Steel sheet processing apparatus and control method for steel sheet processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide steel plate working equipment which is suppressed in reduction in working capacity in a magnetic domain control process.SOLUTION: Steel plate working equipment 1 comprises: a laser irradiation unit 11 which irradiates a steel plate 3 with a laser beam and scans along the direction in parallel to or substantially parallel to the plate width direction of the steel plate 3; a variation amount sensor 14 which detects a variation amount in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 corresponding to the meanders of the steel plate 3; a controller 15 which acquires a detection result of the variation amount detected by the variation amount sensor 14; and an irradiation range adjustment unit 16 which adjusts an irradiation range of the laser beam. The controller 15 controls the irradiation range adjustment unit 16 on the basis of the variation amount detected by the variation amount sensor 14 to change the irradiation range of the laser beam in such a manner that the irradiation range in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 of the laser beam matches the plate width of the steel plate 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steel plate processing apparatus and a control method for the steel plate processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Electromagnetic steel sheets that are used for the iron core of a transformer and contribute to improving power loss are known. In the manufacturing process of such electromagnetic steel sheets, while the steel sheet is being passed through at high speed, a laser beam is irradiated so as to be focused on the surface of the steel sheet, and the surface of the steel sheet is scanned, thereby forming (processing) linear distortions and grooves at regular intervals to reduce iron loss. A so-called magnetic domain control process is known. Specifically, in the magnetic domain control process, for example, while a strip-shaped steel sheet is being continuously conveyed in the longitudinal direction, a laser beam is irradiated and scanned in the plate width direction, so that grooves and distortions are formed in the steel sheet.

[0003] Here, in order to continuously convey the steel sheet, the steel sheet is supported by support rolls, and in order to keep the steel sheet flat, a constant tension is applied to the steel sheet in the longitudinal direction. However, while the steel sheet is being conveyed, so-called meandering that varies in the plate width direction may occur. When meandering occurs, after passing through the magnetic domain control process, there is a risk that the strip-shaped steel sheet cannot be wound into a coil shape. Further, when the amount of variation in the plate width direction increases, there is a risk that the steel sheet may collide with peripheral equipment. Therefore, meandering control by a steering roll that detects the variation in the plate width direction corresponding to the meandering of the steel sheet and suppresses the meandering is performed.

[0004] According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, while suppressing the variation in the plate width direction of the steel sheet being conveyed by a steering roll that suppresses meandering, further, when the amount of variation becomes a predetermined value or more, irradiation of the laser beam is stopped and magnetic domain control is aborted is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, there was a problem in that the laser beam irradiation was stopped when the amount of variation in the width direction of the steel plate during transport became larger than a certain amount, which could reduce the processing capacity of the magnetic domain control.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve these problems and aims to provide a steel sheet processing apparatus and a control method for a steel sheet processing apparatus that do not stop laser beam irradiation even if the steel sheet meanders and suppress a decrease in processing capacity in the magnetic domain control process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A steel sheet processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a steel sheet processing apparatus that forms grooves or distortions on the surface of a conveyed steel sheet using a laser beam, comprising: a laser irradiation unit that irradiates the steel sheet with the laser beam and scans it along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction of the steel sheet; a fluctuation amount sensor that detects the amount of fluctuation in the width direction of the steel sheet corresponding to the meandering of the steel sheet; a controller that acquires the detection result of the fluctuation amount detected by the fluctuation amount sensor; and an irradiation range adjustment unit that adjusts the irradiation range of the laser beam, wherein the controller controls the irradiation range adjustment unit based on the amount of fluctuation detected by the fluctuation amount sensor and changes the irradiation range of the laser beam so that the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel sheet matches the width of the steel sheet.

