A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily perceived as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Other features of this invention will become apparent in the course of the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are given for illustration of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof.
The laser processing apparatus 1 includes a laser processing unit 2, a transfer unit 3, and a separating and holding apparatus 4. The transfer unit 3 is used for sending a workpiece W before cutting operation into the laser processing unit 2. The separating and holding apparatus 4 is an apparatus for carrying a workpiece W′ which has been cut by means of the laser processing unit 2 out of the unit 2, separating the product P and the skeleton S from each other, and holding these.
The laser processing unit 2 performs a cutting operation on a workpiece W in the shape of a plate. Namely, the workpiece W before cutting is subjected to a cutting operation to obtain a products P and a skeleton S. It is preferable that the products are punched out of the workpiece, and. Therefore, a workpiece W′ after cutting operation is provided, wherein products S in the same or different shapes are placed in a skeleton. At this stage, the workpiece W′ after the cutting operation looks similar to the workpiece W before the operation because the products and the skeleton are maintained together. As the laser processing unit 2, it is possible to use an existing equipment. Therefore, detailed explanation of the laser processing unit 2 is omitted.
As shown in
Each of the pallets 6a makes reciprocating movement between the pallet changer 6 and the laser processing unit 2. An upper surface 6b of the pallet 6a is formed like a pin holder having a plurality of protrusions with a predetermined height, which are arranged throughout the upper surface 6b. Protrusions on the upper surface 6b are aligned in the form of lines which are parallel with each other, and the aligned protrusions defines a gap therebetween for receiving tines of forks 24 in a fork unit 20. Moreover, the lines formed by the aligned protrusions extend in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of the reciprocating movement of the pallet 6a.
Above the pallet changer 6, a transportation way 7 is provided for supporting a single-sheet receiving member 10 of the transfer unit 3 and the fork unit 20, so that the single-sheet receiving member 10 and the fork unit 20 move reciprocatingly on the transportation way 7. The transportation way 7 includes a pair of horizontally extending rails 8. The rails 8 horizontally extend in a transverse direction with respect to the directions that the workpiece is transported between the laser processing unit 2 and the pallet changer 6. The rails 8 extend in parallel with each other at the same height from the wall. As shown in
A single-sheet receiving member 10 of the transfer unit 3 has horizontally movable transport member 11, a vertically movable transport member 12, and a support member 13 (
After transferring the horizontally movable transport member 11 to the upper stream part 7A of the transportation way 7 and causing the vertically movable transport member 12 to move downwardly, the workpiece W placed on a transfer unit 15 is supported by the support member 13, by absorbing the upper surface thereof. Then, the vertically movable transport member 12 is transferred downwardly with a single workpiece W taking up from the transfer unit 15. The horizontally movable transport member 11 is transferred to the middle part 7B of the transportation way 7, and is held above the pallet changer 6. Then, the vertically movable transport member 12 is transferred downwardly, and the workpiece W absorbed and suspended by means of the support member 13 is detached therefrom. Accordingly, the workpiece W before cutting operation is deposited on a pallet 6a of the pallet changer 6.
The transfer units 15 run by the guidance of tracks 16 provided on a floor F so as to move into and exit from the upper stream part 7A. Each of the transfer units 15 carries thereon a plurality of workpieces W before processing and runs on each of the tracks 16 reciprocatingly. In an embodiment of the present invention, two tracks 15 are used, for making it possible to selectively use two kinds of materials. However, it is possible to use only a single track 15.
The separating and holding apparatus 4 includes a fork unit (product holding member) 20, a workpiece holding table 30, a skeleton holding table 40, and a truck unit 50.
The fork unit 20 holds and carries workpiece W′ (after cutting operation) and products P. The fork unit 20 includes a horizontally movable transport member 21, a vertically movable transport member 22, a pair of horizontal arms 23, and forks 24. The horizontally movable transport member 21 is supported by the transportation way 7 containing a pair of transporting rails 8, and moves between the middle part 7B and the lower stream part 7C of the transportation way 7, reciprocatingly. The vertically movable transport member 22 is supported by the horizontally movable transport member 21 for making an up and down movement. The arms 23 extend to be in parallel with each other, having are a space therebetween, so that one arm is provided on an up stream side of the transportation way 7 and the other arm is provided on a down stream side thereof. The arms 23 are supported by the vertically movable transport member 22 and make an opening and a shutting movement. The arms 23 are brought toward each other by the opening movement, and the arms move apart from each other by the shutting movement. The forks 24 are provided on the horizontal arms 23 and horizontally protrude toward each other.
