Metals processing system in 2D and 3D with optic fiber laser and plasma

• US 11,110,550 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2016
• Issued: 09/07/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laser Tech, S.A. de C.V.
• Original Assignee: Laser Tech, S.A. de C.V.
• Inventors: Ortiz, Sofia Elizabeth Acosta, Acosta, Jose Alberto Arellano
• Primary Examiner(s): Paschall, Mark H
• Application Number:
  US15/359,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20170151633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,750 Days
• Field of Search: 21912139, 21912145, 21912146, 21912156, 21912163, 21912167, 21912154
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 10/00 Welding or cutting by means of a plasma
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/06 Tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/18 Sheet panels
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/21 by welding
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/38 by boring or cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 28/02 Combined welding or cutting procedures or apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/0055 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0019 End effectors other than grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 19/06 Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4145 characterised by using same processor to execute programmable controller and numerical controller function [CNC] and PC controlled NC [PCNC]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36199 Laser cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45104 Lasrobot, welding robot
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45138 Laser welding

Abstract

System for 2D and 3D metal processing with fiber optic laser and plasma, that includes CNC for cutting metal plates with fiber optic laser and plasma and a robot arm for cutting and welding metals with fiber optic laser. The system is characterized because it includes three processes in one single equipment: metal cutting with fiber optic laser, metal cutting with plasma and metal welding with fiber optic laser. The equipment has a computer numerical control (CNC) system and a working area of 1200×3000 mm for cutting metals; it has two cutting heads, one for fiber optic laser and one for plasma as well as one 360° rotating robot arm on which the laser welding head or the laser cutting head can be placed for 3D welding, or cutting circular or rectangular pipes, respectively.

Claims

1. A system for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) metal processing, comprising:

a laser fiber optic source comprising at least two laser fiber optics;

a switch adapted to direct power, from a laser power supply, to one of the at least two laser fiber optics, the laser power supply providing operational energy between 1000 W and 6000 W;

a loading table;

a high precision coordinating table that serves as a cutting table, the high precision coordinating table being axially movable relative to the loading table;

a computer for controlling operating parameters of the at least two laser fiber optics;

a laser cutting head, the laser cutting head receiving and supporting a first laser fiber optic of the at least two laser fiber optics;

an autofocus system for the laser cutting head;

a laser welding head, the laser welding head receiving and support a second laser fiber optic of the at least two laser fiber optics;

a plasma source having a plasma cutting head mounted on the high precision coordinating table;

a cooling system adapted for use with one or more of the laser cutting head and the laser welding head;

a protection cabinet, positioned to at least partially surrounding the high precision coordinating table;

two or more windows, formed in the protection cabinet, and covered, at least partially, by respective filter elements selected to protect operator eyesight while observing a process within the protection cabinet;

a fume extraction system, associated with the protection cabinet;

a 360°

-moving robot arm; and

a computer numerical control (CNC) system that controls the high precision coordinating table.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the laser cutting head is mounted on the coordinating table, the plasma cutting head is mounted on the coordinating table, and the laser welding head is mounted on the robot arm.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the laser cutting head is mounted on the robot arm, the plasma cutting head is mounted on the coordinating table, and the laser welding head is mounted on the coordinating table.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein only one of the at least two laser fiber optics is operable over a period of time.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the one operable fiber optic receives a full power level from the laser power supply.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a robot arm protection cabinet, the robot arm protection cabinet at least partially enclosing the robot arm.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

one or more windows, formed in the robot arm protection cabinet, and covered, at least partially, by a second filter element selected to protect operator eyesight while observing a process within the robot arm protection cabinet.