Method for control and after-treatment of workpieces, control system and treatment installation

Abstract

In order to provide a control system for checking workpieces and a treatment system for treating workpieces, which enable efficient and reliable quality optimization, it is proposed that, for example, workpiece parameters are recorded by means of an automatic control station and a workpiece-specific data set is created from this and / or from system parameters.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of workpiece manufacturing, in particular the manufacture of vehicle bodies. During or after the manufacture of workpieces, for example, a manual or automatic inspection of the workpieces for manufacturing defects can be carried out. However, such conventional inspection usually does not allow for meaningful and / or 100% reliable conclusions about systematic production defects. The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method for inspecting workpieces by means of which efficient workpiece inspection is possible to optimize workpiece quality and / or to optimize production processes.

[0002] EP 1 176 388 A2 discloses a method and a control system for monitoring the coating quality of workpieces. To monitor the coating quality of painted vehicle bodies, the coating thickness or other quality parameters are measured at selected locations by a measuring robot, and the measurement results are stored in a database along with the coordinates of the measuring points in a reference coordinate system. Based on the stored measurement and coordinate data, these can be displayed visibly in an image of the body on a screen. Furthermore, to correct coating errors, the process parameters of the coating program provided for the system can be modified based on the determined coordinates in a closed process control loop.

[0003] From EP 3 398 698 A1 a method and a device for the incremental forming of a metallic workpiece are known, comprising at least one spindle to which the workpiece is clamped, and at least one spindle drive with which the at least one spindle with the workpiece and / or at least one forming roller is set in rotation relative to the workpiece, wherein the at least one forming roller is fed radially and / or axially relative to the rotating workpiece by means of at least one actuator drive.A computer-based control is provided which uses sensors to record a number of machine parameters, which include at least a spindle speed, a position of the forming roller as well as forming forces and / or a feed speed of the forming roller, that the control also records process parameters and / or workpiece parameters and that the control creates at least one data set in which the machine parameters are assigned to the process and / or workpiece parameters.

[0004] From DE 10 2012 213 481 A1 a method for manufacturing workpieces is known in which the workpiece is assigned to a quality category depending on the processing steps still to be carried out.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 1.

[0006] The present invention further relates to an inspection system for inspecting workpieces and a treatment system for treating workpieces. The object of the invention is also to make workpiece inspection more efficient and to optimize the quality of the workpieces and production processes.

[0007] This problem is solved by the independent device claims.

[0008] Preferably, a workpiece inspection is designed in such a way that an artificial intelligence (AI) proposes and / or automatically implements measures for process optimization, material optimization and / or production optimization, in particular through control and / or regulation interventions in a system control system.

[0009] The method for inspecting workpieces can be used in particular for inspecting vehicle bodies and attachments.

[0010] The workpieces are then in particular vehicle bodies, which are used, for example, as components of motor vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, etc.

[0011] The method for inspecting workpieces preferably comprises the following: determining one or more workpiece parameters of the workpieces to be inspected and / or one or more plant parameters of a treatment plant for treating the workpieces to be inspected.

[0012] A treatment of a workpiece can, for example, be a mechanical (surface) treatment.

[0013] Preferably, however, the treatment of a workpiece is a treatment of a surface of a material of the workpiece. For example, a treatment can be a finishing of a surface of the material of the valuable item by applying and / or creating one or more, in particular protective, layers of lacquer or other coatings.

[0014] Preferably, the method further comprises the following: processing and / or compiling the one or more workpiece parameters and / or the one or more system parameters, wherein a workpiece-specific data set is created for each workpiece.

[0015] Through the above-mentioned processing and / or compilation of workpiece parameters and / or system parameters, an optimized database for checking the workpieces can preferably be created, which ultimately enables better verifiability of the workpiece quality and also allows conclusions to be drawn about system parameters and / or workpiece properties to be optimized.

[0016] A workpiece-specific data record is, in particular, a data record assigned to a single workpiece.

[0017] Each data set can preferably be evaluated to determine the quality of the workpieces.

[0018] A data set may also preferably be a quality card or quality certificate from which the customer can see that all specifications and requirements for a correctly manufactured product have been met at least within specified limits and / or tolerances.

[0019] Furthermore, a workpiece-specific data set can optionally contain data from initialization processes and / or calibration processes, for example, for comparison purposes. For example, data from a sample workpiece can be included in a workpiece-specific data set to facilitate comparability of the data assigned to the respective individual workpiece, in particular parameters, with reference data. The reference data can, in particular, be or include limit values ​​or value ranges. Furthermore, the reference data can consist of simulated data or include data within a specified tolerance band.

[0020] It can be advantageous to use the data sets to determine, individually for each workpiece or jointly for several workpieces, whether the treatment of the respective workpiece(s) has or will result in a treatment result that meets specified quality criteria. The workpiece-specific data sets can thus be evaluated, in particular, during or after the workpiece treatment, in particular immediately after the workpiece treatment. Furthermore, alternatively or in addition to this, an evaluation, in particular a statistical evaluation, can be provided at the end of a workpiece treatment.

[0021] It may be advantageous if the determination as to whether the treatment of the respective workpiece or workpieces has or will lead to a treatment result within specified quality criteria is carried out before the treatment of the respective workpiece or workpieces, during the treatment of the respective workpiece or workpieces and / or after the treatment of the respective workpiece or workpieces.

[0022] In particular, if workpiece parameters and / or system parameters are used for this determination which relate to a pre-treatment, pre-processing or previous production of the workpiece before one or more treatment steps are carried out, it is preferably possible to infer possible defects in the workpiece at least to the extent that these arise from the pre-treatment, pre-processing, design of a material surface and / or production of the workpiece.

[0023] For example, in the case of defects in the shell of a workpiece designed as a vehicle body and / or generally in the case of defects in the material used to manufacture and / or process and / or treat a workpiece, it can be concluded even before the workpiece is treated that the workpiece cannot ultimately be completed without defects.

[0024] In particular, one or more of the following parameters can be provided as workpiece parameters: a workpiece temperature measured at a specific point on the workpiece; a workpiece temperature or workpiece temperature distribution measured and / or averaged over an area; in particular a specific velocity measured by means of a sensor designed as an anemometer, in particular the flow velocity of the air on and / or around the workpiece; reflection properties of a workpiece surface, in particular measured reflection properties; in particular, the measurement can be carried out using light in the ultraviolet, visible and / or infrared range; absorption properties of a workpiece surface, in particular measured absorption properties; in particular, the absorption properties for light in the ultraviolet, visible and / or infrared range, for example in the range of thermal radiation, can be measured; emission properties of a workpiece surface, in particular measured emission propertiesthe emission is measured in particular in the infrared range, for example due to the thermal radiation of the workpiece; point workpiece temperature determined based on a simulation; this point workpiece temperature determined by means of a simulation can, for example, be determined individually for each workpiece using system parameters; temperature distribution on the workpiece determined based on a simulation; for this purpose, measured or determined system parameters and / or point-measured workpiece parameters can be used in particular; for example, by means of a simulation, a temperature distribution on the workpiece can be simulated and used as a workpiece parameter by means of a point temperature measurement; information about the nature and / or type of the respective workpiece; information about physical and / or production-related workpiece parameters; an individual workpiece identification number;Information about any pretreatment, preprocessing, and / or manufacturing of the respective workpiece prior to the treatment, in particular the quality of the raw substrate; information about any post-treatment and / or further processing of the respective workpiece following the treatment.

[0025] Preferably, the workpiece parameters and / or the system parameters and / or the system parameters are included in the workpiece-specific data set as soon as they are available, in particular continuously during the entire process for producing and completing the workpiece or step by step after one or more treatment, processing and / or manufacturing steps.

[0026] All measured workpiece parameters as well as all system parameters or treatment result parameters yet to be described can be measured, for example, contactless or contact-based.

[0027] For example, to determine the temperature, a thermal contact element can be brought into contact with the workpiece or other object whose temperature is to be determined. However, the temperature determination is preferably carried out without contact.

[0028] For this purpose, one or more pyrometers are used, which measure the temperature in particular in a point-like, linear manner, i.e. with one-dimensional resolution, or in a planar manner, i.e. with two-dimensional resolution.

