US 7,679,031 B2 · Method for checking a nozzle for a laser beam machine

Abstract

The invention provides a device which optically checks a nozzle tip of a laser machining tool. A camera unit 450 which is raised and lowered in opposing relation to a nozzle 65 of a laser beam machine has a camera chamber 454 and is sealed by protective glass 456, where the camera chamber 454 contains a CCD camera body 460 and lens 462. While a ring light 470 illuminates a surface of the nozzle 65, the CCD camera body 460 checks the nozzle 65 optically.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method for checking a nozzle for a laser beam machine comprising:

a bed;
a pallet which is disposed on the bed and holds a workpiece;
a column which moves along an X axis, that is, a longitudinal axis of the bed;
a saddle which is supported by the column and moves along a Y axis orthogonal to the X axis;
and
a machining head which is supported by the saddle and moves along a Z axis perpendicular to the plane formed by the X axis and Y axis,
the method comprising the steps of:
obtaining image data of the nozzle attached to the tip of a laser machining tool via camera means,
processing the image data with respect to an end face of the nozzle to calculate a center of gravity position of a nozzle hole at the end face of the nozzle,
measuring the diameter of the nozzle hole in multiple images from the image data of the nozzle and calculating an average value of the nozzle hole diameter to calculate an out-of-roundness of the nozzle,
checking whether the calculated out-of-roundness is within tolerances, and
if the calculated out-of-roundness is within tolerances, performing a machining process, else
if the calculated out-of-roundness is not within tolerances, replacing the nozzle with a different nozzle.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,528 words

Summary637 words

#The present application is based on and claims priority of Japanese patent application No. 2004-155930 filed on May 26, 2004, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a device which checks the shape of a nozzle tip of a laser beam machine for any abnormality (foreign matter, deformation, or tip flaws) using a shape/property recognition device such as a camera.

Brief description of the drawings14 figures

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire laser beam machine according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is plan view of the laser beam machine according to the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a front view of the relevant portion of the laser beam machine according to the present invention;

Detailed description1,674 words

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a laser beam machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a front view, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the relevant portion, and FIG. 5 is a side view.

#A laser beam machine, generally denoted by reference number 1, has a pallet (table) 20 which is disposed on a bed 10 to carry a plate-shaped workpiece W1. A pallet changer 12 is placed on the longitudinal extension of the bed 10, and a pallet 20a carrying a workpiece W2 to be machined next is awaiting its turn.

#A pair of guide rails 34 are installed on both sides of the bed 10 along its length and a column 30 is mounted on the guide rails 34 in such a way as to be movable along an X axis.

Facts

Application

11/121,660Filed 4 May 2005

Priority

JP 2004-15593026 May 2004

Published

US 2005/0263510 A11 Dec 2005

Granted

16 Mar 2010

Term ends

19 Jan 2027

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 625 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification8 codes

B23K 26/1494
Nozzles; Features related to nozzles: maintenance of nozzles
B23K 26/043
Automatically aligning the laser beam: along the beam path, i.e. alignment of laser beam axis relative to laser beam apparatus
B23K 26/0884
In at least two axial directions: in at least three axial directions, e.g. manipulators, robots
B23K 26/1482
Nozzles; Features related to nozzles: detachable nozzles, e.g. exchangeable or provided with breakaway lines

Timeline

26 May 2004Priority claimedJP 2004-155930
4 May 2005Application filedUS 11/121,660
3 Jun 2005Assigned to Yamazaki Mazak Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
1 Dec 2005PublishedUS 2005/0263510 A1
16 Mar 2010GrantedUS 7,679,031 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
19 Jan 2027Term endsEstimated, includes 625 days of adjustment

Method for checking a nozzle for a laser beam machine

Life of this patent

Method for checking a nozzle for a laser beam machine

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims6

Description2,528 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,528 words