LASER BLANKING DEVICE

A laser blanking device includes a machining room, a laser head movable in first and second orthogonal directions, a trap part movable with the laser head in the first direction, a trap hopper disposed on a side of a first lateral surface of the machining room to trap dust produced by cutting, and a suction part connected to the trap hopper to suck the dust moved from the trap part to the trap hopper. The trap part includes a box part with a first opening and an opening end, and a first air stream generating part that generates streams of air inside the box part such that the streams of air flow toward the opening end. The first opening is opposed to the laser head and arranged along the second direction. The opening end is provided with a second opening opened toward the trap hopper.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a laser blanking device.

Background Information

In recent years, a laser blanking device has been used in a press line so as to execute blanking with a laser cutter instead of blanking with a presser (e.g., see Japanese Translation of PCT International Application No. 2018-516760 and Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2004-50184). As required for the presser, the laser blanking device is also required to execute laser cutting at a high speed so as to achieve productivity required in the press line. Besides, the laser blanking device is required to efficiently trap dust such as a large volume of fine particles, fumes, residual materials, and/or so forth produced by high-speed cutting.

In Japanese Translation of PCT International Application No. 2018-516760, a container is disposed below a laser head through a work so as to trap dust and is configured to be movable together with the laser head along a feeding direction of the work. On the other hand, in Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2004-50184, a belt conveyor is disposed below a laser head through a work so as to trap residual materials or so forth and is configured to be movable together with the laser head along a feeding direction of the work.

SUMMARY

Although not described in Japanese Translation of PCT International Application No. 2018-516760 and Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2004-50184 a laser cutting device is accommodated in a machining room so as to prevent a laser light from leaking outside; hence, it is required to carry the dust, trapped by the container or the belt conveyor, outside the machining room.

However, Japanese Translation of PCT International Application No. 2018-516760 and Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2004-50184 do not disclose a structure for moving the dust, trapped by the container or the belt conveyor, outside the machining room.

The present disclosure is intended to provide a laser blanking device that is compatible with high-speed cutting and is capable of moving dust, produced by cutting, outside a machining room.

A laser blanking device according to a first disclosure includes a machining room, a laser head, a trap part, a trap hopper, and a suction part. The machining room is a place in which cutting of a work is made by a laser. The laser head is movable not only in a first direction arranged in parallel to a feeding direction of the work but also in a second direction arranged orthogonal to the first direction. The trap part is movable together with the laser head in the first direction and traps dust produced by the cutting. The trap hopper is disposed on a side of a first lateral surface of the machining room so as to trap the dust. The suction part is connected to the trap hopper and sucks the dust moved from the trap part to the trap hopper. The trap part includes a box part and a first air stream generating part. The box part is provided with a first opening and an opening end. The first opening is opposed to the laser head and is arranged along the second direction. The opening end is provided with a second opening opened toward the trap hopper.

According to the present disclosure, it is made possible to provide a laser blanking device that is compatible with high-speed cutting and is capable of moving dust, produced by cutting, outside a machining room.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

Laser blanking devices according to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be hereinafter explained with reference to drawings.

A laser blanking device in a preferred embodiment 1 according to the present disclosure will be hereinafter explained.

FIG.1is an entire perspective view of a laser blanking device1according to the preferred embodiment 1. The laser blanking device1is used in a laser blanking line and cuts out, for instance, a steel plate (work) in a desired shape. An uncoiler, a leveler, the laser blanking device1, a washing device, a piler, and so forth are installed the laser blanking line.

The steel plate, wound in coil, is corrected in tendency to curl, while being fed from the uncoiler to the leveler. After corrected in tendency to curl, the steel plate is fed to the laser blanking device so as to be cut out in the desired shape. Next, blank pieces, each of which is obtained by cutting the steel plate in the desired shape, are fed to the washing device or so forth so as to be washed; thereafter, the blank pieces are piled by the piler.

It should be noted that a first direction, composed of an upstream side and a downstream side of a feeding direction of a work W, is denoted by “X”, whereas a second direction, which is a width direction arranged not only perpendicular but also horizontal to the first direction X, is denoted by “Y”. Besides, a third direction, which is an up-and-down direction arranged perpendicular to not only the first direction X but also the second direction Y, is denoted by “Z”. In the second direction Y, the left side with respect to the feeding directionally downstream side of the first direction X is denoted by Y1, whereas the right side with respect thereto is denoted by Y2.