[0029] One or more pyrometers or other sensors in general can be moved automatically relative to a workpiece, in particular continuously and / or in a timed manner and / or by motor and / or using or by a drive of a conveying device for conveying the workpieces.

[0030] For example, a turntable may be provided on which one or more pyrometers or other sensors in general are arranged and which is movable, in particular rotatable, for different positioning of the same relative to a workpiece.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, several pyrometers or other sensors can be provided, for example, evenly arranged, particularly in a matrix. For example, a 2x2, 3x3, or 4x4 matrix of 4, 9, or 16 pyrometers or other sensors can be provided to determine one or more workpiece parameters.

[0032] The measurement is performed on a surface that is machined and / or treated identically for all workpieces. This surface is intended, in particular, for the underside of the vehicle, which is not coated with a different colored topcoat for different vehicles. This allows for optimized comparability of the measurement results.

[0033] The underside is in particular an area in which only a KTL surface (surface coated by cathodic dip painting) and / or primer surface (surface coated with primer) is visible.

[0034] Alternatively or in addition to this, a measurement can also be provided in the area of ​​surfaces that have different colours for different workpieces, for example due to different coloured organic polymer compounds.

[0035] All of the above statements regarding temperature measurement also apply to the measurement of reflection properties of a workpiece surface, absorption properties of a workpiece surface and / or other emission properties of the workpiece surface.

[0036] In particular, reflection measurements can be provided for measuring gloss and / or for DOI measurements (Distinctness of Image measurements).

[0037] In particular, reflection measurements and / or adsorption measurements may be provided for colour match measurements.

[0038] In particular, reflection measurements and / or adsorption measurements can be provided for structural scans of the surface.

[0039] One or more of the following parameters are preferably provided as system parameters: a globally measured temperature and / or a measured temporal and / or spatial temperature distribution in one or more treatment stations; in this case, in particular those local temperatures at locations along a movement path of the workpieces are used which prevailed, prevail and / or will prevail when the respective workpiece was arranged at the respective locations or when the respective workpiece is or will be arranged at the respective locations; in this way, in particular the temperature specific to the respective workpiece in the respective treatment station can be recorded; one or more operating parameters of one or more air guidance devices of one or more treatment stations; for example, such air guidance devices can be provided at painting stations and / or drying zones;The following parameters, for example, are provided as operating parameters: current intensity, voltage and / or frequency of a fan; volume flow and / or mass flow of the air guided in the air guiding device; air temperature, air humidity, supply temperature of the air when supplied to a treatment room; discharge temperature of the air when discharged from the treatment room; pressure in the treatment room; performance data of a heating device, a cooling device, a dehumidifying device and / or a humidifying device; one or more operating parameters of one or more conveying devices of one or more treatment stations; in particular, the speed, stop times, pauses and / or travel paths of one or more conveying units of the conveying device are taken into account, in particular those one or more conveying units which will convey, are conveying or have conveyed the respective workpiece.one or more operating parameters of one or more treatment units of one or more treatment stations; for example, when coating workpieces using spray coating (spray painting), a coating type, coating duration, flow rate, temperature and / or degree of contamination of a coating liquid and / or a maintenance status of one or more treatment units can be used as operating parameters; for example, when dipping treatment, a composition, temperature, total service life and / or degree of contamination of an immersion liquid can be used as operating parameters; for example, when drying as treatment of one or more workpieces, the operating parameters mentioned above as operating parameters of a ventilation device are preferably used as operating parameters of one or more treatment units;one or more operating parameters of one or more filter systems and / or cleaning systems for removing contaminants from an air stream and / or a treatment medium for workpiece treatment; in particular, data on the maintenance status of the filter system and / or cleaning systems are provided as such operating parameters.

[0040] The following can be mentioned as concrete examples: As operating parameters for an air guidance device, in particular one or more fans, current monitoring and / or differential pressure measurement can be used, for example, which detects a pressure jump between the suction and pressure sides of the fan. If the sensor provided for this purpose is instead used to detect the pressure loss across the nozzles and / or elsewhere, particularly in a recirculation circuit, the nozzle outlet speed can preferably be determined from this (in particular with the aid of a correction factor). The function of monitoring the fan can preferably still be fulfilled after changing the sensor position. Preferably, no additional sensors are required to measure the nozzle outlet speed.

[0041] Furthermore, it may be possible to infer the nozzle outlet velocity from the fan frequency. For this purpose, aging of filters in a filter system, in particular pressure loss across the filters, is preferably taken into account.

[0042] The workpiece parameters and / or system parameters can in particular be used directly to assess the quality of the workpiece.

[0043] However, an evaluation is preferably carried out.

[0044] In particular, for the creation of the workpiece-specific data sets, correlation data are preferably used which establish a correlation between a) the one or more workpiece parameters and / or the one or more system parameters and b) one or more treatment result parameters.

[0045] For example, using the measured or simulated temperatures and / or temperature distributions, conclusions can be drawn about the degree of curing of a coating and thus about an essential parameter of the treatment result to be achieved.

[0046] Simulation data and / or simulation functions are preferably used as correlation data or to determine the correlation data. Using the simulation data and / or simulation functions, one or more treatment parameters and / or one or more treatment result parameters are calculated, preferably based on the one or more workpiece parameters and / or the one or more system parameters.

[0047] A simulation model used as correlation data or to generate correlation data is preferably calibrated by one or more test runs of a workpiece equipped with sensors and / or monitored. In particular, such calibration is performed regularly, for example, weekly, bi-weekly, or four-weekly, in particular to continuously ensure the reliability of the correlation data.

[0048] According to the method described above, workpiece parameters and / or system parameters can be included in the workpiece-specific data set as measured values, or they can be processed or otherwise used using one or more simulations or other correlation data. The resulting parameters, in particular workpiece parameters and / or system parameters, are preferably included in the workpiece-specific data set. All workpiece parameters and / or system parameters preferably allow a statement or conclusion to be drawn about the quality of the workpiece.

[0049] However, only the treatment outcome parameters preferably reflect exactly those values ​​that directly reflect the treatment outcome and, in particular, do not require any further interpretation or conclusions.

[0050] The one or more treatment result parameters can preferably be controlled, in particular verified, by a direct measurement, in particular during and / or immediately after the treatment process, for example a surface finishing process.

[0051] In particular, a non-contact measurement of the surface structure and / or the profile and / or the degree of gloss of a finished material surface of the workpiece can be carried out to determine one or more treatment result parameters.

[0052] The use of correlation data, particularly by utilizing simulation data and / or simulation functions, preferably enables a drastic reduction in the measurement technology required to obtain the same amount of data, particularly the same treatment outcome parameters, by direct measurement on each individual workpiece. In particular, high-resolution, three-dimensional monitoring and / or inspection of the workpiece can be enabled using only individual measured values.

[0053] In particular to verify the correlation data but also to further increase the control quality, it is preferably provided that one or more sensory treatment result parameters are determined by means of one or more sensors during and / or after the treatment.

[0054] The one or more sensory treatment result parameters are preferably compared with one or more predetermined and / or simulated treatment result parameters, wherein in particular a quality parameter is obtained which preferably reflects whether the treatment of the respective workpiece meets one or more quality criteria.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the quality parameter can provide information about the quality of the simulation. For example, the quality parameter is used for validation and / or verification and / or fine-tuning of the simulation, in particular simulation parameters.

[0056] A sensory treatment result parameter is preferably obtained by direct non-contact or contact measurement on the workpiece in question.

[0057] Predefined treatment parameters are in particular those which are specified as desired properties of a workpiece.

[0058] Simulated treatment result parameters are preferably those which are obtained based on one or more workpiece parameters and / or one or more system parameters, in particular using correlation data.

[0059] Furthermore, predetermined treatment result parameters are preferably parameters measured on a reference workpiece.