Each of the forks 24 has a plurality of tines having an arrangement similar to a comb. When the horizontal arms 23 make an opening movement, the arms 23 move away so as to have a space therebetween, which is broader than the width of the pallet 6a of the pallet changer 6. Then, the arms 23 located on the upper and lower stream sides make a closing movement, and the tines of the forks 24 are inserted between the gaps defined between the aligned protrusions of the pallet 6a. By the closing movement, the forks 24 contact the lower surface of the workpiece W′ on the pallet 6a.
In the above-mentioned state, the vertically movable transport member 22 is moved upwardly. Accordingly, the workpiece W′ on the pallet 6a is lifted from the pallet changer 6 by the forks 24, and is transported from the middle part 7B to the lower stream part 7C of the transportation way 7 due to the function of the horizontally movable transport member 21.
Moreover, the vertically movable transport member 22 of the fork unit 20 is provided with back plates 25, as shown in
In the present invention, it is possible that the fork unit 20 is linked with the single-sheet receiving member 10, and that the fork unit 20 and the single-sheet receiving member 10 make a reciprocating movement on the transportation way 7, as an integral unit.
The workpiece holding table 30 is situated on the lower stream part 7C of the transportation way 7, and is composed of a table plate 31 which horizontally extends, and a lift unit (ascending and descending member) 36 for moving the table plate 31 upwardly and downwardly, with the table plate 31 being maintained horizontally.
The table plate 31 has a base part 32, which is in the form of rectangle in a plane view, having almost the same size with the workpiece W′. Similar to the pallet 6a of the pallet changer 6, a plurality of protrusions 33 with a predetermined height are protruded in an upper direction throughout the upper surface of the base part 32. Namely, protrusions 33 are aligned in the form of lines which are parallel with each other, and gaps are defined between the lines of aligned protrusions.
The protrusions 33 are aligned in the same direction as the protrusions of the pallet changer 6. The gaps between the protrusions 33 are broad enough to accept the tines of the forks 24. Moreover, the height of the protrusions 33 are determined so as to have the upper surface of the fork 24 lower than the tops of the protrusions 33 when the fork 24 having the workpiece W′ thereon is brought to a lower position.
The protrusions 33 on the upper surface of the fork 24 are arranged in the form of lines extending in the same direction as the forks 24 move, whereby the fork 24 can be inserted to and extracted from the gaps defined by the protrusions.
Then, the fork unit 20 carrying workpiece W′ moves to the lower stream part 7C of the transferring route 7, and stops at a place above the workpiece holding table 30. After the height of the table plate 31 is appropriately increased, the vertically movable transport member 22 of the fork unit 20 is moved downwardly. Accordingly, the workpiece W′ on the fork 23 can be deposited on the table plate 31.
The skeleton holding table 40 is provided besides the workpiece holding table 30. The skeleton holding table 40 also has a table plate 41 having a surface extending in a horizontal direction, and a lift unit 43 for moving the table plate 41 upwardly and downwardly with the horizontal position of the table plate 31 being maintained.
The area of the table plate 41 is almost the same as that of the base part 32 of the workpiece holding table 30. The table plate 41 is in the form of a rectangle seen from the top, and the upper surface of the table plate 41 is smooth and planer for accepting the skeleton S after the separating operation.
The lift unit 43 can be composed of cross arms (not shown) and one or more hydraulic cylinders (not shown). The cross arms are interposed between the floor F and the table plate 41, with the lower ends of the arms supported on the floor F, and the upper end thereof supported by the table plate 41. The hydraulic cylinder is used for controlling the movement of the cross arms. The lift unit 43 makes the table 41 ascent and descent movements, with horizontally maintaining the table plate 41. It is possible to stop the movement when the table plate 41 reaches an appropriate height.
The truck unit 50 makes a reciprocating movement from the workpiece holding table 30 to the skeleton holding table 40, by the guidance of a track composed of a pair of rails 51 provided on the floor. The rails 51 extend side by side and are spaced apart from each other, with the workpiece holding table 30 and the skeleton holding table 40 being interposed therebetween. The rails 51 are provided beneath the lateral sides of the track unit 50.
