Workpiece support device and method for configuring and operating a workpiece support device

Abstract

The invention relates to a workpiece support device (10) for supporting rod-shaped material (28) in a processing machine, the workpiece support device comprising a machine frame (12), a rocker (18) supported on the machine frame, and a support frame (24) arranged on the rocker; and a rocker drive (32) by means of which the position of the rocker and the support frame relative to the machine frame can be changed, wherein the rocker drive comprises a coupling element (34) and a slide element (36), wherein the coupling element couples the rocker to the slide element, and wherein the slide element is supported on the machine frame so as to be movable along a displacement axis (14). The invention also relates to a method for configuring and operating the workpiece support device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece support device for supporting rod-shaped materials in a processing machine, the workpiece support device comprising a machine frame, a rocker supported on the machine frame, and a support frame arranged on the rocker; the workpiece support device also comprises a rocker drive, by means of which the positions of the rocker and the support frame relative to the machine frame can be changed. Background Art

[0002] The workpiece support device described above is known, for example, from EP 3 292 944 B1 and CN 206677410 U. This workpiece support device is used to allow the support frame to be arranged in support positions at different heights, thereby supporting rod-shaped materials of varying cross-sections (i.e., workpieces that are elongated relative to their cross-sectional dimensions, such as rods, profiles, tubes, and plates) and positioning the rod-shaped materials relative to processing equipment (e.g., a separating device for cutting rod sections) in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the support frame can be placed in a relatively low parking position.

[0003] In known workpiece support devices, the rocker drive comprises a frame-mounted fluid cylinder connected to a rocker via a rotary joint, which in turn supports the support frame. The stroke of the fluid cylinder results in a maximum height difference between the lowest possible rest position and the highest possible support position. Because the support position required for processing a specific batch of rod-shaped material is often not associated with the highest possible support position, known workpiece support devices employ variable, frame-mounted stops that limit the movement path of the rocker (and therefore the support frame).

[0004] Known workpiece support devices have the following disadvantages: their configuration, i.e., adapting them to batches of rod-shaped materials with different cross-sections, is relatively complex and requires manual operation and adjustment of stops. In configured and operational workpiece support devices, the fluid cylinders are typically controlled so that the rocker end positions are achieved by mechanically striking the stops while the cylinders are still pressurized. This results in the cylinders operating against fixed stops before being depressurized, necessitating a relatively robust design for all components of the rocker drive. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Starting from this, the object of the present invention is to provide a workpiece support device that can be configured in a simple manner.

[0006] According to the invention, in a workpiece support device of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved in that the rocker drive comprises a coupling element and a slide element, wherein the coupling element couples the rocker to the slide element, and wherein the slide element is mounted on the machine frame so as to be movably mounted along a displacement axis.

[0007] The workpiece support device according to the present invention enables the position of the rocker, and thus the height of the support frame arranged on the rocker, to be changed by simply moving a slider element along the axis of movement. The slider element and the rocker are supported on the same frame. It should be understood that the slider element and the rocker can be supported on different frame parts of the frame.

[0008] The slider element transmits the movement directed along the displacement axis to the coupling element, which in turn transmits the movement to the rocker (and thus to the support frame). It is preferred within the scope of the present invention that the displacement axis has a straight line. However, it is also conceivable that the displacement axis has a different path than a straight line.

[0009] Particularly preferably, the coupling element and the rocker are connected to each other by means of a rotary joint, thereby enabling the movement of the coupling element to be simply and reliably transmitted to the rocker. In a preferred embodiment, the (rotational) bearing of the rocker is spatially arranged between the support frame and the aforementioned rotary joint.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferred that the coupling element and the slide element are connected to one another by means of a rotary joint, whereby a reliable transmission of movement between the slide element and the coupling element is also possible.

[0011] Furthermore, preferably, a fixing device is provided for releasably fixing the slider element in a position along the displacement axis, so that the spatial position of the slider element and thus the spatial position of the joint point of the coupling element can be releasably fixed.

[0012] It is conceivable to manually actuate the slider element along the displacement axis. However, it is preferred to provide a drive motor by means of which the slider element can be moved along the displacement axis. This can be achieved by a self-locking design of the drive motor and / or a transmission arranged between the drive motor and the slider element: this self-locking design forms the aforementioned fixing device.

[0013] It is particularly preferred to provide multiple assemblies, each comprising a rocker, a support frame, a coupling element, and a slider element, wherein the slider elements of these assemblies are kinematically coupled to one another along a movement axis. This allows the movement of multiple slider elements to be controlled simultaneously by controlling the movement of one slider element, and the movement of each slider element is transmitted to the respective support frame via the respective coupling elements and rocker. This is particularly advantageous when using the aforementioned drive motor, which then preferably serves as a drive for the multiple slider elements.

