US 6,462,301 B1 · Heavy-duty plate laser with linear motors for X and Y position control

Abstract

A heavy-duty laser plate cutting machine capable of cutting heavy plate but which can also operate on lighter sheet metal at commercial production rates. The machine includes a laser source having an output power of 3 kilowatts or more. The machine is preferably of the flying optic configuration, and an automatic beam control system is interposed between the laser source and a focusing optic carried in the cutting head. The cutting head, in addition to normal z axis control, has an adjustment to position the focal spot relative to the workpiece. The focal spot can be driven into the workpiece when cutting heavy plate. The cutting head is configured to carry focusing optics having different focal lengths, such as those suitable for thick plate and thin sheet. The x and y axes include linear motors to precisely traverse the bridge and cutting head along the axes at speeds suitable for heavy plate, and at higher speeds suitable for thinner sheet. Provision is also made for easily aligning or squaring the bridge to the x axis.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A heavy-duty laser plate cutting machine comprising in combination:

a laser source producing a laser beam having an output power of at least 3 kilowatts;
a cutting head carrying a focusing optic which focuses the laser beam to a focal spot and directs the focal spot toward a workpiece for cutting the workpiece, the cutting head having a drive for adjusting the focusing optic to position the laser beam focal spot relative to the workpiece during cutting;
an automatic beam control system interposed between the laser source and the focusing optic for assisting the cutting head to focus the laser beam;
and
a drive system configured to controllably position the cutting head over the workpiece along two orthogonal axes, linear motors defining each of the axes and configured to precisely and rapidly drive the cutting head along a path determined by the drive system at speed of less than 100 ipm during cutting of plate and at speeds in excess of 3000 ipm during traverse between cuts.

2 more elements

A heavy-duty laser plate cutting machine comprising in combination:

a laser source producing a laser beam having an output power of at least 3 kilowatts;
a bridge traversable along a first orthogonal axis and carrying a cutting head which is traversable along a second orthogonal axis, the bridge supported at opposing ends by a pair of trucks slidably disposed relative to the machine;
the cutting head carrying a focusing optic which focuses the laser beam to a focal spot and directs the focal spot toward a workpiece for cutting the workpiece, the cutting head configured to carry focusing optics having different focal lengths, the cutting head having a drive for adjusting the focusing optic to position the laser beam focal spot relative to the workpiece during cutting;
a drive system for controlling relative motion between the cutting head and the workpiece;
an automatic beam control system interposed between the laser source and the focusing optic for assisting the cutting head to focus the laser beam;
and
a pair of linear motors driving the trucks to position the bridge along the first orthogonal axis, a linear motor positioning the cutting head along the second orthogonal axis;
and
each of the opposing bridge ends being rotatably supported by the trucks for independent adjustment and alignment of each truck relative to the first orthogonal axis.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Heavy-duty plate laser with linear motors for X and Y position control

Life of this patent

Heavy-duty plate laser with linear motors for X and Y position control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19