Machine Tool for Build-Up Welding

Abstract

The invention provides a machine tool (100) having a work table (105) for mounting at least one workpiece (105A), a laser head (101) having a powder nozzle (106) for applying a material to the workpiece and for welding the material to the workpiece (105A), a laser head positioning device for positioning the laser head with respect to the workpiece in order to machine the workpiece (105A) by application and welding of the applied material, an inert gas device (108), fillable with inert gas, for machining the workpiece (105A) by way of the laser head (101) under an inert gas atmosphere, and a positioning device for moving and positioning the inert gas device (108) on the work table (105), said machine tool (100) allowing flexible machining in the scope of subtractive and additive steps of machining a workpiece on a machine tool.

Claims

1. Machine tool (100) comprising: a work table (105) for clamping at least one workpiece (105A), a laser head (101) having a powder nozzle (106) for applying a material to the workpiece and for welding the material to the workpiece (105A), a laser head positioning device for positioning the laser head with respect to the workpiece to process the workpiece (105A) by applying and welding the applied material, a shielding gas device (108) which can be filled with a shielding gas and is used for processing the workpiece (105A) by means of the laser head (101) under a shielding gas atmosphere, and a positioning device for moving and positioning the shielding gas device (108) on the work table (105).

2. Machine tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the shielding gas device (108) comprises an induction coil (111) for heating the workpiece.

3. Machine tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the induction coil (111) is arranged in the shielding gas device (108) in such a way that when the shielding gas device (108) is placed on the work table (105) by the positioning device, the workpiece is surrounded circumferentially by the induction coil (111).

4. Machine tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser head (101) is provided with a tool interface and can be introduced into a work spindle of the machine tool (100) via this interface.

5. Machine tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shielding gas device (108) is provided with a tool interface and can be introduced into a work spindle (102) via this interface.

6. Machine tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning device has kinematics separate from the work spindle (102), by means of which the shielding gas device (108) can be moved and positioned.

7. Machine tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning device for moving and positioning the shielding gas device is designed as a gripping device (107) with a gripping arm (107a), by means of which the shielding gas device (108) can be picked up, moved and positioned.

8. Machine tool (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the gripping device (107) is arranged on the housing of the laser head (101).

9. Machine tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of the shielding gas device (108) comprises a supply line (110) for a shielding gas and a controllable gas valve for filling the shielding gas device with shielding gas.

10. Machine tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that an elastic seal (108B) is provided on the underside of the shielding gas device (108), by means of which a contact surface between the shielding gas device (108) positioned on the work table (105) and the work table (105) can be sealed.

11. Machine tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shielding gas device (108) comprises a clamping mechanism (115), by means of which the shielding gas device (108) can be clamped in stationary fashion on the work table (105).

12. Machine tool (100) according to claim 1, characterized by a control device for presetting a processing sequence, comprising the steps of positioning the shielding gas device (108) by means of the positioning device at a first position of the work table (105) in such a way that the shielding gas device (108) encloses a first workpiece clamped on the work table, filling the shielding gas device with shielding gas, positioning the laser head by means of the laser head positioning device into a working position in the area of the workpiece for processing, processing the workpiece (105A) by means of the laser head (101) in a shielding gas atmosphere, moving the laser head (101) after the workpiece processing by the laser head positioning device, lifting the shielding gas device from the work table by means of the positioning device (107) and, if necessary, positioning the shielding gas device (108) at a second position on the work table (105) where a second workpiece (105A) is clamped, and repeating the above mentioned steps.

13. Method for the additive and subtractive processing of a workpiece (105A) on a machine tool (100), comprising the steps of: positioning a shielding gas device (108) by means of a positioning device at a first position of a work table (105) in such a way that the shielding gas device encloses a first workpiece (105A) clamped on the work table, filling the shielding gas device (108) with shielding gas, positioning a laser head (101) by means of the laser head positioning device in a working position in the region of the workpiece (105A) for the additive processing of the workpiece by laser build-up welding, additively processing the workpiece (105) by laser build-up welding by means of the laser head (101) under a shielding gas atmosphere, moving the laser head (101) after the workpiece processing by the laser head positioning device, lifting the shielding gas device (108) from the work table (105) by means of the positioning device, and subtractively machining the workpiece (105A), e.g. by drilling, turning or milling, before or after the complete cooling of the workpiece.