The laser blanking device1includes a machining room2, a laser head3(seeFIG.2), a trap part4, a trap hopper5, a suction device6(exemplary suction part), residual material separating and retrieving part7(seeFIG.6), a fan panel8(exemplary second air stream generating part), an air volume adjusting member9(exemplary air volume adjusting part; seeFIG.5), and a head surrounding trap part10.

Cutting of the work W is made in the interior of the machining room2. It should be noted that inFIG.1, the machining room2is depicted with dashed two-dotted line for explaining components in the interior thereof. The laser head3outputs a laser to cut the work W. The trap part4traps dust such as fine particles, fumes, residual materials, and/or so forth produced by the laser cutting. The trapped dust is swept away toward a second opening442(seeFIG.4) facing the trap hopper5by streams of air generated inside the trap part4. Besides, streams of air sucked through a first opening436are generated by the Venturi effect caused not due to negative pressure but due to streams of air. The fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials trapped in the trap part4are moved therefrom to the trap hopper5. The suction device6sucks the fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials trapped in the trap part4through the trap hopper5. The residual material separating and retrieving part7retrieves the residual materials by separating the residual materials from the fine particles and/or fumes moved to the trap hopper5. The fan panel8generates streams of air for moving the fine particles and/or fumes, produced on the upper surface of the work W, to the trap hopper5. The air volume adjusting member9adjusts the volume of air flowing from the fan panel8into the trap hopper5. The head surrounding trap part10traps the fine particles and/or fumes produced in the surroundings of the laser head3.

The machining room2shuts off a space, in which cutting of the work W is made, from the external space so as to prevent the laser from leaking therefrom outside.

After processed by the leveler, the work W is fed to the machining room2by a feeding mechanism (not shown in the drawings). Laser cutting is made in the interior of the machining room2. The machining room2accommodates the laser head3, the trap part4, the fan panel8, and so forth. The work W is cut in the desired shape by the later and is then fed out of the machining room2.

As shown inFIG.1, the machining room2includes a first lateral surface21, on which the trap hopper5(to be described) is disposed, and a second lateral surface22, on which the fan panel8is disposed, and that is opposed to the first lateral surface21. The work W is fed between the first and second lateral surfaces21and22.

FIG.2is an enlarged perspective view of the laser head3and the vicinity thereof.FIG.3is a view of the laser head3and the vicinity thereof seen along the left direction Y1. InFIGS.2and3, among lateral surfaces104of a hood101(to be described), the one facing the right direction Y2is omitted in illustration so as to indicate the laser head3.

The laser head3emits, for instance, a high-power fiber laser light toward the work W. The laser head3is located above the work W and is movable not only in the first direction X but also in the second direction Y. Besides, a Z-axis directional height adjusting mechanism is also disposed to keep constant the height of cutting (work-nozzle interval) in accordance with bending of the work W. As shown inFIG.3, the laser head3includes a laser emission part35facing down and emits the laser light therefrom downward. As shown inFIG.1, a drive mechanism30is disposed inside the machining room2so as to move the laser head3not only in the first direction X but also in the second direction Y.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the drive mechanism30includes a first carriage31, a second carriage32, and a pair of rails33. The first carriage31is elongated along the second direction Y. The second carriage32is supported by the first carriage31so as to be movable in the second direction Y. The second carriage32supports the laser head3. Each of the pair of rails33is disposed on the upper surface of the first carriage31along the second direction Y. A plurality of blocks, installed in the second carriage32, are fitted onto the pair of rails33. Besides, a linear motor (not shown in the drawings) is usable as an actuator for driving the second carriage32with respect to the first carriage31. For example, suppose that permanent magnets are disposed along the pair of rails33, while the second carriage32includes a coil. When the coil is herein electrified, the second carriage32can be moved along the pair of rails33.

Besides, the first carriage31is supported by one or more frames23fixed to the machining room2so as to be movable along the first direction X, albeit this is not illustrated in the drawings. For example, one or more rails (not shown in the drawings) are disposed on the frame or frames23along the first direction X and are fitted into one or more blocks installed in the first carriage31. Besides, a linear motor is usable as an actuator for moving the first carriage31with respect to the frame or frames23.

FIG.4is a perspective view of the trap part4and the drive mechanism30seen from the right direction Y2side.FIG.5is a perspective view of the trap part4, the drive mechanism30, and the trap hopper5seen from the left direction Y1side.

The trap part4is disposed below the laser head3through the work W to be fed. As shown inFIG.4, the trap part4includes a box part41and an air stream generating part42. InFIG.5, the air stream generating part42is omitted in illustration.

