Multi-axis laser machine, method for machining with the same, and recording medium recording computer program for controlling the same

• US 7,164,099 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2003
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Via Mechanics, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi VIA Mechanics Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Shimizu, Yasuyuki, Tateishi, Hidenori, Murakami, Tetsuo, Hata, Izumi, Nishimura, Toshiya
• Primary Examiner(s): Menefee; James
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phillip
• Application Number:
  US10/735,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20040173590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 219/121, 2191216-12179
• US Class Current: 219/121.79
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/067 Dividing the beam into multiple beams, e.g. multifocusing
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0673 into independently operating sub-beams, e.g. beam multiplexing to provide laser beams for several stations

Abstract

A multi-axis laser machine in which the working efficiency can be improved even when machining positions in respective systems are different from each other. The positioning operation of a laser positioning unit for positioning an optical path of a laser beam in an axis and the positioning operation of another laser positioning unit for positioning another optical path of the laser beam in another axis are performed independently of each other. An arbitration unit monitors the laser positioning units as to whether they have finished positioning or not. The arbitration unit operates a deflection unit (AOM) so as to supply the laser beam to one of the laser positioning units which has finished positioning. Incidentally, when the laser positioning units finish positioning simultaneously, the arbitration unit supplies the laser beam to the laser positioning units in a predetermined sequence.

Claims

1. A multi-axis laser machine comprising:

a laser oscillator for outputting a laser beam;

a deflection unit for switching a plurality of optical paths for said laser beam;

laser positioning units disposed on said optical paths respectively, the number of said laser positioning units being equal to the number of said optical paths, said laser beam being supplied to any one of said laser positioning units to thereby perform machining; and

an arbitration unit for controlling said laser positioning units independently of one another so as to perform machining at different positions from one another, wherein when said laser positioning units do not finish positioning at a same time, said arbitration unit controls a supply of said laser beam such that said laser beam is supplied to one of said laser positioning units which has finished positioning and is not supplied to an other of said laser positioning units which has not finished positioning, and wherein when said laser positioning units finish positioning simultaneously, said arbitration unit controls said supply of said laser beam to a plurality of laser positioning units in a predetermined sequence.

2. A method for machining with a multi-axis laser machine including a laser oscillator for outputting a laser beam, a deflection unit for switching a plurality of optical paths for said laser beam, and laser positioning units disposed on said optical paths respectively, the number of said laser positioning units being equal to the number of said optical paths, said laser beam being supplied to any one of said laser positioning units to thereby perform machining, said method comprising the steps of:

operating said laser positioning units independently of one another by an arbitration unit so as to perform machining at different positions from one another; and

arbitrating a supply of said laser beam to said laser positioning units by said arbitration unit, wherein when said laser positioning units do not finish positioning at a same time, said arbitration unit controls a supply of said laser beam such that said laser beam is supplied to one of said laser positioning units as soon as said laser positioning unit finishes positioning and is not supplied to an other of said laser positioning units which has not finished positioning, and wherein when said laser positioning units finish positioning simultaneously, said arbitration unit controls said supply of said laser beam to a plurality of laser positioning units in a predetermined sequence.

3. A recording medium recording a computer-readable control program for controlling a multi-axis laser machine including a laser oscillator for outputting a laser beam, a deflection unit for switching a plurality of optical paths for said laser beam, and laser positioning units disposed on said optical paths respectively, the number of said laser positioning units being equal to the number of said optical paths, said laser beam being supplied to any one of said laser positioning units to thereby perform machining, said control program including the steps of:

operating said laser positioning units independently of one another by an arbitration unit so as to perform machining at different positions from one another;

arbitrating a supply of said laser beam to said laser positioning units by said arbitration unit, wherein when said laser positioning units do not finish positioning at a same time, said arbitration unit controls a supply of said laser beam such that said laser beam is supplied to one of said laser positioning units as soon as said laser positioning unit finishes positioning and is not supplied to an other of said laser positioning units which has not finished positioning, and wherein when said laser positioning units finish positioning simultaneously, said arbitration unit controls said supply of said laser beam to a plurality of laser positioning units in a predetermined sequence;

said control program being executably written in said recording medium so as to be readable by a computer.