[0009] A control method for a steel sheet processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention uses a steel sheet processing apparatus comprising: a laser irradiation unit that irradiates a laser beam toward a steel sheet in order to form grooves or distortions on the surface of a conveyed steel sheet; a fluctuation amount sensor that detects the amount of fluctuation in the width direction of the steel sheet corresponding to the meandering of the steel sheet; a controller that acquires the fluctuation amount detection result detected by the fluctuation amount sensor; and an irradiation range adjustment unit that adjusts the irradiation range of the laser beam. The method includes a change step in which the controller controls the irradiation range adjustment unit based on the amount of fluctuation detected by the fluctuation amount sensor, and changes the irradiation range of the laser beam so that the irradiation range of the laser beam toward the width direction of the steel sheet matches the steel sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the width direction of the steel plate, the irradiation range adjustment unit is controlled based on the amount of fluctuation corresponding to the meandering of the steel plate detected by the fluctuation amount sensor, and the irradiation range of the laser beam is changed so that the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction matches the width of the steel plate. Therefore, even if fluctuations in the width direction such as meandering occur during transport, the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction deviates laterally from the edge of the steel plate, reducing the risk of irradiating unintended components with the laser beam or leaving unprocessed areas on the steel plate. Furthermore, since the irradiation of the laser beam is continued even if the steel plate meanders, a decrease in the processing capacity of magnetic domain control can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the steel sheet processing apparatus in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the steel sheet processing apparatus in the second embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the steel sheet processing apparatus in the third embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the steel sheet processing apparatus in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure 5 shows an example of a detailed configuration diagram of a laser irradiation device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows another example of a detailed configuration diagram of a laser irradiation device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows the configuration of a steel sheet processing apparatus in the first embodiment. In this figure, Figures 1(A) and (B) show the operation when a steel sheet is fed normally, and Figure 1(C) shows the operation when the steel sheet is moving meandering in the width direction. Figures 1(A) and (C) are views from the direction of steel sheet feeding, with the left and right directions in the figure corresponding to the width direction of the steel sheet. Figure 1(B) is a view from the X side (width direction of the steel sheet) of Figure 1(A), with the left and right directions in the figure corresponding to the direction of steel sheet feeding.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1(A) and (B), the steel sheet processing apparatus 1 is a device that forms grooves or distortions on the surface of a steel sheet 3 being conveyed on a support roll 2, and comprises a support roll 2, a laser irradiation device 11, a fluctuation amount sensor 14, a controller 15, and an irradiation range adjustment unit 16. In this embodiment, the steel sheet processing apparatus 1 has five laser irradiation devices 11 arranged in parallel, and laser beams are irradiated from these multiple laser irradiation devices 11 onto the steel sheet 3 passing over the support roll 2. The support roll 2 is equipped with a rotation axis, and rotates along the rotation axis to allow the steel sheet 3 supported on the upper surface of the support roll 2 to pass through. Here, the rotation axis of the support roll 2 is arranged to be parallel to the width direction of the steel sheet 3, but this may include cases where the rotation axis of the support roll 2 and the width direction of the steel sheet 3 are perfectly aligned, as well as cases where they are misaligned to an extent that allows the steel sheet 3 to pass through the support roll 2 stably.

[0015] Each laser irradiation device 11 irradiates the steel plate 3 on the support roll 2 with a laser beam and scans it in a direction parallel or approximately parallel to the plate width direction (i.e., a direction intersecting the plate width direction of the steel plate 3). In Figures 1(A) and (B), the scanning range of the laser beam irradiated from the laser irradiation device 11 is shown as a trapezoidal shape, widening as it goes downwards when viewed from the direction of passage of the steel plate 3. The total width of the scanning range of the laser beams irradiated by the five laser irradiation devices 11 is wider than the plate width of the steel plate 3. Therefore, the occurrence of unprocessed areas in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 is suppressed. Note that the number of laser irradiation devices 11 is not limited to five; any number is acceptable as long as the total width of the irradiation area of ​​the laser beam in the plate width direction is wider than the plate width of the steel plate 3. Also, the laser irradiation device 11 is an example of a laser irradiation unit that constitutes part of the steel plate processing apparatus 1.