14. Method for the additive and subtractive processing of a workpiece (105A) on a machine tool (100) according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: positioning the shielding gas device (108) at a second position on the work table (105) where a second workpiece is clamped; and repeating the above steps of laser build-up welding.

Description

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a machine tool according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the functional principle of laser build-up welding according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an alternative second embodiment of the machine tool according to the invention, in which the shielding gas device is positioned with a separate transport device.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a section of a machine tool according to the invention.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the support of the laser head into a work spindle according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the accommodated laser head in the work spindle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a machine tool 100 with a movable laser head 101, a support device 102, which is designed as a work spindle with hollow shaft cone interface (HSK) to pick up and position the laser head or subtractive machining tools 103A according to an embodiment of the invention. The subtractive machining tools 103A are conveniently stored in a tool magazine 103 of the machine tool 100. Furthermore, a work table 105 for providing at least one 105A workpiece for processing is available. The work table is rotatably mounted on a machine bed 105C of the machine tool 100.

[0054] The laser head 101 of this embodiment can be moved by means of a transport device 104 from any first random position 100C to a second position 100D in such a way that it can be picked up by the work spindle 102. For this purpose, the laser head 101 is arranged on a moving section (slide) 104B and is moved along a horizontal guide rail 104A from the first to the second position. The laser head is also fitted with a flexible feed line 104C for introducing the welding material into the powder nozzle 106 of the laser head. The feed line 104C follows when the laser head 101 is moved. The work spindle 102 is mounted on two horizontal guides 102D. Alternatively, the work spindle 102 can be equipped with tools 103A from the tool magazine 103 of the machine tool, e.g. to carry out milling machining steps on a workpiece 105A.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows the functional principle of laser build-up welding in a machine tool according to the invention. From the powder nozzle 106, the laser beam 113 is directed to a welding position 105D on the surface of the workpiece 105A to be processed and welds powder 106A deposited in layers to the workpiece 105A. During the welding operation, a shielding gas 114 is ejected from the nozzle outlet, thus preventing oxidation around the weld.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows an alternative design of the machine tool 100 according to the invention. In this inventive embodiment of the transport device 300 for moving the shielding gas device, the shielding gas device 108 is detachably mounted on a gripping device 107 with a gripping arm 107B and a gripper 107A, the gripping arm and the gripping device being connected to the transport device 300. The gripping device can also be moved via horizontal guides 300A and vertical guides 300B of the transport device 300 relative to the work table 105 of the machine tool 100 and the workpiece. Thus, the laser head 101 and the shielding gas device 108 can be controlled and moved independently of each other. In this embodiment, the transport device is equipped with a separate control unit which is integrated in the transport device 300.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the laser head 101 with powder nozzle 106 and a gripping device 107 with gripping arm 107B and the gripper 107A for picking up, positioning and setting down a shielding gas device 108 over a workpiece 105A, which is clamped on the work table 105. The gripping device 107 is arranged on the laser head 101. This means that the work spindle can also be used to position the gripping device quickly and accurately.

[0058] A plurality of workpieces 105A can be clamped on the work table 105. FIG. 4 also shows details of the shielding gas device 108, which is moved over the workpiece to be processed and lowered to provide around the workpiece 105A a work space 109, in which a shielding gas atmosphere is created by the shielding gas supply 110. The seal 108B on the underside of the shielding gas device 108 prevents the escape of shielding gas. Furthermore, a clamping mechanism 115 between the seal 108B and the surface of the work table 105 ensures that the shielding gas device is fixed on the work table 105.