[0014] It is possible within the scope of the present invention for the coupling element to have a fixed length. However, it is particularly preferred if the coupling element is variable in length, so that the distance between the hinge and the slider element (on the one hand) and the rocker (on the other hand) can be adjusted. In this way, the height of the support bracket arranged on the rocker can be varied by adjusting the length of the coupling element.

[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the coupling element is designed as a fluid cylinder or an electromechanical cylinder. The fluid cylinder can be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder, preferably a pneumatic cylinder. The fluid cylinder or electromechanical cylinder comprises a cylinder body and a piston movable along the cylinder body, wherein one of these two components, the cylinder body and the piston, is connected in an articulated manner to the slider element, and the other of these components is connected in an articulated manner to the rocker.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method for configuring and operating a workpiece support device as described above, which includes a length-variable coupling element. The method is characterized in that, in a first end position of the coupling element, the slide element is moved until the support frame reaches a first desired position, the slide element is fixed, and the support frame is moved between the first desired position and the second desired position by actuating the coupling element between the first and second end positions.

[0017] The first end position of the coupling element is, for example, a position in which the piston is fully or partially retracted into the cylinder. The first setpoint position corresponds, for example, to the desired support position for a specific batch of rod-shaped material. In other words, with the coupling element's piston at least partially retracted, the slider element is moved along the displacement axis until the support element arranged on the rocker assumes the desired support position. In this state, the slider element is fixed (for example, by means of a separate fixing device, or alternatively, by the slider element's drive being self-locking). The second predetermined position corresponds, for example, to the parking position of the support frame, which is reached by actuating the coupling element and thereby extended into the second end position, in which the piston extends further from the cylinder than in the first end position, for example, to the maximum extent possible.

[0018] The method according to the present invention allows for simple and, in particular, rapid adjustment of the support position using a drive motor, tailored to the cross-sectional size of the rod-shaped material batch. By controlling a coupling element, the switch between a single-adjustable support position and a rest position can be achieved. The coupling element can be actuated so that it assumes one of two end positions. The piston can move freely along the path between these end positions, meaning it does not have to work against a fixed stop. The end positions of the coupling element can be predetermined, for example, by the maximum piston displacement generated by controlling the coupling element and / or by a preferably adjustable mechanical travel limit of the piston provided on the coupling element.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a method for operating the aforementioned workpiece support device, in which a rod-shaped material is rotated about its longitudinal axis or about a rotation axis at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis during processing, and in which the circumference (i.e., the outer surface) of the rod-shaped material is non-rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, and the position of the support relative to the machine frame varies depending on the rotational position of the rod-shaped material. In a strict sense, "non-rotationally symmetrical" refers to a deviation from rotational symmetry. In a strict sense, "rotationally symmetric" refers to cylinders and cones that can be reflected onto themselves when rotated through any angle. This refers, for example, to rod-shaped materials with a square or rectangular cross-section, i.e., whose circumference, viewed in the circumferential direction, is at different distances from the longitudinal axis (e.g., in a rod-shaped material with a polygonal cross-section, the corner regions of the cross-section are farther from the longitudinal axis than the central region).

[0020] Changing the position of the support frame relative to the machine frame in response to the rotational position of the rod-shaped material allows for a "dynamic" adjustment of the support frame height during the processing of rod-shaped materials that are not strictly rotationally symmetrical and rotate about their longitudinal axis (e.g., quadrilateral profiles with square or rectangular cross-sections). This adjustment of the support frame height in response to the respective rotational position of the rod-shaped material can be achieved by changing the position of the slider element along the displacement axis and / or by changing the length of the coupling element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are the subject of the following description and illustrations of preferred embodiments.

[0022] In the accompanying drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 a side view of one embodiment of a workpiece support device configured for use with bulk rod-shaped material having a small cross-section;

[0024] Figure 2 according to Figure 1 A front view of a workpiece support device;

[0025] Figure 3 and Figure 1 corresponding side views of the workpiece support device configured for use with bulk rod-shaped material having a large cross-section;

[0026] Figure 4 according to Figure 3 The components corresponding to Figure 2 Front view of

[0027] Figure 5 a side view of a first embodiment having multiple workpiece supports;

[0028] Figure 6 a side view of another embodiment having multiple workpiece supports; and

[0029] Figure 7 Another embodiment of the workpiece support device corresponds to Figure 2 and Figure 4 Front view of. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiment of the workpiece support device is Figures 1 to 4 The workpiece support device 10 is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. The workpiece support device 10 includes a fixed frame 12, which is Figures 1 to 4 Schematically shown in FIG and for example having a lower frame part 12a and an upper frame part 12b (see Figure 5 and Figure 6 The machine frame 12 serves to provide the displacement axis 14 and to provide a machine frame-fixed support device 16 for pivotably supporting a rocker 18 .