[0016] The steel sheet processing apparatus 1 further includes a light-shielding plate 12, an actuator 13 connected to the light-shielding plate 12, a fluctuation amount sensor 14 that detects movement in the width direction corresponding to the meandering of the steel sheet 3 and measures the amount of fluctuation resulting from that detection, and a controller 15 that controls the entire steel sheet processing apparatus 1. The light-shielding plate 12 and the actuator 13 together constitute an irradiation range adjustment unit 16, which realizes the function of adjusting the irradiation range of the laser beam irradiated onto the steel sheet 3.

[0017] The light-shielding plate 12 is provided between the steel plate 3 and the laser irradiation device 11 in the thickness direction, and is configured and arranged in pairs in the width direction so as to extend from the outer side of the steel plate 3 inward to the edge of the steel plate 3. The light-shielding plate 12 is made of a material that can block the laser beam and prevents the laser beam from being irradiated to areas outside the ends of the steel plate 3 in the width direction. As a result, the laser beam irradiated from the laser irradiation device 11 is irradiated only to the steel plate 3, and irradiation of areas other than the steel plate 3 with the laser beam can be prevented.

[0018] The actuator 13 is controllable to move in the plate width direction and is physically connected to the light shielding plate 12. The actuator 13 can move the light shielding plate 12 in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 according to the control of the controller 15.

[0019] The amount-of-variation sensor 14 detects the amount of variation in the position in the plate width direction corresponding to the meandering of the conveyed steel plate 3. For example, the amount-of-variation sensor 14 may be configured to illuminate the end of the steel plate 3 with illumination, measure the amount of illumination blocked by the steel plate 3 with a light quantity sensor, and detect the amount of variation in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 by measuring the change in the amount of illumination. As another aspect, the amount-of-variation sensor 14 may detect the amount of variation in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 from an image captured by a camera or the like. During normal passing of the steel plate shown in FIGS. 1(A) and (B), the amount of variation in the plate width direction is substantially zero. When the steel plate 3 meanders and varies in the plate width direction as shown in FIG. 1(C), the amount of variation in the plate width direction can be obtained by the amount-of-variation sensor 14.

[0020] When the controller 15 receives from the amount-of-variation sensor 14 the amount of variation in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 detected by the amount-of-variation sensor 14, the controller performs conversion processing on the amount of variation of the steel plate 3 to obtain the amount of movement of the light shielding plate 12 in the plate width direction. The amount of movement in the plate width direction obtained here is the amount of movement that enables the light shielding plate 12 to block the irradiation of the laser beam outside both ends of the steel plate 3 when the light shielding plate 12 is moved in the plate width direction. This conversion processing may be performed based on the ratio of the distance from the laser irradiation device 11 to the steel plate 3 and the distance from the light shielding plate 12 to the steel plate 3, and the scanning angle of the laser irradiation device 11. Also, this conversion processing may be performed not only by the controller 15 but also by any device including the amount-of-variation sensor 14.

[0021] The controller 15 controls the actuator 13 based on the amount of movement of the light shielding plate 12 obtained by the conversion processing, and moves the light shielding plate 12 in the same direction as the variation direction along the plate width direction of the steel plate 3. In this way, since the plate width of the steel plate 3 and the irradiation range of the laser beam in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 by the laser irradiation device 11 can be made to coincide, irradiation of the laser beam to other than the steel plate 3 can be prevented.

[0022] As a result, as shown in Figure 1(C), when the steel plate 3 meanders in the width direction and moves to the left in the figure, the actuator 13 is controlled to move the pair of light-shielding plates 12 provided on both sides of the steel plate 3 to the left by an amount of movement determined from the amount of leftward movement of the steel plate 3. When the steel plate 3 moves to the right in the figure, the controller 15 controls the actuator 13 to move the light-shielding plates 12 to the right by an amount of movement corresponding to the amount of movement of the steel plate 3.