[0060] One or more of the following parameters are preferably intended as treatment outcome parameters: Thickness of a coating, in particular the respective thickness of one or more coatings, for example a primer, a topcoat and / or a clearcoat; quality of a coating and / or a substrate surface, in particular the evenness and / or roughness of a coating, in particular of each or individual layers; uniformity of a thickness of a coating, in particular the uniformity of each or individual layers; hue and / or brightness and / or colorimetry "color match" and / or flow and / or gloss level of a coating, in particular before and / or after the application of clearcoat; surface structure and / or flow and / or gloss level of an individual layer or for the final clearcoat layer; hardness of a coating, in particular after curing of the topcoat and / or clearcoat; chemical composition of a coating, in particular degree of crosslinking and / or solvent content; degree of contamination of a coating;Spatial distribution and / or temporal progression of the temperature of the workpiece during and / or after a treatment, in particular after a drying process; position of local temperature maxima and / or temperature minima generated by the treatment on the workpiece; information on measured, simulated and / or expected defects or other quality defects on the respective workpiece, in particular the position and / or extent of coating defects.

[0061] It can be beneficial if the workpiece-specific data records are supplemented by: one or more workpiece-specific sensory treatment result parameters; one or more workpiece-specific predetermined treatment result parameters; one or more workpiece-specific simulated treatment result parameters; one or more quality parameters.

[0062] A quality parameter is in particular a value which enables a statement about a quality criterion of the workpiece, for example without further target value comparison or other evaluation.

[0063] For example, a quality parameter is a parameter that can take the values ​​1 or 0, which can ultimately mean "OK" or "no defects" or "not OK" / "defective." A quality parameter can be, for example, "correct layer thickness," "correct color tone," "temperature limits met," etc.

[0064] It may be advantageous if the data sets of several workpieces are compared, correlated and / or summarized with each other, preferably obtaining a process data set which in particular reflects a temporal development of one or more system parameters, one or more workpiece parameters and / or one or more treatment result parameters.

[0065] The process data set is preferably evaluated, in particular using a data mining method and / or a deep learning method. This preferably allows conclusions to be drawn about possible sources and / or causes of identified and / or expected quality defects in the workpieces.

[0066] Depending on one or more workpiece-specific data sets and / or depending on a process data set obtainable from several workpiece-specific data sets, a treatment plant for treating the workpieces, in particular one or more treatment stations of the treatment plant, is preferably controlled and / or regulated with regard to one or more plant parameters.

[0067] For example, it can be provided that a conveying device is controlled and / or regulated depending on one or more workpiece-specific data sets and / or depending on a process data set obtainable from several workpiece-specific data sets, in particular for varying and / or selecting a conveying path along which a respective workpiece is conveyed, in particular for treating the same.

[0068] According to the invention, it is provided that the workpieces are fed to one or more post-treatment stations after carrying out one or more treatment steps, in particular one or more painting processes, in one or more treatment stations depending on the content of the respective workpiece-specific data set.

[0069] The post-processing stations are preferably automated. In particular, the workpieces can be automatically reworked in those defects or areas with other quality defects that are stored as such in the respective workpiece-specific data set.

[0070] An automatic treatment station and / or automatic post-processing eliminates the need for manual intervention by a worker.

[0071] Alternatively, however, it may also be provided that one or more post-treatment stations are designed as manual treatment stations, and that the post-treatment is carried out manually by one or more workers. A combination of automatic and manual treatment, in particular post-treatment, may also be provided.

[0072] According to the invention, it is provided that the workpiece-specific data records of the workpieces are modified and / or supplemented during and / or after the post-treatment, in particular by workpiece parameters which relate to the implementation of the post-treatment and / or by system parameters which relate to one or more post-treatment stations, and / or by treatment result parameters which are treatment-specific and / or workpiece-specific due to the post-treatment.

[0073] According to the invention, it is provided that the workpieces are fed to one or more further post-treatment stations, in particular for further post-treatment, after carrying out one or more post-treatment steps, depending on the modified and / or supplemented content of the respective workpiece-specific data set.

[0074] Alternatively or in addition to this, it may be provided that the workpieces are marked as scrap and disposed of after one or more post-treatment steps have been carried out, depending on the modified and / or supplemented content of the respective workpiece-specific data record.

[0075] The described method can be carried out in particular by means of a control system for checking workpieces.

[0076] The present invention therefore also relates to an inspection system for inspecting workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies and attachments.

[0077] The control system preferably includes the following: one or more control stations for determining one or more workpiece parameters of the workpieces to be inspected and / or one or more system parameters of a treatment system for treating the workpieces to be inspected; a control device which is configured and designed such that, by means of the control device, a workpiece-specific data set can be created for each workpiece based on the one or more workpiece parameters and / or based on the one or more system parameters, in particular according to a method according to the invention.

[0078] The control system preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the method.

[0079] The inspection system is particularly suitable for use as a component of a treatment system for treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies.

[0080] The present invention therefore also relates to a treatment system for treating workpieces, which preferably comprises the following: one or more treatment stations for treating the workpieces; an inspection system for inspecting workpieces, in particular an inspection system according to the invention; a conveying device by means of which workpieces can be conveyed to one or more inspection stations of the inspection system, through the one or more inspection stations and / or away from the one or more inspection stations and / or by means of which workpieces can be conveyed to one or more treatment stations, through one or more treatment stations and / or away from the one or more treatment stations.

[0081] The treatment plant according to the invention preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the method according to the invention and / or the control plant according to the invention.

[0082] The control device of the control system is preferably configured such that all of the described method steps can be carried out. Preferably, all components of the control system and / or the treatment system are configured and designed such that they can be controlled by the control device in order to carry out one or more of the described method steps.

[0083] Furthermore, the method, the control system, and / or the treatment system can have one or more of the following features and / or advantages: One or more control stations of the control system can, for example, each have one or more permanently installed control units. Alternatively or additionally, one or more mobile and / or portable control units can be provided, which can be optionally arranged at different control stations of the control system.

[0084] One or more control stations are then in particular receiving devices for one or more control units, which can be arranged at the respective control station if required and / or for setup and / or optimization purposes.

[0085] One or more workpiece parameters and / or one or more system parameters preferably serve as a basis for parameterizing a software tool, which in particular forms or comprises a physically based, algorithm-supported simulation model.

[0086] In particular, data recorded from measurement runs are used for parameterization and / or calibration of the simulation model, preferably to extract simulation parameters automatically. This data is acquired, for example, in a mobile manner, in particular using sensors on a workpiece and / or sensors directed at the workpiece.

[0087] It can be advantageous if one or more measurement runs are carried out in which the system parameters and / or the workpiece parameters are within a specified value range, which leads to a defect-free workpiece.

[0088] Alternatively or in addition, one or more measurement runs can be performed with system parameters that represent faulty system operation. This can be used to identify potential error sources that may occur during subsequent production operations.

[0089] The simulation model in particular forms correlation data or a component thereof.

[0090] The correlation data preferably allows the calculation of heating curves at different workpiece measuring points for different workpiece types, in particular different body measuring points for different body types, preferably further dependent on different system states and thus different system parameters. The workpiece parameters and / or system parameters obtained in this way are preferably storable, in particular in one or more workpiece-specific data sets and / or a process data set.

[0091] Preferably, an assessment and validation of the quality of the simulation and / or the correlation data is possible by a reference measurement of a surface temperature at a specified point of each workpiece, in particular by stationary or mobile measurement using a stationary or mobile sensor designed as a pyrometer.

[0092] Preferably, one or more measuring points are provided at or in one or more treatment stations to obtain a meaningful reference measurement value for each workpiece, particularly at critical points during treatment. This reference measurement value can then be used, in particular, as a workpiece parameter to determine one or more treatment result parameters.

[0093] For example, a measurement of a workpiece parameter, in particular a reference temperature on a surface of the workpiece, can be performed, for example, in a treatment station designed as a dryer, at a time and / or location when high gradients are expected in a heating curve. Any deviations from a specified and / or simulated heating behavior can then preferably be reliably detected and / or determined.