[0031] The rocker 18 (with respect to the support device 16) has rocker parts 20 and 22 arranged on sides facing away from each other. The rocker part 20 is used to arrange a support frame 24, which is known per se and optionally includes guide rollers 26. The support frame 24 is used to support a rod-shaped material 28 (shown by way of example in the figures) with a relatively small cross section (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) and rod-shaped materials of relatively large cross-section (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0032] The guide roller 26 can rotate about a support axis 30. The position of the support axis 30, and therefore its height, can be adjusted by means of a rocker drive 32, described below. The rocker drive 32 comprises a coupling element, generally designated by reference numeral 34, and a slider element 36. The slider element 36 is mounted on the machine frame 12 so as to be movable along the displacement axis 14. The coupling element 34 is articulatedly connected to the slider element 36 via a rotary joint 38. The coupling element 34 is articulatedly connected to the rocker 18, in particular to its rocker portion 22, via a rotary joint 40 spaced apart from the rotary joint 38.

[0033] The slide element 36 is supported along the displacement axis 14, for example, on a guide rail 42, see Figure 5 In order to move the slider element 36 along the guide rail 42 and thus along the displacement axis 14, a drive motor 43 can be provided, which acts on the slider element 36 and moves it along the guide rail 42 fixed to the frame. A drive motor 44 can also be provided, which moves the guide rail 42 movable relative to the frame 12 along the displacement axis 14 and thus moves the slider element 36 fixed to the guide rail 42 along the displacement axis 14, see Figure 6 .

[0034] In accordance with Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the figure, the rocker portion 20 and the support frame 24 arranged thereon are not shown. However, the arrangement and structure of the rocker portion 20 and the support frame 24 are similar to those of the reference Figures 1 to 4 The structure described corresponds.

[0035] A change in the position of the slider element 36 along the displacement axis 14 causes a rotational movement of the rotary joint 40 about the rotary joint 38 of the coupling element 34, thereby causing the rocker part 22 to rotate about the stationary bearing 16 and, therefore, also the rocker part 20 and the support frame 24. Thus, the support frame axis 30 can be arranged at a higher height, for example, by changing the position of the slider element 36 along the displacement axis 14 (see Figure 1 ) or at a lower altitude (see Figure 3 ) in order to define the support position of the support frame 24 for the rod-shaped material 28 having a relatively small cross section (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) or for a rod-shaped material 28 having a relatively large cross section, the support position of the support frame 24 is defined (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0036] The aforementioned adjustment of the support position of the workpiece support device 10 can be multiplied by providing a plurality of rockers 18 which support the rod-shaped material 28 at support locations offset from one another as viewed along the path of the rod-shaped material 28. The rockers 18 are each driven by their own rocker drive 32, each of which comprises a coupling element 34 and a slide element 36, see Figure 5 and Figure 6 The slide elements 36 are connected to one another, for example, by means of connecting rods 46 , via which different slide elements 36 are connected to one another. Such a connection can also be established in that the slide elements 36 are each fastened to a guide rail 42 , and the guide rail 42 is movable along the displacement axis 14 relative to the machine frame 12 .

[0037] It is thus possible to achieve the following: only by means of the drive motor 43 or 44 (see Figure 5 or Figure 6 ) moves multiple slider elements 36 along the same movement axis 14 and transmits this movement to the corresponding rocker 18 and the corresponding support frame 24 via the corresponding coupling element 34.

[0038] The at least one coupling element 34 is preferably provided by a fluid cylinder or an electromechanical cylinder having a cylinder body 48 and a piston 50 that is longitudinally movable relative to the cylinder body 48. The figures show the coupling element 34, provided, for example, by a fluid cylinder, in a retracted first end position. The support position is preferably adjusted in the retracted end position of the fluid cylinder in the manner described above, i.e., by moving the slider element 36 along the displacement axis 14. Once the desired support position is reached, the at least one slider element is fixed along the displacement axis.

[0039] Starting from the first end position, the piston 50 of the fluid cylinder can be brought into the extended second end position, whereby (with the position of the rotary joint 38 being fixed) the position of the rotary joint 40 changes along an arc around the support device 16 and in the second end position of the piston 50 can assume the position of Figure 1 and Figure 3 Since not only the rocker part 22 of the rocker 18 but also the rocker part 20 are moved about the rocker support 16, the extension of the piston 50 from the first end position to the second end position causes the support frame 30 to be displaced to the position indicated by the reference numeral 40'. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The lower position of the support frame 24 is respectively designated by the reference numeral 30 ′. The position 30 ′ corresponds to the parking position of the support frame 24.