[0023] In this way, when the position of the steel plate 3 fluctuates in the width direction, the irradiation range adjustment unit 16 adjusts the irradiation range in the width direction of the laser beam irradiated from the laser irradiation device 11 onto the steel plate 3. This makes it possible to match the width of the steel plate 3 with the irradiation range in the width direction of the laser beam from the laser irradiation device 11. As a result, the laser beam is irradiated across the entire width of the steel plate 3, and irradiation of areas other than the steel plate 3 is suppressed, thereby suppressing damage to surrounding equipment and preventing the occurrence of unprocessed areas on the steel plate 3. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to stop the passage of the steel plate 3 in this control, a decrease in processing capacity in the magnetic domain control process can be suppressed.

[0024] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the steel sheet processing apparatus 1 includes a laser irradiation device 11, a light shielding plate 12, an actuator 13, a fluctuation amount sensor 14, and a controller 15. However, the steel sheet processing apparatus 1 may include components other than these. For example, the steel sheet processing apparatus 1 may include a support roll 2, and the rotation of the support roll 2 may be controlled by the controller 15.

[0025] (Second Embodiment) Figure 2 shows the configuration of the steel sheet processing apparatus in the second embodiment. Figure 2(A) shows the operation when the steel sheet 3 is fed normally, and Figure 2(B) shows the operation when the steel sheet 3 is meandering and fluctuating in the width direction. Both Figure 2(A) and Figure 2(B) are views of the steel sheet 3 as it is fed.

[0026] In the second embodiment, the light-shielding plate 12 is omitted compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, actuators 21 that are movable in the width direction of the steel plate 3 are integrally attached to the five parallel-arranged laser irradiation devices 11. The actuators 21 may be directly attached to the laser irradiation devices 11 or attached via a frame or the like. In this embodiment, the actuators 21 correspond to the irradiation range adjustment unit and realize the function of adjusting the irradiation range of the laser beam irradiated onto the steel plate 3 in the width direction.

[0027] When the controller 15 obtains the amount of variation in the width direction of the steel plate 3 from the variation amount sensor 14, it controls the actuator 21 to move the laser irradiation device 11. The direction and amount of movement of the laser irradiation device 11 are the same as the direction and amount of variation of the steel plate 3. As a result, a state is maintained in which the width of the steel plate 3, which is varying in the width direction, matches the irradiation range of the laser beam from the laser irradiation device 11 in the width direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(B), when the steel plate 3 meanders in the width direction and moves to the left in the figure, the controller 15 controls the actuator 21 to move the laser irradiation device 11 to the left based on the amount of leftward movement of the steel plate 3. When the steel plate 3 moves to the right in the figure, the laser irradiation device 11 is moved to the right based on the amount of rightward movement of the steel plate 3.

[0029] Even with this configuration, when the position of the steel plate 3 fluctuates in the width direction, the width of the steel plate 3 can be matched with the irradiation range of the laser beam from the laser irradiation device 11 in the width direction of the steel plate 3. As a result, damage to surrounding equipment due to laser beam irradiation can be suppressed, and the occurrence of unprocessed areas in the steel plate 3 can be prevented. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to stop the passage of the steel plate 3, a decrease in processing capacity in the magnetic domain control process can be suppressed. In addition, compared to the first embodiment, the light shielding plate 12 can be omitted, thus simplifying the configuration of the steel plate processing device 1.

[0030] (Third embodiment) Figure 3 shows the configuration of the steel sheet processing apparatus in the third embodiment. Figure 3(A) shows the operation when the steel sheet 3 is fed normally, and Figure 3(B) shows the operation when the steel sheet 3 is meandering and fluctuating in the width direction. Both Figure 3(A) and Figure 3(B) are views of the steel sheet 3 as it is fed.