As shown in
Each leg part 52 is in the form of a frame including a horizontally extending bar which is provided along the rail 51. The horizontally extending bar rotatably supports wheals 52a on both ends thereof, with respect to the length, so as to make the track unit 50 movable on the rails 52. Motors 52b are provided on the wheels 52a at the rear ends of the truck unit 50, which are far from the workpiece holding table 30, whereby the track unit 50 makes the reciprocating movement on the rails 51.
On the top of the frame part 53, a product holding table 55 is provided for holding the products P after separating operation. The upper surface of the product holding table 55 is a smooth and plane, having a rectangular shape which extends horizontally. The surface area of the product holding table 55 is almost the same as that of the workpiece W′.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide an outer peripheral wall or a falling-down prevention fence on an outer periphery of the product holding table 55, for preventing the products P from falling down.
A skeleton holding member 60 is provided on a part below the frame part 53 (
The upper and lower nails 62a and 62b move so as to be closer to and away from each other. When the track unit 50 moves to the forward position which is above the workpiece holding table 30, the height of the table plate 31 of the table 30 is increased to a skeleton sending-receiving height. In this state, the horizontally moving parts 61 are moved toward each other. Therein, the lower nails 62b are moved from the lateral sides of the table plate 31 and are inserted in the gaps defined by the protrusions 33. The lower nails 62b are moved downwardly transferred, and the upper nails 62a are moved upwardly. Accordingly the skeleton S is held between the upper nails 62a and the lower nail 62b. Accordingly, the skeleton S is interposed between the upper nail 62a and the lower nail 62b.
While the skeleton S being held, the height of the table plate 31 is decreased with the table plate 31 being horizontally maintained. Thus, that only the products S remains on the table plate 31 of the holding table 30. Consequently, the products P and the skeleton S are separated from each other and are maintained at upper and lower positions.
Furthermore, the track unit 50 includes a sensor (not shown), which is for detecting whether or not the workpieces W′ are completely separated into the products P and the skeletons S. The sensor can be made of a photoelectric tube. When the table plate 31 moves downwardly, with the skeleton being held by the skeleton holding member 60, it is possible that the products P are caught by the skeleton S, and that the products P and the skeleton S are not completely separated form each other. The sensor detects whether or not the product(s) is/are inclined with respect to the table plate 31. When it is so detected that the product P above the table is inclined, a control unit of the laser processing apparatus 1 judges that there is a separation failure. While when no inclination of the products P above the table plate 31 is detected, the control unit of the laser processing apparatus 1 judges that separation has been completed.
The operation/control of the laser processing apparatus 1 with the above structure will now be explained.
The operation of the laser processing apparatus 1 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) included in the laser processing system 1.
In the first place, the transfer unit 15, on which the workpiece W before cutting operation is provided, is moved to a position below the transportation way 7 on the upper stream part 7A. After the horizontally movable transport member 11 of the single-sheet receiving member 10 is transferred to a position below the transportation way 7 on the upper stream part 7A, the vertically movable transport member 12 is moved downwardly and the support member 13 on the vertically movable transport member 12 adsorbs to a workpiece W placed on the transfer unit 15. By upwardly moving the vertically movable transport member 12, a single sheet of the workpiece W is lifted from a stack of workpieces W on the transfer unit 15, and is supported in a suspended state.
Thereafter, the horizontally movable transport member 11 is transferred from the upper stream 7A to the middle part 7B of the transportation way 7. Thus, the workpiece W moves to a position above the pallet changer 6. Then, the height of the vertically movable transport member 12 is decreased, and the workpiece W is deposited on the pallet 6a of the pallet changer 6 after released from the adsorption by the support member 13. The workpiece W on the pallet 6a is sent to a laser processor 2 via the pallet changer 6, and is subjected to a cutting operation.
After the cutting operation by the laser processor 2 is completed, the workpiece W′ on the pallet 6a is transferred to the middle part 7B of the transportation way 7 by the pallet changer 6. The horizontally movable transport member 21 of the fork unit 20 is also moved to a middle part 7B. In this state, the horizontal arms 23, and hence the forks 24 on the upper and lower stream sides are moved apart from each other, so that the distance between forks 24 is made longer than the width of the pallet 6a in the pallet changer 6.
