Method and apparatus for the disposal of studs in robot-guided laser cutting of holes on thin-walled sheet metal parts

摘要

Part cut out in the case of robotic laser cutting of holes in thin sheet metal components is removed by means of a gripping tool utilising a gripping hole in the part. This hole is produced by laser beam before the cutting-out operation begins, and the gripping tool is applied before the part is fully cut out. Cut-out part is kept in a container attached to the robot tool flange until it is deposited. Gripping mechanism has translation and rotation axes, is attached to the tool flange of the robot and has gripping mandrel with an expandable sleeve clamping the mandrel into the gripping hole. Expandable sleeve has a slit configuration which is pressed inwards by spring forces and is clamped into the gripping hole by means of a locking pin forcing the slit sleeve to expand. Alternatively, the gripping mandrel consists of spring wires whose lower ends are spread outwards by a draw bar. Cut-out part is removed from the gripping mandrel with the aid of a compressed air pulse. Container for cut-out parts is attached to the robot tool flange in such a way that without collisions it can be located below the largest cut-out part. The gripping hole is located at the centroid of the cut-out part. USE/ADVANTAGE - For mfr. of sheet metal prods. and components. Ensures high positioning accuracy of the gripping tool, requires no extra or individual programming, and ensures collision-free operation.