[0031] In the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a light-shielding plate 12 is provided to prevent the laser beam from irradiating areas beyond both ends of the steel plate 3 in the width direction. In the width direction, the irradiation area of ​​the laser beam from the laser irradiation device 11 on the steel plate 3 is set to be wider than the width of the steel plate 3. Because the light-shielding plate 12 prevents the laser beam from irradiating areas outside both ends of the steel plate 3, the irradiation area of ​​the laser beam in the width direction coincides with the width of the steel plate 3.

[0032] Furthermore, similar to the second embodiment, the laser irradiation device 11 is attached to the actuator 21. In addition, in this embodiment, the light-shielding plate 12 is attached to the actuator 21 via the support column 31. Therefore, the distance from the steel plate 3 to the light-shielding plate 12 is shorter than the distance from the steel plate 3 to the laser irradiation device 11. In this configuration, the laser irradiation device 11 and the light-shielding plate 12 are moved together in the plate width direction in response to the control of the actuator 21. The light-shielding plate 12, the support column 31, and the actuator 13 together constitute an irradiation range adjustment unit 32, which realizes the function of adjusting the irradiation range of the laser beam irradiated onto the steel plate 3 in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3.

[0033] When the controller 15 obtains the amount of variation in the width direction of the steel plate 3 from the variation sensor 14, it controls the actuator 21 to move the laser irradiation device 11 and the light shielding plate 12 together. The direction and amount of movement of the laser irradiation device 11 and the light shielding plate 12 are the same as the control direction and amount of the actuator 21, and the direction and amount of variation of the steel plate 3. As a result, in the width direction, the state in which the width of the steel plate 3 and the irradiation range of the laser beam from the laser irradiation device 11 on the steel plate 3 in the width direction are maintained to coincide.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3(B), when the steel plate 3 meanders in the width direction and moves to the left in the figure, the controller 15 controls the actuator 21 to move the laser irradiation device 11 and the light shielding plate 12 to the left in accordance with the amount of movement of the steel plate 3 to the left.

[0035] Even with this configuration, when the position of the steel plate 3 fluctuates in the plate width direction, the plate width of the steel plate 3 and the irradiation range of the laser beam from the laser irradiation device 11 in the plate width direction can be matched. As a result, damage to surrounding equipment due to laser beam irradiation can be suppressed, and the occurrence of unprocessed areas in the steel plate 3 can be prevented. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to stop the passage of the steel plate 3, a decrease in processing capacity in the magnetic domain control process can be suppressed.

[0036] (Fourth Embodiment) Figure 4 shows the configuration of the steel sheet processing apparatus in the fourth embodiment. In this figure, Figure 4(A) shows the operation when the steel sheet 3 is fed normally, and Figure 4(B) shows the operation when the steel sheet 3 is fluctuating and meandering in the width direction. Both Figure 4(A) and Figure 4(B) are views of the steel sheet 3 as seen from the direction of feeding.

[0037] In the fourth embodiment, no actuators or the like are provided, and the laser irradiation device 11 is fixed. The laser irradiation device 11 is further configured to have a variable irradiation direction of the laser beam in the plate width direction, and has a function to move the irradiation area of ​​the laser beam in the plate width direction. Based on the amount of variation in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 acquired by the variation amount sensor 14, the controller 15 changes the irradiation direction of the laser beam of the laser irradiation device 11 in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 so that the plate width of the steel plate 3 matches the irradiation range of the laser beam of the laser irradiation device 11 on the steel plate 3, thereby moving the irradiation area of ​​the steel plate 3 in the plate width direction. For this reason, in this embodiment, the irradiation range adjustment unit for adjusting the irradiation range of the laser beam irradiated onto the steel plate 3 in the plate width direction is provided inside the laser irradiation device 11.

[0038] Figure 5 shows an example of the detailed configuration of the laser irradiation device 11 of this embodiment. The laser irradiation device 11 comprises a laser emission element 111 having an irradiation range adjustment unit 115, a laser scanning element 112a which is a polygon mirror, and a laser focusing element 113. The laser beam transmitted from a laser source (not shown) is irradiated onto the steel plate 3 via the laser emission element 111, the laser scanning element 112a, and the laser focusing element 113, scanning the steel plate 3 along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction of the steel plate 3.

