Cutting machine and cutting method including tool radius compensation relative to a laser path

A cutting method comprising:

• setting a machining program and a machining condition based on product shape information including dimensions and a shape of a final machined product obtained by cutting a workpiece;
• generating tool radius compensation information for compensating a tool radius of a cutting tool to cut the workpiece based on the machining program and the machining condition,
• the tool radius compensation information including a first tool radius compensation value in a left tool radius compensation and a second tool radius compensation value in a right tool radius compensation,
• the first tool radius compensation value corresponding to a distance from a center line that passes a center point of an opening portion of a nozzle through which a laser beam passes and is parallel to a traveling direction of the nozzle to a first machining surface formation position,
• the second tool radius compensation value corresponding to a distance from the center line to a second machining surface formation position,
• the first machining surface formation position being a position where a distance from the center line in a left side is maximum in a tool path, and
• the second machining surface formation position being a position where a distance from the center line in a right side is maximum in the tool path, wherein the tool path is a path of a beam spot that is formed by vibrating the laser beam in a non-circular vibration pattern, and corresponds to the cutting tool and has a non-circular shape;
• determining a cutting compensation condition indicating the left tool radius compensation or the right tool radius compensation based on the machining program, the machining condition, and the tool radius compensation information;
• generating a tool radius compensation control signal based on the machining program, the machining condition, the tool radius compensation information, and the cutting compensation condition;
• generating a drive control signal for controlling a machine main body based on the tool radius compensation control signal;
• moving the nozzle to an intended position based on the machining program and the machining condition;
• radiating the laser beam to the workpiece from the opening portion based on the machining program and the machining condition;
• and
• controlling the tool path based on the drive control.

A cutting machine comprising:

• a machine main body configured to cut a workpiece;
• and
• a numerically control (NC) device configured to control the machine main body,
• wherein the machine main body comprises:
• a machining unit configured to cut the workpiece by changing a relative position between the workpiece and a beam spot of a laser beam, comprising a nozzle attached at a tip portion of the machining unit and having an opening portion formed therein for radiating the laser beam to the workpiece;
• and
• a tool path control unit configured to control a tool path based on a drive control signal, wherein the tool path is a path of the beam spot that is formed by vibrating the laser beam in a non-circular vibration pattern, and corresponds to a cutting tool and has a non-circular shape, wherein:
• the tool path control unit comprises any one of (a), (b), and (c),
• (a) a cylindrical lens configured to deform the beam spot of the laser beam;
• and a drive unit configured to reciprocally and rotationally vibrate the cylindrical lens in a direction with an optical axis of the laser beam as a rotation axis, or reciprocally and linearly vibrate the cylindrical lens in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the laser beam and in a radial direction of the cylindrical lens,
• (b) a collimator lens configured to convert the laser beam into a parallel beam;
• a focusing lens configured to focus the laser beam having been converted into the parallel beam and apply the parallel beam to the workpiece;
• and a drive unit configured to drive the focusing lens to shift an optical axis of the focusing lens from an optical axis of the laser beam,
• (c) first and second scanning mirrors configured to reflect the laser beam;
• a first drive unit configured to reciprocally drive the first scanning mirror in a predetermined direction within a predetermined angle range;
• and a second drive unit configured to reciprocally drive the second scanning mirror in a direction different from the driving direction of the first scanning mirror within a predetermined angle range,
• the NC device:
• generates tool radius compensation information for compensating a tool radius of the cutting tool to cut the workpiece based on a machining program and a machining condition set based on product shape information including dimensions and a shape of a final machined product obtained by cutting the workpiece, the tool radius compensation information including a first tool radius compensation value in a left tool radius compensation and a second tool radius compensation value in a right tool radius compensation, the first tool radius compensation value corresponding to a distance from a center line that passes a center point of the opening portion of the nozzle and is parallel to a traveling direction of the nozzle to a first machining surface formation position, the second tool radius compensation value corresponding to a distance from the center line to a second machining surface formation position, the first machining surface formation position being a position where a distance from the center line in a left side is maximum in the tool path, and the second machining surface formation position being a position where a distance from the center line in a right side is maximum in the tool path;
• determines a cutting compensation condition indicating the left tool radius compensation or the right tool radius compensation based on the machining program, the machining condition, and the tool radius compensation information;
• generates a tool radius compensation control signal based on the machining program, the machining condition, the tool radius compensation information, and the cutting compensation condition;
• and
• generates the drive control signal for controlling the machine main body based on the tool radius compensation control signal.