[0094] For example, if a temperature determination, in particular a temperature distribution determination, results in asymmetric heating of the workpiece, one or more of the following compensation measures can be taken automatically, in particular automatically initiated by means of the control device: Adjustment of inlet nozzles, in particular adaptation of a throw and / or alignment such that overheated areas are exposed to less and / or undercooled areas to a greater extent with incoming heated air; setting of different volume flows for different inlet nozzles, in particular by adjusting the associated valves and / or throttle flaps, for example to compensate for asymmetries caused by process-related irregularities (e.g. at the transition from pre-dryer to main dryer, transition from holding to cooling, etc.) during the previous heating; asymmetrical arrangement and / or alignment of the workpieces in the cycle, ie the workpiece is stopped, for example, slightly too early or too late relative to one or more inlet nozzles and is therefore subjected to a greater pressure on one side.

[0095] In addition to the possibility of predicting temperature profiles, the invention preferably also provides the possibility of assessing the quality of the heating process of each workpiece and, if necessary, of intervening in a corrective and thus active manner in the control of the process in order, for example, to achieve quality-relevant temperatures or to be able to implement an emergency strategy in the event of a system malfunction.

[0096] The invention enables, for example, the establishment of correlations between the results of an automatic defect check after the process has been completed and the heating curves experienced by the workpiece. For each body inspected as part of a defect check, there is preferably a uniquely assigned calculated heating curve, which in particular forms a component of the tool-specific data set.

[0097] The system parameters can be optimized, preferably using correlation data, in particular an evaluation logic, to those process parameters or system parameters that delivered the best results in error control. This allows the effects of various system settings on the quality results to be recorded and the system to be optimized for optimal settings, for example, as follows: Influence of the baking time on the yellowing of light-colored paints, especially light-colored solid-color paints and / or clear coats; influence of the heating gradients / temperature gradients of the workpieces on the flow and crosslinking of the clear coat and thus on the top coat level, the formation of the clear coat (for example with regard to the appearance, which is assessed using long-wave and short-wave measurements or mathematical derivations thereof).

[0098] Preferably, the simulation model, which is in particular a component of the correlation data or forms the correlation data, is initialized for each workpiece type during dryer commissioning, for example, by measuring the heating curves. It may be provided that the initialization runs are carried out with system parameters that represent both normal operation and potentially faulty operation.

[0099] The initialization runs can be used in particular to give a test signal in the form of a temperature step function to the system and to be able to describe the temperature dynamics in the zone and thus the system behavior with the help of the measured step response for different process parameters.

[0100] Similar initializations may be provided for system parameters other than temperature.

[0101] The results of subsequent measurement runs to safeguard the treatment process preferably ensure a recurring calibration of the correlation data, fully automatically.

[0102] It may be advantageous if the values ​​during these measurement runs are transmitted wirelessly, for example, via telemetry, particularly automatically, and preferably without the need for manual data transmission. This approach can prevent potential operating errors and also ensure correct temporal synchronization of measured data and target values.

[0103] It may be advantageous if an interface for an operator, in particular a process visualization and / or an operating panel, is provided, which, for example, enables the start and monitoring of an initialization run and / or a measurement run and / or a calibration run.

[0104] In a further optional embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that, alternatively or in addition to a heating curve, a transfer velocity is determined as a workpiece parameter, particularly at different points on each individual workpiece. This can be done by directly measuring the transfer velocity on a reference workpiece and creating a model, or indirectly by calculating it from other workpiece parameters and / or system parameters, for example, from the heating behavior.

[0105] The determination of the overflow velocity is preferably carried out in a process analogous to the determination of temperature curves already described. Sensors for determining speeds, preferably anemometers, are used at various measuring points on a measuring workpiece. The temporal progression of the speeds can be recorded using a mobile data logger. By assigning the recorded measurement data to the system parameters (temperatures, fan frequencies, volume flows and pressures), a model can be derived that enables the calculation of real-time velocity curves at individual points on production workpieces that are not equipped with any sensors. A causal relationship may exist between the appearance, i.e. the quality of the painted surface. Low overflow velocities can be advantageous in this regard.

[0106] Alternatively or in addition to using a measuring workpiece with speed sensors, the speed at individual measuring points can also be calculated from the temperature curve, i.e., the heating kinetics and known or measured workpiece properties (e.g., thickness, heat capacity, etc.), for example, using a heat transfer model. For this purpose, the different flow conditions on the front and back sides and / or in the interior of the workpieces are preferably taken into account. The distribution of the heat input across the front and back sides and / or in the interior can be based, for example, on simulation results and characteristic dryer features.

[0107] The overflow velocity can have a significant impact on the results achieved at an automatic control station and / or a quality inspection station after the drying process. Optimizing the system parameters based on the quality determined at the control station and / or a quality inspection station can therefore be advantageous.

[0108] It can be beneficial if the system parameters are varied within a specified fluctuation range around a specified target value and are automatically optimized to those values ​​that deliver the best quality results.

[0109] This invention is preferably usable and transferable for or to all continuous processes in production processes in which the quality-relevant measured variables can be defined.

[0110] Examples of this include pretreatment and cathodic dip painting, where the bath temperature or current intensity have an influence on the quality of the body coating or layer thickness distribution.

[0111] The treatment result parameters, which are obtained in particular by using correlation data and / or using workpiece parameters and / or system parameters, preferably provide conclusions or information about the following: Substrate quality of the material used to manufacture the workpiece, in particular a sheet metal shell; drying conditions for each individual workpiece; quality of the treatment result, in particular one or more painting results; curing of the material and / or materials, in particular steel and / or aluminum; total residence time in a respective treatment station, for example in the dryer; accumulated process time above a certain baking temperature; maximum temperature difference that occurs during the drying process between the individual measuring points in the individual drying sections (e.g. pre-dryer, main dryer and cooling zone); maximum temperature gradient [K / min] that occurs during the drying process at the individual measuring points in the individual drying sections (e.g. pre-dryer, main dryer and cooling zone).

[0112] The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a method for inspecting workpieces, wherein the method comprises the following as an alternative or in addition to one or more of the other described method features: Determining one or more workpiece parameters of the workpieces to be inspected using an automatic inspection station; categorizing the workpieces depending on at least one of the workpiece parameters determined by the inspection station.

[0113] Alternatively or in addition to an automatic control station, a manual control station may be provided.

[0114] An automatic inspection station is in particular an inspection station in which the inspection of the workpieces is preferably carried out exclusively by machine.

[0115] A manual inspection station is, in particular, an inspection station in which the inspection of the workpieces is carried out by one or more persons, if necessary with mechanical assistance.

[0116] Furthermore, the method can provide for a plurality of control stations, in particular a plurality of automatic control stations and / or a plurality of manual control stations.

[0117] The plurality of control stations can in particular be functionally identical, so that in particular the same workpiece parameters can be determined by means of these control stations.

[0118] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that several control stations are provided which are functionally different from one another, so that the different control stations serve to determine different workpiece parameters.

[0119] It can be advantageous to re-treat workpieces for which one or more workpiece parameters were determined by the control station which are to be classified as defective or which result in a defect in the workpiece.

[0120] For example, it may be determined that a coating thickness, which represents a workpiece parameter, is too low. This can be classified as a defect in the workpiece. Especially if this defect only occurs locally, it can preferably be remedied through post-treatment.

[0121] Such a workpiece can then be post-treated in order to ultimately produce a defect-free workpiece.

[0122] Furthermore, it can be provided that workpieces are not subjected to any post-treatment if all workpiece parameters determined by the control station can be classified as free of defects and do not result in any defects in the workpiece.

[0123] The process thus allows the workpieces to be automatically categorized into several categories. In particular, a "defect-free" and a "correctable defect" category can be provided. Workpieces in the "defect-free" category are preferably not subjected to any post-treatment. Workpieces in the "correctable defect" category can preferably be further categorized, with a distinction being made between the "automatically correctable defect" and "manually correctable defect" categories. Depending on this categorization, the correspondingly categorized workpieces are preferably fed to an automatic post-treatment station or a manual post-processing station, where they are either automatically post-treated or manually post-treated.

[0124] Furthermore, depending on the one or more workpiece parameters determined, workpieces may be categorized as "irreparable defects." This category includes, in particular, workpieces that cannot be restored to a defect-free condition through post-treatment. Such workpieces must be disposed of as scrap.