[0039] The laser emission element 111 outputs a laser beam transmitted via a cable from a laser source located outside the laser irradiation device 11. The laser emission element 111 is configured to allow the emission angle and emission position of the laser beam to be changed by the irradiation range adjustment unit 115 based on control signals from the controller 15.

[0040] The laser scanning element 112a scans the laser beam by reflecting the laser beam output from the laser emission element 111 and continuously changing the direction of reflection. In this example, the laser scanning element 112a is a polygon mirror, which is a rotating regular polygonal mirror with multiple reflective planes around its periphery. By rotating the polygon mirror, which is the laser scanning element 112a, the direction in which the laser beam is reflected is continuously changed, causing the laser beam to scan the steel plate 3 in a linear manner along a direction parallel or approximately parallel to the width direction of the plate.

[0041] The laser focusing element 113 focuses the laser beam scanned by the laser scanning element 112a in a straight line on the surface of the steel plate 3. For example, the laser focusing element 113 may be a linear parabolic mirror, an fθ lens, or a flat-field lens.

[0042] In this manner, when the laser beam output from the laser emission element 111 is incident on the laser scanning element 112a, it is reflected by the planar mirror on the polygon mirror surface of the laser scanning element 112a. The direction of reflection is continuously changed by the rotation of the polygon mirror, and the steel plate 3 is scanned in a linear manner. The scanned laser beam is then scanned by the laser focusing element 113 to focus it on the surface of the steel plate 3.

[0043] Here, Wm represents the maximum scanning width of the laser beam irradiated by the laser focusing element 113 on the steel plate 3. Ws represents the irradiation scanning width of the laser beam irradiated from one laser irradiation device 11 onto the steel plate 3 when performing magnetic domain processing. The maximum scanning width Wm can be designed according to the focal length and size of the laser focusing element 113, and the laser irradiation device 11 is designed so that the maximum scanning width Wm includes the irradiation scanning width Ws.

[0044] The laser beam irradiated onto the steel plate 3 from the laser irradiation device 11 can be irradiated within the range of the maximum scanning width Wm. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(B), the irradiation range adjustment unit 115 changes the direction in which the laser beam from the laser emission element 111 is incident on the laser scanning element 112a, which is a polygon mirror, rather than the direction in which the laser beam is incident on the mirrors forming each face of the polygon mirror. This allows the position of the irradiation scanning width Ws to be moved in the plate width direction within the range of the maximum scanning width Wm without changing the size of the irradiation scanning width Ws.

[0045] In a laser irradiation device 11 with such a configuration, the controller 15 controls the irradiation range adjustment unit 115 based on the amount of variation in the width direction of the steel plate 3 acquired by the variation amount sensor 14. The irradiation range adjustment unit 115 changes the incidence angle of the laser beam from the laser emission element 111 to the laser scanning element 112a, thereby moving the irradiation area of ​​the laser beam on the steel plate 3 in the width direction. As a result, the width of the steel plate 3 and the irradiation range of the laser beam on the steel plate 3 in the width direction can be made to match.

[0046] Figure 6 shows another example of the configuration of the laser irradiation device 11. Compared to the example in Figure 5, the example in Figure 6 differs in that a galvanometer mirror, which functions as an irradiation range adjustment unit 115 and a laser scanning element 112b, is provided instead of a polygon mirror. Note that the laser emission element 111 does not need to be configured to allow changes in the laser emission angle and emission position. The laser focusing element 113 may have the same configuration as in the example in Figure 5.