After the vertically movable transport member 22 is moved downwardly and the forks 24 are moved to the lateral sides of the pallet 6a, the horizontal arms 23 are caused to make the closing movement. Then, the tines of the forks 24 are inserted, from the lateral sides of the pallet 6a, into the gaps between the protrusions of the pallet 6a, whereby the upper surfaces of the forks 24 oppose the lower surface of the workpiece W′ (
In this state, the vertically movable transport member is moved upwardly for lifting the workpiece W′ from the pallet 6a by the forks 24. The workpiece W′ is held at a predetermined transportation height/position (
The horizontally movable transport member 21 of the fork unit 20 moves from the middle part 7B to the downstream part 7C of the transportation way 7, for transporting the workpiece W′ to a position above the workpiece holding table 30. Then, table plate 31 of the workpiece holding table 30 is moved upwardly to a predetermined height for receiving the workpiece W′.
Subsequently, the vertically movable transport member 22 of the fork unit 20 is downwardly moved. Accordingly, the forks 24 are moved downwardly, and the tines of the forks 24 are inserted, from upper parts, into gaps between the protrusions of the table plate 31. The forks 24 are moved so as to have the upper surfaces lower than the tops of the protrusions 33. In this way, the workpiece W′ is deposited on the table plate 31 of the workpiece holding table 30 (
Then, the horizontal arms 23 are caused to make the opening movement, for extracting the tines of the forks 24 from the gaps between the protrusions 33 toward the lateral sides of the table plates 31 (
Thereafter, the vertically movable transport member 22 is moved upwardly for bringing the forks 24 back to a level higher than the table plate 31. Accordingly, the table plate 31 holds the workpiece W′ thereon. Then, the table plate 31 of the workpiece holding table 30 is moved downwardly to a lowest position (waiting position).
Following the above step, the height of the table plate is again increased to a skeleton receiving-sending position that is lower than the height of the frame part 53 of the truck unit 50. When the track unit 50 moves to the forward position, that is a location below the transportation way 7 at the downstream part 7C, the workpiece holding table 30 is accommodated in the space between the leg parts 52 of the truck unit 50.
In this state, the horizontally moving parts 61 are moved toward each other. The holding members 62 are brought toward the workpiece W′. The lower nails 62b of the holding members 62 are moved from the lateral sides of the table plate 31 into the gaps defined by the protrusions 33, and moved to the lower surface of the skeleton S in the workpiece W′. The upper nails 62a are brought to positions above the lower nails 62b with interposing the skeleton S therebetween (
The upper and lower nails 62a and 62b are brought toward each other for holding the skeleton S of the workpiece W′, which is on the table plate 31, from the top and bottom. Then, the table plate 31 is moved downwardly, with only the products P being maintained on the table 31. In this way, the products P and the skeleton S are separated from each other and are held at low and high positions (
Based on the detection signal by the sensor (not shown), the control unit of the laser processing apparatus 1 judges whether or not the separation has been completed. When it is determined that the separation is completed, a regular depositing process follows, wherein the products P and the skeleton S are separately deposited on the product holding table 55 and the skeleton holding table 40. On the other hand, when it is determined that the separation was failed, an irregular depositing process follows, wherein the workpieces W′ are deposited on the product holding table 55.
When it is judged that the separation is completed, based on the detection signal from the sensor (not shown), the truck unit 50 moves to a return position, with the products P being placed on the table plate 31 of the workpiece holding table 30, and the skeleton S being maintained by the skeleton holding member 60. In this way, the skeleton S is transferred to a position above the skeleton holding table 40 (
Then, the table plate 41 of the skeleton holding table 40 is moved to a predetermined height. The upper and lower nails 62a and 62b of the holding members 62 are moved away, in a vertical direction. In this state, the skeleton S is released from the fixation by the holding member 62. Furthermore, the horizontally moving parts 61 are also moved away from each other in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, the skeleton S is dropped from the skeleton holding member 60, and deposited on the table plate 41 (
Subsequently, the table plate 31 of the workpiece holding table 30 moves upwardly and stops at a product sending-receiving height. Then, the vertically movable transport member 22 of the fork units 20 are downwardly moved, and each of the forks 24 are moved to each lateral side of the table plate 31 (
The vertically movable transport member 22 is moved upwardly for lifting the products P on the table plate 31 by the forks 24. Here, the forks 24 are maintained at a position higher than the product holding table 55 of the truck unit 50.
