US 4,686,877 AGranted

Liquid jet cutting machine for cutting workpieces, especially flat workpieces

AssigneeVereinigte Edelstahlwerke Aktiengesellschaft (VEW)

InventorsErich Jaritz, Gunter Krammer

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Abstract

The liquid jet cutting machine contains at least one cutting head provided with an apparatus for producing high-pressure liquid at pressures in excess of 1000 bar. The cutting head delivers a high-pressure liquid cutting jet and is preferably movable or guideable along a predetermined cutting path. An apparatus is provided for holding the workpiece to be cut at least during the cutting operation. At least the high-pressure liquid producing apparatus, preferably inclusive of a drive and/or auxiliary aggregate, the cutting head, the holding apparatus and a cutting jet collector are connected with a common frame and form a positionally displaceable transport unit. The cutting head is preferably automatically controllable in its movements by a guiding apparatus which constitutes an industrial robot. The holding apparatus may also perform controllable movements and preferably contains an infeed and/or outfeed device for the workpiece to be cut, as well as a drain device for the spent jet liquid. The components are at least indirectly, preferably releasably connected with the common frame which may constitute a multi-part frame or contain a common base plate or the like. The transport unit may be secured at a predetermined position, especially at the ground or floor or may preferably be anchored thereat in a vibration damping manner.

A high-pressure liquid jet cutting machine for cutting workpieces, especially flat workpieces, comprising:

at least one high-pressure liquid producing means for producing a high-pressure cutting liquid;
at least one cutting head operatively connected with said high-pressure liquid producing means and delivering a high-pressure liquid cutting jet;
guide means for guiding a controlled movement of said cutting head during a cutting operation;
holding means for holding said workpiece at least during said cutting operation;
cutting jet collecting means for collecting spent cutting liquid;
connecting elements for providing power supply connections and liquid supply as well as spent liquid drain connections at the high-pressure liquid jet cutting machine;
a mobile transport unit;
said at least one high-pressure liquid producing means, said at least one cutting head, said guide means, said holding means, said cutting jet collecting means, and said collecting elements being at least indirectly connected with said mobile transport unit;
blocking means for blocking said mobile transport unit at a preselected location;
said at least one cutting head, said guide means and said holding means each define an associated working area;
said mobile transport unit containing a predetermined number of cells;
one of said predetermined numbers of cells surrounding substantially on all sides said at least one cutting head and the associated working area thereof, said guide means and the associated working area thereof, said holding means and the associated working area thereof, and said cutting jet collecting means;
said one cell containing ultrasound damping means surrounding substantially on all sides and in an ultrasound damping manner said at least one cutting head and the associated working area thereof, said guide means and the associated working area thereof, said holding means and the associated working area thereof, and said cutting jet collecting means;
said predetermined number of cells on said mobile transport unit contains one further cell;
said one further cell surrounding said high-pressure liquid producing means;
said one further cell containing ultrasound damping means surrounding substantially on all sides and in an ultrasound damping manner said high-pressure liquid producing means;
a walkable passageway;
said walkable passageway spatially separating said one cell and said further cell of said predetermined number of cells on said mobile transport unit;
said holding means containing at least workpiece infeed means facing said walkable passageway.

16 more elements

Abstract

Claims37