Electric heating – Metal heating – By arc
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-14
2001-10-30
Evans, Geoffrey S. (Department: 1725)
Electric heating
Metal heating
By arc
C219S121840
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310316
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to equipment for the laser-cutting of metal sheets, comprising;
means for supporting a metal sheet to be cut in a substantially vertical plane, and
a laser-focusing head movable relative to the metal sheet in a vertical plans.
BACKGROUND ART
Integrated equipment for the laser-cutting and bending of pieces of sheet metal is known from Italian Patent Application No. TO95A00569, by the same Applicants, in which the sheets to be cut are held in a vertical plane.
Several problems arise in the laser-cutting of metal sheets held in a vertical position which do not generally occur in more conventional cases in which the metal sheet to be cut rests on a horizontal surface. A first problem arises when cutting is effected along a closed path so as to produce a through-hole, of any profile, in the metal sheet. In this case a waste piece is produced having a shape corresponding to that of the aperture to be formed. At the end of the cutting process, the waste piece could fall towards the laser-focusing head. There is thus a danger of the laser-focusing head being hit by the waste piece, causing jamming or damage to the focusing head. A second problem results from the fact that the metal sheet is generally suspended from its upper horizontal edge and, during working, may oscillate or vibrate so that the distance between the leaser-focusing head and the surface of the sheet metal being cat varies. The focusing head usually has a capacitive distance sensor which adjusts the distance of the head from the surface to be cut. In fact it is important for this distance to be kept constantly at a predetermined value to ensure correct focusing of the laser beam. However, when the sheet metal vibrates or oscillates rapidly, the head cannot follow the movement of the surface because of the inertia of the distance sensor and the kinematic(cinematic) chain which controls the movement of the focusing head in a direction perpendicular to the metal sheet.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention has been achieved with such a point in mind. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide equipment for the laser-cutting of sheets in a vertical plane which overcomes the said problems.
According to the present invention, this object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the equipment includes an abutment member carried by the focusing head and intended to bear against that face of the sheet to be cut which faces the focusing head.
The abutment member prevents the waste pieces from falling towards the focusing head and knocking or jamming of the focusing head against the pieces. Moreover the abutment member makes the system for supporting the sheet metal more rigid and considerably reduces the possibility of the sheet vibrating or oscillating, particularly in the cutting zone.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4031351 (1977-06-01), Martin
patent: 4406940 (1983-09-01), Tsutsumi
patent: 4711985 (1987-12-01), Wilkerson
patent: 5227606 (1993-07-01), Weeks et al.
patent: 0 454 620 A1 (1991-10-01), None
patent: 0 557 942 A1 (1993-09-01), None
patent: T0 95A000569 (1995-06-01), None
patent: 62-6790 (1987-01-01), None
patent: 2-89588 (1990-03-01), None
English Abstract of Japan Patent Document 62-168,689.
Arduino Alberto
Staurenghi Alberto
Amada Company Limited
Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley LLP
Evans Geoffrey S.
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