LASER PROCESSING METHOD, LASER PROCESSING DEVICE AND CABLE HARNESS PRODUCTION METHOD

• US 20090223943A1
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: TAMAOKI, Shinobu, KAKUI, Motoki, NAKAMAE, Kazuo
• Granted Patent: US 8,455,791 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.690
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/32 Wires
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/38 Conductors
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0869 Devices involving movement of the laser head in at least one axial direction
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0426 Fixtures for other work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49192 with insulation removal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser processing method and the like provided with a structure for enabling realization of both preferable processing of locations not easily reached by laser light and effective inhibition of damage caused to locations easily reached by laser light during laser processing. Radiation optics scan locations irradiated with laser light from a laser light source while radiating laser light onto a plurality of objects arranged on a stage and the periphery thereof from a direction perpendicular to the stage. On the stage reflecting members are respectively arranged adjacent to the plurality of objects. The reflecting members reflect laser light radiated from the radiation optics towards lateral surfaces of the objects. Since laser light reflected by the reflecting members is radiated onto the lateral surfaces of the objects, laser light also reaches the lateral surfaces of the objects not easily reached by laser light without having to increase the intensity of the laser light.

Claims

1. A laser processing method, comprising:

preparing a laser-processing stage which has;

an installation surface; and

a plurality of reflecting members arranged at fixed intervals along a predetermined direction on the installation surface, the plurality of reflecting members respectively having reflecting surfaces inclined relative to the installation surface,

arranging a plurality of objects on the installation surface of the laser-processing stage such that the objects are respectively positioned between adjacent reflecting members among the plurality of reflecting members, and

irradiating alternately one of the objects and one of the reflecting members by scanning along the predetermined direction with laser light radiated onto the installation surface of the laser-processing stage from a direction perpendicular to the installation surface, wherein

laser light that has reached one of the reflecting members is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member reached by the laser light, and one lateral surface of the object, among the plurality of objects, that is adjacent to the reflecting member reached by the laser light is irradiated.

2. A laser processing method according to claim 1, wherein the installation surface of the laser-processing stage excluding the reflecting members is comprised of a member having low reflectance with respect to the laser light.

3. A laser processing method according to claim 1, wherein the installation surface of the laser-processing stage excluding the reflecting members is comprised of a substance that absorbs the laser light or is permeable to the laser light.

4. A laser processing method according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting members are arranged at locations intersecting with a straight line that passes through the center of each of the plurality of objects and is parallel to the installation surface of the laser-processing stage.

5. A laser processing method according to claim 1, wherein the height of the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting members from the installation surface of the laser-processing stage is changed by a height adjustment unit.

6. A laser processing method according to claim 5, wherein following completion of processing of one surface of the object, and prior to the start of processing of the opposite surface of the object by inverting the object by an object inverting unit, a control signal emitted during inversion of the object by the object inverting unit is received by the height adjustment unit and the height of the reflecting members is changed.

7. A laser processing method according to claim 1, wherein gas on the surface of the laser-processing stage is suctioned through openings in portions of the surface of the laser-processing stage where the objects are arranged by a suction unit provided on the back of the laser-processing stage.

8. A laser processing device, comprising:

a laser light source for radiating laser light;

a laser-processing stage having an installation surface on which a plurality of objects are arranged, and a plurality of reflecting members arranged at fixed intervals along a predetermined direction on the installation surface so as to be positioned on both sides of each of the plurality of objects, the plurality of reflecting members respectively having reflecting surfaces inclined relative to the installation surface; and

radiation optics for scanning with the laser light emitted from the laser light source over the objects arranged on the laser-processing stage and over irradiated locations in the periphery thereof while radiating the laser light from a direction perpendicular to the installation surface,

wherein laser light that has reached one of the reflecting members is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member reached by the laser light, and one lateral surface of the object among the plurality of objects that is adjacent to the reflecting member reached by the laser light is irradiated.

9. A laser processing device according to claim 8, wherein the installation surface of the laser-processing stage excluding the reflecting members is comprised of a material having low reflectance with respect to the laser light.

10. A laser processing device according to claim 8, wherein the installation surface of the laser-processing stage excluding the reflecting members is comprised of a substance that absorbs laser light or is permeable to the laser light.

11. A laser processing device according to claim 8, wherein the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting members are arranged at locations intersecting with a straight line that passes through the center of each of the plurality of objects and is parallel to the installation surface of the laser-processing stage.

12. A laser processing device according to claim 8, further comprising a height adjustment unit for changing the height of the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting members from the installation surface of the laser-processing stage.

13. A laser processing device according to claim 12, comprising an object inverting unit for inverting the objects, wherein following completion of processing of one surface of the object, and prior to the start of processing of the opposite surface of the object by inverting the object by the object inverting unit, a control signal emitted during inversion of the objects by the object inverting unit is received by the height adjustment unit and the height of the reflecting members is changed.

14. A laser processing device according to claim 8, further comprising a suction unit provided on the back of the laser-processing stage for suctioning a gas on the surface of the laser-processing stage through openings provided in portions of the top surface of the laser-processing stage where the objects are arranged.

15. A cable harness production method of producing cable harnesses containing a plurality of coaxial cables, the surfaces thereof being respectively covered with shielding wires, comprising:

preparing a laser-processing stage having an installation surface and a plurality of reflecting members arranged at fixed intervals along a predetermined direction on the installation surface, the plurality of reflecting members respectively having reflecting surfaces inclined relative to the installation surface;

arranging a plurality of coaxial cables on the installation surface of the laser-processing stage such that the coaxial cables are respectively positioned between adjacent reflecting members among the plurality of reflecting members; and

alternately irradiating one of the coaxial cables and one of the reflecting members by scanning along the predetermined direction with laser light radiated onto the installation surface of the laser-processing stage from a direction perpendicular to the installation surface,

wherein laser light that has reached one of the reflecting members is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member reached by the laser light, and one lateral surface of the coaxial cable, among the plurality of coaxial cables, that is adjacent to the reflecting member reached by the laser light is irradiated.