Method for producing acceptable parts of different sizes from a sheet metal panel by laser cutting

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing acceptable parts (11-17) of different sizes from a sheet metal panel (10) by laser cutting, the method comprising the following steps: - cutting a plurality of small acceptable parts (15-17) adjacently with respect to one another in at least one panel region (18), the shape and size of which are selected from the point of view of optimum panel utilization for cutting all acceptable parts (11-17), - cutting a closed contour line (19) around the at least one panel region (18), - cutting the other acceptable parts (11-14) on the sheet metal panel (10), - detaching the at least one panel region (18) from the sheet metal panel (10), and detaching the small acceptable parts (15-17) from the at least one panel region (18, 18') and detaching the other acceptable parts (11-14) from the remaining panel.

Description

[0001] Process for producing good parts of different sizes from a sheet metal panel by laser cutting

[0002] Background of the invention

[0003] When laser cutting good parts from sheet metal, small parts can fall between the support bars of the sheet metal support or tip over these bars. This can lead to collisions between the laser processing head of the laser processing system and these small parts. Furthermore, sorting small parts from a sheet metal panel is time-consuming and laborious, especially when the small parts are scattered throughout the sheet.

[0004] EP 2 441 547 A1 discloses the introduction of separating cuts into a sheet metal panel to make the sorting of the good parts more ergonomic. The separating cuts divide the sheet into smaller sections, which can be removed from the system and cleared away separately.

[0005] Object of the invention

[0006] The invention is based on the object of facilitating the cutting and removal of small parts from a sheet metal panel, while allowing for efficient utilization of the sheet metal. Description of the invention

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for producing good parts of different sizes from a sheet metal panel by laser cutting, which is characterized by the steps:

[0008] Cutting several small good parts adjacent to one another in at least one sheet area, the shape and size of which is selected from the point of view of optimal sheet utilization for cutting all the good parts, cutting a closed contour line around the at least one sheet area, cutting the other good parts on the sheet metal, detaching the at least one sheet area from the sheet metal and detaching the small good parts from the at least one sheet area and detaching the other good parts from the remaining sheet.

[0009] The subclaims relate to preferred embodiments.

[0010] The small parts are cut together in one or more sheet areas, after which this sheet area is separated from the rest of the sheet by a laser-cut contour line and removed from the sheet. The small parts can then be removed from this sheet area relatively quickly and ergonomically. The shape and position of at least one sheet area on the sheet are selected with an eye to optimal sheet utilization. The remaining, larger parts can also be placed and cut with an eye to optimal sheet utilization. Overall, this results in very efficient cutting and removal – and thus production – of parts of different sizes with optimal utilization of the sheet material.

[0011] Preferably, all parts with dimensions smaller than a predefined value, in particular smaller than the mutual distance between support elements of a workpiece support for the sheet metal panel, can be defined as small good parts and cut in at least one panel area. If the mutual distance between the support elements is not used as the threshold for defining small good parts, an empirically determined value can also be specified. All parts that can fall downwards from the panel or tip over should be arranged and cut in at least one panel area.

[0012] To prevent the small pieces from falling out prematurely or tipping over, they can be cut in such a way that they remain connected to at least one sheet area by micro- or nano-connections until they are released. This measure also facilitates the removal of at least one sheet area from the remaining sheet.

[0013] Further advantages arise when the maximum size of at least one panel area is determined according to ergonomic considerations, and multiple panel areas are defined for small parts if they do not fit into a panel area of ​​the maximum size. This ensures ergonomic handling of at least one panel area.

[0014] In particular, the maximum size of the at least one panel area can be set so that its weight does not exceed 7.3 kg or 6.5 kg. According to DIN regulations, the maximum weight that women should handle is 6.5 kg; for men, it is 7.3 kg. Depending on the thickness of the sheet metal panel, this results in different maximum sizes for the at least one panel area. In any case, however, the maximum size of the at least one panel area should not exceed 800 mm x 1500 mm to ensure ergonomic handling.

[0015] To optimize the runtime of the laser processing head for producing the good parts, the contour line around the at least one sheet region can also be partially formed by cutting lines for producing good parts. Preferably, the cutting lines of the larger good parts surrounding the at least one sheet region are used for this purpose. It is advantageous to cut first those sections of the contour line that are not also cutting lines for good parts. In this way, collisions between the laser processing head and larger good parts that have already been cut can be avoided. These good parts can bulge upwards due to the heating during cutting and thus form an obstacle for the laser processing head when producing the contour line for the at least one sheet region.

[0016] A distance of at least 3 mm should be maintained between the small good parts in at least one sheet area and the remaining good parts on the sheet. This distance reduces any influence on the adjacent cutting lines. If a contour line for at least one sheet area is to run between two cutting lines of good parts, it is advantageous for the reliable introduction of the contour line for at least one sheet area and the subsequent release of the sheet area from the remaining sheet if a distance of at least 6 mm is maintained between the small good parts in at least one sheet area and the remaining good parts on the sheet.