The box part41is disposed below the laser head3. The box part41traps the fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials produced by laser cutting. The box part41is elongated along the direction Y. The box part41is joined to the first carriage31through a frame (not shown in the drawings) and is configured to be movable together with the laser head3in the first direction X.

The box part41includes a first box43and a second box44. The first box43is shaped along the second direction Y. The first box43is installed over the feeding width of the work W. The first box43is shaped to have a length greater than or equal to a moving range of the laser head3in the second direction Y.

The first box43is shaped in approximately rectangular contour. The first box43includes a first lateral surface431, a second lateral surface432, a third lateral surface433, a bottom surface434, and a top surface437.

As shown inFIG.2, the first lateral surface431is disposed on the upstream side in the first direction X. The second lateral surface432is disposed on the downstream side of the first lateral surface431so as to be opposed to the first lateral surface431. The first and second lateral surfaces431and432are disposed perpendicular to the first direction X. The first and second lateral surfaces431and432are disposed away from each other at a constant interval from the lower ends thereof to the vicinity of the upper ends thereof. The first and second lateral surfaces431and432are disposed away from each other at a small interval in the vicinity of the upper ends thereof. One or more rollers and/or so forth can be disposed outside the vicinity of the upper ends of the first and second lateral surfaces431and432so as to feed the work W. The third lateral surface433is disposed on the left direction Y1side and connects therethrough the left direction Y1-side ends of the first and second lateral surfaces431and432to each other.

As shown inFIG.2, the bottom surface434connects therethrough the lower ends of the first, second, and third lateral surfaces431,432, and433to each other. The bottom surface434includes a plurality of steps and is thereby shaped to be lowered stepwise in the right direction Y2(seeFIG.6). The top surface437connects therethrough the upper ends of the first, second, and third lateral surfaces431,432, and433to each other.

The top surface437is provided with the first opening436made in shape of a slit. The first opening436is shaped to extend in a range greater than or equal to the moving range of the laser head3in the second direction Y. The fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials, produced by laser cutting, drop into the first box43through the first opening436and are thus trapped therein.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the second box44is made in shape of a tube extending along the second direction Y. The second box44is disposed to be directed toward the trap hopper5from the right end of the first lateral surface431, that of the second lateral surface432, that of the bottom surface434, and that of the top surface437. The second box44includes an opening end441provided with the second opening442opened toward the trap hopper5. The second box44gradually tilts down in the right direction Y2. The second opening442is shaped perpendicular to the second direction Y.

FIG.6is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laser blanking device1taken perpendicular to the first direction X.

The air stream generating part42generates streams of air flowing toward the second opening442in the interior of the box part41. The air stream generating part42includes a plurality of air blowing nozzles421. The plural air blowing nozzles421are disposed on the bottom surface434of the first box43.

The bottom surface434is provided with a plurality of step surfaces435forming the steps. The bottom surface434is gradually reduced in height toward the trap hopper5. The step surfaces435are disposed not only perpendicular to the second direction Y but also in parallel to the first direction X. The plural air blowing nozzles421are disposed on the plural step surfaces435, respectively. It should be noted that in the drawings, the air blowing nozzles, in part, are denoted by the reference sign421; likewise, the step surfaces, in part, are denoted by the reference sign435.

The air blowing nozzles421inject the air into the interior of the first box43. The air blowing nozzles421inject the air along the second direction Y such that the air is directed toward the second opening442. Accordingly, streams of air flowing toward the second opening442are generated on the bottom surface434of the first box43(see arrows A). The streams of air flow into the second box44and are then ejected from the second opening442(see arrow B). The fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials, trapped in the first box43, are blown through the second box44and are then blown out from the second opening442toward the trap hopper5by the streams of air. Besides, the Venturi effect is induced by the streams of air generated on the bottom surface of the first box43, whereby streams of air sucked into the first box43are generated in the first opening436(see arrows C). Because of this, the fine particles and/or fumes can be prevented from leaking out from the first opening436.

The trap hopper5traps the fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials blown out from the second opening442. The trap hopper5includes a trap hole51. The trap hole51is shaped to extend in a range greater than or equal to a moving range of the box part41in the first direction X. When described in detail, as shown inFIG.5, the trap hole51is shaped along the first direction X such that the opening end441is made insertable into the trap hole51in the movable range of the box part41moved together with the laser head3. The trap hole51is made in shape of a rectangle elongated in the first direction X.

