Patent EP-2484477-A2 (EP)
Inventor: HARNISCH GUNTER
IPC: B23K26/12
Filed: 2012-01-25
Abstract: The laser processing machine comprises: a beam guiding element (15, 16) for a laser beam, which passes with its longitudinal direction in the direction of the beam axis of the laser beam to be received by it, partially extends in its longitudinal direction and is variable in length; and a moving unit, to which the beam guiding element is connected. A guiding unit (19) extending in its longitudinal direction is: supported by the beam guiding element; and guided for movement in its longitudinal direction. The moving unit is movable by changing the length of the beam guiding element. The laser processing machine comprises: a beam guiding element (15, 16) for a laser beam, which passes with its longitudinal direction in the direction of the beam axis of the laser beam to be received by it, partially extends in its longitudinal direction and is variable in length; and a moving unit, to which the beam guiding element is connected. A guiding unit (19) extending in its longitudinal direction is: supported by the beam guiding element; and guided for movement in its longitudinal direction. The moving unit: is movable by changing the length of the beam guiding element together with the beam guiding element in its longitudinal direction; is supported on one of the longitudinal guiding units of the beam guiding element by various supporting structure of the laser processing machine perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element; and comprises a bearing element, which moves along the movement of the moving unit relative to the longitudinal guiding unit in the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element, where the longitudinal guiding unit is supported perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element. The longitudinal guiding units are supported on the supporting structures of the laser processing machine via the moving unit perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element. A volume compensation element having an inner space is provided for the beam guiding element, where the inner space stands in flow communication with an interior of the beam guiding element and has a volume, which complements to a closed total volume with the volume of the interior of the beam guiding element. A change appearing as a result of a change in the volume of the inner space of the beam guiding element is compensated by a change in the volume of the interior space of the compensating element with retention of the total volume. The volume compensating element is supported on the longitudinal guide unit of the beam guiding element perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element. The longitudinal guiding unit is: movable together with the beam guiding element and the volume compensation element in a vertical movement direction extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element; and, in the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element, is supported on both sides of the support by the moving unit at a further bearing point perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element at the supporting structure. The beam guiding element and the volume compensating element are: arranged at sides of the longitudinal guide unit of the beam guiding element; and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element and also perpendicular to the movement direction opposed to each other. The bearing element is slidingly supported on the longitudinal guiding unit of the beam guiding element. The slide bearing surfaces of the longitudinal guiding unit and/or the slidingly bearing element on the moving unit is formed with wear and/or friction resistance. The longitudinal guiding unit of the beam guiding element is: executed with lightweight; and comprises a guide rod, which extends with its longitudinal direction in the longitudinal direction of the beam guiding element, and a shell formed as a hollow profile, where inside of the shell is provided for stiffening a fiber composite material such as a fiber-reinforced plastic. The fiber composite material is provided as a material for a part of the longitudinal guiding unit of the beam guiding element.