[0059] An induction coil 111, which is arranged inside the shielding gas device, has a power supply 111A and surrounds the workpiece 105A in ring-shaped fashion when the shielding gas device 108 is set down over the workpiece 105A, allows uniform heating of the workpiece 105A. Thus, temperature gradients on the workpiece can be reduced and damage during the welding process caused by distortion of the unevenly heated workpiece can be avoided. In addition, the welding process can be carried out more quickly by preheating the material.

[0060] The shielding gas atmosphere generated around the workpiece 105A provides additional oxidation protection along with the shielding gas layer at the welding position that can be generated by the powder nozzle by means of shielding gas flow. This prevents oxidation processes on the workpiece at other locations on the workpiece surface that do not correspond to the laser welding position.

[0061] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the support of the laser head 101 with the powder nozzle 106 in the spindle head 102A of the work spindle 102. The laser head 101 is held on the slide 104B by means of support pins 104H, which engage in openings (not visible) on the laser head 101. The laser head 101 is moved to the spindle head 102A by means of the guide rail 104A and inserted into the spindle head 102A. The spindle pin 101A of the laser head 101 is here introduced into the spindle head opening 102B. The laser head 101 is connected to a powder reservoir (not shown) by means of a supply line 104C that can follow up in order to supply the powder nozzle 106 with material for build-up welding. The supply line 104C comprises flexible ring segments 104G spaced from one another. After coupling the laser head 101 with the spindle head 102A, a protective plate 104D is joined flush with the slide 104B to protect the welding area. This, together with walls 200, provides a spatially separated work area within the cabin. In the state coupled with the work spindle, the laser head 101 is movable for the five-axis machining of a workpiece 105A on the work table 105. The spindle head 102A can position the laser head 101 in any position relative to a workpiece 105A located on the work table 105. According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the work spindle 102, the work spindle head 102A and the horizontal guide 102D form the elements of the laser head positioning device according to the invention. The shielding gas device 108 is arranged on the laser head 101. Laser welding is carried out in the working cabin, which is enclosed by the walls 200 and the protective plate 104D, thus separating the working area from the outside environment.

[0062] FIGS. 1-6 show a machine tool according to the invention or the elements thereof, which thus allows a plurality of workpieces 105A, which are clamped on the work table 105, to be processed additively and subtractively in a short sequence. For this purpose, the shielding gas device 108 is positioned above the workpiece to be processed by means of the gripping device and set down. The laser head 101 attached to the spindle head is moved to the position of the shielding gas device 108 and moved by means of the spindle head 102A into the working space 109 of the shielding gas device. A shielding gas atmosphere is generated around the workpiece 105A by introducing a shielding gas via the supply line 110 into the shielding gas device 108. The workpiece is heated by the induction coil 111 of the shielding gas device 108, which encompasses the workpiece, and additive processing (laser build-up welding) of the workpiece 105A is carried out on the workpiece. After laser processing, the laser head 101 is moved out of the shielding gas device, the shielding gas device 108 is lifted from the workpiece 105A by means of the gripping device 107 and moved to the position of a second workpiece clamped on the work table 105 and set down above it, and the first workpiece 105A is subjected to subtractive machining, e.g. by drilling, turning or milling, before or after the first workpiece 105A has completely cooled down.

[0063] The above described work process is now repeated with a number or all workpieces 105A clamped on the work table 105. After completion of the additive processing by laser build-up welding, the processed and cooled workpieces 105A can be subjected to a subtractive processing method. For this purpose, the laser head is placed on the laser head support pin 104H of the slide 104B, detached from the work spindle 102 and moved by means of the guide rail 104A to a storage position 100C of the laser head 101. Then, a tool head 103A from the tool magazine 103 of the machine tool is supplied to the work spindle, and the tool head 103A is moved to the position of the workpiece 105A, e.g. to perform a milling operation on the workpiece 105A.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and the features thereof but also includes modifications of the embodiments, which are covered by a combination of features of the described examples within the scope of protection of the independent claims, insofar as they are within the scope of know-how of a person of ordinary skill in the art.