Abstract:
A laser processing unit includes a first working area for laser processing of a workpiece, a second working area for laser processing of a workpiece, and a dividing wall adapted to separate the first working area from the second working area between, the dividing wall having individual interconnected sections and being moveable in a vertical direction.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to European Patent Application Serial No. 04 02 1785.1, filed on Sep. 14, 2004, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The disclosure relates to a protection device of a laser processing unit.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     In laser processing units, rigid, displaceable doors have been used as protection devices and/or for dividing independent working areas. The doors are disposed to be displaceable to permit transfer of an extension arm and/or laser processing head into different working areas. One working area can be designed for preparations, and another working area can be designed for simultaneous laser processing.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     In various aspects, a protection device for a laser processing unit is provided with a simple construction that permits transfer of an extension arm and/or laser processing head between working areas. For example, a protection device of a laser processing unit can have a dividing wall that can be moved in a vertical direction and that consists of individual interconnected sections.  
         [0005]     In one implementation, a basic frame is provided that includes a U-shaped guidance for the dividing wall, where the dividing wall can be moved through the basic frame transversely to the longitudinal direction of the basic frame and can be moved out of the basic frame on both longitudinal sides of the basic frame. If, in a central position of the dividing wall, one half of the dividing wall can be moved out of the basic frame on each of the frame&#39;s sides, the extension arm and/or the laser processing head can cross the dividing wall.  
         [0006]     In an implementation in which the basic frame includes rollers, the dividing wall can be displaced and positioned in the laser processing unit. A drive unit can be provided to move the dividing wall.  
         [0007]     The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a laser processing unit.  
         [0009]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b,  and  2   c  are side views of a protection device of the laser processing unit shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional view of a dividing wall of the protection device.  
         [0011]     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     As shown in  FIG. 1 a  laser processing unit  1  for operation with  2  stations includes outer walls  2  and sliding doors  3  and  4 . The laser processing unit  1  is suited for laser processing, such as, for example, laser cutting, laser welding, and hardening. A machine frame  5  supports an extension arm  6  that is provided with a laser processing head (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). By means of the extension arm  6 , the laser processing head can be positioned in X, Y, and Z directions above first and second work tables  7  and  8 . The independent working areas  9  and  10  that are available for the motion of the laser processing head and that result from the space required for the extension arm  6  and the laser processing head are drawn in hatched lines in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]     During operation of the laser processing unit  1 , a user  11  can take preparational measures on a work table  7  or  8 , can exit the workplace via the sliding door  3  or  4  and can start and perform laser processing from outside the workplace via an operating means  12  while being protected by the closed sliding door  3  or  4 . The laser processing unit  1  may also be automated.  
         [0014]     If a workpiece on a work table  7  or  8  is to be processed, the laser processing head must be transferred from a working area  9  or  10  into the other working area  10  or  9 . However, the user  11  can carry out preparations in one working area  9  or  10  only if the working area  9  or  10  is protected from laser radiation. Towards this end, a protection device is provided, which includes a movable dividing wall  13  that includes individual sections (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) of the type of a circulating roller blind. The ends  14  and  15  of the dividing wall  13  can be guided in guiding rails. In this manner, laser processing can be performed in one working area while the other working area can be used for preparations.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c  show, in sequence, different possible motions of the dividing wall  13 . In a first position, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , the dividing wall  13  is completely extended on the side facing the working area  10 . The working area  10  is shielded and the user could work there. On the side facing the working area  9 , the dividing wall  13  is countersunk into a basic frame  16  with basic frame walls  16   a  and  16   b , such that part  17  of the working area is provided for the motion of the extension arm or the laser processing head  18 .  
         [0016]     In a second position, as shown in  FIG. 2   b , the dividing wall  13  is partially extended both on the side facing the working area  9  and on the side facing the working area  10 , i.e. by half the length of the wall  13 . This permits crossing of the dividing wall  13  by the laser processing head  18 . The dividing wall  13  projects past both sides of the basic frame  16 .  
         [0017]     In a third position, as shown in  FIG. 2   c , the dividing wall  13  is completely extended on the side facing the working area  9 . The working area  9  is shielded and the user could work there. On the side facing the working area  10 , the dividing wall  13  is countersunk into the basic frame  16  of the dividing wall  13  such that part  17  of the working area is provided to move the extension arm or the laser processing head  18 . The part  17  of the working area is alternately part of the working area  9  or  10  for which it can then be used.  
         [0018]     The basic frame  16  has rollers  16   c  and can be pushed into the working area of the laser processing unit, thereby dividing the working area into two independent working areas. The basic frame  16  and dividing wall  13  can also be removed, if required, to permit use of the entire working area for laser processing of larger workpieces.  
         [0019]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the dividing wall  13  includes individual articulated sections  19 . Connecting pieces of the sections  19  are not shown but are designed such that the sections  19  can be pushed together, similar to blinds, sliding doors, or rolling gates. Teeth  20  of a driving wheel  21  of a drive unit accommodated in the basic frame can engage in gaps of the sections  19  with a geared motor or electromotor and thereby move the dividing wall  13  in along the direction of the double arrow  23  to move the dividing wall up or down in the guiding rail  22 .  
         [0020]     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.