermined angular range) while maintaining a vertical plane.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the cutting torch 13 is mounted along the oscillating surface of the base 12 (side surface 21a of the bucket 21), and a reference rod 14 is mounted parallel to it. The reference rod 14 is a rod of a predetermined length, and its tip 14a in the direction of extension is mounted so as to extend by a predetermined dimension d from the tip 13a of the cutting torch 13. Furthermore, a rod-shaped guide rod 15 of a predetermined length is attached near the trunk of the cutting torch 13, perpendicular to the reference rod 14, and to the swinging surface of the base 12. With this configuration, the cutting torch 13 and the reference rod 14 move along the bucket 21 while maintaining a perpendicular position to the guide rod 15.

[0022] In this embodiment, the cutting torch 13, reference rod 14, and guide rod 15 are fixedly mounted, but they may be detachable as needed. This facilitates maintenance of the cutting torch 13. It also allows for adjustment of the extension dimension d of the reference rod 14 as needed.

[0023] The fuel for the cutting torch 13 is supplied from the fuel device 30 via a fuel hose 31, according to the specifications of the cutting torch 13. This fuel device 30 is installed externally or at an appropriate location. Generally, the fuel device 30 consists of combustion gas cylinders filled with acetylene or propane and oxygen cylinders, etc.

[0024] Furthermore, since the base 12 is exposed to high-temperature flames and spatter, it needs to be made of a heat-resistant and fire-resistant material. In this embodiment, however, the bucket 21 is made of steel, so it can be used as is. Similarly, the reference rod 14 and the guide rod 15 are also made of heat-resistant and fire-resistant materials.

[0025] Furthermore, although the base 12 in this embodiment utilizes a bucket 21 that rotates on one axis, other mechanisms such as two-axis rotation, or even three-axis rotation, which allow for forward and backward oscillation, left and right oscillation, and even rotation on its own axis, may also be employed. This allows for quick adaptation to the inclination of the top surface of the object to be cut.

[0026] In addition, the installation of the reference rod 14 allows for efficient cutting by monitoring and adjusting the distance between the tip of the cutting torch 13 and the thick steel material 40 to be cut during the operation. Furthermore, since the top surface of the thick steel material, which is a dismantled (waste) material, is not necessarily flat and often includes protrusions such as uneven surfaces, deflections, weld beads, or cut reinforcing bars, the reference rod 14 taking the lead has the advantage of preventing damage caused by contact with the tip 13a of the cutting torch 13.

[0027] Furthermore, since the guide rod 15 is provided perpendicular to the main body of the reference rod 14, the perpendicularity of the cutting torch 13 to the cutting area can be easily confirmed via the reference rod 14. Confirmation from the side of the thick steel material 40 to be cut is also easy. (2) Cutting and welding equipment

[0028] The second invention, a cutting device, comprises a cutting device 1 mounted on a bucket 21 pivotally supported at the tip of a working arm 11, a boom 22 connecting and supporting the arm 11, and the entire device supported by a vehicle body 23 via the boom 22. The vehicle body 23 includes a cabin for the operator, which functions as an operating booth 24. A protective screen 25 is attached to the front of the operating booth 24, facing the bucket 21, to prevent the scattering of flames generated during cutting.

[0029] This protective screen 25 is made of heat-resistant and fire-resistant material and is designed to prevent spatter from flying off flames generated during cutting operations or from penetrating flames 41 that penetrate thick steel materials, from reaching the worker P. Although this protective screen 25 is an auxiliary element, it is an essential component from the standpoint of improving safety.

[0030] With this configuration, the cutting device 1 attached to the bucket 21 can perform optimal cutting work by moving it backward on the top surface of the thick steel material 40 through the movement of the boom 22 and the arm 11.

[0031] In this embodiment, worker P is inside the cabin 24 and performs the work while visually confirming the work. However, it is also possible to install a camera inside the cabin 24 and perform the work remotely without human intervention.

[0032] Furthermore, since the cutting device 2 in this embodiment is constructed using the bucket 21 of a commercially available hydraulic excavator 20, the operating booth 24 may be rotated using an existing slewing mechanism.

[0033] In Figure 1, which shows this embodiment, the orientation of the bucket 21 is reversed compared to the orientation of the hydraulic excavator 20 used in civil engineering work. This expands the swing range of the cutting device 1 during cutting operations, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0034] Alternatively, the vehicle may be moved around the demolition site as needed by activating the pre-fabricated caterpillar tracks 27. Note that if the vehicle is to be moved, since the fuel system 30 is fixed to the outside in this embodiment, it must be configured to be mountable on the vehicle body 23. (3) Cutting method

[0035] An embodiment of the cutting method according to the third invention is carried out in the following procedure. A) Place the thick steel material 40 to be cut on the base 50 so that it is approximately horizontal with space provided on the underside.