Furthermore, the track unit 50 is moved to a forward position, which is below the forks 24. The horizontal arms 23 are moved apart from each other. (
Accordingly, the workpiece W′ is separated into the products P and the skeleton S, and separately held on the product holding table 55 and the skeleton holding table 40.
When it is judged that the separation failure was caused, based on the detection signal from the sensor (not shown), the table plate 31 of the workpiece holding table 30 moves upwardly to a predetermined skeleton sending-receiving height again, and the skeleton S is released from the fixation by the holding member. Then, the workpiece W′ including the products P and the skeleton S is transferred again to the table plate 31 of the workpiece holding table 30.
After the table plate 31 is downwardly moved, the truck unit 50 is transferred from the forward position to the return position. Then, the height of table plate 31 is increased again and maintained at the product receiving-sending height.
The vertically movable transport member 22 of the fork unit 20 is moved downwardly, and the forks 24 are transferred to the lateral sides of the table plate 31. Then, the horizontal arms 23 make a closing movement. Then, the tines of the forks 24 are inserted into the gaps determined by the protrusions 33 of the table plate 31, from the lateral sides of the table plate 31, by the closing movement of the arms 23. Therefore, the upper surfaces of the forks 24 oppose the lower surfaces of the workpiece W′ on the table plate 31.
In this state, the vertically movable transport member 22 is moved upwardly for lifting the workpiece W′ by the forks 24. The workpiece W′ is held at a predetermined transportation height/position, which is higher than the level of the product holding table 55 of the truck unit 50. The truck unit 50 is moved to the forward position, which is below the forks 24, and stopped there. Then, the horizontal arms 23 are moved away from each other.
Accordingly, the workpiece W provided on the forks 24 are brought into contact with the back plates 25 of the fork units 20, so that only the forks 24 are extracted toward the lateral sides of the truck unit 50. In this way, the products P fall down from the forks 24, and are deposited on the upper surface of the product holding table 55 (
Eventually, when the separation failure is caused, it is not necessary to stop the entire operation of the laser processing apparatus 1. Since the operation can be continued, it is possible to increase the productivity in the processing apparatus 1.
By using the laser processing apparatus 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the products P and the skeleton S are separated from each other, wherein the skeleton S in the workpiece W′ is held by the skeleton holding member 60, and simultaneously the height of the table plate 31 of the workpiece holding table 30 is decreased. Namely, the products P are separated from the skeleton S, by lifting the skeleton S to be higher than the products P. In the apparatus 1 of the invention, it is possible that the products P is separated from the skeleton S, with the horizontal position of the workpiece W′ being maintained. Hence, it is possible to prevent a separation failure, that happens because the workpiece W′ is inclined and the products P are caught by the skeleton S.
Furthermore, it is possible to remodel an existing laser processing apparatus having a fork unit and a workpiece holding table, into the laser processing apparatus 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, only by installing the truck unit 50 having the skeleton holding member 60, without a large-scale reconstruction. Accordingly, the existing laser processing apparatus can be effectively used by a short-term reconstruction which can be carried out easily at a low price.
In addition to the above, it is possible to minimize the size of the apparatus, in comparison with known apparatus, since the truck unit 50 makes a simple movement between the forward position and the return position. Then, small space is required for installation, and it is possible in a factory that the layout of the apparatus can be modified in many ways.
Furthermore, it is possible to provide a further truck unit 50 and a further skeleton holding table 40, and to easily enlarge the number of workpieces to be subjected to a cutting operation by the laser processing apparatus 1, depending on the length of the rails 51.
Moreover, it is possible that the truck unit 50 includes a vertically moving member for moving the skeleton holding member 60 upwardly and downwardly. Based on this structure, and the skeleton held by the skeleton holding member 60 can be lifted up by the vertical moving member, without lowering the table plate 31. Accordingly, the skeleton is lifted from the workpiece holding table 30 and the skeleton S and the products P are separated from each other.
In the above embodiment, the fork unit 20 is used also as a product holding member. However, it is possible that a further member is provided as the product holding member, separately from the fork unit.
The present invention being thus described, it will be clearly understood that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modification as would be easily understood to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2006-203662 | Jul 2006 | JP | national |