[0125] The workpieces are fed to different stations by means of a conveyor system, preferably depending on the result of the categorization. For example, workpieces categorized as "defect-free" are fed to a quality inspection station and / or finally to a storage station, such as a high-bay warehouse.

[0126] Workpieces in the "automatically correctable defect" category are automatically conveyed from the inspection station to an automatic post-processing station using the conveyor system. After automatic post-processing, the workpieces are either returned to an inspection station or further processed in a manual post-processing station. Workpieces in the "manually correctable defect" category are automatically conveyed to a manual post-processing station using the conveyor system after the inspection station. These workpieces are then again conveyed to an inspection station.

[0127] Workpieces in the category "irreparable defects" are sent to a disposal station.

[0128] One or more workpieces are preferably fed to a quality inspection station after the control station.

[0129] In a quality inspection station, a quality inspection of the workpieces is carried out.

[0130] In particular, during the quality inspection, the workpieces are checked for the result of a treatment process.

[0131] Preferably, only those workpieces that have been categorized as defect-free by means of a control station are subjected to a quality inspection.

[0132] The workpieces fed to the quality inspection station are preferably a selection from all manufactured and / or processed workpieces. Preferably, only these workpieces are subjected to a quality inspection.

[0133] In particular, it can be provided that individual workpieces, for example every second or every third workpiece, are selected in a statistically distributed manner for feeding to the quality station and subjected to a quality inspection there.

[0134] Furthermore, it can be provided that those workpieces are fed to the quality inspection station and subjected to a quality inspection which were treated after a change in system parameters, for example after a color change during painting, and which were preferably categorized as defect-free by the control station.

[0135] Furthermore, it can be provided that all manufactured and / or treated workpieces are fed to the quality inspection station and subjected to a quality inspection.

[0136] Preferably, not every workpiece produced and / or treated is subjected to quality inspection. Rather, a specific selection is preferably made from these workpieces.

[0137] The selection of the workpieces to be fed to the quality inspection station is preferably based on measured and / or calculated and / or simulated workpiece parameters and / or based on measured and / or calculated and / or simulated treatment result parameters, which in particular include or are based on one or more of the following parameters: Hue and / or brightness and / or colorimetry "color match" and / or flow and / or gloss level of a coating; quality of a coating and / or a substrate surface, in particular the evenness and / or roughness of a coating, in particular of each or individual layers; surface structure and / or flow and / or gloss level of an individual layer or for the final clear coat; uniformity of a layer thickness of a coating; thickness of a coating; hardness of a coating; chemical composition of a coating, in particular degree of crosslinking and / or solution content; information about the nature and / or type of the respective workpiece; information about physical and / or production-related workpiece characteristics; an individual workpiece identification number; information about the manufacture and / or processing of the respective workpiece prior to the treatment, in particular the quality of the bodyshell substrate;Information about any subsequent treatment and / or further processing of the respective workpiece; information about measured, simulated and / or expected defects or other quality defects on the respective workpiece, in particular the position and / or extent of coating defects.

[0138] During quality inspection, one or more of the following parameters are preferably measured, particularly automatically or manually: Hue and / or brightness and / or colorimetry "color match" and / or flow and / or gloss level of a coating; quality of a coating and / or a substrate surface, in particular flatness and / or roughness of a coating, in particular of each or individual layers; surface structure and / or flow and / or gloss level of an individual layer or for the final clear coat layer; uniformity of a layer thickness of a coating; thickness of a coating; hardness of a coating; chemical composition of a coating, in particular degree of crosslinking and / or solvent content; degree of contamination of a coating; reflection properties of a workpiece surface; absorption properties of a workpiece surface; emission properties of a workpiece surface.

[0139] It can be advantageous if, during the quality inspection, quality measurements are only carried out on those parts of the workpieces which are free of defects according to the results of the inspection in the inspection station.

[0140] Results of the quality inspection are preferably used to adjust one or more system parameters, in particular in one or more treatment stations for treating the workpieces, in particular regardless of whether the quality measurement has detected a defect in one or more workpieces or not.

[0141] For example, a temperature profile in a treatment station designed as a dryer can be adjusted if a color deviation resulting from local overheating was detected during quality inspection, particularly during quality measurements. Even if the detected color deviation lies within specified tolerances, adjusting the temperature profile can be beneficial, especially to minimize the number of potentially problematic defects.

[0142] It may therefore be advantageous if, based on the results of the quality inspection, an adjustment of one or more system parameters, in particular in one or more treatment stations for treating the workpieces, is carried out even if the one or more system parameters are within specified limit values, whereby in particular tendencies in the temporal development of the one or more system parameters are already mitigated or compensated.

[0143] Preferably, the adjustment of one or more system parameters is carried out automatically, in particular without user intervention. However, it can also be provided that the adjustment of one or more system parameters is suggested to a user or operator of the system by means of a control device and is only carried out after the user or operator approves the suggestion.

[0144] The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for implementation in a control system.

[0145] The control system preferably has the following as an alternative or in addition to the control system already described: one or more control stations for automatically determining one or more workpiece parameters of the workpieces to be inspected; a control device which is configured and designed such that the control device can categorize the workpieces depending on at least one of the workpiece parameters determined by means of the one or more control stations.

[0146] By means of the control device, the control system can be controlled in particular in such a way that the described method can be carried out.

[0147] The control system preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the method.

[0148] The one or more control stations preferably each comprise one or more control units.

[0149] One or more control units can, for example, be designed as a robot or include a robot.

[0150] The one or more control units may also simultaneously form one or more treatment units or be part of them.

[0151] In particular, a robot can form both a treatment unit and a control unit and can simultaneously or alternately serve to treat and control workpieces.

[0152] A control unit can, for example, comprise one or more sensors, which are also referred to here as control sensors.

[0153] A control sensor is, for example, a camera, an area sensor, a line sensor and / or a point sensor, each of which provides detection of visible light, UV radiation and / or infrared radiation, for example thermal radiation.

[0154] A control sensor, but also any other sensor, can be protected against heat and / or damage and / or contamination, for example. For this purpose, an air purge or other purge system can be provided in a housing of the control sensor or in its surroundings. In particular, with compressed air purge, a compressed air line can be routed together with a data line and / or power line for supplying the respective control sensor in a common media duct or cable duct.

[0155] Preferably, several such control sensors are provided.

[0156] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that one or more inspection stations are designed as a portal through which the workpieces can be conveyed for inspection thereof.

[0157] In particular, one or more workpieces can be conveyed by means of a conveying device through one or more inspection stations designed as a portal.

[0158] Alternatively, it can be provided that one or more inspection stations are designed as a portal which can be moved over the workpieces in order to inspect them.

[0159] The control system is particularly suitable for use in a treatment plant.

[0160] The invention therefore also relates to a treatment plant which, for example, has one or more of the features and / or advantages of a treatment plant described above.

[0161] The treatment plant preferably further comprises the following: one or more treatment stations for treating the workpieces; an inspection system for inspecting workpieces, in particular an inspection system according to the invention; a conveying device by means of which workpieces can be conveyed to one or more inspection stations of the inspection system, through the one or more inspection stations and / or away from the one or more inspection stations and / or by means of which workpieces can be conveyed to one or more treatment stations, through one or more treatment stations and / or away from the one or more treatment stations.

[0162] It may be advantageous if one or more inspection stations are integrated into a treatment station and / or a post-treatment station of the treatment system. A check of the respective workpiece can preferably be carried out using one or more treatment units of the treatment station and / or the post-treatment station, each of which preferably has one or more inspection units.

[0163] In order to assess the quality of a workpiece surface, which has been finished with paint materials, for example, particularly after completion of the workpiece in a treatment plant and / or after inspection of the workpiece in a control zone or control station, as quickly as possible, so that the time and / or financial losses and / or losses are kept to a minimum, it is proposed to use an automatic control station to measure and eliminate qualitative workpiece parameters after treatment (in particular surface finishing), and to store the results from plant parameters and / or workpiece parameters as specific life records for the workpiece within the entire production chain.