As shown inFIG.5, the trap hole51includes a first region51aand a second region51b. The first region51ais a region in which the opening end441is made insertable. The fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials are blown from the second opening442through the first region51ato the inside of the trap hopper5.

The second region51bcomposes part of the trap hole51and is disposed on the upper side of the first region51a. The air volume adjusting member9(to be described) is disposed in the second region51b.

The trap hopper5is disposed to protrude from the trap hole51to the outside of the machining room2. The trap hopper5is shaped to be gradually reduced not only in length in the first direction X but also in height in the third direction from the trap hole51to the outer end thereof. As shown inFIG.1, the trap hopper5is connected at the outer end thereof to a duct hose61of the suction device6. The suction device6sucks and collects the fine particles and/or fumes blown out to the trap hopper5.

(Residual Material Separating and Retrieving Part7)

As shown inFIG.6, the residual material separating and retrieving part7includes a separation plate71and a retrieval cart72. The separation plate71is disposed in opposition to the first region51aof the trap hole51. The separation plate71tilts such that the upper end thereof is located closer to the first region51athan the lower end thereof. The trap hopper5is provided with one or more holes (not shown in the drawings) in a region between the lower end of the separation plate71and the trap hole51on the bottom surface thereof. The retrieval cart72is disposed on the lower side of the hole or holes.

Among the fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials blown out from the box part41toward the trap hole51, the fine particles and/or fumes are lightweight and are therefore sucked by the suction device6across the separation plate71as depicted with arrow C. By contrast, the residual materials (denoted by “WE”) hit the separation plate71and drop down into the retrieval cart72through the hole or holes (see arrow D). It is made possible to retrieve the residual materials by causing an operator to move the retrieval cart72. Besides, the retrieval cart72is disposed outside the machining room2; hence, it is made possible to retrieve the residual materials without causing the operator to enter the machining room2.

As shown inFIG.1, the fan panel8is disposed on the second lateral surface22of the machining room2. The fan panel8is disposed along the first direction X. The fan panel8generates streams of air flowing toward the right direction Y2side. As shown inFIG.6, the fan panel8is opposed to the second region51bof the trap hole51described above. The fan panel8is disposed over a range greater than or equal to the movable range of the laser head3in the first direction X.

As shown inFIG.5, the air volume adjusting member9is disposed to cover the second region51bof the trap hole51of the trap hopper5. A region of the trap hole51, in which the air volume adjusting member9is not disposed, is referred to as the first region51a. The air volume adjusting member9is provided with a plurality of through holes and is capable of adjusting the volume of air. For example, a meshed member, a punching metal, or so forth is usable as the air volume adjusting member9.

It should be noted that in a piercing step on the onset of cutting, the work W has not been penetrated yet by the laser light; hence, fine particles and/or fumes are produced as well from the surface of the work W. The fine particles and/or fumes, produced from the surface of the work W, are moved to the trap hopper5through the air volume adjusting member9by the streams of air generated by the fan panel8. It should be noted that a resistance is exerted by disposing the air volume adjusting member9, whereby a suction force can be reliably exerted in the first region51a.

The head surrounding trap part10traps the fine particles and/or fumes produced from the surface of the work W in the vicinity of the laser head3.

As shown inFIG.3, the head surrounding trap part10includes the hood101and a duct102. The hood101encloses the laser emission part35of the laser head3from above and lateral. A spatter sheet is usable as the hood101. The hood101includes the lateral surfaces104and a top surface103. The lateral surfaces104are disposed to enclose the laser emission part35from the horizontal surroundings of the laser emission part35. The laser head3is disposed to penetrate the top surface103. The top surface103is disposed above the laser emission part35. The top surface103is provided with a through hole, to which the duct102is connected at one end102a. As shown inFIG.5, the duct102is connected at the other end102bto the second box44. The duct102is connected to the vicinity of the second opening442of the second box44. The duct102is connected to the second box44from above.

The streams of air, generated by the air stream generating part42, flow through the second box44. The Venturi effect is induced by the streams of air, whereby streams of air, directed from the hood101to the second box44, are generated inside the duct102(see arrows D). Accordingly, the fine particles and/or fumes, produced in the vicinity of the laser head3in laser cutting, can be fed to the second box44through the duct102and can be then blown out from the second box44to the trap hopper5through the second opening442.