[0047] The galvanometer mirror, which is the laser scanning element 112b, comprises a plate-shaped mirror portion 117a with a reflective surface and a galvanometer motor 117b provided on the rotation axis of the mirror portion 117a. The galvanometer motor 117b rotates the mirror portion 117a back and forth at a constant angle, continuously changing the direction of the mirror portion 117a and thus continuously changing the direction in which the laser beam is reflected, thereby scanning the steel plate 3. The width of the reciprocating angle and the angle of the reciprocating center can be changed by controlling the galvanometer motor 117b. In addition, the galvanometer mirror (laser scanning element 112b) also functions as an irradiation range adjustment unit 115, and by changing the center angle of the reciprocating rotation without changing the angle width of the reciprocating rotation, the irradiation scanning width Ws of the laser beam irradiated onto the steel plate 3 can be moved in the plate width direction of the steel plate 3 within the range of the maximum scanning width Wm.

[0048] Furthermore, when scanning a laser beam by the reciprocating rotation of a galvanometer mirror, if the laser beam is continuously incident on the galvanometer mirror, it will scan the steel plate in a zigzag pattern. In laser domain control, grooves and distortions are processed in one direction in the width direction of the steel plate, so for this purpose, processing such as outputting the laser during the forward rotation and stopping the laser during the return rotation may be performed in synchronization with the reciprocating rotation of the galvanometer mirror.

[0049] With a laser irradiation device 11 having such a configuration, the controller 15 controls the galvanometer mirror (laser scanning element 112b) based on the amount of variation in the width direction of the steel plate 3 acquired by the variation amount sensor 14, and changes the center angle of the reciprocating rotation of the mirror part 117a, thereby making the width of the steel plate 3 match the irradiation range of the laser beam by the laser irradiation device 11 (i.e., the irradiation scanning width Ws). As a result, damage to surrounding equipment due to laser beam irradiation can be suppressed, and the occurrence of unprocessed areas in the steel plate 3 can be prevented. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to stop the passage of the steel plate 3, a decrease in processing capacity in the magnetic domain control process can be suppressed.

[0050] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, an irradiation range adjustment unit is provided in the laser irradiation device 11 that changes the irradiation direction of the laser beam to adjust the irradiation range of the laser beam in the plate width direction. Specifically, in the example of Figure 5, an irradiation range adjustment unit 115 is provided in the laser emission element 111 that emits a laser at a variable incidence angle to the laser scanning element 112a, which is a polygon mirror. In the example of Figure 6, the galvanometer mirror, which functions as the laser scanning element 112b, also functions as the irradiation range adjustment unit.

[0051] This invention allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention. In other words, the scope of the invention is indicated not by the embodiments, but by the claims. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent scope of the invention are considered to be within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Steel plate processing equipment 2 support rolls 3 steel plate 11. Laser irradiation device 12 Light-blocking plate 13, 21 Actuators 14. Fluctuation Sensor 15 Controllers 16, 32, 115 Irradiation range adjustment section 31 Post 111 Laser Emitting Element 112b Galvanometer mirror (illumination range adjustment unit) 113 Laser focusing element

Claims

1. A steel sheet processing apparatus that forms grooves or distortions on the surface of a steel sheet being transported using a laser beam, A laser irradiation unit that irradiates the steel plate with the laser beam and scans it along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction of the steel plate, A fluctuation amount sensor for detecting the amount of fluctuation in the width direction of the steel plate corresponding to the meandering of the steel plate, A controller that acquires the detection result of the fluctuation amount detected by the fluctuation amount sensor, The steel plate is equipped with an actuator that can move in the width direction of the plate, and an irradiation range adjustment unit that adjusts the irradiation range of the laser beam, Equipped with, The aforementioned controller, A steel plate processing apparatus that controls the actuator of the irradiation range adjustment unit based on the amount of variation detected by the amount of variation sensor, thereby moving the laser irradiation unit in the width direction of the steel plate, and changing the irradiation range of the laser beam so that the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel plate matches the width of the steel plate.

2. The irradiation range adjustment unit is, The actuator is equipped with a light-shielding plate that blocks the irradiation of the laser beam from the laser irradiation section to areas outside both ends of the steel plate in the width direction of the steel plate, The aforementioned controller, The steel plate processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator of the irradiation range adjustment unit is controlled based on the amount of variation detected by the amount of variation sensor, and the laser irradiation unit and the light shielding plate are moved together in the width direction of the steel plate so that the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel plate matches the width of the steel plate.