[0164] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

[0165] The drawings show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic vertical longitudinal section through a treatment station designed as a painting system of a treatment system for treating workpieces; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of a treatment station of the treatment system designed as a dryer; Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of a dryer module of the dryer from Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 a schematic vertical longitudinal section through an outlet lock of a treatment station of the treatment plant; Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of a sensor designed as a pyrometer; Fig. 6 a schematic perspective view of a post-treatment station of the post-treatment plant; Fig. 7 a schematic side view of a vehicle for transporting workpieces; Fig. 8 a schematic perspective view of the vehicle from Fig. 7 ; Fig. 9 a diagram illustrating a process sequence for the inspection and post-treatment of workpieces; Fig. 10 another diagram illustrating the process sequence in a simplified representation; and Fig. 11 another diagram illustrating an alternative process sequence.

[0166] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0167] One in the Figuren 1 bis 8 The illustrated embodiment of a treatment plant designated as a whole by 100 serves, for example, to treat workpieces 102, in particular vehicle bodies 104.

[0168] The treatment system 100 serves in particular for coating workpieces 102 and as such comprises, for example, several treatment stations 106.

[0169] In particular, one or more treatment stations 106 designed as a painting system 108 are provided, to which one or more treatment units 106 designed as dryers 110 are connected (see the Fig. 1 and 2 ).

[0170] The treatment system 100 comprises, in particular, a conveyor device 112, by means of which the workpieces 102 can be conveyed through the treatment system 100. In particular, the workpieces 102 can be conveyed from one treatment station 106 to the next treatment station 106 by means of the conveyor device 112.

[0171] The treatment station 106 designed as a painting system 108 comprises in particular a painting room 114 in which one or more treatment units 116, for example painting robots 118, are arranged.

[0172] The workpieces 102 can be conveyed in particular in a conveying direction 120 through the painting room 114.

[0173] Above the painting room 114, in particular, a plenum 122 of an air guiding device 124 for supplying air to the painting room 114 is arranged.

[0174] Below the painting room 114, a filter system 126 is preferably arranged to clean the air discharged from the painting room 114.

[0175] As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 2 and 3 As can be seen, the treatment station 106 designed as a dryer 110 comprises in particular a plurality of air guiding devices 124, which are each designed, for example, as a recirculation module 128 and, together with a drying room section 130, form a plurality of dryer modules 132 of the dryer 110.

[0176] The drying room sections 130 together form a drying room 134 of the dryer 110.

[0177] The workpieces 102 can be conveyed through the dryer chamber 134 in the conveying direction 120 by means of the conveying device 112.

[0178] Each recirculation module 128 of the dryer 110 is preferably connected to the respective associated dryer chamber section 130 via a distribution chamber 136 of the air guiding device 124 of the dryer 110.

[0179] The air conditioned in the recirculation module 128 can be distributed, in particular evenly distributed, via the distribution chamber 136 and fed to one or more supply devices 138, for example inlet nozzles.

[0180] Supply air is introduced into the dryer room section 130 via the supply device 138.

[0181] Exhaust air is discharged from the respective dryer chamber section 130 via one or more discharge openings 140 and collected, for example, via a discharge duct 142 and / or returned to the recirculation module 128 for reconditioning.

[0182] As in particular Fig. 4 As can be seen, an outlet lock 144 is preferably arranged at one end of a treatment station 106. By means of such an outlet lock 144, in particular, the atmosphere prevailing in the treatment station 106 can be optimized by minimizing disturbances resulting from the removal of the workpieces 102 from the respective treatment chamber.

[0183] Once the workpieces 102 have been painted in the painting system 108 and dried in the dryer 110, they are then fed, for example, after the dryer 110 to a manual inspection station (not shown). At this inspection station, appropriately trained personnel check, for example, whether the workpiece 102 meets the required quality criteria. For example, they check whether an applied paint has a specified color and is free of contaminants and other paint defects.

[0184] If an error is detected, it can be corrected manually, for example by polishing.

[0185] However, it may be advantageous if the error control and / or post-treatment of the workpieces 102 is carried out automatically.

[0186] As in particular Fig. 4 As can be seen, the treatment plant 100 preferably comprises a control station 146 for this purpose, which is in particular an automatic control station 146.

[0187] The inspection station 146 can, for example, be designed as a portal 148 through which the workpiece 102 can be passed for inspection thereof.

[0188] Alternatively, the inspection station 146 may be arranged in a separate inspection room or inspection area to which the workpieces 102 can be conveyed by means of the conveying device 112.

[0189] The control station 146 preferably comprises, in any conceivable embodiment, one or more control units 150, which are arranged in particular on one or more receiving devices 152.

[0190] The control units 150 can be permanently arranged on the respective receiving device 152. Alternatively or additionally, one or more control units 150 can be mobile and / or portable and can only be temporarily arranged on the corresponding receiving devices 152.

[0191] A control unit 150 is or comprises in particular one or more sensors 154.

[0192] The treatment system 100 also includes sensors 154 that operate independently of the control station 146 and / or coordinate with the control station 146.

[0193] All sensors 154 are preferably used to record workpiece parameters and / or system parameters.

[0194] Workpiece parameters are those parameters which relate to the workpiece 102 to be treated.

[0195] For example, sensors 154 that measure temperature, such as a pyrometer 156 (see Fig. 5 ), measure a workpiece temperature and thus determine a workpiece parameter.

[0196] Furthermore, for example, the system temperatures and / or air temperatures can be detected by means of one or more sensors 154 designed as thermometers. In particular, such temperatures are the sensors 154 designed as contact temperature sensors 158, for example, in the treatment station 106 designed as a dryer 110. Using such contact temperature sensors 158, in particular, the temperature of air flowing around the contact temperature sensors 158 can be easily determined.

[0197] In particular, in a painting system 108 and / or a dryer 110, the sensors 154 are preferably permanently installed.

[0198] The sensors 154 detect in particular an air temperature in the plenum 122, an air temperature in the filter system 126 and / or an air temperature in the painting room 114.

[0199] Furthermore, a pyrometer 156, for example, can be provided in the painting room 114 in order to determine a workpiece temperature of the workpiece 102 without contact.

[0200] In the dryer 110, for example, permanently installed sensors 154 can be arranged in the recirculation module 128, in the distribution chamber 136, and / or in the dryer chamber 134. Furthermore, sensors 154 can be provided, for example, in the discharge duct 142.

[0201] It may be advantageous if one or more sensors 154 are arranged, in particular, in a floor 160 of a treatment station 106.

[0202] One or more sensors 154 can be designed, for example, as pyrometers 156 and, in particular, can detect a workpiece temperature on an underside of the workpiece 102 in a contactless manner.

[0203] In particular, to avoid contamination and / or to avoid excessively high temperatures on a pyrometer measuring unit 162 of a pyrometer 156, for example Fig. 5 As can be seen by way of example, the pyrometer measuring unit 162 can be arranged and / or accommodated in a housing 164, which is designed, for example, as a socket 166.

[0204] The pyrometer measuring unit 162 is mounted in particular on a receptacle 168 of the housing 164, for example screwed in and / or fixed by means of a lock nut 170.

[0205] At an end of the housing 164 facing the treatment room of the respective treatment station 106, the housing preferably has a window element 172 by means of which the pyrometer measuring unit 162 is protected from an atmosphere in the respective treatment room.

[0206] The window element 172 is formed, for example, from zinc sulfide (ZnS) and thus enables, in particular, permeability for a wavelength range which includes, in particular, ultraviolet radiation, visible light and infrared radiation.

[0207] The window element 172 is held, for example, by means of a holding element 174 of the pyrometer 156 on a window support 176 of the housing 164.

[0208] The holding element 174 is, for example, a holding ring 178 for fixing, in particular for clamping, the window element 172.

[0209] The pyrometer 156 may further comprise a cover (not shown) as an alternative or in addition to the window element 172. This cover is then particularly designed to be movable and is preferably opened only when a measurement is to be performed using the pyrometer measuring unit 162. The pyrometer measuring unit 162 can also preferably be efficiently protected by such a cover.

[0210] Furthermore, an (air) purge (not shown) of the housing 164 and / or an environment of the pyrometer 156 may be provided, in particular to protect the pyrometer measuring unit 162 and / or the window element 172 against heating and / or contamination.