A laser blanking device in a preferred embodiment 2 according to the present disclosure will be hereinafter explained. The laser blanking device in the present preferred embodiment 2, unlike that in the preferred embodiment 1, is provided with a ventilation hole without being provided with the fan panel8and generates streams of air inside a machining room by the suction force of the suction device6.

FIG.7is a diagram showing a configuration of the laser blanking device (201) in the present preferred embodiment 2. InFIG.7, the shape of the machining room202is depicted with dashed two-dotted line.FIG.8is a cross-sectional view of the laser blanking device201in the present preferred embodiment 2 taken perpendicular to the first direction X.

The laser blanking device201in the present preferred embodiment 2 includes two laser heads3. InFIG.7, only one of the laser heads3is illustrated; however, two drive mechanisms30, each of which moves each laser head3not only in the first direction X but also in the second direction Y, are illustrated. The two laser heads3are disposed in opposition to each other in the first direction X. It should be noted that inFIGS.7and8, the head surrounding trap part10is not illustrated in the surroundings of each laser head3; however, the head surrounding trap part10may be provided therein.

Albeit not illustrated in the preferred embodiment 1, a pair of right and left frames23is provided with a pair of rails223disposed along the first direction X on the upper surfaces thereof, respectively such that the first carriages31of the drive mechanisms30are fitted onto the pair of rails223. For example, the first carriages31can be moved along the pair of rails223by using one or more linear motors as one or more actuators.

The laser blanking device201in the present preferred embodiment 2 includes a trap hopper205provided with a trap hole251made in different shape from the trap hole51provided in the trap hopper5in the preferred embodiment 1. The trap hole51in the preferred embodiment 1 is provided with the second region51bon the upper side of the first region51ainto which the opening end441is inserted; by contrast, the trap hole251in the preferred embodiment 2 is opened only in a corresponding position to the first region51ain the preferred embodiment 1 without being opened in a corresponding position to the second region51bin the preferred embodiment 1. Differently put, in the preferred embodiment 2, as shown inFIG.8, the trap hole251is shaped to be approximately identical in length to the opening end441of the trap part4in the third direction Z.

In the preferred embodiment 1, as shown inFIG.1, the trap hopper5is disposed on the first lateral surface21of the machining room2; besides, the first lateral surface21of the machining room2is disposed in approximately an identical position to the trap hole51in the second direction Y. By contrasts, in the preferred embodiment 2, as shown inFIG.8, the trap hopper205is disposed in the interior of the machining room202; besides, a first lateral surface221of the machining room202is disposed further on the right direction Y2side than the trap hole251. The trap hole251is disposed on the first lateral surface221side in the machining room202and is opened to the left direction Y1. The trap hole251is disposed closer to the first lateral surface221than to the second lateral surface22. The trap hole251is provided in the right direction Y2-side one of the pair of frames23.

The laser blanking device201in the preferred embodiment 2, unlike the laser blanking device1in the preferred embodiment 1, does not include the fan panel8on the second lateral surface22. As shown inFIGS.7and8, the laser blanking device201in the preferred embodiment 2 is provided with the aforementioned ventilation hole (210) in the first lateral surface221.

The ventilation hole210is provided further on the upper side than the work W to be fed (depicted with broken line inFIG.8). The ventilation hole210is an opening provided in the first lateral surface221. As shown inFIG.7, the ventilation hole210is shaped along the first direction X. The ventilation hole210is provided on the upper side of the trap hole251so as to be shaped in corresponding length to the trap hole251in the first direction X. The ventilation hole210is preferably disposed over a range greater than or equal to the movable range of the laser head3in the first direction X. The ventilation hole210may be shaped to extend from the upstream end to the downstream end of the first lateral surface221in the first direction X. The air flows into the interior of the machining room202from the outside through the ventilation hole210by suction of the suction device6.

As shown inFIGS.7and8, the laser blanking device201includes a first shielding plate211and a second shielding plate212. The first and second shielding plates211and212lead the air, flowing into the machining room202through the ventilation hole210, to move in streams as depicted with arrows D inFIG.8.

As shown inFIG.8, the first shielding plate211is disposed on the lower side of the ventilation hole210. The first shielding plate211is disposed at approximately an identical height to the work W. The first shielding plate211is disposed from the right direction Y2-side one of the frames23to the first lateral surface221. The first shielding plate211is disposed further on the upper side than the trap hole251. The first shielding plate211, made in shape of a board, is disposed such that the principal surface thereof is arranged perpendicular to the third direction Z. As shown inFIG.7, the first shielding plate211is shaped to extend from the downstream end to the upstream end of the machining room202in the first direction X.

