Claims
- 1. A method for laser machining parts from a strip comprising:
providing a strip of material from which parts are to be made; feeding the strip into a laser station having a laser; positioning the laser into a first position with respect to the strip; in the first laser position, laser machining substantially all of an outline of a plurality of parts in sequence along the strip, leaving at least one tab portion connecting each part to the strip; positioning the laser into a second position, different from the first position, with respect to the strip; in the second laser position, laser machining the tab portions connecting the parts to the strip in sequence along the strip; and separating the laser machined parts from remaining portions of the strip.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the strip comprises a continuous strip initially in coil form.
- 3. The method of claim 1 further including a servo-controlled feeder connected to the laser station to receive and feed the strip in a desired position relative to the laser.
- 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the servo-controlled feeder includes a pilot pin that is adapted to engage a hole in the strip to position the strip in a desired position during laser machining, and to disengage from the strip hole during strip feeding.
- 5. A method for laser machining parts from a strip comprising:
providing a strip of material from which parts are to be made; feeding the strip into a laser station having first and second lasers; positioning the first laser with respect to the strip; with the first laser, laser machining substantially all of an outline of a plurality of parts in sequence along the strip, leaving at least one tab portion connecting each part to the strip; positioning the second laser with respect to the strip; with the second laser, laser machining tab portions connecting parts to the strip in sequence along the strip; and separating the laser machined parts from remaining portions of the strip.
- 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the first laser and the second laser move simultaneously in the same direction with respect to the strip during laser machining.
- 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the strip comprises a continuous strip initially in coil form.
- 8. The method of claim 5 further including a servo-controlled feeder connected to the laser station to receive and feed the strip in a desired position relative to the first and second lasers.
- 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the servo-controlled feeder includes a pilot pin that is adapted to engage a hole in the strip to position the strip in a desired position during laser machining, and to disengage from the strip hole during strip feeding.
- 10. A method for laser machining parts from a strip comprising:
providing a strip of material from which parts are to be made; feeding the strip into a first laser station; in the first laser station, laser machining substantially all of an outline of a plurality of parts in sequence along the strip, leaving at least one tab portion connecting each part to the strip; feeding the strip into a second laser station; in the second laser station, laser machining the tab portions connecting the parts to the strip in sequence along the strip; and separating the laser machined parts from remaining portions of the strip.
- 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the strip comprises a continuous strip initially in coil form.
- 12. A method for making parts from strip metal comprising:
providing a strip of metal from which parts are to be made; mechanically forming pilot holes in the metal strip; feeding the strip into one or more laser stations; in the one or more laser stations, laser machining a plurality of parts in sequence along the strip, leaving at least one tab portion connecting each part to the strip; separating the laser machined parts from remaining portions of the strip.
- 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the strip comprises a continuous strip initially in coil form.
- 14. An apparatus for making parts from strip metal comprising:
an uncoiler adapted to uncoil a strip of metal from which parts are to be made; a first press adapted to form sequential pilot holes in a portion of the metal strip; a first laser adapted to laser machine substantially all of an outline of a plurality of parts in sequence along the strip, leaving at least one tab portion connecting each part to the strip; and a second laser, following the first laser, adapted to laser machine the tab portions connecting the parts to the strip in sequence along the strip, thereby causing the laser machined parts to separate from remaining portions of the strip.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further including metal strip accumulators between the first press and the first and second lasers adapted to control process speed differences between the first press and the first and second laser machining stations.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first laser and the second laser are adapted to move simultaneously in the same direction with respect to the strip during laser machining.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first laser and the second laser are disposed in separate laser stations.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first laser and the second laser are both disposed in a single laser station.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first laser and the second laser are disposed one or more laser stations, and further including a laser power supply and a fiber optic cable for transmitting laser light from the laser power supply to the first and second lasers.
- 20. An apparatus for making parts from strip metal comprising:
a laser machining station having at least one laser head to laser machine a plurality of parts in sequence along a strip; and a servo-controlled feeder connected to the laser machining station to receive and feed the strip in a desired position relative to the at least one laser head.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the servo-controlled feeder includes a pilot pin that is adapted to engage a hole in the strip to position the strip in a desired position during laser machining, and to disengage from the strip hole during strip feeding.
- 22. The apparatus of claim 20 further including a laser power supply and a fiber optic cable for transmitting laser light from the laser power supply to the at least one laser head.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/548,561, filed on Apr. 13, 2000.
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09695468 |
Oct 2000 |
US |
Child |
10318310 |
Dec 2002 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09548561 |
Apr 2000 |
US |
Child |
09695468 |
Oct 2000 |
US |