[0040] It should be understood that the piston 50 of the fluid cylinder can be operated by different rocker actuators 32 at the same time (see Figure 5 and Figure 6), so that all pistons 50 can be simultaneously brought into a retracted first end position, in which all support brackets 24 occupy a supporting position. Simultaneously, the pistons 50 can also be brought into an extended second end position, whereby all support brackets 24 occupy their respective parking positions.

[0041] The rod-shaped material 28 can be rotated about the longitudinal axis 52 (see Figure 4 and Figure 7 ) rotation. It is also possible that the rod-shaped material 28 is not strictly rotationally symmetrical, but has a square or rectangular cross section (see Figure 7 For such a rod-shaped material 28, preferably a cylindrical guide roller 27 can be used, on which the circumference of the rod-shaped material 28 is supported, for example, on one of the four sides.

[0042] Rotating a rod-shaped material 28, which is not strictly rotationally symmetrical, about its longitudinal axis 52 causes the position of the processing region on the circumference of the rod-shaped material 28 to change in height. For a rod-shaped material 28 with a square cross-section, the distance 56 between the side regions 54 and the contact surface of the guide rollers 27 corresponds to the length of the side regions of the rod-shaped material 28. If the rod-shaped material is rotated by an angle of 45° about its longitudinal axis 52, the distance between the corner regions 58 and the contact surface of the guide rollers 27 increases by a factor of 1.41 (the square root of 2). To compensate for this change in the height of the processing region on the circumference of the outer surface of the rod-shaped material 28, the height of the support frame 24 can be adjusted according to the rotational position of the rod-shaped material 28, so that the height of the processing region 54 of the rod-shaped material 28 does not change ("dynamic height compensation").

[0043] exist Figure 6 The embodiment shown in is particularly suitable for such a height compensation method, in which a relatively powerful drive motor 44 is provided, which can quickly and accurately predetermine the position of the slide element 36 and thus quickly and accurately adapt the height of the support frame 24. As an alternative or in addition to the position change of the slide element 36, a length-variable coupling element 34 can also be used, which is preferably also compression- and tension-stable in intermediate positions provided between the end positions (in this regard, an electromechanical cylinder is preferred).

Claims

1. A workpiece support device (10) for supporting rod-shaped material (28) in a processing machine, the workpiece support device comprising a frame (12), a rocker (18) pivotally supported on the frame (12) around a support device (16) fixed to the frame, and a support frame (24) arranged on the rocker (18); the workpiece support device further comprising a rocker drive (32), by means of which the rocker (18) and the support frame (24) are pivotally supported relative to the frame (12) around the support device (16) fixed to the frame, characterized in that The rocker drive (32) comprises a length-variable coupling element (34) and a slide element (36), wherein the coupling element (34) couples the rocker (18) to the slide element (36), the coupling element (34) and the slide element (36) are connected to each other by means of a rotary joint (38), and wherein the slide element (36) is mounted on the machine frame (12) so as to be movable along a displacement axis (14) and to be releasably fixed.

2. The workpiece support device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coupling element (34) and the rocker (18) are connected to each other by means of a rotary joint (40).

3. The workpiece support device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A fixing device is provided for releasably fixing the slide element (36) in a position along the displacement axis (14).

4. The workpiece support device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Drive motors (43, 44) are provided, by means of which the slide element (36) can be moved along the displacement axis (14).

5. The workpiece support device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A plurality of components are provided, each comprising a rocker (18), a support frame (24), a coupling element (34) and a slider element (36), and the slider elements (36) of the components are coupled to each other in motion along the movement axis (14).

6. The workpiece support device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The coupling element (34) is designed as a fluid cylinder or an electromechanical cylinder.

7. A method for configuring and operating a workpiece support device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that In the first end position of the coupling element (34), the slide element (36) is moved until the support frame (24) reaches a first setpoint position, the slide element (36) is fixed, and the support frame (24) is moved between the first setpoint position and the second setpoint position by actuating the coupling element (34) between the first end position and the second end position.

8. A method for operating a workpiece support device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The rod-shaped material (28) rotates about its longitudinal axis (52) or about a rotation axis at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (52) during its processing, the circumference of the rod-shaped material (28) is not rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis (52), and the position of the support frame (24) relative to the frame (12) changes according to the rotational position of the rod-shaped material (28).

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