[0036] B) Next, the arms 11, boom 22, and bucket 21 of the hydraulic excavator 20 are operated in a coordinated manner to bring the cutting torch 13 of the cutting device 1 close to the top corner 40a of the thick steel material 40.

[0037] At this time, the vertical position of the reference rod 14 in the left-right direction is checked and adjusted using the horizontal line of the top corner 40a as a reference. Also, since it is difficult to recognize the vertical position in the front-back direction by visual inspection from the worker P's seating position, the inclination of the guide rod 15 is used to make that determination. Furthermore, during the cutting process, the guide rod 15 can be used as a reference to make corrections based on the scattering of sparks. C) After confirming the vertical position of the cutting torch 13 using the reference rod 14 and guide rod 15 as a reference, the cutting torch 13 is ignited and the flame condition is adjusted. D) After ignition, the tip 13a of the cutting torch 13 is used to begin cutting from the top corner 40a of the thick steel material 40.

[0038] E) After ignition, while confirming the penetrating flame 41 that penetrates the thick steel material 40 and erupts from the bottom side, the cutting torch 13 is moved to the other side by the coordinated operation of the arm 11, boom 22, and bucket 21 to cut the material.

[0039] If there are irregularities 40b on the upper surface of the thick steel material 40, the tip 14a of the reference rod 14 will come into contact with the foreign object and detect it, allowing the bucket 21 to take evasive action. Furthermore, during the cutting process, the protective screen 25 described above functions effectively to shield against flying debris such as spatter 42, thereby ensuring the safety of the worker P.

[0040] This method allows for the efficient cutting of thick steel materials 40, 10 to 30 cm thick, which was difficult to do manually in the past. The flame from the cutting torch 13 can be applied efficiently, improving work efficiency. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Cutting device 2. Cutting and welding equipment 11 Arms 11a Rotary shaft 11b Other end 12 base 13. Cutting Torch 13a Tip 14 Reference Rod 14a Tip 15 Guide Rods 20 Hydraulic Excavators 21 buckets 21a side 22 Boom 23 car bodies 24. Control booth (cabin) 25 protective screens 27 Caterpillar 30 Fuel system 31 Fuel hose 40 Thick steel material 40a Top corner 40b Uneven part 41 Penetrating flame 42 Spatter 50 bases P worker d Extension dimension m Direction of movement in the cutting process

Claims

1. An apparatus for cutting thick steel materials by melting, A base is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm via a pivot axis in the cutting direction, A cutting torch positioned on the rotating surface of the base, and a reference rod positioned parallel to the cutting torch, with its tip extending a predetermined distance beyond the tip of the cutting torch and positioned on the rotating surface of the base, A rod-shaped guide rod perpendicular to the reference rod and extending vertically from the rotating surface of the base for confirming the perpendicular position of the cutting torch to the thick steel material, A cutting apparatus characterized by being composed of the following.

2. The cutting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the base has one to three degrees of rotational freedom relative to the arm.

3. A cutting apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, The cutting device is supported by an arm, The boom is rotatably connected to the arm and supported in a cantilevered manner, The boom is rotatably connected and supported in a cantilevered manner, and an operation booth is provided where an operator or remote control means is positioned. A cutting and welding apparatus characterized by being composed of the following.

4. The cutting apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating booth is provided with a protective screen for preventing cutting splashes.

5. The cutting apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that a swivel mechanism for rotating the entire cutting device, the arm, and the boom as a single unit is installed in the operating booth.

6. The cutting apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that a moving mechanism for moving the cutting device, the arm, and the boom as a whole is installed in the operating booth.

7. In the cutting apparatus according to claim 3, The thick steel material to be cut is placed on a base such that its top surface is approximately horizontal and a predetermined space is provided on the underside. At the upper corner of the thick steel material, the reference rod is positioned vertically, and the cutting torch, which is placed parallel to it, is positioned with its tip close to the operating booth side. After igniting the aforementioned cutting torch, A cutting method characterized by confirming the horizontal position with the guide rod and moving the cutting device to the other side while confirming the penetrating flame that penetrates the thick steel material and is ejected to the lower side.

Images