3. A steel sheet processing apparatus that forms grooves or distortions on the surface of a steel sheet being transported using a laser beam, A laser irradiation unit that irradiates the steel plate with the laser beam and scans it along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction of the steel plate, A fluctuation amount sensor for detecting the amount of fluctuation in the width direction of the steel plate corresponding to the meandering of the steel plate, A controller that acquires the detection result of the fluctuation amount detected by the fluctuation amount sensor, An irradiation range adjustment unit for adjusting the irradiation range of the laser beam, Equipped with, The laser irradiation unit is By rotating a polygon mirror having multiple reflective planes, the direction in which the laser beam is reflected is continuously changed, and the laser beam is scanned along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction of the steel plate. The irradiation range adjustment unit is, By changing the direction in which the laser beam is incident on the rotating polygon mirror, the irradiation range of the laser beam on the steel plate is changed in the width direction of the steel plate. The aforementioned controller, A steel plate processing apparatus that controls the irradiation range adjustment unit based on the amount of variation detected by the amount of variation sensor, and changes the irradiation direction of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel plate so that the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel plate matches the width of the steel plate.

4. A steel sheet processing apparatus that forms grooves or distortions on the surface of a steel sheet being transported using a laser beam, A laser irradiation unit that irradiates the steel plate with the laser beam and scans it along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction of the steel plate, A fluctuation amount sensor for detecting the amount of fluctuation in the width direction of the steel plate corresponding to the meandering of the steel plate, A controller that acquires the detection result of the fluctuation amount detected by the fluctuation amount sensor, An irradiation range adjustment unit for adjusting the irradiation range of the laser beam, Equipped with, The laser irradiation unit is By rotating the galvanometer mirror back and forth within a predetermined angular width, the direction in which the laser beam is reflected is continuously changed, and the laser beam is scanned along a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the width direction of the steel plate. The irradiation range adjustment unit is, By changing the center angle of the reciprocating rotation of the galvanometer mirror, the irradiation range of the laser beam on the steel plate is changed in the width direction of the plate. The aforementioned controller, A steel plate processing apparatus that controls the irradiation range adjustment unit based on the amount of variation detected by the amount of variation sensor, and changes the irradiation direction of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel plate so that the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel plate matches the width of the steel plate.

5. A control method for a steel sheet processing apparatus that forms grooves or distortions on the surface of a conveyed steel sheet using a laser beam, A laser irradiation unit that irradiates the steel plate with the laser beam, A fluctuation amount sensor for detecting the amount of fluctuation in the width direction of the steel plate corresponding to the meandering of the steel plate, A controller that acquires the fluctuation amount detection result detected by the fluctuation amount sensor, The steel plate is equipped with an actuator that can move in the width direction of the plate, and an irradiation range adjustment unit that adjusts the irradiation range of the laser beam, Using a steel plate processing apparatus equipped with, A control method for a steel sheet processing apparatus, comprising a change step in which the controller controls the actuator of the irradiation range adjustment unit based on the amount of variation detected by the amount of variation sensor, thereby moving the laser irradiation unit in the width direction of the steel sheet, and changing the irradiation range of the laser beam so that the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel sheet matches the steel sheet.

6. The irradiation range adjustment unit is, The actuator is equipped with a light-shielding plate that blocks the irradiation of the laser beam from the laser irradiation section to areas outside both ends of the steel plate in the width direction of the steel plate, The aforementioned change step is, A control method for a steel sheet processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller controls the actuator of the irradiation range adjustment unit based on the amount of variation detected by the amount of variation sensor, and moves the laser irradiation unit and the light shielding plate together in the width direction of the steel sheet so that the irradiation range of the laser beam in the width direction of the steel sheet matches the width of the steel sheet.

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