Patent ID: 8173933
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: B21D,B23K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for forming a hole on a work piece, comprising: a laser head capable of forming a pilot hole with a first surface condition by directing a laser beam; a punch capable of forming a finished hole over the pilot hole with a second surface condition by transforming the first surface condition, the punch having a cross-section greater than a cross-section of the pilot hole, the second surface condition having a precise dimension more than the first surface condition; a die disposed opposite to the punch with respect to the work piece during forming of the finished hole; a work piece holder capable of holding the work piece at a predetermined position; and a moving mechanism capable of moving at least one of the laser head, the die and the punch with respect to the work piece, thereby to switch a laser working condition for forming the pilot hole and a punching condition for forming the finished hole, wherein the work piece holder has a center hole portion at a center, the apparatus further comprising: a die holder guide disposed in the hole portion of the work piece holder; a die holder holding the die and capable of being disposed in the die holder guide in the punching condition; and a cover capable of being disposed in the die holder guide in the laser working condition, wherein the die holder guide is capable of aligning the die holder with respect to the work piece holder, and the cover provides a clearance on a periphery of a nozzle of the laser head in the laser working condition.