Double fibre laser cutting system

Abstract

A double fibre laser cutting system for laser cutting sheet metal that comprises: a cutting machine with a mobile gantry and fixed metal sheets, multiple heads both for straight cutting and bevel cutting, multiple cutting sources in each head, automated means for changing the cutting source in each head, means for controlling all the elements, wherein the multiple cutting sources in each head is carried out by means of two fibres sent from corresponding generator outlets to each head. The simultaneous cutting of one or more metal sheets with different thicknesses is achieved and, consequently, maximum laser cutting capacity in useful length, and in useful width, the use of a single generator, and the automatic adjustment of cutting conditions in accordance with the thicknesses, straight and bevel cutting simultaneously in multiple heads.

Claims

1. A double fibre cutting system for laser cutting sheet metal comprising: A cutting machine having a mobile gantry and fixed metal sheets, Multiple heads for both straight cutting (8) and bevel cutting (9), Multiple cutting sources in each cutting head (4), Laser generator including switchable fibre outlets controlled by a set of parameters for cutting thin and thick metal sheets, namely: diameter (D) of the laser beam, focal distance (f) of the laser beam, focal zone (Zf) of the laser beam, and diameter (df) of the cut or spot (3) to be produced, An optical chamber (7) to which arrival fibres (5) and (6) are connected and the optical chamber is in connection with in each cutting head (4), wherein the cutting heads (4) are equipped to automatically switch the multiple cutting sources in each head, and wherein the arrival fibres (5) and (6) each have a different inner diameter.

2. The double fibre cutting system, according to claim 1, wherein the multiple cutting sources in each head is performed by two fibres sent from corresponding generator outlets to each head.

3. The double fibre cutting system, according to claim 1, including An automatic sheet metal loading system, An automatic sheet metal recognition system, An automated system for controlling height between the laser head and sheet metal.

4. The double fibre cutting system, according to claim 1 wherein each head (4) has an optical chamber with a radiation absorber (10) disposed inside the chamber.

Description

(1) In order to complement the description being made and with the object of helping to better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of drawings where, in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the following has been represented:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a representation of the parameters that intervene in the cutting of the thin sheet metal;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the parameters that intervene in the cutting of thick sheet metal;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a head equipped with the double fibre system such as that which is the object of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view of the optical chamber of a head equipped with the system of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a representation of a complete laser cutting head integrated in a machine with the system of the invention; and

(7) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a frontal and perspective view, respectively, of the machine of the laser cutting system, wherein various straight and bevel cutting heads can be observed, equipped with the system of the invention.

(8) In light of the figures, following is a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention.

(9) FIGS. 1 and 2 show the basic parameters for cutting thin and thick metal sheets, respectively. It shows the arrival of a laser beam (1) with a diameter (D) to a focal lens (2) and which, in accordance with the focal distance (f) and the focal zone (Zf), produces a cut or spot (3) of a certain diameter (df).

(10) The effect pursued is that of obtaining different focal zones with a larger or smaller spot size by modifying the focal distance (f) and the diameter of the laser beam (D) instead of modifying the focal lens.

(11) FIG. 3 shows the solution adopted to obtain a machine that can cut different ranges of sheet metal thicknesses using a machine with various heads, wherein each head (4) has a double inlet, i.e. with two inlets for fibres of different sizes, a larger fibre (5) and another inlet with a smaller fibre (6) wherein the fibres are sent from corresponding generator outlets up to each head, wherein each fibre has a different inner diameter, which enables the cutting beam to be sent from the generator to the head, through one fibre or another.

(12) By sending the beam through fibres with a smaller inner diameter, it is possible to vary the diameter of the beam upon inciding on the focal lens, being of a larger diameter when sent through fibres of larger diameter and vice versa.

(13) FIG. 4 shows a cutting head with arrival fibres (5) and (6) and wherein the optical chamber (7) of the head can be observed.

(14) Therefore, the multiple-head cutting system is characterized in that it comprises: A cutting machine with a mobile gantry and fixed metal sheets. Multiple heads for both straight cutting (8) and bevel cutting (9). Multiple cutting sources in each head. Laser generation means having various, switchable fibre outlets controlled by a finite set of parameters. Means for controlling all the elements.

(15) The heads are equipped with automated cutting source switching in each head.

(16) The multiple cutting sources in each head are obtained by means of two fibres sent from corresponding generator outlets to each head.

(17) Additionally, it may comprise: An automated sheet metal loading system. An automated sheet metal recognition system. An automated system for controlling the height above the corrugated metal sheets.

(18) Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, in addition to the manner in which to put it into practice, it is hereby stated that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and to which the requested protection applies, provided that its main principle is not altered, changed or modified.