[0211] The above-mentioned sensors 154 and the positions thereof preferably enable comprehensive data collection, which in particular allows conclusions to be drawn about a treatment result of the workpieces 102.

[0212] In particular, defects in or on a treated surface of the workpiece 102 can preferably be detected and localized by means of the inspection station 146. This enables automatic post-treatment of the workpiece 102 to remove defects from the workpiece 102.

[0213] As in particular Fig. 6 As can be seen, the treatment plant 100 therefore preferably comprises a post-treatment station 180, which also forms a treatment station 106 of the treatment plant 100.

[0214] The post-treatment station 180 preferably comprises one or more treatment units 116.

[0215] One or more treatment units 116 are designed, for example, as painting robots 118.

[0216] One or more treatment units 118 are designed, for example, as a polishing robot 182.

[0217] One or more treatment units 116 are further designed, for example, as a control unit 150.

[0218] In particular, all treatment units 116 are robots which enable treatment, in particular polishing and / or painting, and / or inspection of the workpieces 102.

[0219] The robots can in particular have an interchangeable head (not shown in detail), so that a treatment, for example a painting process and / or a polishing process and / or an inspection of the workpieces 102 can be carried out by means of the same robot.

[0220] The post-treatment station 180, in particular the one or more treatment units 116, are controlled in particular by means of a control device (not shown) of the treatment system 100, in particular using workpiece parameters obtained by means of the control station 146.

[0221] In particular, the control station 146 transmits the position and / or extent and / or type of a defect, such as an inclusion, on the workpiece 102 to the one or more treatment units 116.

[0222] If the workpiece 102, which was identified as defective by the inspection station 146, is automatically fed to the post-treatment station 180, the workpiece 102 can thereby also be automatically post-treated.

[0223] In particular, preferably no user intervention is required to bring the workpiece 102 into a defect-free state.

[0224] Since preferably not every workpiece 102 needs to be post-treated, the conveying device 112 is preferably a vehicle-based conveying device 112 after the dryer 110.

[0225] As such, it comprises in particular a plurality of vehicles 184, which are designed in particular as self-propelled transport vehicles and can be moved independently of one another, in particular autonomously.

[0226] The vehicles 184 are, in particular, freely movable on a hall floor or other floor.

[0227] The workpieces 102 are arranged on one or more receiving elements 188 of the vehicle 184, in particular by means of an adapter device 186.

[0228] By means of the vehicle 184, the workpieces 102 can be fed, in particular as required, to a transfer station 190 of the post-treatment station 180 and transferred there, for example, to a station conveyor device 192.

[0229] The vehicles 184 are then available for further transport tasks, while the respective workpiece 102 is introduced into a treatment room of the post-treatment station 180 by means of the station conveyor device 192, passed through it and / or passed out of it.

[0230] At a particularly further transfer station 190, the post-treated workpieces 102 can preferably be transferred again from the station conveyor device 192 to the conveyor device 112, for example to the vehicles 184.

[0231] How Fig. 6 As can be seen, the post-treatment station 180 preferably comprises one or more control stations 146 itself or is adjacent to one or more control stations 146.

[0232] A control station 146 at the outlet lock 144 may therefore be unnecessary.

[0233] Furthermore, this optionally allows a further check to be carried out by means of a control station 146 directly after a follow-up treatment in the follow-up treatment station 180.

[0234] Because the treatment plant 100 is provided with numerous sensors 154 and one or more control stations 146, the treatment plant 100 can preferably be operated with a high degree of automation and preferably a highly accurate defect detection and / or an automatic defect removal can be achieved.

[0235] How exemplary Fig. 9 As can be seen, the following can be provided in particular for an operation of the treatment plant 100: 1. After a treatment station 106, all workpieces 102 move to an automatic defect inspection (inspection station 146); 2. Subsequently, a specific selection (e.g. every second one) of the workpieces 102 is sent for quality measurement (quality inspection station 194). The selection of workpieces 102 depends, for example, on the color, the workpiece type, the workpiece nature, the process or other information. a. The following are measured, for example: layer thickness, structure and color, and only in places that do not exhibit defects (assessed based on the data from the inspection station 146) b. These measurements do not always follow the same pattern, but are preferably process-controlled, particularly as required. 3. In the automatic post-treatment station 180, the previously detected defects are corrected.Workpieces 102 that do not exhibit defects or were already identified as "rejects" or spot-repair workpieces 102 in a previous station (146 and / or 194) are conveyed directly to a manual post-processing station 196. 4. Workpieces 102 from the automatic post-processing station 180 are inspected again for defects in the additional inspection station 146—possibly even the same ones as before. A further "inspected" indicates whether the defects have been eliminated or whether new ones have even been discovered. If defects still exist, the workpieces 102 are returned to the automatic post-processing station 180. 5. All workpieces 102 are conveyed to a manual workstation (specifically, a manual post-processing station 196) and specifically inspected—and reworked if necessary. Minor defects are processed directly; larger defects are forwarded to the spot-repair station 199. 6.Finally, the workpieces 102 are transported to warehouse 198 (high-bay warehouse if necessary).

[0236] Stations 146, 194, 180, 196, and 199 can each be designed as a box or individual station, for example. Workpieces 102 can be conveyed to, deposited at, and / or removed from the station, in particular, by a vehicle 184.

[0237] As in Fig. 9 As can be seen, decisions about the next process step are made at several points. For this purpose, data (workpiece parameters, system parameters, operating result parameters) from database 202 are preferably used for decision-making: Decision I - For quality measurement?: Located after the control station 146, a decision is made as to whether the workpiece 102 is sent to the quality measurement or to the decision field II. The following workpieces 102 are sent to the quality measurement: o a sample of X - can be decided by the manufacturer o based on information from the workpiece-specific data set, body shop, process engineering, process technology or paint mixing room (which is used as input 206 in Fig. 9 indicated) o those workpieces 102 which had a fault or deviation in the process o workpieces 102 to which a new color was applied o new workpieces o marked workpieces 102, i.e. workpieces 102 which were marked for inspection during the process (e.g. bodyshell or paint shop) for various reasons. This means that a workpiece does not have to be tracked laboriously. When marking, the worker has the option of specifying which part of the workpiece should be inspected more closely. The process step from which the workpiece 102 was marked is also logged. If none of these criteria is met, Decision II follows. Decision II - For post-treatment?: Arranged after the quality inspection station 194 and after Decision I, a decision is made as to whether the workpiece 102 is sent to the automatic post-treatment station 180, in particular for automatic grinding and polishing, or to Decision III.The following workpieces 102 are sent to the automatic post-treatment station 180, in particular for automatic grinding and polishing: o those that have a defect that can be ground or polished. If this criterion is not met, Decision III follows. Decision III - Workpiece OK? Arranged after the second defect check (check station 146), a decision is made as to whether the respective workpiece 102 is sent to the manual workstation (manual post-treatment station 196) or to Decision IV. The following workpieces 102 are sent to the manual post-treatment station 196: ∘ Workpieces 102 that are assessed as OK after the second defect check (check station 146).∘ All defects were successfully processed If none of these criteria are met, Decision IV follows Decision IV - Number of passes >x? Following Decision III, a decision is made as to whether the workpiece is sent to the manual post-treatment station 196 or to the automatic post-treatment station 180, in particular for automatic grinding and polishing. The following workpieces 102 are sent to the manual post-treatment station 196, provided they meet all of the criteria below: o Workpieces 102 that are still defective o Individual defects have been processed at least x times If not all of these criteria are met, the workpiece 102 is reprocessed again in the automatic post-treatment station 180.Further or alternative decision III: Arranged after the second error control (control station 146) and after decision II, a decision is made as to whether the workpiece 102 is directed to the manual workstation (manual post-treatment station 196) or to decision IV.The following workpieces 102 are directed to the manual workstation: o Initially all o Workpieces 102 that could not be completely checked for defects o Workpieces 102 of a new type, with a new color or other features that were tried out o Defective workpieces 102 after defect inspection 2 o A sample of X - Can be decided by the manufacturer o Defective workpieces 102 after defect inspection 1, if the defects cannot be corrected by automatic grinding or polishing o Workpieces 102 that were selected by the operator o Workpieces 102 that show anomalies in the process, bodyshell, process technology or other If none of these criteria is met, Decision V follows Decision V: Arranged after the manual workstation (manual post-treatment station 196) and after Decision IV, a decision is made as to whether the workpiece 102 is directed to storage 198 or to Decision VI.The following workpieces 102 are sent to storage 198: o Workpieces 102 that are OK Decision VI: Following decision V, a decision is made as to whether the workpiece 102 is conveyed to the spot repair station 199 or is to be regarded as scrap 200. In the latter case, the workpiece 102 can be declared as a so-called 2nd runner and, if necessary, also sent to storage 198. The following workpieces are sent to the spot repair station 199: o Defective workpieces 102 after defect inspection 1 (inspection station 146), if the defect cannot be polished out automatically or manually o Defective workpieces 102 after the manual work station o Workpieces 102 with defects that only affect a few workpieces 102 and can still be corrected.