As shown inFIG.8, the second shielding plate212protrudes from the left direction Y1-side one of the frames23toward the second lateral surface22. The second shielding plate212is disposed at an identical height to the first shielding plate211in the third direction Z. The second shielding plate212, made in shape of a board, is disposed such that the principal surface thereof is arranged perpendicular to the third direction Z. As shown inFIG.7, the second shielding plate212is shaped to extend from the downstream end to the upstream end of the machining room202in the first direction X. A space is produced between the second shielding plate212and the second lateral surface22so as to cause the air to flow therethrough. The first and second shielding plates211and212are disposed to divide the streams of air up and down with respect to the upper surface of the work W.

A baffle plate213, having a curved shape, is disposed in the corner between a top surface24and the second lateral surface22of the machining room202. The baffle plate213is curved to protrude outward.

A baffle plate214, having a curved shape, is disposed in the corner between a bottom surface25and the second lateral surface22of the machining room202. The baffle plate214is curved to protrude outward.

One or more baffle plates215are disposed inside the ventilation hole210so as to be directed from the first lateral surface221to the second lateral surface22. As shown inFIG.8, in the present preferred embodiment 2, three baffle plates215are disposed to be aligned in the up-and-down direction. Each baffle plate215is disposed such that the principal surface thereof is arranged in parallel to not only the first direction X but also the second direction Y. Each baffle plate215is shaped to extend along the first direction X. It is herein required to generate streams of air flowing through the upper surface of the work W so as to trap the fine particles and/or fumes produced on the upper surface of the work W; hence, the left direction Y1-side ends of the baffle plates215are disposed further on the right direction Y2side than the right direction Y2-side one of the frames23in the second direction Y.

A light absorber216is applied to the baffle plates215. The light absorber216prevents scattering light of the laser from leaking outside from the ventilation hole210. Specifically, the light absorber216is applied to the lower surface of the uppermost one of the baffle plates215, the upper and lower surfaces of the middle one of the baffle plates215, and the upper surface of the lowermost one of the baffle plates215.

With the configuration described above, the air, flowing into the machining room202through the ventilation hole210by the suction of the suction device6, moves toward the second lateral surface22without directly moving toward the trap hole251due to the first shielding plate211herein provided (seeFIG.8). At this time, the air flows through an identical side to the upper surface (the external surface opposed to the laser head3) of the work W; hence, the fine particles and/or fumes, produced from the upper surface of the work W, are trapped into the streams of air, and are moved together with the air. The air, directed toward the second lateral surface22, is then directed toward the bottom surface25along the baffle plate213. The air, directed toward the bottom surface25, is then directed toward the first lateral surface221by the baffle plate214and is sucked through the trap hole251.

As described above, the fan is not provided in the present preferred embodiment 2; however, the ventilation hole210is opened, whereby the fine particles and/or fumes produced from the upper surface of the work W can be trapped through the trap hole251by the streams of air flowing into the machining room202through the ventilation hole210.

The laser blanking device1,201according to the present preferred embodiment 1, 2 includes the machining room2,202, the laser head3, the trap part4, the trap hopper5,205, and the suction device6(exemplary suction part). Cutting of the work W is made by the laser in the interior of the machining room2,202. The laser head3is movable not only in the first direction X arranged in parallel to the feeding direction of the work W but also in the second direction Y arranged orthogonal to the first direction X. The trap part4is movable together with the laser head3in the first direction X and traps dust produced by the cutting. The trap hopper5,205is disposed on the side of the first lateral surface21,221of the machining room2so as to trap the dust. The suction device6is connected to the trap hopper5,205and sucks the dust moved from the trap part4to the trap hopper5,205. The trap part4includes the box part41and the air stream generating part42(exemplary first air stream generating part). The box part41is provided with the first opening436and the opening end441. The first opening436is opposed to the laser head3and is arranged along the second direction Y. The opening end441is provided with the second opening442opened toward the trap hopper5.

With the configuration, the dust (fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials) produced by the cutting is trapped in the box part41. The trapped dust is moved from the box part41to the trap hopper5by the air stream generating part42and is then carried outside from the machining room2,202.

Here, the dust is blown away by the air stream generating part42and is moved from the box part41to the trap hopper5,205that is not directly connected to the box part41.

