Laser processing method, laser processing device and cable harness production method

• US 8,455,791 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2009
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Tamaoki, Shinobu, Kakui, Motoki, Nakamae, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): SPURLOCK, BRETT SHANE
• Application Number:
  US12/397,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20090223943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: 21912167-12169, 2191218-12183
• US Class Current: 219/121.69
• 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 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;

a plurality of reflecting members arranged at fixed intervals along a predetermined direction on the installation surface of the laser-processing stage such that the plurality of objects are separated from each other in a laser scanning direction, 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 each of the plurality of reflecting members adjacent to objects positioned at both sides thereof is positioned on the installation surface of the laser-processing stage such that the reflecting surfaces thereof reflect the laser light toward the adjacent objects positioned at both sides thereof when the laser light is irradiated from the direction perpendicular to the installation surface, and

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 device according to claim 1, 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.

3. A laser processing device according to claim 1, 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.

4. A laser processing device 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 device according to claim 1, 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.

6. A laser processing device according to claim 5, 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.

7. A laser processing device according to claim 1, 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.