[0238] Based on the decision fields described above, 102 different movement options arise for the workpiece, which are shown in the Fig. 10 If the control stations 146 are combined, the movement options are as follows: Fig. 11 .

Claims

1. A method for inspecting workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104), the method comprising the following: - determining one or more workpiece parameters of the workpieces (102) to be inspected and / or one or more system parameters of a treatment system (100) for treating the workpieces (102) to be inspected; and - processing and / or compiling the one or more workpiece parameters and / or the one or more system parameters, wherein a workpiece-specific data set is created for each workpiece (102), and wherein one or more of the following parameters are provided as workpiece parameters: - workpiece temperature measured at a specific point; - workpiece temperature or workpiece temperature distribution measured and / or averaged over an area; - speed measured at a specific point, in particular the flow speed of the air on and / or around the workpiece, in particular by means of a sensor designed as an anemometer;- measured reflection properties of a workpiece surface; - measured absorption properties of a workpiece surface; - measured emission properties of a workpiece surface; - point workpiece temperature determined based on a simulation; - temperature distribution on the workpiece (102) determined based on a simulation; - information about the nature and / or type of the respective workpiece (102); - information about physical and / or production-related workpiece characteristics; - information about a production and / or processing of the respective workpiece (102) prior to the treatment; and - information about a post-treatment and / or further processing of the respective workpiece (102) following the treatment.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in thatby means of the data sets, it is determined individually for each workpiece (102) or jointly for several workpieces (102) whether the treatment of the respective workpiece (102) or the workpieces (102) has led or will lead to a treatment result that is within predetermined quality criteria.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the determination is carried out before the treatment of the respective workpiece (102) or the workpieces (102), during the treatment of the respective workpiece (102) or the workpieces (102) and / or after the treatment of the respective workpiece (102) or the workpieces (102).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatone or more of the following parameters are provided as system parameters: - global measured temperature and / or measured temporal and / or spatial temperature distribution in one or more treatment stations (106); - one or more operating parameters of one or more air guiding devices (124) of one or more treatment stations (106); - one or more operating parameters of one or more conveying devices (112) of one or more treatment stations (106); - one or more operating parameters of one or more treatment units (116) of one or more treatment stations (106); - one or more operating parameters of one or more filter systems (126) and / or cleaning systems for removing impurities from an air stream and / or a treatment medium for workpiece treatment.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatto create the workpiece-specific data sets, correlation data are used which establish a correlation between a) the one or more workpiece parameters and / or the one or more system parameters and b) one or more treatment result parameters, wherein it is preferably provided that simulation data and / or simulation functions are used as correlation data or to determine the correlation data, by means of which one or more treatment parameters and / or one or more treatment result parameters are calculated on the basis of the one or more workpiece parameters and / or the one or more system parameters.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatby means of one or more sensors (154) during and / or after carrying out the treatment, one or more sensory treatment result parameters are determined and that the one or more sensory treatment result parameters are compared with one or more predetermined and / or simulated treatment result parameters, wherein in particular a quality parameter is obtained which reflects whether the treatment of the respective workpiece (102) meets one or more quality criteria.

7. Method according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in thatone or more of the following parameters are provided as treatment result parameters: - thickness of a coating; - quality of a coating and / or a substrate surface, in particular flatness and / or roughness of a coating, in particular of each or individual layers; - uniformity of a layer thickness of a coating; - hue and / or brightness and / or colorimetry "color match" and / or flow and / or gloss level of a coating; - hardness of a coating; - chemical composition of a coating, in particular degree of crosslinking and / or solvent content; - degree of contamination of a coating; - spatial distribution and / or temporal progression of the temperature of the workpiece (102) during and / or after carrying out a treatment; - position of local temperature maxima and / or temperature minima generated by the treatment on the workpiece (102);- Information about measured, simulated and / or expected defects or other quality defects on the respective workpiece (102), in particular the position and / or extent of coating defects; 8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the workpiece-specific data sets are supplemented by: - ​​one or more workpiece-specific sensory treatment result parameters; - one or more workpiece-specific predefined treatment result parameters; - one or more workpiece-specific simulated treatment result parameters; - one or more quality parameters.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in thatthe data sets of a plurality of workpieces (102) are compared, correlated and / or summarized with one another, wherein a process data set is obtained which in particular represents a temporal development of one or more system parameters, one or more workpiece parameters and / or one or more treatment result parameters, wherein it is preferably provided that the process data set is evaluated, in particular by means of a data mining method and / or a deep learning method, in order to draw conclusions about possible sources and / or causes of determined and / or expected quality defects in the workpieces (102).

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in thatdepending on one or more workpiece-specific data sets and / or depending on a process data set obtainable from several workpiece-specific data sets, a treatment system (100) for treating the workpieces (102), in particular one or more treatment stations (106) of the treatment system (100), is controlled and / or regulated with regard to one or more system parameters.

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that depending on one or more workpiece-specific data sets and / or depending on a process data set obtainable from several workpiece-specific data sets, a conveying device (112) is controlled and / or regulated, in particular for varying and / or selecting a conveying path along which a respective workpiece (102) is conveyed, in particular for treating the same.

12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in thatthe workpieces (102) are fed to one or more post-treatment stations (180) after carrying out one or more treatment steps in one or more treatment stations (106) depending on the content of the respective workpiece-specific data record, wherein it is preferably provided that a) the post-treatment stations (180) are automatic treatment stations (106) and that the workpieces (102) are reworked therein, in particular automatically, at those defects or areas with other quality defects which are stored as such in the respective workpiece-specific data record;and / or b) that the workpiece-specific data records of the workpieces (102) are modified and / or supplemented during and / or after the post-treatment, in particular by workpiece parameters relating to the implementation of the post-treatment, and / or by system parameters relating to one or more post-treatment stations (180), and / or by treatment result parameters which are treatment-specific and / or workpiece-specific and which result from the post-treatment; and / or c) that the workpieces (102) are fed to one or more further post-treatment stations (180) after the implementation of one or more post-treatment steps, depending on the modified and / or supplemented content of the respective workpiece-specific data record.

13. Inspection system for inspecting workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104), the inspection system comprising: - a control station (146) for determining one or more workpiece parameters of the workpieces (102) to be inspected and / or one or more system parameters of a treatment system (100) for treating the workpieces (102) to be inspected; - a control device which is set up and configured such that, by means of the control device, a workpiece-specific data set can be created for each workpiece (102) based on the one or more workpiece parameters and / or based on the one or more system parameters, in particular according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A treatment system (100) for treating workpieces (102), in particular for treating vehicle bodies (104), the treatment system (100) comprising: - one or more treatment stations (106) for treating the workpieces (102); - an inspection system for inspecting workpieces (102), in particular an inspection system according to claim 13; - a conveyor device (112) by means of which workpieces (102) can be conveyed to one or more inspection stations (146) of the inspection system, through the one or more inspection stations (146) and / or away from the one or more inspection stations (146) and / or by means of which workpieces (102) can be conveyed to one or more treatment stations (106), through one or more treatment stations (106) and / or away from the one or more treatment stations (106).