Because of this, it is made easy to move the box part41together with the laser head3at a high speed; hence, the laser blanking device1,201is compatible with high-speed cutting. Besides, the dust moved from the box part41to the trap hopper5,205is carried outside from the machining room2,202; hence, the dust can be carried outside from the machining room2,202without stopping the device.

Besides, in the laser blanking device1,201according to the present preferred embodiment, the trap hopper5,205and the box part41are not directly connected to each other; hence, the laser blanking device1,201is made simple in structure and can be easily cleaned. Because of this, stopping a production line for cleaning and/or maintenance can be reduced in frequency, whereby it is made possible to reliably achieve high productivity required for, for instance, an automobile production line or so forth.

Furthermore, the streams of air are generated inside the box part41by the air stream generating part42so as to flow toward the second opening442; accordingly, the Venturi effect is induced, whereby streams of air are generated to be pulled into the first opening436. With the configuration, the dust can be prevented from leaking out from the first opening436and can be efficiently trapped inside the box part41.

In the laser blanking device1,201according to the present preferred embodiment 1, 2, the air stream generating part42includes the air blowing nozzles421.

With the configuration, the dust can be blown away from the second opening442toward the trap hopper5,205by air blowing.

Besides, the box part41, moved together with the laser head3, is only required to be connected by an air hose; hence, the laser blanking device1,201is made simple in structure and can reliably achieve sufficient maintenance performance and sufficient reliability.

The laser blanking device1,201according to the present preferred embodiment 1, 2 further includes the separation plate71and the retrieval cart72(exemplary residual material retrieving part). The separation plate71is disposed in the trap hopper5,205and separates the residual materials from the dust moved from the second opening442. The retrieval cart72takes the residual materials, separated from the dust by the separation plate71, out of the trap hopper5,205.

Accordingly, the residual materials, separated from the fine particles and/or fumes, can be carried outside from the machining room2,202. Besides, it is not required for an operator to enter the machining room2,202so as to take out the separated residual materials; hence, it is not required to interrupt laser cutting, whereby the laser blanking device1,201can reliably achieve sufficient productivity.

In the laser blanking device1according to the present preferred embodiment 1, the trap hopper5includes the trap hole51provided in the first lateral surface of the machining room2. The trap hole51includes the first region51a, making the opening end441insertable therein, and the second region51bdisposed on the upper side of the first region51a. The laser blanking device1further includes the fan panel8(exemplary second air stream generating part) and the air volume adjusting member9(exemplary air volume adjusting part). The fan panel8is disposed on the second lateral surface22, opposed to the first lateral surface21, of the machining room2and generates streams of air above the trap part4such that the streams of air flow toward the second region51b. The air volume adjusting member9is disposed in the second region51band adjusts the streams of air generated by the fan panel8.

Thus, with use of the second region51bof the trap hole51provided in the trap hopper5, the fine particles and/or fumes, produced on the upper surface of the work W in the piercing step on the onset of cutting, can be efficiently retrieved only by adding the fan panel8.

The laser blanking device201according to the present preferred embodiment 2 further includes the ventilation hole210. The ventilation hole210, serving as a hole for taking the external air into the machining room202, is provided in the first lateral surface221, while being disposed further on the upper side than the work W. The trap hopper205includes the trap hole251provided on the side of the first lateral surface221of the machining room202. The suction made by the suction device6generates streams of air flowing from the ventilation hole210to the trap hole251through the upper surface of the work W.

With the configuration, the fine particles and/or fumes, produced on the upper surface of the work W in the piercing step on the onset of cutting, can be efficiently retrieved.

The laser blanking device1according to the present preferred embodiment 1 further includes the hood101and the duct102. The hood101is disposed in the surroundings of the laser emission part35of the laser head3. The duct102connects therethrough the hood101and the box part41to each other.

By thus connecting the duct102to the box part41, the Venturi effect is induced by the streams of air generated by the air stream generating part42. Accordingly, the fine particles and/or fumes, produced on the upper surface of the work W in the piercing step on the onset of cutting, are sucked into the second box44through the duct102and are then moved from the second box44to the trap part4. Because of this, the fine partides and/or fumes, produced on the upper surface of the work W, can be efficiently led to the trap part4.

Other Preferred Embodiments

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained above. However, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above, and a variety of changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment 1, 2 described above, as shown inFIG.6, the opening end441is inserted into the trap hole51,251; however, the opening end441may not be inserted into the trap hole51,251as long as the fine particles, fumes, and/or residual materials, blown out from the opening end441, can reach the trap hole51,251without dropping on the way. In other words, a gap may be produced between the trap hole51and the second opening442provided in the opening end441.