[0017] After removing at least one sheet area from the remaining sheet, the small good parts can be removed from the sheet area quickly and ergonomically using a vibrating hammer.

[0018] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the drawings. According to the invention, the above-mentioned and further-described features can be used individually or in combination in any convenient way. The embodiments shown and described are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are exemplary in nature for describing the invention.

[0019] Detailed description of the invention and drawing

[0020] Fig. 1a shows a plan view of a sheet metal panel with small and larger parts, the small parts being arranged in a separate panel area; Fig. 1b shows a detailed view of the separate panel area from Fig. 1;

[0021] Fig. 2a shows a plan view of the sheet metal panel of Fig. 1, in which the separate panel area is surrounded by an alternatively produced contour line;

[0022] Fig. 2b shows a detailed view of the creation of the contour line around the separate panel area from Fig. 2a.

[0023] Fig. 1a shows a sheet metal panel 10 from which several large and medium-sized parts 11 to 14 as well as several small parts 15 to 17 are cut out. The small parts 15 to 17 are arranged in a separate panel area 18, which is separated from the rest of the panel 10 by a contour line 19. The position and shape of the panel area 18, as well as the remaining coverage of the panel 10 with the parts 11 to 14, were selected with the aim of optimal panel utilization.

[0024] Fig. 1b shows a detailed view of the sheet region 18. It can be separated from the sheet 10 along the contour line 19. The small pieces 15 to 17 can then be removed quickly and ergonomically from the sheet region 18, for example, using a vibrating hammer. To prevent the small pieces 15 to 17 from prematurely detaching from the sheet region 18, they can be cut in such a way that they remain connected to the sheet region 18 via micro- or nanoconnections.

[0025] Fig. 2a shows a sheet metal panel 10' covered with the same good parts 11 to 17 as the sheet metal panel 10 of Fig. 1a, with the small good parts 15 to 17 again arranged in a separate panel area 18'. The difference from the sheet metal panel 10 is that the contour line 19' of the panel area 18' is formed by including cutting lines for surrounding good parts 11, 12, and 13.

[0026] To produce the contour line 19', sections 19.1' are first cut that are not simultaneously cutting lines for the good parts 11, 12, and 13, as illustrated in Fig. 2b. The contour line 19' is then completed by cutting the good parts 11, 12, and 13. The small good parts 15 to 17 within the area 18' are preferably cut first, before cutting the contour line sections 19.1' begins. In this way, possible collisions of the laser processing head with larger, already cut, and bulging good parts 11 to 14 can be avoided.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for producing good parts (11 - 17) of different sizes from a sheet metal panel (10, 10') by laser cutting, characterized by the steps: - cutting several small workpieces (15 - 17) adjacent to one another in at least one panel area (18, 18'), the shape and size of which are selected from the point of view of optimal panel utilization for cutting all workpieces (11 - 17), - cutting a closed contour line (19, 19') around the at least one panel area (18, 18'), - Cutting the other good parts (11 - 14) on the sheet metal plate (10, 10'), - detaching the at least one sheet region (18, 18') from the sheet metal plate (10, 10') and detaching the small good parts (15 - 17) from the at least one sheet region (18, 18') and detaching the other good parts (11 - 14) from the remaining plate.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that all parts with dimensions smaller than a predeterminable value, in particular smaller than the mutual distance between support elements of a workpiece support for the sheet metal panel (10, 10'), are defined as small good parts (15 - 17) and are cut in the at least one panel area (18, 18').

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the small good parts (15 - 17) are cut in such a way that they remain connected to the at least one panel area (18, 18') by micro or nano connections until release.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum size of the at least one panel area (18, 18') is determined according to ergonomic aspects and several panel areas (18, 18') for small good parts (15 - 17) if they do not fit into a panel area (18, 18') of maximum size.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the maximum size of the at least one panel area (18, 18') is determined such that its weight does not exceed 7.3 kg or 6.5 kg.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the maximum size of the at least one panel area (18, 18') is set to 800mm x 1500mm.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contour line (19') around the at least one panel region (18') is partially formed by cutting lines for producing good parts (11 - 17).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that firstly the sections (19.1') of the contour line (19') are cut which are not simultaneously cutting lines for good parts (11 - 17).

9. Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that a distance of at least 3 mm is maintained between the small good parts (15 - 17) in the at least one panel area (18, 18') and the remaining good parts (11 - 14) on the panel (10, 10').

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a distance of at least 6 mm is maintained between the small good parts (15 - 17) in the at least one panel area (18, 18') and the remaining good parts (11 - 14) on the panel (10, 10').

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the small good parts (15 - 17) are Vibration hammer from at least one panel area (18, 18').

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