In the preferred embodiment 1, 2 described above, the air blowing nozzles421are disposed on all the step surfaces435; however, the layout of the air blowing nozzles421may not be limited to this and may be arbitrarily changed. For example, the air blowing nozzles421may be disposed on every two step surfaces435.

In the preferred embodiment 1, 2 described above, the air stream generating part42includes the air blowing nozzles421; however, the constituent elements of the air stream generating part42may not be limited to the air blowing nozzles and may be any suitable constituent elements, for instance, fans or so forth, as long as the constituent elements are capable of generating streams of air.

In the preferred embodiment 1, 2 described above, the linear motor is used as an actuator in the drive mechanism30for the laser head3; however, the actuator may not be limited to the linear motor. When high-speed operation is not required, a ball screw or so forth may be used instead.

In the preferred embodiment 2 described above, the ventilation hole210is provided in the first lateral surface221; however, the ventilation hole210may not be limited in position thereto and may be provided in the second lateral surface22.

FIG.9is a cross-sectional view of a laser blanking device301provided with a ventilation hole310in the second lateral surface22and is taken perpendicular to the first direction X.

In the laser blanking device301, the ventilation hole310is provided in the second lateral surface22. The ventilation hole310is disposed further on the upper side than the work W. The plural baffle plates215are disposed inside the ventilation hole310; besides, the light absorber216is applied to the baffle plates215.

In the laser blanking device201according to the preferred embodiment 2 described above, the trap hole251of the trap hopper205is provided in the right direction Y2-side one of the frames23; by contrast, in the laser blanking device301shown inFIG.9, a trap hole351of a trap hopper305is disposed further on the right direction Y2side than the right direction Y2-side one of the frames23. The second box44of the trap part4is extended to be inserted into the trap hole351. The laser blanking device301includes a baffle plate313. The baffle plate313is shaped to extend from the upper end of the edge of the trap hole351to the top surface24. The baffle plate313is shaped to extend from the upstream end to the downstream end of a machining room302along the first direction X. The baffle plate313includes a vertical portion313aand a curved portion313b. The vertical portion313ais shaped to extend from the upper end of the edge of the trap hole351to the top surface24along the vertical direction. The curved portion313bis disposed from the upper end of the vertical portion313ato the top surface24. The curved portion313bis curved to protrude toward the first lateral surface221.

The laser blanking device301includes a first shielding plate311and a second shielding plate312. The first shielding plate311is shaped to extend from the first lateral surface221to the vertical portion313a. The first shielding plate311is disposed at approximately an identical height to the work W. The first shielding plate311is disposed further on the upper side than the trap hole351. The first shielding plate311, made in shape of a board, is disposed such that the principal surface thereof is arranged perpendicular to the third direction Z. The first shielding plate311is shaped to extend from the downstream end to the upstream end of the machining room302along the first direction X.

The second shielding plate312is disposed from the left direction Y1-side one of the frames23to the second lateral surface22. The second shielding plate312is disposed at an identical height to the first shielding plate311in the third direction Z. The second shielding plate312, made in shape of a board, is disposed such that the principal surface thereof is arranged perpendicular to the third direction Z. The second shielding plate312is shaped to extend from the downstream end to the upstream end of the machining room302along the first direction X.

With the configuration described above, the air, flowing into the machining room302through the ventilation hole310by the suction of the suction device6, moves toward the first lateral surface221without being directed downward due to the second shielding plate312herein provided. InFIG.9, streams of air are depicted with arrows E. At this time, the air flows through an identical side to the upper surface (the external surface opposed to the laser head3) of the work W; hence, the fine particles and/or fumes, produced from the upper surface of the work W, are trapped into the streams of air, and are moved together with the air. The air, directed toward the first lateral surface221, is then directed toward the bottom surface25along the baffle plate313. The air, directed toward the bottom surface25, flows through in between the baffle plate313and the right direction Y2-side one of the frames23and is sucked through the trap hole351.

As described above, the fine particles and/or fumes, produced from the upper surface of the work W, can be trapped through the trap hole351by the streams of air flowing into the machining room302through the ventilation hole310provided in the second lateral surface22.

The laser blanking device according to the present disclosure is compatible with high-speed cutting, has an advantageous effect of moving dust, produced by cutting, outside a machining room, and is usable for a laser blanking line or so forth.